Candidates readying for election
Jennifer Brookens — Staff WriterFAIRMONT - With November's election less than two weeks away, voters are preparing to decide numerous races, including seats on the Martin County Board of Commissioners. What follows is a review of the candidates and issues pertaining to the race.
THE CANDIDATES:
In District 1, incumbent Gerald Boler of Truman is seeking his third term. Boler, who is retired, is being challenged by Steve W. Pierce of Granada, who works for Crown-Tonka of Winnebago and the Granada-Huntley-East Chain school district.
District 1 covers the eastern portion of Martin County, including the towns of Truman and Granada. It also covers the northeast portion and eastern edge of Fairmont.
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In District 3, incumbent Steve Donnelly has served the district since 1992. He owns and operates Cleanrite carpet cleaners of Fairmont. Challenging Donnelly is Billy Gunther, former owner of Gunther's grocery store, now retired
District 3 covers the west and southern portion of Fairmont.
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In District 5, Jack Potter of rural Trimont, who is retired, is seeking his third term. His challenger is farmer Dwight Adamson, also of rural Trimont.
District 5 covers the northwest corner of Martin County, including the towns of Trimont, Northrop and the northwest corner of Fairmont.
The three big issues during this election have been tax increases due to federal and state cuts, the need for a new jail, and job and industry development.
Taxes:
Boler: "We've been facing these mandates from the state and feds, and the pressure is on the counties, cities and the townships. The most recent example we've seen is the dropping of the state to fund the public defender's office."
Pierce: "We need to try to keep taxes from going up anymore ... With the money situation the way it is, people can't afford to have their taxes keep going up. Everyday, I have to find how to cut costs, at home or at my workplace. It's a tough decision, but I've done it ... There's a lot of work to be done in this county, and as commissioners, we need to prioritize what needs to be done first."
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Donnelly: "The issues seen with the property taxes are still not resolved. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing the Lone Ranger for the fairness and the quality of it all."
Gunther: "Our county has lost 28 percent of its population in the past 20 years, and yet we see an increase in our taxes each year. So we've got 72 percent of the people paying 100 percent of the taxes. In business, if you lose 28 percent of your revenue, you make cuts to survive."
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Potter: "There are things required by statute, but no money that is needed to go through with these things ... All 87 Minnesota counties are involved in the Minnesota Redesign Project, to work with the Legislature more, so we don't need to keep raising property taxes and also to create more public awareness with more media exposure ... If the state is going to force mandates, they need to fund them. Either we have to tax to pay for it, or we go without."
Adamson: "With the state pulling back on revenue sharing, more of it is falling on the local governments. ... The general thing is that everyone wants less taxes and more service, but we need to be realistic. As commissioners, we need to take the leadership role and pressure the state Legislature."
building a new jail:
Boler: "All of us as a board are understanding that we need a new jail, but with the school bond, we need to hold off for at least a few years. Both Blue Earth and Mankato are opening new jails in the next year, so we should be able to work with them."
Pierce: "I've talked this over with (Gunther) and we both want to go and investigate it for ourselves. I think we can find ways to make things better, make changes and save money. The answers are there, but we just need to figure things out."
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Donnelly: "With the passing of the school referendum, that kills any thought for a new jail. We need to plan and maybe piecemeal things together over an 'X' amount of time. We have to start a plan for the Department of Corrections, we can't just ignore (the state's jail mandates). But we have to work smart."
Gunther: "Despite what was said about the (former juvenile) detention center, I still think it has promise; it's buyable. ... We will need a new jail in the near future, but after the school referendum, taxpayers have a lot on their plate, especially with the economy."
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Potter: "There are so many new jails being built across the state. Boarding prisoners at other jails is the less expensive option right now. A new jail would also mean additional employees. Put a 5 percent interest rate on the jail, and the county would be paying $99,587 a month for the next 20 years. Faribault County's jail is at 4 percent interest, so they'll be paying $90,465 a month. Blue Earth County started saving money about 15 years ahead of time, because they knew that was going to be needed.
"But I am impressed with what our sheriff's department has done with what we have. It's always clean, and they do their jobs well."
Adamson: "Commissioner Potter figured out all the numbers for the expenditures. It makes sense to use the business approach to it; if you don't, you won't stay in business long."
job/industry growth:
Boler: "We're hoping that with the burning plant in Fairmont that Prairieland will become a part of that instead of making compost. That alone would be 75 to 90 percent of the odor reduction. I'd want to make sure Prairieland can operate; it's the largest utility user and employer for the town of Truman."
Pierce: "Again, I think we could find ways to make things better. A lot of it is the same things over and over again. I may not have government experience, but on solving problems, I have a lot of experience."
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Donnelly: "We are extra-fortunate with the ag area. With the wind turbines, we get a slice of the production tax. With the ethanol plants, the land values are high and we'll see more revenue coming from that in the upcoming years ... We're also always looking for new employers in the county. Anything is welcome because you never know what is going to grow. Job retention is important, too; keeping the jobs that are here and keep them healthy."
Gunther: "There are other areas that can be looked at; compare ourselves to similar counties ... If elected, I will have more access to information."
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Potter: "The wind turbines contributed $246,000 to the county; that's about $6,000 per town in production taxes. There are innovative things coming from the ag industry, and Prairieland changing from compost to fuel is also promising."
Adamson: "The biggest concern seems to be jobs and job creation and the economic climate which makes it even more challenging. Seeing inflation and pumping money into the bailout will lead to more inflation. Fixed income families are getting hurt."
