By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
A third candidate has announced plans to seek the Missouri House of Representatives post from the 129th District in 2010.
William “Bill” White met Monday with a large group of backers for a campaign kickoff event at Columbia Traders in downtown Joplin.
Earlier, Shelly Dryer and Adolfo Castillo, both of Joplin, said they also would seek the Republican nomination for the House seat now held by Rep. Ron Richard, of Joplin. Richard, who also is speaker of the House, is serving his final term in the House because of term limits. The 129th District takes in parts of Jasper and Newton counties.
White, 56, is an attorney in private practice in Joplin.
White said he views the legislative post as “an opportunity for service, not personal advancement.”
He said he is anti-abortion, supports the right to bear arms, and favors education that would allow “teaching our values” and focus on school curriculum rather than state or national testing.
White is a former volunteer instructor at McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin. He said he would work to ensure that public schools are adequately funded, and would support the rights of parents who wish to home-school their children or enroll them in private or parochial schools. He said he would not support higher taxes, and would favor measures that make the state an environment for new and expanding businesses that create good jobs and benefits for workers.
White, whose wife, M. Ellen Nichols, is a Joplin neurosurgeon, said he would support measures that maintain current high quality health care that is not rationed or nationalized. He said he also would work to provide expanded access to health care and benefits.
White and his family have lived in Joplin for 14 years. He has worked as a guardian in the juvenile court system and served as counsel for the Jasper County juvenile office from 1996 to 1999. Before receiving his law degree, he worked as a computer analyst from 1981 to 1990 for Commonwealth Edison in Chicago.
White received his law degree in 1993 from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.; a master’s degree from the University of Chicago; and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas. He is a veteran of the Marine Corps.
He is a member of the Joplin Park Board and president of the Tri-State Swim Conference. He has volunteered with groups including the Ozark Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Southwest Missouri Arthritis Association.
Joplin Metro
Related Photos
Discussion
Joplin lawyer announces plans to seek House post
- Joplin Metro
-
-
Longtime Democrat dies at 81
Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.
-
Motivational speaker offers free marriage course
Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief.
-
District sends faculty, administrators on site visits
With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.
-
Mural depicting Joplin High School dedicated
A four-paneled mural depicting the recent history of Joplin High School was dedicated at the Memorial 9th- and 10th-grade Center Tuesday morning. The mural will be moved to the new high school when it is completed in 2014.
-
Carl Junction chamber creating new committees
The Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce is kicking off three new committees this week with meetings scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.
-
Body of missing Joplin man found
The body of a missing Joplin man was discovered this afternoon inside his home in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin.
-
Wildcat Glades nature center receives $50,000 grant
The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has received a $50,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant, which is being provided through an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota.
-
Joplin shooting victim’s name released
The Joplin Police Department today released the name of a woman fatally shot in her home early Thursday and acknowledged that the shooting was reported as a suicide attempt.
-
Barry Manilow to deliver donated instruments
Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will visit Joplin next week to donate more than $300,000 in musical instruments to replace those lost during the May 22 tornado.
-
Extreme Makeover releases names of families
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has released more details about the build in the 2400 block of Connor Avenue, including the names of the seven families. They are:
- More Joplin Metro Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
