CHATFIELD, Minnesota (STPNS) -- Three county residents will be running for the position of First District Fillmore County commissioner on the primary election ballot Tuesday, Sept. 9.

They are Cathy French, Tom Kaase and Karen Reisner.

The candidates are looking to replace Stafford Hansen, who chose not to run again.

The questions asked to the candidates follow. Responses to each question were limited to 150 words.

1. Please give your name, family, education and employment background.

CATHY FRENCH - I have been lucky enough to call this area home for over 25 years and it's where my husband and I have raised two great children. Living here has allowed me to be an active member of the community and to also work as a volunteer with children in our court systems.



I have an undergraduate degree in business and a graduate degree in advocacy and political leadership from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. For the last 22 years I've worked in the Finance Department at the Mayo Clinic and through my work with a healthcare nonprofit, I've had several opportunities to work with state and federal legislators to improve public policy.

TOM KAASE - I'm married to Dorle Grindland Kaase and we have a 16-year-old son Kaine, all life-long Fillmore County residents. We live on, own and operate our own family farm located in the western part of District 1.

Presently a sergeant with the Rochester Police Department and formerly with the Fillmore County Sheriff's Department from 1984 to 1996. With the Rochester Police Department I have served as a police officer, a COPPS officer in a high crime area, a narcotics investigator, a clandestine lab (meth lab) investigator, and a crisis intervention team member (assisting and interacting with people suffering from mental illness).

Graduate of Preston-Fountain High and Rochester Community College, with a criminal justice degree. Member or past member of Faith United Methodist Church, Preston Ambulance, Preston Jaycees, Masonic Lodge, Eagles Club, and Minnesota D.A.R.E. Officers association. I have served on the Kingsland School Board since 1999.

KAREN REISNER - Dennis, my husband of 36 years, and I grew up in Iowa and have one daughter, Spring. I graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin. Together we purchased a dairy farm near Pine Island and developed a herd of registered Holsteins. Eventually, our main business was the production and sale of breeding stock and embryos for domestic use and worldwide export. I'm a former president of the Goodhue County Holstein Association. We retired from farming by the late '90s, desiring to pursue other interests.

With a shared passion for wilderness areas, we spent much of the next several years volunteering across the country in national parks and forests building trails, rock walls, clearing blowdowns, revegetation and evasive eradication. In 2002 we became residents of Fillmore County and live on an acreage south of Chatfield. A year later I started doing freelance reporting covering local government bodies.

2. Why are you choosing to run for Fillmore County office?

TOM KAASE - Fillmore County has been my family's home our entire life. I believe that over the years I have gained the knowledge and experience to be an effective commissioner. This knowledge and experience is in business, agriculture, and public safety. I was the manager of operations of the grocery store in Preston, when I left for a career in law enforcement in 1984. I was with the Fillmore County Sheriff's Department servicing as dispatcher/jailer, deputy, D.A.R.E. officer, welfare fraud investigator, and sergeant of patrol. I own and operate our family farm and have done so since 1991. I have been a Kingsland School Board member since 1999. This district has progressed and is financially sound.

I have experience working with government entities and officials on the local, state, and federal levels. I bring to the Fillmore County Board a multi-faceted level of knowledge and experience that I believe is unmatched.

KAREN REISNER - I have reported on the regular meetings of the Fillmore County Board of Commissioners for four years. I have often felt I could contribute to the debate and ask relevant questions. I am willing to listen to citizen concerns and expert opinion with an open mind to find responsible and fair solutions to help make Fillmore County an even better place to raise a family.

Attending meetings over the years helps me to understand the issues facing the board. The fact that I have not held public office before allows me to offer another perspective. In addition, I enjoy learning and expect I have a lot to learn and am eager to do so.

CATHY FRENCH - While many of us in Fillmore County are blessed, there are still those that find it very difficult to make ends meet. I'm running for commissioner to ensure that there are always affordable homes in the community, for the young and old alike, and that jobs are plentiful and farm land will always be tillable. I want to ensure families and children are safe and that everyone has access to the basic services necessary to live a good, long life.

3. Zoning questions play an increasingly larger role in county

issues. What do you think about efforts to date? Are there any changes you'd like to see?

KAREN REISNER - Zoning laws need to be added to and amended over time to keep up with the times as evidenced by recent improvements to campground and wind energy conversion system ordinances. The process so far has been thoughtful and thorough. The laws should strike a balance to best protect the land owner's property rights and the rights of the residents immediately affected by the proposed changes or development. Local government exists to serve the people and to maintain a safe environment.

Protecting our water quality - especially in the karst region of the county with its numerous sinkholes - is vital. The Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative, an effort to assure properly operating septic systems, is necessary as are feedlot regulations. I question whether aging manure storage units might also pose a problem.

