By SCOTT NILES Courier staff writer
May 16, 2008 12:39 am
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Editor’s note: Between now and June 3, the Courier will profile candidates in contested area county and statewide races.
CENTERVILLE — Three Democratic candidates are competing for two seats on the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors. The top two votegetters will move forward to the November general election where they will square off against two Republicans, incumbent John Arnold and Leland Hatfield.
The three Democrats include incumbent Jody McDanel, Linda Rouse and Connie Wright.
Jody McDanel
Jody McDanel believes his experience in the county government seat is an asset to Appanoose County.
“First of all, when you are on the outside, you really don’t know the workings of the county government and how you can spend the money. Since I am an incumbent, I know some of that,” he said.
McDanel said there are several issues that he would like to address if re-elected.
The main issue is money and how the county is going to spend the funds in a fiscally responsible way. One place is on the roads.
“We have worked all this year and we will be working into the future,” he said
Another main focus is to hold the property tax levies at the present rate they are at while supplying more services to citizens of Appanoose County.
“I have been to Washington, D.C. for the Farm Bureau,” he said. “I have also tried to lobby for issues for Appanoose County. I have been to the state Legislature at least four times this year and talked with legislators on issues dealing with District 5.”
McDanel has lived in Appanoose County nearly his entire life.
“I’m going to do what I can, when I can and how I can for each and every citizen of Appanoose County to grow Appanoose County,” he said.
Linda Rouse
Linda Rouse believes she has the ability and the determination to make progress happen in Appanoose County if elected supervisor.
“I think of myself as an advocate, particularly for citizens of rural southern Iowa. I am conscientious and committed. I will work diligently to promote the interests of Appanoose County,” Rouse said.
She also has a number of priorities to tackle if elected.
“Money for local government is always at a premium; it is important to me for county officials to assure those citizens who are most vulnerable will continue to receive services and that the enhancement of those services is a priority,” she said.
The groups, she said, which come to mind include the elderly, children who are wards of the state, the mentally ill, mentally retarded and disabled veterans.
Rouse would also like to lobby for funding to accompany mandates that are put on the county’s shoulders.
“The state of Iowa, through the administrative or legislative process, continues to mandate to counties responsibilities which are costly and for which accompanying funding are not provided,” she said. “I will advocate for policies that ensure the funding accompanies mandates.”
Rouse said she cares about her county and wants to work from the inside to try to make Appanoose County a better place for all its citizens.
Connie Wright
Connie Wright believes in being involved in her county.
“I have the time and skills to dedicate to the service of the citizens of Appanoose County. I feel that the best way to improve government is to work from the inside,” she said.
Wright’s list of priorities includes economic development and future progress of the county.
“I believe that the county’s image and economic development is the No. 1 issue,” she stated. “We need to use our resources to help create a unified image of the county as a whole.”
She said every community in the county must work together to be recognized as a great place in the state.
A common theme expressed, she said, has been that “Centerville runs the county.
“I know this is not true, but again, it is the image. Then there is the visual image projected by the county,” Wright said. “We need to instill pride in our home.”
The skills she said she could bring to the office of county supervisor are willingness to listen to all suggestions and comments, do research and make decisions.
“Being supervisor would be the best use of the skills I have acquired from running construction companies and doing research. I spent years working with engineering departments; each involves hours of research,” she said.
“I am a better candidate because I think outside the box.”
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.
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