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Walters, Franzen debate in District 4 CROW WING COUNTY COMMISSION Staff Writer Gary Walters, the Crow Wing County commissioner representing District 4, debated with his county board challenger, Rosemary Franzen, a Baxter City Council member, at Thursday's candidate forum.
Franzen said she was a good listener while Walters said he is tough enough to deal with the problems that arise in Crow Wing County.
Franzen said she is just completing her first term on the Baxter City Council and the experience she's gained in the growing city would benefit the county board. She said one of the major issues facing the county is managing growth effectively.
Walters said as a county commissioner for the past four years, he has learned there are not only two sides to every issue but there could be hundreds of sides to an issue and that tough decisions need to be made in this important role.
"You make some happy, some not so happy and others just plain old mad," Walters said.
Are there any areas you'd like to see more cooperation with neighboring counties?
Walters said the county is partnering with Cass County on a new jail. He also said "the roads don't end at the county lines," and that the counties need to work together on roads to ensure a quality transportation system.
Franzen cited the effort that has begun on the creation of a joint wastewater treatment plant between Brainerd and Baxter as an example of governmental cooperation.
How do you provide adequate human services while keeping the budget balanced?
Franzen said she's been attending county board meetings since May when she retired from the Brainerd School District and has been watching as the board goes through the budgeting process.
"I think we need to look at each program and weigh its benefits and we need to make sure we don't duplicate services provided by other jurisdictions," said Franzen.
Walters said government mandates where funding goes for much of the county's human services but that doesn't mean the government has kept its funding promises.
"I think as a county board we have taken more on our own even if the state isn't doing what it said it would do in the long road," said Walters.
What's your position on all-terrain vehicle use?
Walters said he recently cast the swing vote for the ATV road right-of-way ordinance passed by the county board. He said he is a proponent of an ATV park and recently attended a meeting with a local ATV club and they've stepped up in many ways on minimizing and repairing ATV damage in road right-of-ways.
"ATVs are the hot topic in this area," said Franzen. "As I've been going door-to-door this is the issue people want to talk about. There are two sides to the issue but everyone agrees that the ATVs need a place to go. ... We should not have a few irresponsible riders affect the rest."
Would you favor a countywide smoking ban?
Both said they are nonsmokers but don't support a smoking ban on the county level.
What about a county animal control policy?
Walters said it's a funding issue and some townships don't what to pay for animal control. He said a dangerous dog issue is a law enforcement issue, rather than an animal control issue, and residents may call the sheriff's department.
"Everything boils down to money and the townships need to pay their part," said Franzen.
What is the single greatest challenge to the county?
Walters said wastewater management.
"We don't want to pollute our groundwater," said Walters.
Franzen said the environment has to be priority in the coming years.
JODIE TWEED can be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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