WHERE DO I STAND?
What is the most important issue you think Crow Wing County will be facing?
Budget, budget, budget. All expenses have increased, as they have also for every household. We have had a population boom and a tourism boom which increases the strain on our infrastructure. Cost of living is increasing, but wages haven’t kept up. Our next budget cycle will need a very high attention to detail. There are only two ways to balance a budget, cut expenses or raise revenue. In this situation, neither are a good option operating normally. We need to look at ways to raise revenue in new or unorthodox manners.
Do you support business growth on the Cuyuna Range?
Yes, of course. I built a small business out of my basement and turned it into one of the larger employers in the area. We need to have more business in the area. Business creates jobs. Businesses support other businesses. Businesses add revenue into our community and also into our tax base. We need more business to help offset individual tax increases. More specifically, I would like to focus on helping year round businesses grow. Tourism business is wonderful, however the tourism seasons are short lived. This makes it more difficult to draw in families that need year round employment.
How would you help the mental health crisis we are facing?
There are several aspects to this question. There are two main components the county board can do to help. First, we can continue to assess and improve our assistance through social services. We have a multitude of programs currently. Some are working well, some are just costing us money. I would work with social services to cut spending in the programs that are not affective and re-apply those funds into the programs that are affective. Secondly, the rising cost of living means money doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. Schools don’t teach kids how to budget anymore. I want to initiate community education opportunities to help our youth learn how to not only survive, but prosper in their lives through hard work and proper planning.
Do you believe government overreach exists?
Yes, I do. I believe our government at all levels, has too much involvement in our lives. More than they ever should have. Government should serve the people. The citizens should not be subject to the government.
Would you support re-evaluating the public transportation issue in Crow Wing County?
Yes. This is a question I have been asked multiple times already. The reason the existing county board gave for its demise was that it was a budget issue and cost prohibitive. I understand the dollars and cents of why they cut the program outside of Brainerd/Baxter. However, I believe the ball was dropped. This is a vital service to our community and I believe there is a better way to serve these citizens than to just say you aren’t important, we need to spend our money elsewhere. There is a way to provide this service without breaking the bank.
Would you support a property tax cap for senior citizens in Crow Wing County?
Yes. Inflation is killing everyone right now. We may be forced to raise taxes again. Many of our senior citizens are living on social security or a fixed pension. A capped property tax for those senior citizens may be the only thing that allows them to remain living in their lifelong homes. A capped property tax for senior citizens is a top five goal of mine.
What is the first task you want to address if elected?
Transparency. When asked what the biggest issue is facing our county, I struggle between our budget and transparency. They are a very close 1 and 2. Right now, a very large portion of the decisions the county board makes are made in committee meetings. These meetings are not in violation of any open meeting laws, but due to the time of day these meetings are held and also where they are held, they aren’t easily accessible to everyone. They can be listened to by phone, but only during the meeting. They are not recorded for the general public like the standard county board meetings are. The current board decided to take them off of social media for unknown reasons. However, this occurred at a time when the county board was receiving harsh criticism for some of their actions. We the people need to be able to know not only what decisions are being made, but when and how they are made. All meetings should be restored to social media and that will be my first task.
Would you support de-listing the wolf?
Short answer, yes. However, this is a decision made at the state and federal level, not the county. Having said that though, there are things we can do at the county level to help guide and direct the state in the direction we would like to move. There have been wolves in the city limits of Crosby and also in Ironton. I also know that some farmers and rural residents in District 5 have lost livestock and family pets to wolves within the last year. It is way past time the wolf is de-listed and I would work with the other board members to do whatever we can do to help make that happen.
What would you do to cut wasteful spending in the county?
Ending in about 2018, the county board had a seven year run of no increases in property taxes. The fat was cut then and there isn’t much left to cut. We also recently lost jail contracts with Itasca and Cass Counties for housing their inmates. However, I do believe a line by line review of the budget is in order, as well as searching for some new contracts to replace the lost revenue from those other counties.
Do you support the new state legislation being brought forward to force gun owners to keep their guns locked up at home?
No, I do not. First and foremost, this is a complete violation of the Second Amendment. Secondly, if all your firearms are locked up and your ammunition is locked somewhere else, how will you be able to defend yourself or your family during a home invasion? This is unacceptable. If elected, I will work with other board members, the Sheriff and the County Attorney to protect the rights of citizens in Crow Wing County.
Do you support the state legislation that was voted in last session to force churches to allow men into the women’s bathroom?
No, absolutely not. I don’t agree with the legislation and I support the work our local representatives are doing to correct it. It was voted in by the majority party. The minority party attempted to correct it, but was told that it was not a mistake and the majority would not vote to correct it. I believe we all need to contact the majority party and make our voices heard on this issue.