ANNO AND VANSICKLE BUCKLE DOWN AHEAD OF VOTE

On August 7th, residents in Macon County will get the chance to cast a vote for one of the most competitive races for county office, Macon County Collector. Running for the position is Rhonda Anno and Michele Vansickle. The position became open after Jeanette Wieberg Powell announced her retirement. We reached out to the candidates and asked them to answer five questions. QUESTION #1: Background (raised where, high school, college, first career job, family, where you’ve worked at before, etc.) QUESTION #2: What life experience makes you the best candidate for Macon County Collector? QUESTION #3: Why do you want to be Collector? QUESTION #4: What does Macon County mean to you? QUESTION #5 What is one thing you’ve learned through the campaign process? Finally, candidates were told to add any other/extra information at the very end if they wanted to!

THE FOLLOWING ANSWERS ARE FROM RHONDA ANNO:

1. “I had the privilege of growing up the daughter of a Veteran and because of that I was fortunate to have lived all over the world. I went to military schools for most of my educational years with the exception being Georgia. After my father retired, my family moved to the Peach State and that’s where we lived up until my husband Larry and I moved to Missouri. While in Georgia, I attended two high schools, one of which was Lee County High School. Their claim to fame is that it’s the same school that Buster Posey, baseball great, Phillip Phillips, the singer, and Luke Bryan, county music star also attended and called home. After high school I attended Albany Technical College and graduated with a degree in Graphic Arts and was ranked 9th in the nation with the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. I worked in that industry for 9 years before moving into the banking industry, where I worked for 13 years, where I honed my skills in finance, accounting and customer service. I pride myself on being accountable for not only my ability to be a good steward of my own money, but other’s as well.

2. Each of my career choices has contributed to my successes and abilities as a valued employee and as a leader. My work at the Macon County Assessor’s office has given me extensive insight as to working for the government as well as serving the public. It’s a job that requires knowledge of the county as well as the inner workings of taxes, assessments and property values, of both real estate and personal property. That education alone will give me the head start needed in moving into the collector’s office seamlessly and smoothly. What life experiences make me the best candidate? That would have to be my ability to grow where I’m planted. Being a military kid, I learned to adapt, improvise and overcome, it gives me a confidence that what ever comes my way, I approach it head-on. The same thing goes for my approach to people, I treat each one with respect giving them the one on one attention that they deserve and need.

3. Why do I want to be the Collector? I believe it is incumbent upon all of us to serve, whether or not it’s your community, your government or your neighbor. Simply enough, I want to serve. I thoroughly enjoy working and serving others. It’s my way of helping my community, my government and my neighbor. I want to be more than just a friendly face in the courthouse; I want to be the person that provides the trust in knowing that your taxes are being utilized in a way that benefits Macon County as a whole.

4. What does Macon County mean to me? It means HOME. This is the first community that I have not only lived in the longest but it’s where I’ve raised my family. My children grew up here and my husband is from this area. Macon County is where my heart has taken root. This community has so much potential and I am excited about being a part of it and working towards taking it to the next level.

5. I’ve learned a lot about the campaign process. I’ve learned that there are so many people invested in me. They are not only supportive of my future but also the future of Macon County. People definitely care about what’s happening in their community and that is so refreshing. While door-to-door knocking, which is somewhat intimidating, the people in this community were inclusive and welcoming. We’ve received house tours; invitations to dinner and spent time reminiscing with Veterans about their time spent serving our country. One of the greatest things I have encountered, is that just when you’re worn out from this process, there are people invested in you and there for you to lift you up. It’s a wonderful feeling getting the support and encouragement that I’m receiving. It reaffirms my decision to run for the Collector of Macon County.

The opportunity to serve the people of Macon County is not something I take lightly. I will swear in to that office and I take that very seriously. I will uphold and defend the Missouri statutes for the Collector’s office and be the tax collector that this county needs it to be. I appreciate all the support that’s been given to me. I thank the people that have given me their votes, their contributions and their time in this election. I value it all and I appreciate your consideration in the August 7, Macon County Collector election.”


THE FOLLOWING ANSWERS ARE FROM MICHELE VANSICKLE

1. “I grew up in Canton, MO and graduated from Canton R-V High School. I attended college at University of Missouri where I met my husband Dean. He and I married in 1990 and moved to Quincy, IL. I completed my education at Quincy University where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. In 1992 we moved to Macon and I worked in the accounting department of ConAgra Frozen Foods for almost 10 years. The last 10 years my husband and I have owned and operated Van's Transport LLC. I handled all of the office duties for our small business and developed my skills in many areas. Dean and I have been blessed with 3 children. Our oldest is Darin who graduated from Macon R-1 High School in 2012. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2016 and is currently a sales manager for Wilson Trailer Company. Our daughter Kayla is a 2014 graduate of Macon High School and currently attends the University of Missouri in Kansas City studying for her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Our youngest is Dalton and he is currently starting his junior year at Macon High School. He is active in FFA, student council, golf and band.

2. I think my education and years as an accountant make me a perfect fit for the Collector position. For the last 10 years I have not only utilized my accounting skills but I have also been responsible for my own office and I think that gives me an edge. I know how to get things done and I am determined to be successful. I will not let the people of Macon County down if they choose me as their next Collector.


3. I want to be Macon County Collector because I believe that my skill set is a perfect complement to the position. I am confident that I can complete the duties of Collector in an efficient and professional manner that will make the patrons proud. My positive and friendly personality will be a benefit to the office. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the people.

4. Macon County means so much to me. My husband was born and raised here and he loved it so much that he wanted to raise our family here. His passion for the community was infectious. We have now been here for over 25 years and it has been the best decision we ever made. My family has been blessed by the wonderful, genuine people who live here. I would be honored if I was chosen to serve as Collector.


5. It is hard to narrow down one thing I have learned during this process. I guess the biggest thing I have learned is that it is good to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. You learn a lot about yourself and other people through the process. I have been blessed with tremendous support and encouragement and am very grateful for that. It has been wonderful to meet so many people of Macon County.”