Talking Points (cont.)

Mark Treaster knows...

The problems of the small business owner:
- Mark founded Rainbow International Restoration and Cleaning in 1992.
- The difficulties of start-up-businesses, so essential to continued growth of Reno County.
- The difficulties of meeting payroll, providing health insurance, and worker’s compensation.
- The effects of legislation on small businesses.
- The difficulties of meeting the tax obligations of small businesses.

The problems faced by education:
- Mark was a teacher for 12 years. He knows the inside story of the needs of our school systems and students.
- Mark is the father of two sons educated in the Pretty Prairie School District. He knows the outside story of the needs of our school districts and students.
- Mark has had to pay for the college education of two sons. His older son, Matthew, recently graduated from the Colorado School of Mines, in engineering physics. His younger son, Andrew, is a student at Kansas State University. He knows the difficulties faced by parents of college-age students who are struggling with the costs of education.

The struggle of farmers and rural citizens:
- Mark and his wife of 27 years, Mary, live on the family farm in rural Pretty Prairie.
- Mark’s father continues to farm the land, which has been in Mark’s family for 5 generations.
- Mark knows the struggles of Reno County farmers.
- He knows the importance of good roads to the future of Reno County.