CATHY FRENCH - Zoning issues are often a balancing act - contrasting the need for sound land use while encouraging opportunities for a vibrant economy have unfortunately created some clashes between residents and our county commissioners. As the need for future zoning ordinances are identified, I'd like to see the county, townships and cities work in tandem to establish a strong cooperative relationship and develop innovative policy that supports job growth but also protects property values.

TOM KAASE - I believe the zoning efforts to date have been done with the concern for the land and citizens of the county put first. This effort and concern needs to continually be done. For Fillmore County to continue to progress and thrive, there needs to be growth. Growth comes from the increase of business, both agricultural and within the cities. Growth comes from the increase of residences (in the city and country) and families.

I believe a collaborative effort can be made between the townships, cities, and county governments to improve upon our zoning regulations. These entities need to be brought to the table to decide how this growth is going to be achieved. Working together and not against will promote growth that everyone will benefit from. I would work for a zoning plan that promotes growth, but not at a detriment to our land or our current quality of life.

4. Do you have ideas for tax-saving measures or streamlining County government?

CATHY FRENCH - Recently, Fillmore County partnered with Houston County to share the cost of consultant fees on a mandated project. I'd like to see more of that - our county needs to aggressively identify and partner internally or with other counties or organizations to continue to reduce the cost of services routinely provided by or for county residents.

TOM KAASE - Every one of us feels the increased cost of just about everything. How do we handle this? We look at what we need or don't need, where to reduce, where to save. The county can also do this, from the commissioners, to department heads, to employees. Increased fuel costs have a huge impact. This can be reviewed to eliminate or reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.

Streamlining government can be achieved through planning, management, and communication. I would want to do what other businesses and agencies do, work on a strategic plan. Plans are projected out five and 10-plus years. They call for a plan of action, looking where we are now, where we want to be in the future, and how to get there. Tax-saving and streamlining ideas can come from strategic planning. Strategic planning committees can be made up from commissioners, department heads, employees, and most importantly constituents.

KAREN REISNER - Budgeting is the greatest challenge for the board now and will continue to be. Any waste or excess needs to be eliminated. One commissioner has floated the idea of reducing county government to a four-day week in some departments. Budget considerations may make it necessary to explore the feasibility of this option.

Fillmore County needs to encourage business development as well as support its two major industries, agriculture and tourism. The best way to save individual property tax payers is to increase the value of some of the properties to be levied by the county with development. For example, wind energy developing companies that hope to build large wind farms in the county could eventually increase the county's tax base.

5. What would you like to see done to help solve the problems of an aging, overcrowded Fillmore County Jail?

TOM KAASE - There is no question the jail issue must be addressed. The question is how we are going to do it, before we are told how to do it or it is done for us by mandates. Information needs to be collected and evaluated to determine if we are better off fixing and adding to what we have, or do we build new?

Outsourcing, shipping residents of the jail to other facilities, is not an option I would vote for. Keeping the facility in our county keeps jobs in our county and our citizens employees. Keeping our facility may allow us to also generate income. This could be done by housing residents that are being outsourced by other agencies.

Having worked out of this facility for almost 12 years, four of those as a jailer/dispatch, I have the hands-on knowledge and experience that can be an asset to this process.

KAREN REISNER - A committee is now studying the future needs in designing a new jail. The county faces the cost of building a new facility or having to pay for boarding their inmates elsewhere. The most cost-efficient way to build the jail is do the planning and build it right for years to come.

As a point of interest, Houston County has been in the process of planning a new criminal justice center. Fillmore County, along with other counties, gain some revenue from Houston County housing their inmates at an average of $65 per day. According to the Houston County Web site, an estimated $229,970 was spent for out-of-county housing costs and $73,248 for travel and transport of inmates in 2007. This is clearly not economical over time.

CATHY FRENCH - I fully support the use of non-prison, community-based penalties such as the Sentence to Serve program and/or electronic monitoring to reduce overcrowding in our jail. Recognizing that not all individuals can complete their sentence in this way, and knowing that not all county residents are aware of the role of county correctional facilities, one of the first steps I'd suggest is to educate the public on what services the county jail provides and the reasons why a new facility is needed in our county.

Other counties have done this via the creation of a task force that has reviewed space and needs of a new facility and then publishing those results for the community to review. I'm confidant that with community input, a "no-frills" facility that meets the needs as mandated by the state, can be opened in Fillmore County.

6. As the deterioration of older Fillmore County roads and bridges continues, what can the County do to alleviate concerns? Are there any projects you'd like to see completed soon? How might that be accomplished?

KAREN REISNER - One quarter of the county's over 450 bridges are deficient or too narrow to be serviceable. Some road maintenance funding could be saved with the help of area residents alerting the authorities when obviously overweight loads are using weight-restricted roads. Violators cost all of us.

