From left, Republican Tim Allen and Democrat David Kimberly Harden appear at the Brown County Surveyor Candidate Forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Oct. 3.
By Shari Frank
For The Brown County Democrat
There are two candidates for the county surveyor in Brown County. Both participated in the candidate forum Thursday evening, Oct. 3, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Brown County and the Brown County Farm Bureau.
The forum was very congenial, a real treat and a true Brown County event. The candidates helped the audience understand what the surveyor office responsibilities are, and what they each bring to the office.
At each forum the League of Women Voters provides a timekeeper to help candidates keep responses within 90 seconds. Pam Raider served as timekeeper to ensure responses were within set limits. It’s one of the few times the timekeeper didn’t have to hold up the “red card” to let candidates know their time was up. Some observers noted that because the office is pretty technical, the candidates followed suit and gave short, concise answers.
The candidates’ main focus was on what they will do to keep the surveyor office current and efficiently provide information to the public.
The first three questions were from Brown County High School students of teacher Emily Lewellen. Remaining questions were a mix from the public and League contributors.
1. Why do you want to be the surveyor for Brown County?
2. What’s the underlying importance of this job for you?
3. How are you going to leave an impact on this county?
4. Discuss why you are suited to this office and what your goals are for the coming term.
5. Discuss the drains in Brown County that are regulated, what the needs are for managing and the surveyor’s role in monitoring, repairing and maintaining.
6. What is something you’d like to improve in the surveyor’s office to better serve the public?
7. What is, or should be, the role of the county surveyor with the county commissioners, county council and planning commission regarding building construction, expansion and renovations?
8. Does the county surveyor have a role for the town and/or the county to improve drainage issues to address flooding issues or sewer issues?
9. What is the process for certifying land surveys for the county? What costs are involved?
10. What else would you like the public to know about what your vision is for the surveyor office of Brown County?
There were many more questions submitted by the audience. View responses on the Surveyor Candidate Forum YouTube video youtu.be/7xlNtenioQ4?si=Gbxmmp0ARvEXSanC.
The forum was followed by a candidate meet and greet. Several candidates joined the meeting to take two minutes to introduce themselves, then the conversation continued until 8 p.m. as Brown Countians stayed to learn more. Many candidates sent their regrets due to schedule conflicts.
With Brown County commissioners, candidates must live in their district but the entire county votes for each candidate. Candidates represented are listed first followed by candidates for the same office who were not present at the meet and greet:
· Brown County Commissioner District 1: Present: Tiffany Ardnt (D), Not present: Kevin Patrick (R);
· Brown Commissioner District 3: Present: Tim J. Clark (R); Greg Taggart (I); Not present: Justin P. Schwenk (D)
· US Representative 9th District: Present: Russell (Russ) Brooksbank (L); Not present: Erin Houchin (R); Timothy (Tim) Peck (D)
· Brown County School Board at Large (Vote for 2): Present: Amy Huffman Oliver (NP); Not present: Jenise Bohbrink (NP)
The League of Women Voters Brown County wants to thank all the volunteers who helped make this candidate forum and meet and greet a success, including the moderators, Laura Blackthorn and Rita Simon; Theresa Cobian, who volunteered her time to manage the audio visual recording, Pam Raider, who served as the timekeeper, Emily Lewellen for sharing insightful questions from her high school students to the candidates, all the community members who attended, and of course the county commissioners for allowing us to use the Brown County meeting room facility. Thanks also to Rick Kelley and the Brown County Farm Bureau for delicious refreshments and for co-sponsoring with the League of Women Voters Brown County (LWVBC).
Shari Frank is president of the Brown County League of Women Voters and a credentialed media watcher for The Brown County Democrat. Learn more about the Brown County League of Women Voters at lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-brown-county.
