District 14 candidate questionnaire

Name:  Jen Schmitz

Background:  I grew up on a dairy farm in the town of Jefferson, graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in Agriculture and Applied Economics and Dairy Science in 2002.  Following graduation, I returned to the 54619 zip code and started working for Organic Valley.  Through my years working at Organic Valley, I had the pleasure of working in La Farge, Westby, Cashton and visiting our other locations in Chaseburg and plants around the United State.  In 2020, I was honored to be elected to both the Monroe County Board and as District Director for Wisconsin Farmers Union.  I have also been active with the River to Ridge Disaster Resilience group (R2RDR.org) since 2018, when massive rain storms caused widespread flash flooding in Monroe, La Crosse, Vernon and Crawford counties.

Why are you running for county board supervisor?  I see opportunities for us to do better at caring for each other and our land and natural resources.  I have a passion for working in teams and constant improvement efforts so I think county government is a great place to work together for greater good.

Why do you believe you are qualified?  I believe my skills in project management, business and community resiliency are needed in Monroe county as we work on big ideas like a new nursing home, expanding broadband to our rural neighbors and developing 21st century solutions and mitigation strategies to respond to the rapidly changing weather patterns.

What are the most pressing issues (no more than three)you think the county needs to address and why?  We need to keep pursuing the work for broadband expansion.  We have a great start with the work the broadband special committee has done thus far, however we have yet to be awarded a grant to do the work and yet to begin digging and laying fiber.  I would like us to consider how we program for long-term programs like highway repairs and construction and other capital projects related to buildings and land acquisition - more of a comprehensive plan that the people of Monroe feel they had input into and can track progress over the long-term of years.  Lastly, I would like the county to actively work on communications for 21st century.  Our county website should be a go-to location for basic information regarding government-based information. I believe we can share much more information and links to other sources of information via an upgraded and updated (facelift, if you will) to our county website.  Furthermore, all county meetings should always be available for virtual attendance of the public to hear our meetings and discussions.  In-person only meetings are a thing of the past and not conducive to the modern working individual.  We must do a better job of communicating in real-time to our residents and communities.  Additionally, the use of social media for public service announcements is underutilized, which seems silly, given many of those platforms are free to use.

How would you address the issues you described?  some have been listed above on how to address.  I would add, we as county supervisors also need to be in conversation with our state representatives and senators so that we get adequate state funding for the programs we are required to administer as well as enough discretion to spend in Monroe county on things unique to Monroe County.  Lastly, it is only through continuous communications that we can hear the many perspectives that are Monroe County so that we grow and work together in ways that benefit all of us.

Name:  James B. Kuhn

Background:  I have lived in Monroe County since 1972.  I am retired after 34 years of government employment (3 years in U.S. Army, 3 years with the DNR, and 28 years with the State Patrol). I have 16 years of service on the Monroe County Board, serving as chair on several committees as well as serving as Board Vice Chair and Chair.

Why are you running for county board supervisor?  I believe the Board needs a voice of experience to establish and maintain continuity.  It also needs someone willing to ask difficult and meaningful questions, and to use common sense to make sound, fiscally responsible decisions.

Why do you believe you are qualified?  I believe my background speaks for itself.  I have been around government agencies in one form or another for most of my life.  I have a realistic understanding of how it works.

What are the most pressing issues (no more than three)you think the county needs to address and why?  It is extremely important to maintain a balanced budget especially in this world of runaway inflation.  Increase in revenue is controlled by levy limits, so therefore, one must obtain maximum efficiency from every available dollar.  Another critical issue is maintaining our highways. Many of our county highways are deteriorating due to age and increased use by heavier vehicles.

How would you address the issues you described?   I would use a sound, common sense approach to money management, and strive to make the most efficient use of the dollars that are available to address these as well as numerous other issues faced at the county level of government.