Commissioner candidates in District 4 answer questions

• Paul C. Anderson

Paul C. Anderson
• Bill Dropik

Bill Dropik
• Don Kortie Jr.

Don Kortie Jr.
• Charlie Meyer

Charlie Meyer

Talk about it

Now it’s time for the candidates in Douglas County commissioner District 4 to have their say.

To help voters reach a more informed decision for the primary election on August 12, the Echo Press mailed questionnaires to the commissioner candidates.

Here are the responses for those running in District 4 – Paul C. Anderson, Bill Dropik, Don Kortie Jr. and Charlie Meyer.

PAUL C. ANDERSON

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

I was raised in Pope County and graduated from Villard High School. Shortly after graduation, I entered the U.S. Army and spent several years in the Army Security Agency in Japan. I am an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, having served on many committees.

In 1974 we returned to Alexandria after several moves out of state with my employer, Sears and Allstate Insurance. I retired from Allstate in 1989 after serving them for 31 years and joined Billmark Lakes Area Insurance. During my years with Allstate, I was also the clerk/treasurer of Alexandria Township.

My wife, Velma and I were blessed with two children, Sandy and Dan. Daughter Sandy died in 1999. Dan lives in Florida with his wife, Rose. We have several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

2. Why did you decide to run for county commissioner? After serving Alexandria Township as clerk/treasurer for many years and enjoying the relationship with the residents, I decided to follow my mentor, Jerry Callaghan, who was county commissioner and was retiring due to an illness. Since that time I have served Douglas County for 14 years.

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 can’t grade our present board by letters. Everyone has their own ideas as far as what should or should not be done. For example, I cannot see investing millions of dollars in an old building such as we have done. I am fiscally and morally conservative and believe we must look at the long-range picture as 35 years down the road. We have had several opportunities to accomplish this, but have never been successful, therefore spending more dollars than necessary.

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

Most of my life I have been in a public relations position, even in the insurance business. As I mentioned in the previous answer, my fiscal and moral beliefs are solid. I feel I have the qualifications to perform the duties of the office from my previous experience. Also, I have served five years on the board of directors of the Association of Minnesota Counties, District 4 of the AMC, and various boards during the past 14 years, bringing much needed information back to my local board.

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

It is hard to say what my first priority would be as there is so much to be done. I believe our budget and the real estate tax situation would be very important. Establishing a budget is one area I would be deeply involved in. I would work with the Legislature in the passage of the MAGIC Act, which would make it much easier to deliver the necessary services to the public more efficiently.

Working on senior citizen programs would be near the top of my list, along with conservation of our natural resources as I serve on our state Natural Resources Policy Committee.

BILL DROPIK

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

We are in the farming business in the Nelson area. We have lived here 45 years. We raised eight children and they all attended the Alexandria school system, Alexandria Technical College.

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

I feel I have something to offer, also I feel I can make a difference, lastly, the present commissioner has been seated for 20-plus years and people feel it’s time for a change.

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.

No comment.

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

I have served on several large boards over the years. I feel I gained experience setting budgets and long-range planning, also working with employees, union negotiations, etc.

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

To serve and represent the property owners of Douglas County at my level best and help make common-sense decisions in the best interest for everyone.

I also am a fast learner to get up to speed on current issues. I support progress, but I also know how to say no to excessive spending.

DON KORTIE JR.

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

I was born and raised in Alexandria. I graduated from Jefferson High School. I entered the United States Air Force and came back to Alexandria to attend Alexandria Technical College. After I entered the packaging machine arena, I started my own security system business, which I’ve been doing for the last 28 years. I am married with four children and three grandchildren.

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

I thought it was time for a change so rather than complain about it, I’d try to do something about it.

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 won’t grade the current commission, but in Friday, July 13’s paper, the commission ignored the county attorney’s legal advice involving the computer contract issue. The county attorney said to put in a clause to protect the county if services were no longer needed. The commissioners voted against the clause, which is not acceptable. You have put the county at risk and the people financially responsible.

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

In the skills category, I have owned my own company for 28 years in the security industry. I have a background in material handling, purchasing agent, traffic manager and safety director. I also was a licensed part-time peace officer, EMT, and I have a state-issued Power Limited technician license and a technology systems license.

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

To slow down the spending, try to level out taxes. I would really like to get back to the basics of government: “We the people, by the people, for the people.”

CHARLIE MEYER

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

Garden Center Lanes for 37 years in a family business.

I’ve lived in the Alexandria area all my life, graduated from Jefferson High School, went to Alexandria Technical College, earning an associate degree in sales and marketing.

I’ve been married for 33 years, have three grown children who all live and work in the Alexandria area. My sons, Chad and Matt, work with me in the family business.

I’ve been active in the Alexandria Rotary Club since 1975. Serving on the Minnesota Bowling Proprietors Association Board since 1984, and was the president of the board in 2005 and 2006. Served on the Viking Savings Association Board from 1996 to 2008, and also have been active in the West Central Food and Beverage Association for over 20 years, and currently serving a second term as president. I was a member of the Alexandria Fire Department from 1979 to 2000, and served as the Relief Association president from 1982 to 2000.

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

I have decided to run due to the fact that the current county commissioners have spent a tremendous amount of tax dollars, in very difficult economic times. With speaking with other residents, we wanted to see a change.

I feel that due to economic conditions, the county board has gone too far on projects that should have been put on hold. For example, the mushroom effect of the jail, public works building, court house renovation and the old Central School extensive remodeling have cost taxpayers millions that is still ongoing with no end in sight.

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.

No response.

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

I feel with my experience with running a business, I could do better planning a budget, and make sure there is maintenance allowance to keep everything in good working order. My years as a firefighter taught me the values of team efforts and community.

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

My number-one priority would be being a good steward of your tax dollars!

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.

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