Second District Mower County Commissioner Ray Tucker is the incumbent in this year’s election.

Second District challenger Sarah Douty hopes to parley her experience as an Adams City Council Member (2000 to 2002) and Adams Township Board (2003 to 2006) into a successful bid for a seat on the county board.

Tucker is chairman of the county board’s finance and building committees.

He has been front an center in the proposed new Mower County Jail and Justice Center controversy.

Douty is the coordinator of the Austin Main Street Project, which is rehabilitating downtown Austin properties.

One of those properties — the Robbins block — was at the core of attention until a recent vote by the commissioners to acquire the building and turn the property into a parking lot and geothermal field.

Douty and her Austin Main Street Project allies sought to save the building from demolition and develop it into a retail hub in the downtown area.

If Douty is successful, she would accomplish something that hasn’t been done since Bob Finbraaten left the county board: Give Adams Township a presence on the county board. Tucker is from Dexter Township.

Finbraaten served from 1957 to 1992 before retiring.

Sarah Douty

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office, because Mower County is ready for a new voice on the County Board of Commissioners. I want to give the outlying residents of the county, who have been ignored for too long, the representation they deserve. I have always had a strong interest in local government and I felt the timing was right for the residents of District 2.

Number one issue to be addressed in county government?

The most pressing issue is a need for fiscal responsibility in every area of County government. Everything from operating budgets and discretionary spending to reevaluating property tax assessments needs to be addressed.

Are elected officials keeping a tight lid on spending?

At a time when everyone is tightening their belts, local government is not exempt. Mower County Commissioners need to change their approach to spending. The state is facing a budget deficit of nearly a billion dollars that will almost certainly result in cuts to local funding. We need a very careful assessment of how we are spending tax dollars. We cannot continue to spend money on things we would like to have but don’t need while complaining about a lack of funds for things that are desperately needed by our communities.

What are your thoughts today on the new Mower County Jail and Justice Center project in downtown Austin?

There is a need for improvements in the current jail and courthouse, however, the current County Commissioners will be putting too high of a burden on the taxpayers to accomplish their goals. Their recent proposed 21.7 percent levy increase is only the beginning of that burden. Costs for renovating the LEC, returning Health and Human Services to the Downtown and the purchasing/demolition of the Robbins block buildings are not included in the nearly 36 million dollar project. The Commissioners also voted to spend all of the wind farm tax revenue on Jail/Justice Center bond payments rather than using it on rural projects or reducing property taxes.

This will have a direct and significant impact on the farmers and small town business people and residents in the Second District who expect to see very little benefit from these decisions. I believe the Commissioners should reconsider the scope of the Jail/Justice Center project and look to more cost effective alternatives.

Final remarks:

If I’m fortunate enough to be elected I will serve as an honest, fiscally responsible representative of District 2. I will listen, learn and lead.

Ray Tucker

Why are you seeking this office?

I like the changes I’ve seen in Distract No. 2 and believe we have more opportunities that can provide additional economic growth in the District and would like to be involved with that happening.

Number One issue in county government:

The jail and also the cost shifts from State-mandated services

Are elected officials keeping a tight lid on spending?

The Commissioners are always looking for ways to cut the costs of County government.

What are your thoughts today on the new Mower County Jail and Justice Center project in downtown Austin? Jail size, build jail only, expand courts and court services at existing government center et cetera?

We need this complex and to keep the costs under control, but (we must) do the project, so we will have years of service.

Final remarks:

It’s been an honor to serve District No. 2 as Commissioner and I would like to serve your needs.

District No. 2

Mower County Commissioners are paid $24,200 annually.

They also receive reimbursement for official mileage and per diem for special meetings.

District No. 2 includes the townships of Adams, Bennington, Clayton, Dexter, Frankford, Grand Meadow, LeRoy, Lodi, Marshall, Pleasant Valley, Racine, Sargeant and the communities of Adams Dexter, Elkton, Grand Meadow, LeRoy, Racine, Sargeant, Taopi.

Voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To register to vote, contact the Mower County Auditor-Treasurer office at the government center in downtown Austin. (Editor’s Note: The comments of candidates Tucker and Douty were run in their entirety as submitted.)