The Holden Image

Four candidates are seeking the Johnson County Western District Commissioner’s position as current commissioner, Bob Banes, is not seeking re-election to the post.
Charles Kavanaugh of Centerview and Jack Landers of Warrensburg are opposing each other on the Republican ticket and Destry Hough of Holden and Dennis Norcross of Warrensburg are vying for the Democratic nod from voters in Tuesday’s primary election.
On the Democratic side, Destry Hough is a resident of Holden and he and his wife, Cricket, have two children, Sam, 12 and Celeste, 11. He is a 1983 graduate of Holden High School, attended Warrensburg Vo-Tech and later served as a vo-tech judge. He is a member of the Holden Christian Church, the Missouri Jaycees and Holden Masonic Lodge #262.
He has worked with his father, Reed Hough, at Reed’s Body Shop and Wrecker Service for the last 24 years and adds he spent a lot of time helping his grandfather, Aaron Hough, move houses throughout the county.
Because of his line of work, Hough says he has spent a lot of time in the rural areas and is familiar with the county roads and residents. He adds he has worked with many in the fire and sheriff’s department and recently completed the Missouri Auctioneer School in St. Louis. He has already worked with several area auction companies including Anstine Auction, Brown Auction and Gerdt’s Auction.
He says he enjoys working with the public and would be able to communicate with fellow residents as well as county officials.
Dennis Norcross is a lifelong resident of Johnson County and he and his wife, Linda, are the parents of two grown children, Dianna Thompson of Warrensburg and Matt Norcross of Las Vegas. They also have four grandchildren.
Dennis holds a B.S. degree in business management. He was employed by Sprint for 37 years and spent 34 years with the Army National Guard. He was also a reserve with the sheriff’s department for six years. He is the vice president of MO/Kan Communication Workers of America and a member of Elks #673, Masonic Lodge #263, Ararat Shrine, Hound Dawg Shrine Club and the Warrensburg Wheels.
On the Republican Ticket, Jack Landers was born and raised on a farm near LaTour. He continues to own and manage the farm. Jack currently lives near Warrensburg with his wife, Mary Lee. He has been active professionally at the local, regional, state and national levels for many years.
Landers is a retired professor of industrial technology from Central Missouri State University. He completed post-doctoral studies at Oklahoma State University in 1980; received his doctor of education degree in 1972 from the University of Missouri-Columbia; his master of science in education degree in 1968 from Central Missouri State University and his bachelor of science in education degree in 1964 from Central Missouri State University. He was a 1953 graduate of LaTour Public Schools. Landers has served as a consultant for a number of universities, education-related boards and other public entities during his career. He has also written a number of books and articles and has received numerous academic-related awards.
He is an honorary member of Phi Delta Kappa and Epsilon Pi Tau member-at-large, a member of the National Association of Industrial Technology, Society of Manufacturing Engineers; the American Council for Construction Education and a host of other professional organizations.
He was elected to the Warrensburg City Council and served a three-year term; served on the building codes board of appeals for the city of Warrensburg; was a member of the regional planning council and the board of adjustment for the city. He was also an elder and trustee for the First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg for nine years.
Charles Kavanaugh is the operations manager for Carlyle Van Lines in Warrensburg. He is a member of the Warrensburg Elks and a former member and past president of the Johnson County HELP board. Kavanaugh has been a resident of Johnson County most of his life with the exception of eight years which were spent in Saudi Arabia.
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