ABOVE: County candidates engage in a forum Thursday night at City Hall in Fairmont. From left: County Attorney write-in candidate, Taylor McGowan; County Recorder candidates Karen Koehler and Michelle Duncan; moderator Chris Pierce; Martin County Sheriff candidates, James Kotewa, Jeff Markquart and write-in candidate, Travas Diersen.

FAIRMONT– Candidates for different county positions, including sheriff, recorder and attorney, gathered for a forum Thursday evening at Fairmont City Hall. Different questions were posed to the candidates, which they each had one minute to answer.

The panel featured Taylor McGowan, write-in candidate for county attorney. It also featured county recorder candidates, Karen Koehler and Michelle Duncan, and sheriff candidates Jeff Markquart, James Kotewa and write-in, Travas Diersen.

After introducing themselves, the candidates answered several questions regarding how they would run their respective offices.

RECORDER

The county recorder candidates were asked about their financial and technology skills and how they would enhance the recorder’s office’s efficiency and effectiveness.

Duncan said that technology is something that you learn. She’s currently in the county recorder’s office and said they have different services they provide which they need to use complicated software programs for.

“We have updates all the time. It’s something we get training on,” Duncan said.

She said when the recorder has been absent from the office, she’s stepped up and helped out to ensure the office runs smoothly.

Koehler acknowledged that technology is constantly changing. She said the county attorney’s office, which she currently works in, has undergone changes when everything switched over to electronic. She said there’s always training involved as technology grows and updates are required.

“My financial skills are strong with working for the county attorney’s office. I’m financially responsible for the operations of the office… I assist the with the preparations of the annual budget. I also maintain accounts payable, accounts receivable, coding vouchers. All of that would carry over in a transition to the county recorder’s office,” Koehler said.

They were also asked how they would improve the customer/taxpayer’s experience in the recorder’s office.

Koehler said customer service is top priority and shared she’s had 30 years of customer service experience in the county attorney’s office.

“Surprise is not a good thing for customers when they come in. A lot of times customers don’t know what they’re doing when they come in to a public office so it’s your job to relay the information to them and be as forthcoming as you can,” Koehler said.

Duncan said that the office currently provides an excellent customer experience, which is a top priority to her. She said often times people come in unsure of what they’re looking for, with many questions to ask about how their property is laid out.

“Drawing out legal descriptions is important. I know how to do that and I show that to them. A lot of other questions are about genealogy…,” Duncan said.

Finally, the candidates were asked what some of the emerging county issues are that need to be given greater attention.

Duncan said that right now the auditor/treasurer’s office is facing some changes and staff turnover. She said helping that office do what it needs to do is key.

“I think giving good customer service to anyone that walks through the door and helping them is a top priority,” Duncan said.

Koehler said she’s also aware of the issues in the auditor/ treasurer’s office. She agreed that helping out by providing good customer service is important, as well as having good morale.

SHERIFF

The sheriff candidates were asked about their past managerial experiences and how they relate to the job of sheriff.

Diersen said he previously owned his own construction business for awhile so he has experience with time and project management. As far as law enforcement, he said he’s supervised officers in a city of more than 40,000 people, as he currently works in St. Louis Park.

Kotewa said he’s been a patrol supervisor/sergeant for over 18 years and that he’s learned a lot of good things and bad things as changes have occurred.

“There’s responsibilities as a supervisor to mentor younger officers… eventually the older people are going to be gone and we need people to step up and take lead,” Kotewa said.

Markquart said that over the last 12 years, as sheriff, he’s dealt with hard decisions, not just supervising, but dealing with whether or not people should keep their jobs. He said it’s difficult after friendships have been formed.

“Making hard decisions as the sheriff goes along with the job. It’s not just telling people that they’ve done a good job but making sure that they continue to do a good job. It’s being with them when they failed.. and celebrating with them when they have good days,” Markquart said.

The candidates were later asked what prevention programs they feel are most effective in keeping young people out of the criminal justice system and what role the sheriff plays in them.

Markquart said the youth in Martin County are struggling. He said they’ve had over two dozen kids put in foster care over the past year.

“Last year we had that many taken out and put in foster care and they’re still in foster care. We have to spend time with our youth,” Markquart said.

He spoke about the take it to the box program which allows for old prescription medication to be safely dumped out.

Being visible and engaged is something that Diersen said he thinks is needed.

“I remember growing up here (in Ceylon) and being able to know the names of the officers and deputies and I think we’ve lost sight of that. I think we need to get back to where the youth can feel safe and that they can approach and talk to people. That helps build trust with the community and the youth and maybe that will keep them out of these situations,” Diersen said.

Kotewa said he believes the Fairmont Police Department has a number of positive prevention programs for youth, including the adopt-a-cop program and cops and bobbers.

As for keeping youth out of the criminal justice system, Kotewa said a lot of it starts at home. He said recognizing the situation that leads to instances is important.

“We can’t just focus on the children but where the environment is at,” Kotewa said.

ATTORNEY

McGowan is currently serving as interim county attorney and was appointed to that position following the retirement of long-time county attorney, Terry Viesselman. As he is currently the only candidate, he was not asked any questions.

Thursday night’s forum will be rebroadcast on Oct. 29 and 30 and Nov. 5 and 6 at 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 6 a.m. and 6 pm. on local public access channel 13.