My Personal Statement

     Many people have asked me why I chose to run for the Sedgwick County Commission 4th District seat.  I want to continue to use my experience, my teamwork skills, and my ability to get things done for the benefit of the people who live in this community.  I was also encouraged by many people in my former council district and the community at large to seek the office in order to help move our region forward.  The District needs a County Commissioner who is dedicated to listening to people from throughout the entire district and getting results for them.  I will be that person.

     For the eight years that I served as a City Council member, one of my priorities included attracting businesses and jobs, along with the people needed to fill those jobs, by creating environments where businesses want to locate and people want to live.  The County’s Fourth District has great diversity in its small towns, unincorporated areas, neighborhoods and Wichita’s urban core – the kind of environment that we need to continue on the path to becoming a world class region where people want to live, work, and play.

     I’m honored that Rev. Dr. Kevass Harding and neighborhood advocate Kathy Dittmer are serving as Honorary Co-chairs and Thomas R. Docking is serving as the Treasurer for the campaign.

     Rev. Harding agreed to serve because he feels that the creation of an economically sound, growing and diverse community is important and believes that I have demonstrated that I will work hard to accomplish this.  He knows that I will educate myself about the issues and then bring groups of people together to address them as I did with the citizens of the 21st Street corridor in order for them to develop a plan for their community after 12 previous attempts had failed.  This new plan is now moving forward with implementation of street improvements and construction of the International Marketplace.  

     Kathy Dittmer is supportive because she has seen my commitment to teamwork and listening over the years.  She knows that I have a proven record of attending neighborhood meetings, holding monthly breakfast listening sessions and working closely with all constituents to ensure district-wide diversity on boards and commissions.  This is the kind of community-wide commitment I’ll bring to District IV.

     Many other supporters tell me that I am the right candidate because I am a voice of reason in difficult situations.  I am also results-oriented, professional, and take a common sense approach to problem solving.  I have addressed many tough issues on items such as drainage issues, road paving projects, and rezoning neighborhoods to reflect actual land usage.  I also helped establish policy to address special events; to start providing permanent housing for the area’s homeless; to help establish the nationally recognized aquifer recharge project that protects water for our cities and our farmers for years to come; and to implement Fair Fares to address the high cost of flying in and out of Wichita.

     I am pleased to be running as a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Sedgwick County Commission, District IV.   If elected, I promise to continue listening and talking with constituents throughout the district and the county.  I will never forget that “We’re all in this together.”

To read more about Sharon Fearey's qualifications, click this link.