By the time this issue of the Cook County News-Herald hits mailboxes, Cook County voters should also have received their mail ballots. Voters in Cook County Commissioner District 1 are trying to decide whom to vote for. Voters have had the chance to meet the District 1 candidates at election forums at the Colvill Town Hall and the Hovland Town Hall. They had the chance to listen to voters on WTIP community radio.
This week, the Cook County News-Herald asked a few final questions for the candidates who made it through the primary election— Kristin DeArruda Wharton and Frank Moe.
. The county board recently approved purchase of three more Tasers for the Sheriff’s Office. Do you believe these devices should be used on citizens by local law enforcement?
Kristin DeArruda Wharton: That’s one I’d have to do more research on, but I know there are a lot of people in my district that are concerned about them. I guess I’d have to do my research and talk to law enforcement and the newly-elected sheriff.
Frank Moe: My grandfather was a sheriff and I spent summers with him growing up. When he retired, he gave me his service revolver. He said he pulled it three times— and used it all three times. It was a lesson to me. As a police officer you can use deadly force only when needed.
In the vast majority of cases, our sheriff ’s department doesn’t need deadly force. It’s good our sheriff department has other options.
. Cook County has received significant financial benefit from being included in the state Taconite Tax District. There is a concern among some citizens that a perception of opposition to nonferrous mining (sulfide mining) by Cook County could lead to removal of Cook County from this district. Would you work to prevent that? How?
DeArruda Wharton: I’ve thought a lot about this issue. My understanding is that Cook County, as a county, has never taken a position on the nonferrous mining issue. At this point I think everyone needs to pay close attention as the environmental impact statement is released. There are people who have concerns about the proposed project.
As far as the county board role in protecting our place in the Taconite District, I’d work to continue to build those positive relationships with our legislators and the Range delegation.
Cook County does have a history of mining and my understanding is that our place in the Taconite District is protected under state law. I would actively work to maintain that, but we all need to be looking forward to a day when that conversation could take place.
Moe: First off, when I was in the state legislature, I represented the west portion of the Taconite District. So people in my legislative district received the benefit of the tax credit.
The iron from the Iron Range fueled our victory in World War II. It’s a huge part of our culture here in Minnesota.
Taconite mining and sulfide mining are very different things.
I can’t imagine the legislature would pass and the governor would sign something as silly as removing Cook County from the tax district. That would have to pass through several committees in the House and Senate as well as receive the governor’s signature. I think the statement about removing Cook County from the Taconite District has been made without thinking it through.
. The bid for the sidewalk constructed from 5th Avenue to Birchwood Apartments came in $36,952 higher than the engineer’s estimate and the County Highway Engineer recommended not completing the project because it would use half of the fund for road maintenance in the city of Grand Marais. The county voted to proceed with the sidewalk. What will you do if a similar situation occurs, for example, if a sidewalk is requested farther out on County Road 7 or along the Cramer Road or the Caribou Trail?
DeArruda Wharton: I think that sidewalk was an important one to be built, because the area where it was built has such a high density of seniors and children.
It was unfortunate that the bids came in so high and I would actually liked to have seen it rebid.
As far as future projects, what I think we need to do is prioritize projects. We can’t build a sidewalk like that every year—or maybe not even every five years. The county needs to put together a plan, like the county highway department does for roads, to look at transportation as a whole. We need to look at roads, sidewalks and trails holistically. Then, when there are funds available, we can work on the priorities to get them done.
Moe: I think we need a more realistic view of what county government can do. This goes to basic tax and spend politics. Right now we get budget recommendations from all departments, then we base the levy on that. There are a lot of needs—important needs.
But people’s property tax dollars are important to them too. We need to set a budget based on our property tax levy and state and federal revenue and stick with it.
My question for the county board would be—where do you plan to make up that $36,000?
. Recent culvert replacement work on County Road 7 has resulted in dips in the road and the YMCA project is plagued by inadequate drainage in the locker rooms – is there anything county commissioners can do to ensure that taxpayers don’t end up paying to correct situations like these?
Moe: My understanding of both of these contracts is that the people who did the work are liable for that work. This is why we have a county attorney’s office.
DeArruda Wharton: I think one thing the current board has done is hire an administrator. I support that; I think that was an important move. Within each department, the department heads work on budgets and goals. The administrator works with them to find balance.
Regarding the YMCA, I think if we would have had an administrator on board I think it would have been a smoother process.
I think it’s important for the county board and commissioners to have very high standards for our county department heads and staff, but also to give them the support they need.
I’m happy to talk to anyone regarding any county project.
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