RICHMOND – Two men seek the Ray County 911 Board chairmanship in the April 5 municipal election.

Ray County 911 Board Chairman Paul Harris, manager of Ray-Carroll Fuels LLC for Ray-Carroll Grain Growers, is challenged by Pastor Phillip Powers, who leads the Salvation Army store in Richmond.

Harris, 63, 1214 E. Main St., Richmond, holds a bachelor of science in agriculture degree from the University of Missouri. He has served on the board since September 2006 and as a Ray County Ambulance District Board member for the past 17 years.

“I am running for this position, so that I can help in assuring that the citizens of Ray County have a viable 911 call center that is second to none and is available whenever they have an emergency situation arise,” Harris said.

Powers, 53, 314 S. Institute, Richmond, did not identify the highest grade he had completed. He said he has no political experience but works with area government groups.

“I have and do work with every city and department in the county. During tornados, floods and the pandemic, I have been there helping everyone. I care about this county and the people in it,” Powers said.

Powers provided his reasons for running for office.

“I have a lot of family that lives here in Ray County. I was raised that, if you can do something to help the community, then you step up,” he said.

The following are policy questions and answers. The newspaper asked each candidate to start the answer with a “yes” or “no,” understanding that an “X” would be used to designate equivocation or a decline to answer. Candidates then had the option to elaborate on the yes-or-no answers.

Is the board’s top fiscal priority to make sure 911 calls are dispatched quickly?

Powers: Yes. “Absolutely. Citizens’ safety should always be a top priority. We should want to make sure they are dispatched quickly and accurately.”

Harris: Yes

Should 911 pay for most city/county emergency communication equipment?

Powers: Yes. “The tax got passed on two points: There was not enough money to operate the budget and the equipment the county had was old and needed upgraded. That does not mean I think everything that comes before the board is approved.” Harris: No. “City and

Harris: No. “City and county governments receive tax dollars that they have available to use for the replacement and maintenance of their communication equipment.”

Do you support construction of a new 911 building?

Powers: X. “I know the current building is old, but I don’t think we have to spend $4 million on a new underground one. I am not for that. You first look to upgrade the current one, then if there is no way, look at a moderate one.”

Harris: Yes. “Our current structure is one of the oldest buildings on the square in Richmond, it was never structurally designed to be a 911 call center and will not currently meet the code requirements for a 911 call center.”

Is the 911 board spending tax dollars in keeping with 911’s mission?

Powers: Yes.

Harris: Yes

Do you have a plan to improve the 911 board’s abaility to serve to the public?

Powers: Yes. “Transparency and communication with the public, working with and for all agencies, and correcting any communication issues will be my primary focus.”

Harris: Yes.