Commissioner candidates in District 3 answer questions

• Bev Bales

Bev Bales
• David Erickson

David Erickson
• Bert Pexsa

Bert Pexsa
• Jerry Rapp

Jerry Rapp

Talk about it

To help voters reach a more informed decision in the primary election on August 14, the Echo Press mailed questionnaires to the Douglas County commissioner candidates.

Here are the responses from the four candidates who are running in District 3 – Bev Bales, David Erickson, Bert Pexsa and Jerry Rapp. (Candidates were limited to a 500 word response to five questions.)

BEV BALES

1. Please provide background information (occupation, how long you’ve lived in the area, education, family, etc.).

I was born and raised on a farm in Barnesville, Minnesota and went to Assumption Grade School, Barnesville High School and to North Dakota State College of Science. I was employed by IBM Corporation for 16 years. My duties were in administration and personnel. I was also a national instructor for IBM. For 27 years I was a successful small business owner/operator.

I am widowed and have one daughter, Becky. She is division director of corrections in Stearns County. Her husband Adam is an engineer at Alexandria Industries. Their boys, Drew and Collin are enjoying the parades with me again this year. I want the best future for my grandsons. Rural culture is fighting hard to survive.

My district has rural needs and with it six cities. It has an interesting agenda and calendar all year. I have enjoyed the last eight years as Douglas County Commissioner.

2. Why did you decide to run for county commissioner?

As long as I can remember I have always been interested in government. My rural background and value system are based on serving. I believe that I am a spokesperson for the people - watching their dollars and working hard to get the best “bang for the buck.”

Being commissioner has been a tremendous learning experience because the issues are important and complicated. There are diverse views on both what the problems are, and certainly what the solutions should be for Douglas County. I think the times dictate that experienced leadership is important and necessary. I would truly love to continue to serve and give back to the people who have supported me and to do a good job for them.

I would like to continue my work on the Yellow Ribbon certification, hospital/clinic merger, safe community issues, and slowing down the invasive species thrust. I look forward to the ceremony with the governor on August 22 when the county receives our Yellow Ribbon certification.

3. How would you “grade” (A, B, C, D or F) the current county board and is there anything it could be doing better? Be specific.

It is not for me to rate my peers nor critique their performance. The issues that we have faced as a board have been difficult and our decision making process very involved. For me, I would grade myself a B+, as there is always room for improvement.

4. What separates you from the other candidates? List any traits, qualifications or skills you have for the position.

I have unique experience in business and government so that I bring to the table understanding of problem solving that is invaluable.

I have lived in Carlos Township for 39 years. I feel that I know the people of my district and represent their views well. Almost every week I am out in the district listening and talking to them. This is how I live as a volunteer, as a citizen and as a commissioner.

I have several rules, never leave a request/comment unanswered, never miss a church dinner or festival in my district, never attend a meeting unprepared, and never forget that my constituents want good services but low taxes.

5. If elected, what would be your number-one priority?

To help make Douglas County the best it can be for the least expense and disruption. I will do that by helping to complete existing projects, to continue to control spending, and to be totally informed on all issues.

DAVID ERICKSON

1. Please provide background information (occupation, how long you’ve lived in the area, education, family, etc.).

David “Dave” Erickson, 11890 Hope Rd SE, Osakis; 56 years old, lived my entire life on the family farm. Graduated in 1973 from Osakis. Married Pam in 1975. Have five daughters and five grandchildren. Dairy farmed until 2000, sold the cows and started working at Mills Fleet Farm. 2004 started in agri-tourism, started a petting zoo and playground area for families to come to a real farm. Fall, we have pick your own pumpkin patch and maze for the families to take in. Also do mobile petting zoo and pony rides for town festivals and fairs.

2. Why did you decide to run for county commissioner?

Why run? Have to chuckle about that! Been interested ever since high school. At that time, Mr. Darwin Anderson, farmer south of Nelson, was commissioner. Have always been an avid reader (get both Osakis Review and Echo Press forever), keep up with all the happenings around the area. Being elected commissioner would just be the next step. Proud of my involvement in many other projects and community. Helped form the Osakis MCCL Chapter back in 1978. Spent 12 years on the St. Agnes School Board. 12 years on the Osakis Public School Board. 12 seems to be my number, spent that many years with the Osakis Festival Parade. Currently treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Council #3176 of Osakis and newsletter editor for the Pioneer Power Club (vintage tractor club of Alexandria area). Also do a Facebook page for Pioneer Power Club and the Rose City Heritage Threshing Show. They say if you want something done, ask a busy person!

3. How would you “grade” (A, B, C, D or F) the current county board and is there anything it could be doing better? Be specific.

Grade current county board! Will give them a C-. Why? For not working together! Year after year, same old thing, lot of bickering and finally saying maybe we should of did things differently. Number 1 is the sheriff and police departments and the buildings. They all say they are the taxpayers’ watch dogs, but do you believe them.

4. What separates you from the other candidates? List any traits, qualifications or skills you have for the position.

If you are looking for a flashy and all talk person, then you have to vote for somebody else. If you like the ones with all the billboards on every corner, then you have to vote for somebody else. But if you want somebody who will listen first, will work on your behalf, work as a team member with the other commissioners, then I am your person. Being a commissioner is what I do every day at Mills Fleet Farm. Help the customers with their needs, with a smile and maybe a little story. Just being there, helping them, getting back to them when I don’t have an answer right away. Sincere, honest and common sense is what I go by.

