Election 2011: Candidate Profiles for St. Joseph Town Board, Clerk/Treasurer

Hudson Patch asked all the local candidates on the ballot in the April 5 election to provide some information about themselves. The following is the information submitted by the town of St. Joseph candidates with minor grammatical edits:

Dan Gavin

Occupation: Engineer, Enventis Inc.

Experience: St. Joseph Board Member, 8 years
St. Joseph Finance Committee, 10 years
St. Joseph Public Works Committee. 8 years
St. Joseph Baseball Commissioner, 6 years
St. Joseph Noxious Weed Commissioner, 4 years
St. Joseph Library Board Representative, 2+ years
Chairman, St.Paul Telco Credit Union, 4 years
Chairman. St. Paul Skyway YMCA Christmas Tree Sale, 12 years (and current) President, Church Council, Family of Christ Lutheran Church, current

Why do you want to be the Town Chair on the St. Joseph Town Board?: I believe I can bring leadership and a sense of order back to the Town Board.

What is the most pressing issue facing the town of St. Joseph and where do you stand on that issue?: The main issue facing the town right now is the state budget issue, and its potential impact to our town in the immediate and long-term future. 

The town may well be hit with a $25,000 reduction in state aid in the coming year. We need to be conscious as to how this will impact our present and future budgets. Our budget will continue to be scrutinized from year to year now as the state will most likely be in flux on the continuing issue of state and local aid.

In addition to the budget, our primary year-to-year concerns typically revolve around roads, public safety and planning/development within the town. We have a very good foundation for all of these at the present time but will need to address each as changes or issues arise.

The most obvious issue for most people to ask or talk about is the new river crossing. The town continues to participate at local and state meetings as things progress, or fail to progress, through the bureaucracies.

All in all, our town is in pretty good shape. It has been well managed over the years and has provided significant improvements to its residents in upgraded roads and public safety services. I have every reason to believe it will continue to do so.

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Kevin Adkins

Occupation: Former 29-year business owner, now a consultant.

Experience: Plan Commission member from 2008-2010, current St. Joseph Town Board member.

Why do you want to be the Town Chair on the St. Joseph Town Board?: To create a stronger team effort within the board, and to have more residents involved in the process.

What is the most pressing issue facing the town of St. Joseph and where do you stand on that issue?: One major issue is the transparency of local government. Possible solutions include an online monthly newsletter with current issues and accompaning facts, as well as ensuring meeting agendas are posted at least 10 days in advance, with the understanding that the agenda could change. Another major issue is protecting owners' rights, which can be maintained by ensuring the board does not pass any frivolous ordinances.

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Fred Meyers

Occupation: I have run the Cajun Club since its opening in 1986. I have a degree in business management and also a law enforecement certification from the Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire. I have been involved in law enforcement since 1989 and have worked for different police departments in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I have also worked in the construction business since I was a teenager, worked for my father's company and also had a business with my brother and father in the early 1980s.

Experience: I have not worked in any government position nor have I run for any office prior to this. I claim not to be a politician. They make you promises and never follow through with them.

Why do you want to be on the St. Joseph Town Board?: I feel that running for town supervisor I could be helpful with answers and input in the various situations within the town's construction, homes and zoning issues. I don't belong to any special interest groups. I have seen a lot of people get on the board over the years because of their own personal agenda.

What is the most pressing issue facing the town of St. Joseph and where do you stand on that issue?: I believe one of the important topics that St. Joe faces is the river crossing bridge,it is a high impact to the town and it needs to be pressed. We need to do something about this before we have another 35W problem at hand. Another problem is the town's battle over budget planing, roads and public works. These all need to be examined.

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Jim Traeger

Occupation: CEO of Lake Country Marketing Corp.

Experience: Entrepreneur and business person for 20 years. I have
served on many past boards and have organized and implemented fundraisers
and festivals for towns and organizations. I have brought people together to
work for common goals and have brought organization to companies.

