The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature is an advocacy group who educate, inform and involve the public on issues of the elderly population.

The top six candidates of 12 who filed for election to the Johnson County Silver Haired Legislature delegation will be chosen in an election from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the Sunset Drive Office Building, Room 1010, 11811 S. Sunset, Olathe.

Johnson County Area Agency on Aging staff will assist with the election.

Voters must be aged 60 or older and residents of Johnson County, and sign in with their name, address, date of birth and phone number. Kansas driver ’s license or Kansas ID will be helpful.

For more information or to request an absentee ballot by March 10, call 913-715-8860.

The candidates are:

• Mary L. Calhoun - Lenexa. 50 years in nursing. 15 years in long-term care, skilled rehab, assisted living manager for 20 years. Interest in health care, Medicare, mental health, Alzheimer’s prevention, prescription drug costs.
• Dr. Daniel M. Falvey Jr. - Overland Park. 25 years at Sprint. 14-year professor in business & management. Master Naturalist. Volunteer for Friends of the Kaw. AARP Kansas Executive Council. Interest in fact-based compromise to represent seniors.
• Jan Gippo - Overland Park. Saint Louis Symphony musician for 40 years. Chair of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians. Worked nationally to improve health insurance, retirement benefits, working conditions. Experienced senior advocate.
• Addie Harte - Leawood. Corporate trainer, state-approved mediator, financial services attorney. Topeka Capital-Journal’s 2014 Distinguished Kansans of the Year (w/spouse) for advocacy. Caregiver for parents. Elder Kansans need trusted advisors.
• Gerald Hay - Olathe. Organized annual Johnson County Veterans Day celebrations for 18 years. Headed support for Gold Star Families Monument in Kansas at Olathe’s Veterans Park. Public information specialist, editor of the Best Times magazine for ages 60+. Advocate for veterans and to end taxing of Social Security benefits.
• Katy Hoffman - Lenexa. Worked in the court system, community college, hospital services, communications. Current SHL member wanting to promote communication of senior needs, issues, services.
• Norman B. Kahn Jr. - Prairie Village. Member of Kansas Academy of Family Physician’s Advocacy Committee, Kansas Leadership Center fellowship. Teach Health System Science & Leadership at KU Med. Chaplain with Boy Scouts of America interfaith group. Will represent constituents, communicate KSHL priorities.
• Mary Penrose - Prairie Village. Master’s degree in adult education. Career in adult education and real estate. Current member of SHL. Interest in well-being of seniors and youngsters. Advocate to ensure knowledge of current available resources. Proponent of physical, mental health and self-advocacy.
• Teri Poth - Overland Park. Career in retail loss prevention. Volunteer: Boy Scouts scoutmaster, Midwest Animal Sanctuary, Starlight Ambassador, Alzheimer’s Association, Crossroads Hospice, SPCA, Harvesters, Sunflower House, Relay for Life, Christmas in October , Rose Brooks Center. Quality of life advocate, caregiver for parents.
• Gary R. Scott - Olathe. Driver education teacher, Kansas Coaches Association, Shawnee Mission West retired faculty. Kansas SHL treasurer for seven years. Advocate for issues pertinent to well-being of Kansas seniors.
• Michael E. Tedder - Leawood. Retired business consultant. Leawood Stormwater Committee, Hallbrook Country Club Board, Church of the Resurrection greeter , Brookdale Senior Center of Raymore reader. Wants to build awareness, connect seniors to available programs, services.
• David H. Wood - Overland Park. 28 years in human resources. 13 years with Johnson County Meals on Wheels and Missouri senior programs. Eight years volunteering, then two years Shepherd’s Center coordinator of volunteers & programs. Interest in senior issues, needs, improving their quality of life.