Cooperation between citizens, county employees, authorities, and elected officials is necessary for efficient county government. Investing in roads and bridges is an investment in the future. Delaying maintenance or needed construction costs more down the road with escalating costs.

Commissioners need to keep the pressure on MnDOT and our legislators to get our share for the state roads in the area. MnDOT claims Highway 52 south of Interstate 90 at Rochester is not a priority road due to lower traffic numbers. I wonder whether the extremely poor condition of the road encourages traffic to choose longer, smoother routes. The scheduled resurfacing is a temporary fix.

CATHY FRENCH - Older roads are a challenge to maintain, but roadway improvements are necessary to reduce accidents and allow for the transportation of goods and services to support our economy. While the transportation bill in the 2008 legislative session created extra funding for some much needed bridge rehabilitation in our area, I'd like to see the county work to either update an existing plan or develop a new transportation plan that will address the long-term needs for a safe and efficient highway system in our area.

TOM KAASE - Fillmore county roads and bridges need to be assessed and prioritized. Prioritization needs to be based on public safety. Which roads and bridges present the greatest threat to public safety, are on the top of the list and need to be done as soon as possible. Roads that have been scheduled for upgrade or improvement go on the back burner (to the disappointment of some but for the greater good) so funds are available for the fixing of roads and bridges that have been determined as greater risks.

The projects that I want completed the soonest are as stated above, the ones that pose the greatest threat to public safety, regardless where they are in the district, or county. This can be accomplished by using present funds available, drawing from other areas where saving or reductions have been made, and an aggressive approach in going after state and federal funding.

7. Where will the county come up with funds when the state is often cutting funding in such programs as Social Services and Corrections?

CATHY FRENCH - Recently, the county introduced a prescription drug discount card program to help defray the skyrocketing costs of medication. And as funding for the Sentence to Serve program draws to a close, our sheriff has been working with organizations that benefit from those services to ensure the program does not end. As mentioned above, I'd like to see more of that - our county needs to aggressively identify and partner with others to reduce the cost of services routinely provided by or for county residents.

TOM KAASE - The county ends up being the local arm of the state and is responsible for providing the programs in Social Services and Corrections. This isn't going to change whether funding is cut or not. So what do we do?

We look at where we can save through reductions, restructuring, elimination of items, or drawing funds from other areas of our government. We get aggressive. We work through our state and federal representatives to get the funding reinstated and hopefully increased. We work through the representatives in a collaborative effort. We involve other local government in that contact, township boards, city councils, community groups, other out-state counties that are facing the same needs and problems.

I indicated above these services are not going to change. The funding is for people in need, the elderly, and also people put in care/custody of our county, corrections. I would be a strong, influential voice.

KAREN REISNER - The state has passed on costs to counties, which puts added pressure on the property tax levy. Efficiency in the Social Service Department and the Attorney's and Sheriff's Department have helped absorb the added responsibilities. For example, alleviating the need to provide attorneys in parental rights cases by settling cases before going to court will save the county now that the state no longer provides attorneys for parents. Even so, the costs for the county will be increased for those cases that do go to court.

Some services may need to be limited. The county needs to apply for state and federal grants whenever possible.

8. Are there any projects you'd like to see completed soon? How might that be accomplished?

TOM KAASE - As a Fillmore County commissioner I would work hard for growth and a continued quality of life in Fillmore County. I would work hard for sound fiscal management of our citizens' tax money and resources. I would work hard for a positive working relationship with town boards, city governments, and other government entities for a better Fillmore County.

There is strength in numbers and greater things can be achieved. I believe I can be successful in this by using my knowledge and experience in business, agriculture, and public safety to address the many challenges we are facing and new ones that we will be facing. I believe this knowledge and experience prepares me and makes me the best choice. I believe in communicating with the public and keeping them informed. As the First District commissioner I would work hard for and represent the entire district and all the townships.

KAREN REISNER - The first duty of a commissioner is to listen to his or her constituents and to respond to their concerns. I've had experience in building a successful business, managing details, dealing with people and their problems and questions, and budgeting. I have time and will take time to attend necessary committee, subcommittee meetings, and school board or city council meetings when desirable to represent the county, and I look forward to representing county issues to state or federal legislators.

In the past weeks I've met many of you in District 1 and have had insightful conversations. I may not agree on every point, but I will try to be fair and weigh all sides to come up with a solution that best serves Fillmore County. I would appreciate you support.

CATHY FRENCH - I've got the experience necessary to build consensus, formulate policy that works and the desire to ensure those actions are routinely communicated with my constituents. I want to, and can do, what is best not just for the First District, but for all of Fillmore County. As such, I ask for your support and your vote in the primary election on Sept. 9, as well as the general election on Nov. 4.