Vice President of Friends of Perch Lake
Coordinator of Great Winona Get-Together
Member of President's Council (MSUSA)
Recipient of Community Service award, Winona Area Chamber of Commerce
Founder and CEO of Market America Corp.
Owner of Outdoors Weekly
CEO Northern Star Publishing Corp.
Other past committees and boards include but not limited to:
Consultant to the Alliance for Drug-Free Minnesota
Winona Community Relations Board
U.S. Bicentennial Constitution Committee
Baseball Coach in area for 17 years
Education: B.A. Degree Winona State University

Why do you want to be on the St. Joseph Town Board?: I would like to continue to be Second Supervisor because I feel there are many issues yet to be taken care of. I have the experience and the track record of helping organizations get out of debt. I would like to get a handle on out of control spending. I have succeeded in lowing the taxes in St. Joseph and want to continue to lower them more. I would like to see town government stop infringing on property owners' rights and ensure the town has good-quality people maintaining the infrastructure of our town.

What is the most pressing issue facing the town of St. Joseph and where do you stand on that issue?: I believe that the most important issue facing St. Joseph is getting out of the close to $4 million debt. We need to get a handle of the town expenses and stop borrowing money. We should treat the town budget like our own personal budget. We should continue to reduce the tax burden and ensure quality contractors maintain the town's infrastructure.

*****

Rick Colbeth

Occupation: I am currently working for St. Croix County Highway Department.  I have been responsible for the county roads in the Somerset and St. Joseph area for 26 years.

Experience: Working for the village of Hammond, maintence deptartment.

Why do you want to be on the St. Joseph Town Board?: There is a song, "Life's Been Good to Me," by Joe Walsh. Life has been good to me and so has the town of St. Joe for 26 years. Through a common sense and garage logic attitude, I would like the town of St. Joseph to continue to be a place to live a lively and friendly life.

What is the most pressing issue facing the town of St. Joseph and where do you stand on that issue?: Balancing the desires and needs of our long-time residence with the new ideas and policies (many that are imposed upon us from the higher ups). I would really encourage everyone to attend meetings, follow your town's website, and get to know your town reps. It's hard to make a difference at the federal and state level, however your passions, desires and voices are heard at the local level. With respectful and thoughtful communication we can all have fun and handle the big issues.

*****

Joan Gerhan

Occupation: During my 30-plus years of business experience I have been involved in several types of business which include owner/manager of a large San Diego-based aircraft sales, maintenance and flight school facility;  performing accounting and administrative duties for the General Service Administration; working as technical writer and trainer for several electronic manufacturing firms; and working as a travel agent for a large international agency booking flights, cars and hotels and preparing budgets and financial reports. I am experienced in several accounting and other software packages including QuickBooks.

Experience: I currently serve on the St. Joseph Park Committee, and for the past two years I have attended the Town Board meetings, listening and learning about our town. 

I’m currently a member of the Hudson Home and Garden Club; I also served as co-president of the Garden Club for two years in 2007 and 2008.

Why do you want to be the town clerk for St. Joseph?: I understand the importance of organizing, serving the community and working with a wide range of people. As the new St. Joseph clerk/treasurer, I see my job to provide information, and an open and friendly office for citizens to come and conduct business.

What is the most pressing issue facing the town of St. Joseph and where do you stand on that issue?: These are challenging times and we need to provide services in a fiscally responsible way by meeting our budget. This is not the time to raise property taxes, but maintain zero tax increases, pay down the debt and become a debt-free town able to maintain roads, a fire department and an excellent quality of life in St. Joseph. I’m willing to serve our town and the citizens of St. Joseph, and I ask for your vote on April 5, 2011.

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Mary Stanley

Occupation: Restaraunt manager

Experience: Six years with United States Army National Guard search and rescue aviation, accounting background, assistant manager of fast food restaurants, tax consultant, office manager of a real estate company, associate degree in  business management minoring in accounting, customer service skills, strong computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Quicken and QuickBooks.

Why do you want to be the town clerk/treasurer for St. Joseph?: The reason I want to be elected town clerk/treasurer is because I want to have to the honor of serving this community the same way I did when I was serving this country when I was in the service. With my experience in the army and my degree in business management I feel I am the best qualified person to get the job done. I am hard working, dedicated and have strong ethics that will bring a great asset to this town.

What is the most pressing issue facing the town of St. Joseph and where do you stand on that issue?: I believe currently the most important issue facing this town right now is the state budget cuts. With funding for our town getting cut we will need to cut our budget even more. The first thing I would do is ensure and try the best I can to make our office run as efficiently as possible and find ways to cut our budget in little ways to ensure that we still have money for our public works and other important departments. If this means that I will not have a deputy and I will have to work more hours I am more than prepared to do this. I will guarantee that I will do whatever it takes to keep our funds where they needs to go and cut the waste in areas that it doesn’t need to be.