Wisconsin State Journal Questionnaire

The Wisconsin State Journal sent candidates for the County Board a series of questions and asked for our responses (limited to 100 words per question). Below are those questions and my responses to them. For some of the questions, it was very difficult to limit the response to 100 words, so if you want further explanation, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Why should voters elect you to the Dane County Board?
My experience with government and businesses and my education as a professional hydrologist help me find solutions to district problems including lake management and flooding. I am informed on issues, effective in my position and accessible to my constituents. My ability to learn quickly and work with others helped me achieve leadersip positions on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Public Works/Transportation Committee and Green Energy/Green Jobs subcommittee. Through newsletters and articles, I helped make county government more transparent. My constituents know me, my family and my values, and know I work hard representing their interests on the County Board.

Why shouldn't voters elect your opponent?
Voters should elect the candidate they believe most effectively represents their interests and values, best understands the district's needs, and has a record of community involvement. Because District 24 represents all of Monona and a part of Madison, my history of living in both communities gives me a better understanding of the District's needs (my opponent lives in Madison). While many issues affect both communities, such as ensuring adequate public safety and human services programs, Monona has significant needs for enhanced bus service and is impacted by flooding - both issues for which I have a proven record and experience.

What is the single most important issue for your District? How would you address it?
Meeting the County's and District's diverse needs while maintaining fiscal restraints is the main issue constituents raise when I go to their doors. They want improved lake quality and minimized flooding. School administrators and police asked me to maintain critical public safety programs and human services safety nets that help them and the community. And everyone wants expanded bus service that supports local businesses and workers. We can meet the county's needs in a fiscally responsible way with greater use of IT, establishing the RTA, eliminating unnecessary positions, increasing tax collections, improving energy efficiency and minimizing spending on capitol projects.

How would you describe your political views on a scale of 1 - 6 with 1 being very liberal and 6 being very conservative (no decimals please)?
I consider myself a moderate 3 on the above scale. I support family values, providing for those in need, ensuring public safety and protecting our natural resources while balancing the budget in a fiscally responsible manner. Regardless of political views, my constituents want collaboration, cooperation and communication with all members of the Board because we all have contributions and expertise that will result in better decisions for the county. I believe in government transparancy, which is why I write articles for local paper and homeowners association newsletters, update my blog and send out a newsletter highlighting issues of concern.

In the wake of a national recession, Dane County is projecting to end 2009 with its reserve fund in deficit. As a result, the County has increased property taxes 7.9% while cutting salaries and funding for human services agencies. What steps should the county take to regain its financial footing?
The county needs to pursue a multi-step approach to long term fiscal health: maximizing private/public partnerships where possible; minimizing operational costs to the extent possible; enhancing property tax collection efforts; scrutinizing capital projects; lobbying our state leaders to support necessary local programs; pursuing state and federal grants including stimulus funding; working with our POS agencies to find administrative savings and continue to scrutinize each line in the budget. We need to increase the general fund so that the county can regain its high bond rating, continue to freeze or eliminate low-priority positions, and generate new revenue wherever possible.

Did the Dane County Board make the right decision in authorizing the creation of the Regional Transit Authority? Why or why not?
My constituents consistently tell me they want expanded bus service to allow them to travel to MATC, downtown and other parts of the greater Madison area. The creation of the RTA will enable expanded bus service that has not previously been possible when each municipality negotiates its own service individually. While the statute authorizing the RTA may not be perfect, the time is right for building an enhanced bus transit system for the metropolitan area. Establishing the RTA allows a specific proposal to be developed and put on a referendum for the voters to decide the future of integrated transit.

In the last 2 years, the Dane County Conservation Fund has been funded at its highest level ($7.5 million) and it's lowest level ($1 million?) since voters in 1999 agreed the county should spend $30 million on parks and open space purchases over 10 years. How much should Dane County add to the Conservation Fund in future years (please give a specific annual amount)? Why?
$30 million/10 years equates to $3 million/year - slightly less than the last 2 year average. The public continues to support the Conservation Fund and I believe they would support $20 million over the next 10 years, assuming the economic downturn reverses. The public recognizes that during economic downturns, lower land values can result in opportunities for land purchases that may not have previously been affordable. A temporary moratorium on capital spending with exceptions considered on a case by case basis will limit purchases in these difficult times yet enable us to take advantage of unique opportunities.

Dane County plans to build a $30 million interoperable radio system with an annual maintenance cost of $1.6 million. Should Dane County be responsible for paying the entire annual upkeep? If not, how much should cities, villages, towns and other users contribute?
The costs for operating and maintaining the system should be usage and number of radios and controlled at the local level. If the county pays 100% operation and maintenance my district loses in 2 ways - they no longer have a voice in system operation nor do they have control over cost. We would be subsidizing larger municipalities' use of the system. That's why I support the County levy paying $30 + million for building the system and half of the operation and maintenance fee for 2013 and then each community joining the system pays their costs for using the system.

Following the 2o10 census, the County Board will have the option of redistricting and changing its size. How many members should the County Board have?
The issue is whether Supervisors serve part-time as "local" representatives, or become full-time politicians representing larger geographic areas. I represent approximately 12,000 constituents and can respond to inquiries in a timely manner as well as serve on 6 committees - about the maximum for a part-time position. Most Supervisors have full-time jobs in addition to serving on the Board. While some minimal reduction may be warranted, significantly decreasing the size of the board means the board more mimics the legislature with full-time members. I believe my constituents are better represented by a local community member than a full-time politician.