The changing of the guardians
August 5, 2020
Barry County Public Adminstrator, Keith Daniels (left), and his presumptive successor, Sam Madsen (right), pause for a photo during a transitional training session, one of many which will take place during upcoming months.
Sheila Harris
Although Keith Daniels, Barry County’s Public Administrator, officially has a few more months left in his term, he is preparing to pass the baton to his presumptive successor, Sam Madsen, who will be running unopposed in November’s general election.
According to Daniels, at any given time, Barry County has an average of 150 residents his office is responsible for.
“Typically, wards of the county have been declared incapacitated by the courts and have no family unit of their own to help them with their needs,” Daniels said. “The public administrator’s office is responsible for managing their finances, medical care and paying their bills. Many of them are elderly and living in residential care facilities; others are younger, with mental health issues which make it difficult for them to make day-to-day decisions. In both scenarios, the public administrator functions as a guardian and conservator. We manage their bank accounts, pay bills on their behalf, and authorize cash withdrawals when they need spending money.
“Our goal,” Daniels continued, “is to ensure that each person lives as independently as they’re capable of. We want to help people help themselves. When people are able and willing to cooperate and accept help when it’s offered, it’s amazing what they can do with their lives.”
His job, Daniels admits, can be a little stressful at times.
When asked why he wanted to take over this sometimes thankless position, Sam Madsen said simply that he wants to help people.
“I want to give back to the community,” he said.
Five years ago, Madsen and his wife, Jenny, moved to Cassville from Diamond, where he worked in a managerial position at a feed store. After arriving in Cassville, they opened “At the River,” a store specializing in outdoor adventure gear.
“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do,” Madsen said, as he gestured toward his truck in the parking lot, which had two kayaks perched in the bed. “We’re outdoors every chance we get ourselves.”
The Madsens also have a heart for kids. They adopted their sons, nine-year-old Eli and five-year-old Conner, from the foster system when they were infants.
“We’ve fostered 13 kids in all over the past several years,” Madsen said.
With Madsen’s warm personality and relaxed demeanor, it’s easy to believe that he appreciates kids and they him. He says he and Jenny might get back to fostering children eventually, but for the time being, his part-time job as an assistant for a special needs class at Cassville Schools, plus the public administrator position, will keep him plenty busy.
Keith Daniels believes the job will be a perfect fit for Madsen, who he was already acquainted with through his sons-in-law.
The two will work closely together over the following months as the courts transition guardianship of the county’s wards from him to Madsen.
“There’s a lot for Sam to learn before my last day on December 31st,” Daniels said, “but I’ll be leaving it in capable hands.”
In addition to Daniels, the public administrator’s office has one full time employee, Deb Woodward, on staff. Daniels also pays a part-time employee, Tisha Hodson, from his ownfunds.
“These ladies keep me in order,” he said.
After passing the baton to Madsen, Daniels has an ambitious bucket list. He hopes to purchase the largest travel-trailer his wife Gayle will allow and tour all of the national parks in the United States.
“I’ll probably head to Utah first,” he said. “I’ve heard Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are pretty amazing.
Although Keith Daniels, Barry County’s Public Administrator, officially has a few more months left in his term, he is preparing to pass the baton to his presumptive successor, Sam Madsen, who will be running unopposed in November’s general election.
According to Daniels, at any given time, Barry County has an average of 150 residents his office is responsible for.
“Typically, wards of the county have been declared incapacitated by the courts and have no family unit of their own to help them with their needs,” Daniels said. “The public administrator’s office is responsible for managing their finances, medical care and paying their bills. Many of them are elderly and living in residential care facilities; others are younger, with mental health issues which make it difficult for them to make day-to-day decisions. In both scenarios, the public administrator functions as a guardian and conservator. We manage their bank accounts, pay bills on their behalf, and authorize cash withdrawals when they need spending money.
“Our goal,” Daniels continued, “is to ensure that each person lives as independently as they’re capable of. We want to help people help themselves. When people are able and willing to cooperate and accept help when it’s offered, it’s amazing what they can do with their lives.”
His job, Daniels admits, can be a little stressful at times.
When asked why he wanted to take over this sometimes thankless position, Sam Madsen said simply that he wants to help people.
“I want to give back to the community,” he said.
Five years ago, Madsen and his wife, Jenny, moved to Cassville from Diamond, where he worked in a managerial position at a feed store. After arriving in Cassville, they opened “At the River,” a store specializing in outdoor adventure gear.
“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do,” Madsen said, as he gestured toward his truck in the parking lot, which had two kayaks perched in the bed. “We’re outdoors every chance we get ourselves.”
The Madsens also have a heart for kids. They adopted their sons, nine-year-old Eli and five-year-old Conner, from the foster system when they were infants.
“We’ve fostered 13 kids in all over the past several years,” Madsen said.
With Madsen’s warm personality and relaxed demeanor, it’s easy to believe that he appreciates kids and they him. He says he and Jenny might get back to fostering children eventually, but for the time being, his part-time job as an assistant for a special needs class at Cassville Schools, plus the public administrator position, will keep him plenty busy.
Keith Daniels believes the job will be a perfect fit for Madsen, who he was already acquainted with through his sons-in-law.
The two will work closely together over the following months as the courts transition guardianship of the county’s wards from him to Madsen.
“There’s a lot for Sam to learn before my last day on December 31st,” Daniels said, “but I’ll be leaving it in capable hands.”
In addition to Daniels, the public administrator’s office has one full time employee, Deb Woodward, on staff. Daniels also pays a part-time employee, Tisha Hodson, from his ownfunds.
“These ladies keep me in order,” he said.
After passing the baton to Madsen, Daniels has an ambitious bucket list. He hopes to purchase the largest travel-trailer his wife Gayle will allow and tour all of the national parks in the United States.
“I’ll probably head to Utah first,” he said. “I’ve heard Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are pretty amazing.
