District 15 candidate questionnaire

Posted

Jesica Helgren is running against Joey Esterline. The Herald reached out to Jesica Helgren for the questionnaire but Helgren never got back to the Herald.

Name: Joey Esterline

District 15 County Supervisor Candidate

Background: Resident of Monroe County since 1987 living in the City of Sparta for 22 years and Town of Adrian for 13. I grew up on a farm near Faribault, MN where my family raised beef and sheep.  I have an Associate Degree in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota, Waseca; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ruminate Nutrition from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, and a Master of Professional Development in Education from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. I worked for several years assisting with dairy nutrition, for several years I was Monroe County Horticultural consultant, I served seven years as Monroe County’s 4-H Youth Development Agent, and for 11 years I was an Administrative Assistant for the WI DNR Warden Recruit Academy from which I retired in 2018.

Over the years I had served on the Board of the Sparta Main Street program, I am a co-founder of the original Sparta Farmers Market which is now a non-profit association of which I have served several positions on the association’s board. I am currently a member of the County Deer Advisory Council, the Monroe County Invasive Species Working Group, the County’s Land Conservation Ag Advisory and Land Stewardship Committee and I am a representative on the Sparta Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee. I have also been an elections poll worker for many years first in the City of Sparta and currently for the Town of Adrian.

I own a small business, “AlterNative Grounds”, growing fresh produce that I sell at the Sparta Farmers Market. My husband, Scott Giraud, is a building contractor; Probilt Enterprises, LLC. Our farm property consists of gardens for fresh market produce and hay. We are avid enthusiast of habitat restoration on our property and enjoy sharing our knowledge and experience whenever asked. We enjoy archery and gun hunting, as well.

Why are you running for the board: Over the years I have come to appreciate what our national, state, and local governments do to provide us with the quality of life we are privileged to have. The grassroots level of government is where many of the decisions made affect us most directly. I would like to have the responsibility of being a voice that represents my district in this democratic process and work to dispel the movement of distrust in our government. I want to listen to people, not just hear them.

Why do you believe you area qualified: Much of my adult life has been committed to some sort of community involvement both as a volunteer and within my employment. As a Youth Development professional, I had the opportunity to work with youth and parents. It was very important to communicate clearly and straight forward the importance of working together for the good of the whole not just for the individual. I also knew it was important to understand and promote an individual’s strengths to build confidence and achieve goals and success. I had responsibilities within my work with the WI DNR Law Enforcement training program to keep very accurate and complete training information which was submitted to the DOJ for law enforcement certification as well as working with individual instructors within their training programs. Serving on several county committees has given me insight to a department’s responsibilities within county government. Committee work provides the opportunity to listen, share ideas, compromise, and make decisions that achieve set goals. Being on the Chamber of Commerce Tourism board has helped me appreciate the wonderful resources this area has to offer in employment, outdoor activities, natural resources, and quality of life. With my experiences I have gained the insight and ability to listen to all sides that share an issue, to use legitimate resources and information accurately and to not allow personal agendas to undermine decisions. Undertaking challenges and allowing creative ideas to be pursued are also important to me.  

Pressing issues that concern me:

 Broadband!!! It is vital to this county to provide broadband access to everyone. I live in a dead zone with no opportunity for broadband connection and it is frustrating. The county must keep the broadband initiative in the forefront as it will be an on-going endeavor perhaps more than any recent building project. Broadband is essential to economic growth, education, employment, organizations, family and personal communications and overall quality of life and equality. Funding as well as continued pursuit of grants and keeping strong communications with potential providers is important.

Roads, bridges, and Infrastructure. Good roads are essential to commerce and economic growth. As experienced in the recent past, many of the bridges, culverts and roads are vulnerable to flooding. A comprehensive plan that looks at issues such as the effects of too many driveways and/or poor planning for driveways and other access roads should be utilized and reviewed with inputs from different departments and agencies. Being proactive as much as possible will save money, property, and perhaps even lives.   

Sensible growth in land development, agriculture land preservation and economic growth in the county are important issues. Populations are moving into this county that may not comprehend the nature and structure of our landscape and its uses. It will be important to have comprehensive land use planning that avoids conflict in future development. We will need to understand, educate, mediate, and work together on the affects that climate change will have on the land, our economics, and our lives. Sustainable agriculture, smart growth, reducing and reusing waste, guaranteed water quality for all citizens will be a part of this.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here