3rd district commission candidates participate
There are two Republican candidates and one Democrat who have filed for the third district commission seat that represents Peabody, Goessel, and Florence areas.
Incumbent Randy Dallke and Peabody City Councilman Larry Larsen, both of Peabody and both Republicans, faced off July 16 at a public forum in Marion. Democrat candidate Aaron Allen of Florence will meet the winner from the Aug. 5 primary in the general election Nov. 4.
Dallke and Larsen answered a variety of questions, primarily from those in attendance, regarding a new jail, management of the county road and bridge department, and micro-management by the commission.
Here are their responses.
"If the jail bond issue does not pass, what solution would you recommend for housing county prisoners?"
Larsen: If the county doesn't have an adequate jail to house prisoners, they will have to be "farmed out." "We're going to have to hire officers, have more cars, more fuel, a higher risk." If a new jail bond issue doesn't pass, "we'd have to remodel the existing jail. You're at risk when walking between the cells. There is a liability." However, putting county funds into remodeling the jail would be a continual draw of those funds.
Dallke: There are only a few options — either transport prisoners to another jail or fix up the existing jail "the best we can. That to me is not a good idea unless we completely remodel and it will take shutting it down and transporting prisoners anyway." Part of the existing jail already has been remodeled to meet the state fire marshal's code. "We have to figure out ways to help us. Maybe the judge can help us with sentencing and a work-related structure. Regardless we still have to take care of the prisoners. We've been trying to look at different ways and nothing has fit our county."
"A permanent department head has not been hired in the road and bridge department. How should that issue be addressed?"
Dallke: The commission has tried three or four local ways to solicit applications. "My opinion was to try a professional service. We're meeting with our employees to hear their goals and how we can work with them. In the next month we'll look at other options."
Larsen: "As I understand, road and bridge department is one of our largest budget items. It's something that's our signature." Roads are the first impression of visitors. Costs of asphalt and oil continue to increase. "We need a supervisor with experience in budgeting, managing people, prioritizing, determine what needs to be fixed first, and what needs to be put on the back burner. It's our signature." He continued that the sheriff's department and EMS depend on good roads. If a department head can be hired from within the department, "that would be great."
"How do you balance managing/micro-managing county departments?"
Larsen: Department managers are hired to manage their departments. "We have to bring in and hire the right people." Those managers need to be educated and find the best way to manage. "There's no reason why I should have to be out with a pair of binoculars or peering around a bush. This is their expertise. The only time a commissioner should be involved with a manager is when that person is truly having problems. A commissioner shouldn't be micro-managing."
Dallke: "When department heads are hired, you expect the best, you expect the most. When the public reports back to the commission as so often is done, I think it's time to have micro-management. When reports come back to the commissioners, you have to find out what's happening within the department. Maybe employees will report to you that things are not going well. Most the time you don't have problems but there have been issues in the past. Micro-managing is not a good idea because the commission should work with them. But when things are not working and things are popping up, commissioners should help."
"What would be your number one focus?"
Dallke: Providing a quality of life that is best for Marion County people is his number one focus. "We're losing people. We need to keep what we have." The reason the population is decreasing is because there aren't any jobs in the county. "We finally hired a qualified person to come in and hopefully it will benefit us in a few years."
Larsen: There are many variables but county residents are the most important. "Where's our future? Does it correlate with our past? What can I do for you? By listening and observing I can determine how to best serve you and your needs and stay within the budget which will allow you to have a road to drive on. Ability to have a fire department and ambulance close by. Listen to you and support you and make sure your quality of life is good." He also included economic development as a focus and said the City of Peabody recently completed a comprehensive plan.
"Recently a sale was held in southwest Marion County because an owner was afraid that the county or state would remove his property. Do you support more strict property standards?"
Larsen: Public nuisances also are addressed in Peabody but when infringing on another person's "thought process that says, 'This is my life, my heritage, my privilege to run my business as I see fit' can overstep boundaries." Laws have been created and most residents are law-abiding and try to do the right thing. The country is based on rights as individuals and as a community to be free. People should not encumber on their neighbors.
Dallke: The guideline is to not trespass on people. Rules are rules. "We can have a lot of rules We can have too many rules." Some think seven (inoperable) cars on a farm site are too many, some think one is. "We have to stand up and say we're causing problems for the rest of us. We shouldn't impose on others but set guidelines people can live by so we don't impose on others."
"What is your stance on countywide mandatory recycling?"
Dallke: "I sat for four years on Peabody City Council and recycling came along to Peabody. I had never done it before. I thought it would be difficult. As it went on, I found it wasn't that bad of a deal." Recycling is a plus for the whole county and the world.
Larsen: It costs less than 1/10th to remake an aluminum can than it does to create a new can. "We have already closed a landfill in this county and went through the process to find a place to put our waste." Instead of mandatory recycling, he wishes people would do more on their own. At some point, there is not going to be any more room for trash.
"A former commissioner once said that the worst part of the job is handling late evening calls from disgruntled citizens. How well would you be able to handle those calls?"
Larsen: "I've dealt with a variety of people in different situations. It comes with the job." A commissioner should be firm, graceful, forgiving, attentive, and most importantly a good listener. He has learned to deal with people when they have not been at their best. He said he has learned to be a quiet listener.
Dallke: As a police officer in the 1970s, he has learned how to handle people. "When people have a problem they want you to solve it and you'd better solve it to the best of your ability." He said he has found meeting the individual a second time helps to resolve the situation. "Irate people have something on their minds. They have one goal and that is to have you help them. It helps to listen. Some have called at 1 and 2 a.m. I've talked with them the next day. I find out if it's true."
"The commission currently is looking at ways to reduce expenses such as utilities and fuel. What ideas do you have to accomplish that?"
Dallke: "We put it out to department heads first. They are the managers of their departments. They are the ones who are going to tell us how to save fuel and costs." After department heads, we may need to look outside the box. He said that Gove County has gone to a four-day work week and should listen to other counties and see how they do it. The commission needs to research it and see how we can do it.
Larsen: He also agreed that obtaining information from department heads was important. "We need to ask them where they see waste, neglect, and other ways to reduce costs. Also look at duplication of services. Are departments doing the same thing? Is there someone in one department who might be able to help in another department? We need to look at everything and ask everyone in the department."
In closing, Larsen said the bottom line was elected officials are here to serve constituents. "We need to take charge of our budgets, look in areas of consolidation, conduct research, visit other commissioners, and become more educated. You deserve a commissioner who works for you, listens to you without a doubt. We're here to serve you, make important decisions, and help this county move forward."
Dallke said, "If you, the public, tells me and the majority feels that way, that's what I will do and that's what I will strive to do. I will continue to help Marion County grow, economic development, law enforcement, jail, whatever the situation. Listening is my job."
