Paul James: I am married to Pamela James with four children, sons Jordan, Jared and Joseph and daughter Melissa. I’m a 1973 graduate of Cook County High School and attended Bethel University for two years. I am currently employed as manager at Lamb’s Resort and own Nelson Towing in Tofte. I have a lifelong interest in politics, and I believe it is the responsibility of citizens to participate in community service. I serve as the sportsman’s club treasurer and am an 11-year volunteer in Tofte’s fire department. As Tofte supervisor and chairman, I play a key role in township management, negotiations and the decision making process that brought us ownership of the Birch Grove Community Center.
It’s the height of tourist season, but it is also the beginning of election season. The election primary will be held Tuesday, August 10. This week, the News-Herald interviews the three Cook County board of commissioner candidates in District 5—incumbent Bruce Martinson of Schroeder, Paul James of Tofte, and Diane Parker of Lutsen. Their answers follow, in alphabetical order.
Q. Please provide biographical information (whatever you would like voters to know – education, experience, family information) Q. Do you believe the county should hire an administrator or coordinator to assist the county board?
James: I’m in favor of a county administrator. An administrator would oversee the day-to-day operations of the courthouse to ensure that things get done. They would direct the flow of information and act as a liaison person between the county board and personnel.
Bruce Martinson: I have a B.A. with a business administration major from Bethel University. My work history includes 7½ years as county commissioner; 5½ years as Schroeder town supervisor; Superior Ridge Resort owner/manager since 1992. I am married to Sheryl and we have three children, Ryan, 17, Kyle, 15 and Alyssa, 10.
Martinson: When the current board secretary retires in three to four years, the county should replace her with an administrator. Her responsibilities include personnel related tasks, which are usually in the job description of an administrator. Commissioners have different leadership traits resulting in department heads being managed differently by their liaison. County commissioners do not have the proper training to stay in compliance with employment laws and regulations. An administrator would perform annual performance reviews and insure all department heads and employees are treated equally, reducing our risk of discrimination lawsuits with large settlements. The other option, a coordinator, was used by our county from 1980 to 1984 and primarily failed due to the lack of authority over the department heads.
Parker: Of the 87 counties in Minnesota, only 33 employ county administrators. Cook County, in terms of population, is the smallest county. The majority of Minnesota counties have decided to forego an added layer of government. We should follow their example, especially in this economic climate.
Diane Parker: My husband, Sam, and I have been Lutsen residents for 19 years. I attended the University of Minnesota, earning a B.A degree. As an undergraduate, I chaired the student/faculty committee. Currently, I am a Lutsen Township supervisor, a commissioner on the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, and liaison to the Lake/Cook County Association of Township Officials.
Q. What will you do to see that the 1% sales tax will be distributed to best benefit Cook County?
James: An application process should be put into place that would rank each project and fund it based on merit and community needs. The projects should be financially feasible long term, create or retain jobs, have a cost sharing component, promote energy conservation projects and create initiatives that encourage life long learning and recreation opportunities in our communities.
Martinson: I would carefully scrutinize each request considering community support, economic/social benefits, availability of other grant sources/internal funds, long term operating plan, and entity committed to paying operating/ maintenance expenses.
Parker: I didn’t vote in favor of the 1% sales tax, but because the majority of voters approved it, I will respect that decision and make sure that the 1% tax money is spent only for those projects named in the referendum: broadband, community centers and public recreation areas, the public library, and the biomass plant.
Q. What do you feel is the most important issue facing Cook County today?
James: Creating and maintaining year-round, livable-wage jobs that allow our children and families to live and work in their hometown and enjoy the quality of life that Cook County has.
Martinson: Keeping property taxes to a minimum while maintaining fiscal stability and adequate working capital. I voted against a 4.68% 2010 levy increase due to our federal Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) increasing from $704,250 to $2,025,000 as of Jan. 2010.
Of the additional $1.4 million, the annual allotment should be $350,000 to building fund, $350,000 to highway department equipment fund, $100,000 minimum to recreation fund and the remainder into our general fund to minimize levy increases. The replacement of all equipment and vehicles should be based on the useful life in hours or miles and not on the state depreciation schedule on years of service.
Parker: We are struggling with the supply of profitable jobs and profitable businesses. If the county board favors one side over the other, there will be trouble. The commissioners need to seek a just balance between these competing interests without putting an undue burden on the taxpayers.
Next week the Cook County News-Herald will offer information on the candidates for judicial district 6 – Russ Conrow, Two Harbors; Timothy A. Costley, Two Harbors; Mike Cuzzo, Duluth; Juhl Halvorson, Duluth; John Steven Lind, Duluth; Tim Little, Duluth; James Ross, Duluth; and Lawrence W. Ulanowski, Brainerd.
Closer to the General Election, the News-Herald will interview the two candidates for District 1—incumbent Jan Hall of Hovland and challenger Bill Hennessy of Colvill. Because there are only two candidates in District 1, those candidates do not need to face off in the primary, but will meet in the general election on November 2, 2010.
In addition to these candidate interviews, the Cook County News-Herald is working with our news partners, WTIP Community Radio and Cook County Community Education, to present an election forum at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20. Join us, or tune in to WTIP Radio at 90.7 FM. Questions for the commissioner candidates? E-mail them to: starnews@boreal.org.
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