EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is one in a series of interviews by Carla Baranauckas with candidates running In the Nov. 7 election.
Otto Mangold. Democratic candidate for Precinct
2. Place 2 justice of the peace, , says that two words he "picked up from his father have taken him a long way."
Those words are "fair but firm." And Mangold says that is the way he intends to operate the justice of the peace office if he i is elected.
Why is Mangold, a former teacher, running?
"Four of my former students came to me and asked me to run," Mangold said. "I , guess they thought I could do a good job, i and I feel like I can serve the community."
Some of his teaching experiences and coaching experiences give him the background to hand!e a justice of the peace position, Mangold said.
"I've been on the playground for many years and refereed all sports for 19 or 20 years," Mangold said. "That experience has given me the judgment it takes to run an office lIke the Justice of the peace office. I've had to make decisions on the playground and the athletic field."
Mangold said his experience as athletic director at Boys Ranch will also beneficial in handling the justice of the peace duties.
"I was athletic' director at Boys Ranch for two years," Mangold said. '~It gave me the opportunity to work with kiddos who have been in trouble, needed help and hadn't been able to get it on the streets of the cities."
What would Mangold's philosophy be in
handling the justice of the peace decisions? "r feel the justice of the peace should be willing to listen to both sides ofthe story," Mangold said. "If elected I will run the office in a businesslike manner with
Mangold said many p~ple with whom he has spoken ha've asked what his policy would be concerning "hot. checks."
.. I' II do everything in my power to collect those checks that my office gives me the authority' to collect," he explained. .
Mangold'said he would use the same criteria in handling other justice of the peace duties.
"I will do whatever my office gives me the authority to do," he said.
Mangold says he encourages everyone to get out and vote. As a history teacher he told his students it was their responsibility as an American to vote.
"If they want a change in this office, they'll go vote," he said.
Mangold, 61, graduated from high school in Clinton, Okla. He ~raduated from West
prob. ca. 1978
Texas State University with a B.S. in physical education and has several certificates in special education. Mangold has been a Pampa resident for 27 years and taught at Pampa High School until 1977 when he retired. He is a member of the First Baptist Church and the Chamber of Commerce.