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SHERBURN-- The Sherburn Civic and Commerce Club sponsored their Political Forum for this election year on Tuesday at the Sherburn Theatre. There were approximately 50 people in attendance to hear candidates for local and county offices.
The candidates present were: Brandon Clarke, Bethany Miller and Tom Studer who are some of the candidates for the Martin County West (MCW) School Board; Richard Koons and Julie Laue who are candidates for the fourth district for Martin County Commissioners; Matt Owens who is a candidate for Martin County Sheriff; Sarah Kramer and Michael Krutzman who are candidates for Sherburn City Council and Warren Olson who is a candidate for Sherburn Mayor. The emcee was Greg Grave who asked questions listed by the C and C committee and then opened the forum for questions from the audience. The candidates each gave a short biography to begin the forum.
The C and C questions asked the city offices candidates what they felt the biggest challenge was for the city of Sherburn.
Olson said that housing is a major challenge and the city needs revenue to help build and promote housing. Kramer said that one of the biggest issues about housing is that property owners do not care. The city has a need for revenue to help rid the city of dilapidated housing. Plans are being worked on but the process is very slow and has a lot of red tape and paperwork to get rid of those properties. Kautzman stated there is a good start to demolition of uninhabitable properties but it is a long process. Working with the EDA and other resources is needed.
The second question asked the candidates whether they thought there is a need for a new ordinance concerning those dilapidated properties.
Kramer reiterated that there is too much red tape and paperwork and it is very expensive to demolish properties and that an updated ordinance may come but right now it is there to use. Kautzman stated that he thought there was no need for a new ordinance if the timetable and plan were implemented although it may take five years to rid the city of uninhabitable properties. Olson thought that sometimes an ordinance needed updating.
Next they were asked if they thought the Temperance Lake Ridge facility is improving.
Kautzman said yes, but he has not seen the books and how it is measured and what money is spent on. Olson abstained from comment since he works at TLR. He did say he likes working there. Kramer stated that she goes to TLR to do some hair sessions and has heard favorable comments from the residents she has talked to. She thinks there are many things to clear up and stated that some things should have been done differently in the transition time.
*Editor's note: The questions and answers from the county, school board and sheriff candidates ran in Friday's edition of the Sentinel.