Icet hits Joplin

Eli Yokley and Blake James

(JOPLIN, MO) State Rep. and State Auditor candidate Allen Icet made a stop in Joplin Thursday evening to explain his intent to seek public office.

He was introduced by current House Speaker Ron Richard (R- Joplin.) Richard called Icet a "person of common sense and good principals," and on with "fiscal responsibility."

He spoke in front of a crowd just shy of 20, mainly colleagues (Ron Richard, Brian Stevenson, and locals in the know.

Icet spent the early part of his remarks attacking the Kansas City Star, Saint Louis Post Dispatch, and the Springfield News Leader, for their bias against republicans.

Icet insisted that "the right" wasn't "sent to do the popular thing, it was sent to do the right thing."

**Icet pushed his MBA, rather than a CPA, as something that would help him manage the agency.**

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In the interview, he addresses his (relatively poor) fundraising numbers, he explains the importance of SWMO in his campaign, and explains what all the uproar about career ladder cuts is about.

ON CAREER LADDER:

• "Some twisting letter for political means."
• "Nothing has been cut."
• "We the state have to cut budgets."
• "This MAY happen."
• To teachers: "I have a daughter who teaches public schools."
• "We have to have a balanced budget." "Lots of places to pull money form."
• "All about priorities." "Public education is #1 [priority.]"
• (Interesting to not he never committed not to cut career ladder.