The following is the first in a two-part series containing questionnaires directed to candidates running for the Republican primary elections for the District 2 and District 4 Gage County Board of Supervisors seats.
Today’s article will feature questionnaires from Matt Bauman and Lawrence Penner, who are running for the District 2 County Board seat now held by Harlan Hagemeier. Hagemeier filed for re-election, but chose not to participate in filling out a Daily Sun questionnaire.
Thursday’s article will feature questionnaires from the two Republican District 4 candidates, incumbent Allen Grell and challenger Dennis Byars.
Matt Bauman
Birth Date: Dec. 27, 1971.
Home address, street, town: 8375 W. Lilac Road, Beatrice.
Occupation: Unit manager, Dialysis Center of Beatrice.
Incumbent: No.
How long in County Board district: Two years.
Political party: Republican.
If married, spouse’s name and occupation: Rachael, homemaker.
If you have children, their names and ages: Hannah, 8 years; Gus, 6 years; Henry, 4 months.
Education: AS Respiratory Care; BSN Nursing; Master’s degree Administration.
Experience in public office, in civic or professional organizations or in other areas that helps qualify you as a candidate for this office: Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education 2002-2006; current board member, Gage County United Way.
1. List your top three priorities as a supervisor for Gage County and why they are important to the county’s residents.
One would be to appropriately and efficiently provide for the maintenance of county infrastructure such as buildings, roads and bridges. Another would be to appropriately fund services such as law enforcement and emergency medical services. And, finally, is to expand and maintain positive relationships with other local and state agencies and at the same time encouraging county residents to become more involved in their local government. I believe a public official must listen to the people he or she represents and work on priorities that are within the scope of a county supervisor to improve the quality of life for all county residents.
2. What one service would you like to drop or change to save the county money?
3. What one service would you like to add or change to better serve taxpayers?
My answer combines question 2 and 3.
The change I would like to see is more of a process which I believe is a relevant answer to both question 2 and question 3.
I would like to improve the communication between the County Board and the township/village boards. I sense some members of the townships and villages feel somewhat disconnected from the county government process.
I think the individuals serving on these boards are valuable resources available to the county. Changing and/or improving the relationship will help the county become more efficient by seeking out input from these other governing bodies who are local experts in their own right.
Questions to be asked: Are some townships interested in consolidating services with a neighboring township? How do townships with villages in them function differently than those townships without villages? What are the differences in need from the northern vs. southern part of the county?
Asking the right questions and seeking out answers may prove valuable in making budget allocation decisions. Anytime something is cut out of a budget, some service is lost or reduced. I think we should look more at the value of the dollars spent. Just because you saved money doesn’t mean you are better off. You get what you paid for.
I think being efficient and seeking value is the better way to serve the public when spending tax money.
4. What is your position on the Gage County Courthouse renovation bond issue? What are the alternatives for the county if the bond issue does not pass?
I am in favor of investing in the preservation of the courthouse. Maintaining/improving county infrastructure needs to be a priority. Obviously, we are seeing what takes place if there is not a process in place to maintain/improve county infrastructure. I would like to have seen this done as a budget item over the last 10 years and not a bond issue.
If the bond issue does not pass, I believe the responsible solution would be to proceed with the updates as an annual budgeted item. Spreading out the renovation over time is an option, but it will obviously take more time and probably more money.
5. Are you in favor of building a new jail at another location, making a new jail as part of an addition to the current jail, or making do with the current jail without any additions? Why?
I am in favor of an improved jail facility for Gage County. Again, maintaining/improving county infrastructure needs to be a priority. Whether it is a new structure or an addition will be determined by function and needs of our county correctional system.
My understanding is the type of structure needed for a new jail will make it difficult to use the existing jail location. I have personally toured the existing jail, and it appears to have outlived its useful life. I am in favor of the residents/taxpayers voting to decide if they are willing to pay for a new jail.
6. Final comments (50 words or less).
I have researched what it takes to be a good county supervisor. I have prepared as best as I know how. I will add a positive diversity to the Gage County Board of Supervisors. Please vote for me, a candidate with a different perspective and new ideas. I pledge to serve you honestly.
Lawrence Penner
Birth date: Jan. 19, 1950.
Home address, street, town: 9677 W. Lilac Road, Beatrice.
Occupation: Funeral associate, pre-needs counselor.
Incumbent: No.
How long in County Board district: Entire life.
Political party: Republican.
If married, spouse’s name and occupation: Amy, charge nurse, PVC.
If you have children, their names and ages: Craig, 35; and Jill, 32.
Education: Two years of college.
Experience in public office, in civic or professional organizations or in other areas that helps qualify you as a candidate for this office: Township board, 4-H leader, music and worship leader at St. John Lutheran Church, self-employed businessman (farmer) for 33 years.
1. List your top three priorities as a supervisor for Gage County and why they are important to the county’s residents.
A. Infrastructure: I believe we need to restructure the county highway department. Roads and bridges are especially important to the rural residents of District 2 for getting their produce to market and in emergency situations. I envision the possibility of combining townships into about six work maintenance areas with a full-time operator in each area. This would maintain our townships but relieve some of the financial burden of individual townships.
I serve on a township board and I know how difficult it is becoming to stay within our budget.
B. Economic development: We need to support new development because it creates jobs, increases valuation and broadens the tax base. But first we need to do all we can to maintain and support the farmers, businesses and industry we have.
C. We must always be mindful, especially in this unsettled economic time, that the decisions that are made do not put an unfair tax burden on property owners. We need to do things that stimulate growth, not stifle it.
2. What one service would you like to drop or change to save the county money?
I believe there are a couple of things that could be looked at to save money. We could possibly combine a couple of county offices where we may have some duplication of services. And maybe hiring out to private contractors some of the things that the county highway department is doing.
3. What one service would you like to add or change to better serve taxpayers?
At the present time, all our essential services, fire, police and emergency services, are being met very well. However, with the increased contacts and calls to our sheriff’s department, I can foresee the need to add personnel.
4. What is your position on the Gage County Courthouse bond issue? What are the alternatives for the county if the bond issue does not pass?
I believe if we want to keep our current county courthouse, and I do, we need to maintain it. Some of this maintenance should have been done over time so it wouldn’t come due at once. If it doesn’t pass, we’ll probably have to do it over a period of years from other revenue sources.
5. Are you in favor of building a new jail at another location, making a new jail as part of an addition to the current jail, or making do with the current jail without any additions? Why?
From my observations, with regard to security, capacity and safety, something will have to be done. Whatever changes are made, I would like to see them made at the present location. We can’t keep putting off a problem and hope it goes away. However, we must consider all the options before voters are asked to approve anything.
6. Final comments (50 words or less).
Serving on the Gage County Board of Supervisors is an opportunity I look forward to. I have the time and desire to responsibly represent the people of District 2.
As someone who was self-employed for 33 years, I know the difference between wants and needs. I also know you can’t spent more than you take in without repercussions.
I have no agenda and will rely on the people of District 2 to influence my decisions.