Three-way race for Jefferson County supervisor

The Fairfield Ledger wants the residents of Jefferson County to be as informed as possible when going to the polls on Election Day, Nov. 6.

To that end, we have distributed a questionnaire to the candidates for elected office. During the next few days, we will profile races at the county and state levels. Today, we profile the race for the open seat on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors.

The race is between incumbent Republican Dick Reed and two challengers, Democrat Daryn Hamilton and Libertarian Matthew Lindberg-Work. The winner of the election will join Republicans Dee Sandquist and Lee Dimmitt on the board. The term lasts four years.

What follows are the supervisors' answers to our questions, in their own words:

1) What does a supervisor do?

Dick Reed

A supervisor has many important jobs and obligations. They start off the year by establishing the budgets for all department heads and setting the levee for the year.

There are several committees that the board of supervisors are appointed to and attend during the year. These are important committees that are established by 28E Agreements and entities. These committees are set up to help govern tax dollars more efficiently. Some of these committees are: SEMCO (3-county landfill), Jefferson County Service Agency, Eight Judicial Corrections, SE Iowa Crime Commission, SE Iowa Detention Center, SE Iowa Progressive Housing (Jackson Point Apartments), SE Iowa Area Conservation Authority and Court House Security. The previous committees are some that I am on.

The supervisors work with the county road department to provide safe roads.

To be available to work with all citizens of the county to solve their problems and answer their questions

Daryn Hamilton

When I first considered running, I knew what a city councilperson does, and knew that a supervisor's responsibility would be greater, so I did what I always do, research the subject.

I went to www.legis.iowa.gov and looked up what a supervisor does as described by Iowa code. In Title IX – Local Government, a supervisor is bound by Chapters 331 – 360. It's some lengthy reading. As a supervisor, I would rely on the county attorney to educate me on how each chapter applies to a given situation so I can communicate that information to a person requesting action. Sounds like a mouthful. I want people to understand that I don't know all the answers, but I'll work hard to find solutions.

Matthew Lindberg-Work

County supervisors work for the public at large as the elected administrators and decision makers at the highest level of county government. In Jefferson County, the three county supervisors set the yearly budget and tax rates, and represent the voters by making and reviewing decisions on county laws and regulations.

A special responsibility of each of the three county supervisors is to act on behalf of the Jefferson County government as an official board member of different county and regional agencies, including the ambulance board, the regional housing and economic development agencies, the SEMCO Landfill Board, and more than a dozen similar public-trust organizations.

2) What experience do you have that would make you a good supervisor?

Daryn Hamilton

I have experience with listening, learning and assisting in the development of solutions for citizens'concerns and community needs. My 16 years of service to the residents of the Fifth Ward and the city of Fairfield has helped me develop these skills.

I have served on all council sub-committees, including Ways and Means, Property, Economic Development, Environmental and Franchise, Public Safety, and Utilities.

I also have thirty years' experience as an engineering technician for the county and state.

Matthew Lindberg-Work

I have worked with people in Jefferson County, on events and projects responding to the concerns of local people in areas of community health and economic growth. My professional skills are Executive level, and include the skillsets of Event planner, Chair, Secretary for a committee, board member, etc.

I am comfortable and experienced with negotiating, setting budgets, purchasing, as well as managing projects and people. Making public awareness a priority is one of the elements of success I use when I work on projects as part of a motivated and effective team.

My colleagues vouch for my emotional intelligence and 'people skills.” I have been lucky enough to work with many of you over the years on different projects in this county. I convey that if you vote for me, you will be glad you did.

Dick Reed

I owned and operated a construction business from 1976 to 2005. I had employees and I provided benefits which gives me a good idea on management and cost of running a business.

In 2005 to the present I have had a consulting business. I have been involved in local government starting in 1978. In 1978, I was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the city of Fairfield. I served on the commission for 12 years.

In 1984, I was asked to serve on the Board of Assessments and served on the board for 18 years. I served one term on Fairfield City Council. I am now in my fourth term of being a Jefferson County Supervisor.

