Candidates see challenges ahead

October 05, 2008 11:30 pm

— Jack Potter, the District 5 Martin County commissioner who is seeking a third term, is opposed by Dwight Adamson.
District 5 covers the northwest section of Martin County and includes the towns of Ormsby, Northrup and Trimont as well as part of Fairmont. It includes the townships of Cedar, Elm Creek, Fraser, Fox Lake, Galena, Rutland and Waverly as well as part of Fairmont Township.
Q: Why are you running
Adamson: I seek the opportunity to work for and represent the citizens of Martin County. I want to succeed Jack Potter as commissioner from District 5 and maintain the fine job he and his predecessors have done in representing us. We have many challenges the next four years, and I would like to be part of the leadership team in identifying and finding solutions to those challenges.
I will build relationships and jointly find solutions. I will try to encourage “visionary thinking” to meet the needs of our citizens and taxpayers.
Potter: I am running because I am really proud of our county! We have terrific agricultural production. We are first in hog production in the state, and third in corn and soybean production. We have a strong manufacturing base that helps to keep our county strong. As a former livestock buyer, commodities broker, and current farmer, I bring good business experience to the board.
Q: What do you see as top issues in the county and how would you tackle them?
Adamson: Taxes must be cost-effective. All units of local government are facing increasing financial demands. Because property taxes are a primary source of local funding, the property tax burden is becoming more of a concern than we have seen in recent years. County government’s responsibility is to be diligent in meeting citizen’s needs but not spending unnecessarily. Every dollar must be spent wisely.
Energy, inflation and state government: Higher fuel costs make it more expensive just to remove snow from roads. The cost of road building and maintenance has increased dramatically. Inflation usually brings requests for payroll increases. The state has shifted more of the tax burden to local government.
Economic development with good-paying jobs to keep our young people in Martin County must be a priority. Promoting our assets of good churches, schools, businesses, communities and opportunities is very important to population growth, increased tax base and a dynamic community.
Private businesses try to improve to lower product costs and provide services without sacrificing quality. Government must adopt some of these same techniques to provide quality services for its taxpayers.
Potter: To keep our local economy strong by providing a good business climate. We recently formed a new Economic Development Authority to spearhead this issue.
Property taxes have increased due to higher costs of goods and services, and because of unfunded state mandates. The state wants us to build a new jail, but 47 counties have already committed to building new jails, so we are dragging our feet on this issue. Their mandates would increase our property taxes by 25 percent, and we feel there will be plenty of jail space nearby that we could rent. I don’t like the idea of bonding and making the next generation pay for our decisions.
Other concerns are funding for childhood issues, funding for adequate schools, human services and our nursing homes. Federal and state cutbacks are forcing more and more of this funding onto the counties. Drainage and rural roads are also constant concerns of a county commissioner.

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