5. If elected, what would be your number-one priority?

Everybody says lowering taxes is the number 1 priority. That is very important and I wish it would happen! To me, the number 1 priority is getting a board to work together, for the good of the county! Once you have that, everything else will fall into place.

Thank You for your time, I would greatly appreciate your vote.

BERT PEXSA

1. Please provide background information (occupation, how long you’ve lived in the area, education, family, etc.).

My wife Kathy and I have been married 39 years. We have three children: Grant and Cami Pexsa, Laurie (Pexsa) and Michael Maras, and Ryan and Kelley Pexsa. We have eight grandchildren.

I grew up on a dairy farm near Miltona. I still live on the original homestead, fourth generation. I currently farm 238 (grain and CRP) acres.

I was elected to the Douglas County Farm Services and served four years as chairman. I received an associate degree in accounting from Alexandria Technical College and have worked in the tax and business accounting profession in Alexandria for 17 years. More information is available on my website, www.PexsaforCommissioner.com

2. Why did you decide to run for county commissioner?

I decided to run for county commissioner because I feel I have the experience and education in taxes, business management and agriculture that would be valuable to the county and residents of all ages in District 3.

I have gained valuable experience serving on the Douglas County Farm Services Agency as chairman. I believe that the local governments need to work as a unit to be more efficient. These are economic times that most of us have never seen. We have to work together to find solutions.

I am conservative and we the taxpayers in rural Minnesota deserve to have our taxes be spent more efficiently.

3. How would you “grade” (A, B, C, D or F) the current county board and is there anything it could be doing better? Be specific.

The taxpayers of Douglas County will be the evaluator of the current board. I am only one taxpayer that will be at the polls at the primary on August 14 and the general election on November 6.

All local governments in the county need to work together to reduce duplication of spending. We need to use different thinking to solve current problems. And we need to be looking to the future, instead of addressing issues as they occur or when the state mandates action.

4. What separates you from the other candidates? List any traits, qualifications or skills you have for the position.

I have corporate and small business management experience in union and non-union settings.; including 17 years of experience in corporate and small business income tax laws for start-up and existing companies. I have a lifetime of knowledge and experience in farming and the agriculture industry. Being elected to serve on the Douglas Co. FSA board was a valuable experience.

I feel strongly about preserving farming and our local and rural businesses. We need to have permanent jobs. If we don’t, people will be forced to move to find jobs elsewhere. This will further decrease patronage of our local businesses and lead to decreased enrollment in our schools. This is already happening in communities in western Minnesota.

5. If elected, what would be your number-one priority?

My top priority will be reducing taxes by less spending. Our tax dollars need to be spent on our necessary services taking care of all the residents of Douglas County, not special interest wants.

If you are looking for leadership with a new perspective, new plan of action and a strong commitment to our families, local communities and farmers, I would be proud to serve as your commissioner. I would appreciate your vote at the primary election on August 14 for District 3 County Commissioner.

JERRY RAPP

1. Please provide background information (occupation, how long you’ve lived in the area, education, family, etc.).

I was born and raised in Alexandria, where I lived until moving to Carlos Township. I have lived in Carlos Township for 45-plus years. I am married to my wife Jane and we have four children, Jeremy, Maggie, Robert and Lane. A graduate of Jefferson High School District 206 and graduate of Alexandria Technical College, I am a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served our country from 1969-1971.

I am co-owner of Rapp Construction, Inc. with 40 years experience in the construction industry. I have also been involved with farming for over 40 years. I am a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. My hobbies include hunting, fishing and collector cars.

2. Why did you decide to run for county commissioner?

The reason that I decided to run for the District 3 County Commissioner race was because of the rapid increase in real estate taxes and budget spending. My experience as a business owner, in construction and farming would be a great asset in the decisions made before tax dollars are spent.

3. How would you “grade” (A, B, C, D or F) the current county board and is there anything it could be doing better? Be specific.

I do feel the current county board could be more objective when construction projects come before the county commissioner board. If elected, with my experience in the construction industry, I would be hands-on with future construction projects while I represent the taxpayers of Douglas County for the best results of your taxpayer dollar.

4. What separates you from the other candidates? List any traits, qualifications or skills you have for the position.

I am absolutely confident that I can connect to my constituents as your county commissioner. With my background and experience in the commercial and residential construction industry for 40 years as well as being involved in farming, I have seen the challenges that both of these fields can bring.

My commitment to you, the taxpayer, is that I will offer fresh ideas and new direction for economical and practical decisions before spending your tax dollars. I would be available to my constituents for any and all of your concerns.

5. If elected, what would be your number-one priority?

If elected, my number one priority would be to concentrate on the rising cost of real estate taxes and budget spending. I would give the taxpayers 100 percent effort to assure you that your tax dollar is spent efficiently, cautiously and wisely.

Your vote on August 14 would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Al Edenloff

Al Edenloff was born in Alexandria and later moved to Parkers Prairie where he graduated in 1979. While in high school, he wrote sports stories for the Parkers Prairie Independent. Al graduated from Moorhead State University with a degree in mass communication and started at the Echo Press as a summer intern in 1983. He worked as a reporter until 1990 when he was named editor. He's earned several writing and reporting awards from the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) and the National Newspaper Association. He was presented with the Minnesota News Council's Journalism Accountability Award and is a three-time winner of the MNA's Herman Roe Editorial Writing Award. In his spare time, Al enjoys golfing, fishing, biking, watching sports, cooking and reading mystery novels.

Tags: local news, news