The most important skill I have which makes me a good supervisor is my ability to sit and listen. Everybody has the right to express their opinions.

I am proud to be a Jefferson County resident. For over 100-plus years, my ancestors have either been farmers or business people of this county.

3) What are the biggest problems facing the county, and how do you intend to solve them?

Matthew Lindberg-Work

Growth is exciting, and our county government lives in the backdrop of the motto on our Iowa State Flag: 'Our Liberties we prize and our Rights we will maintain.”

This is a legacy we will continue, whether we are blessed with additional growth in population and business, or have to keep our community going in less-than-abundant circumstances. We are a democracy, and decisions by the county supervisors affect everyone, from every background.

Vigilance in government is a public trust. According to Jefferson County Sheriff Gregg Morton, violent crime has increased in our county over the past two years. This is an issue which cannot be made better unless the county supervisors spend serious attention on making sure that our county stays safe for all.

As your candidate for county supervisor, I commit to paying attention to priorities like these and making careful decisions that represent our county.

Dick Reed

The biggest problem is the lack of funding to maintain our infrastructure in the manner that our taxpayers deserve without raising taxes. But, these are everyday problems and I think with good common sense and hard work, we can make the best of it. No one said the job would be easy.

Daryn Hamilton

Hard surface road improvements and how to pay for them are a big problem. Pay-as-you-go works for many functions of county government, but when you apply that philosophy to big ticket items, it doesn't work so well.

The expense of replacing or resurfacing hard surface roads is a big ticket. Bonding is a good way to make these improvements, but we need to be vigilant in the use of bonding and not be frivolous.

Confined Animal Feeding Operations, CAFOs, are a big problem, too. This issue affects all of Iowa through air and water quality, animal production and costs, and our state's economy. As supervisor, I'll be hamstrung in the same way the current and previous boards of supervisors have been.

Chapter 459 of the Iowa Code, which governs these operations, is 15 years old. Does the intent of the law fit with the current application of it? Are standards set forth in the law being applied as intended? These and many more questions need to be asked and addressed at the legislative level not in the supervisor's office.

The solution to this problem may be achieved at some point, but I will not support any action that causes the county to be subject to litigation and its costs, just for the sake of making a statement. I will, however, work to find ways that we can improve our watersheds in an economical, sustainable way and toward solutions that create change that works.

4) What changes (or continuities) should voters expect if you are elected?

Dick Reed

I don't see that there needs to be any big changes. I feel like I work for all citizens of Jefferson County no matter who they are or where they are from. I will continue to work hard for all of you.

Daryn Hamilton

When I became a city councilman, I was asked a similar question. At that time, my answer was: I don't have a hard-line agenda.

Making changes just to do something different is not who I am and not what this job needs. Issues that need immediate attention have a way of rising, just as sanitary sewer overflows did for the city. I worked hard to educate and inform the public so all could understand the need for the largest municipal improvement in many years.

To begin a position with a higher level of responsibility and not take time to understand how operations currently work would be a disservice to our county.

As supervisor, the first item I will be working on is the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. I will review the budget and discuss with our other supervisors what cuts or increases have been identified through the first half of this fiscal year. It's important to keep some continuity at the start and that's where I'll begin.

Matthew Lindberg-Work

Our county has been blessed with competent administrators and supervisors. All things considered, so many things are being taken care of that many of us take for granted – roads, public health and emergency services, and publicly funded schools.

This is the job of government and has succeeded in happening with minimum fuss and lots of hard work. This is the American Way. What is happening is that we are constantly getting new citizens – either when our children turn 18 or when new residents move into our community. There are some services which we can improve so that we can be more welcoming and 'open for business.”

One service which is lacking and which we need to do more work to accomplish is to modernize and update the county government website. This will help raise the profile of our county as a friendly and efficient place to live and do business, and save time for our citizens when they have go in person to take care of legal and business filings at the county courthouse. My desire is to lead citizens into more happiness and success, and our county government exists to serve you.