An election to select the Johnson County Silver Haired Legislature delegation will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Sunset Drive Office Building, 11811 S. Sunset Dr., rooms 1070/1075, Olathe.

Candidates receiving the top six votes will become the SHL delegation. The Silver Haired Legislature is an advocacy group who educate, inform and involve the public on issues pertaining to aging adults. Voting is only open to registered Johnson County voters aged 60 or older with a Kansas driver’s license or Kansas ID.

The candidates are:

• Mary L. Calhoun – Lenexa. Retired nurse manager with 15 years in long term care, skilled rehab and assisted living. Advocate for Medicare, mental health and Alzheimer’s awareness and prevention. Member of Age Friendly Kansas, KS Health Institute and JoCo Transit Strategic Planning Commission. Current JoCo SHL member.
• Mark Edwards – Gardner. Worked for NE Arkansas Area Agency on Aging. Volunteers mentoring armed service personnel leaving active duty, and with Kansas City DAV and Gardner Hope Market. Interests include property taxes, Social Security, COLA, elder abuse, medical costs and basic nutrition.
• Brett A. Hettrick – Overland Park. Project manager for 20 years. Volunteers as financial coach, Congregational Care Minister, pet rescue and medical response. Advocate for improving Alzheimer’s care, reducing drug costs, making facility care more affordable and securing funds for in-home elder care.
• Katherine (Katy) Hoffman – Lenexa. Retired administrative assistant. Former Commission on Aging board member. Wants to keep seniors independent, involved and be a source of assistance to others. Current first vice president of the Kansas State SHL and current Johnson County SHL member.
• Orisa J. Igwe – Leawood. Retired University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Pharmacy professor. Passion to mitigate problems associated with senior loneliness and social isolation. Volunteer election worker for Johnson County.
• Norman B. Kahn Jr. – Prairie Village. Retired physician who teaches at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Will represent seniors of Johnson County and seek to understand the issues that are important and communicate those priorities to the State Legislature. Current SHL member.
• LeAnn Luemmen – Overland Park. Former teacher and business founder. Former volunteer for City Union Mission, Hope Faith, Harvesters and Happy Bottoms. Wants to evaluate potential programs, communicate purpose to the State Legislature and advocate for older adults.
• Mary Penrose – Prairie Village. Former career in adult education and real estate. Advocate for the physical and mental well-being of seniors. Willing to maintain awareness and provide resources. Current SHL member.
• Gary R. Scott – Olathe. Volunteer activities include the Kansas Coaches Association and the National Drivers Education Board. Will bring issues to the State Legislature that are pertinent for Kansas aging adults. Current SHL member and treasurer for seven years.
• Marvin A. Singleton – Overland Park. Former ENT physician and Republican state senator in Missouri. Served on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Aging, vice-chair of the Silver Haired Foundation. Appointed to Kansas Advisory Council on Aging. Interests include supporting the current SHL legislative platform and protection of voting for seniors.
• David H. Wood – Overland Park. Retired human resources professional. Works for Johnson County Home-Delivered Meal program. Volunteered over eight years for Shepherd’s Center of KC meal delivery and Catch-A-Ride. Current SHL member who wants to identify and implement policies that help aging adults improve quality of life.

For more information, contact Jill Zink by phone or email.