Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com
Published - Friday, October 16, 2009
Recall: Meet the County Board candidates
The debate surrounding the proposed justice center in Monroe County will come to a head Tuesday as eight Monroe County Board supervisors face recall.
The recall is an effort by justice center opponents to have the issue put to a referendum.
The County Board approved the justice center project in February of 2008 and continues to face issues of an overcrowded jail, a jail insurance policy that has dipped from $10 million to $1 million and space needs to seat a third circuit court judge next summer.
Bids were received under the estimated cost last month and interest rates are low.
But a downturn in the economy has raised more questions surrounding the project. Some don’t believe the county can afford it, and others argue that the county would not be able to afford running the facility when built.
The project has many opponents, some of whom argue that future market numbers are unknown and that the current economic conditions make the price tag of the justice center too high. Some feel the project has not been thoroughly studied and explained. The county still awaits site approval from the City of Sparta, which tabled a request for approval of the justice center site in August, stipulating that a plan for the existing courthouse in downtown Sparta be developed first.
The total base bid came in at $25.4 million last month. The grand total, which includes seven alternate bids that were approved by the Building Committee, pushed the total back up to $26.7 million, which is under the original estimate of $30 million. The bids are good for 90 days.
The designs were also approved last month, but may reappear during the October meeting of the board. Projections from Robert W. Baird & Co. show a mill rate impact of $53 per $100,000 home in 2010 and $71 in 2011.
The Monroe County Taxpayer’s Relief Committee (MCTRC) was formed this summer by opponents of the project in an effort to put the issue to a referendum. Petitions were filed against 13 supervisors who supported the justice center project, eight of whom face recall on Tuesday. A recall in the 13th District will take place on Nov. 3.
Here is a look at some of the local candidates:
District 5 (Town of Greenfield, Town of Adrian, Town of Angelo Ward 2, Town of LaFayette Ward 2)
Teresa Pierce
Teresa Pierce has been an active member of the Monroe County Board since being appointed in March of 2005.
A member of the Building Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee, the justice center issue is one that Pierce is familiar with. Pierce said that she supports the construction of the justice center and believes that its benefits will have a long-term impact.
“I believe this justice center is in the best long-term interest of Monroe County,” Pierce said.
Pierce cited a court order for the county to fix security issues in the courthouse and over $1 million per year in housing prisoners out of county as key issues that the justice center would address. But security is Pierce’s biggest concern.
“My major concern is the security at the current courthouse,” she said. “People can walk in two entrances to the same building and the safety issue that brings about when prisoners, public and staff can all be in the same area. I think it is an accident waiting to happen.”
Pierce said that an update for the Monroe County justice system is well overdue and that the time to act is now with low construction costs.
“Bids are $4 million under budget, the interest rate now is at almost an all-time low,” Pierce said. “For us to not seriously consider this project, which has been a chronic issue, would be irresponsible.”
In addition to the justice center, if re-elected, Pierce will continue her work on the Personnel, Building and Finance committees.
“As a part of the Finance Committee, we look at the full picture of the county and review all of the elements with how we operate in Monroe County,” she said.
Andrew Kaftan
Andrew Kaftan, a resident of the Town of Angelo, is challenging Pierce for the 5th District seat.
Kaftan opposes the justice center project and said that he believes the county simply cannot afford it.
“My stance on the proposed justice center is that it is more than the county can afford with its current fiscal situation,” Kaftan said. “I believe that the cash flow Monroe County has is insufficient for a project of this size.”
Kaftan said that he supports the recall and believes that supporters of the justice center are “failing to do their due diligence and failing to see the financial sink hole.” Kaftan said that he would look into alternatives not limited to buildings, if elected.
“I think there are alternatives available,” he said. “The facilities available are tight. Instead of looking at other buildings, other questions that can come up are restructuring.”
Kaftan said that the justice center debate may be a model for other potential problems within the county.
“The justice center, in some ways, shows a systematic problem with some members of the board,” he said. “If it failed with this project, I am sure there are other things.
“The pressure to get something done can lead to bad choices.”
District 11 (Town of Ridgeville, Town of Wilton Ward 2, Village of Norwalk, Village of Wilton)
Carrol Wallerman
Carrol Wallerman was elected to the County Board in 2008.
While Wallerman is no fan of spending $27 million, he supports the justice center and believes that it will not be cost effective to delay.
“It is just where and when we are going to build,” Wallerman said of the justice center debate. “This has been going on for 20 years. Most of the people I talk to say we have to get it done. Every time you postpone it, it costs more.
“I am not for spending that much, but without liability insurance, it scares me that someone in jail is going to walk out with cash in his pocket sometime and we still won’t have (a justice center).”
Wallerman said that cost is a big issue for him and believes that the cost can still be trimmed.
“I never built anything without knowing what it costs,” Wallerman said. “(Bids) came in $4 or 5 million less, and I think it can still be cut back more yet.
Wallerman said that he wants to continue working for the needs of the county while trying to keep taxes down and using common sense. He also added that he wants to see the County Board work together on common goals.
“It would be nice if the County Board would work together instead of apart,” he said. “I have been on a lot of boards. I don’t always agree with everybody, but I usually walk away with a handshake instead of walking away with a grudge.”
Thomas Arendt
For Thomas Arendt, who is challenging Wallerman in the 11th District, more needs to be learned about the justice center project before considering spending $27 million.
“The primary concern that I have is that there was never a significant study done to thoroughly document the current situation, much less the costs of the new justice center and operating it.”
Arendt added that he also wants to explore the effects justice center may have on other county departments and facilities.
“Most importantly, all of this data should be readily available to the citizens of Monroe County to understand the issue and a referendum should be held based on facts, not personal feelings.”
Arendt said that he supports remodeling the current jail to accommodate the jail space needs and the courthouse security needs.
“Add three new courtrooms above the jail and as many additional offices, holding cells and amenities based on what we have to work with,” he said.
Other than the justice center, Arendt said that he hopes to work on improving communication in the county, promoting tourism and working with department heads to implement ways to improve efficiency.
“The flow of information in Monroe County needs to be open,” he said. “I think that as a board, we need to encourage department heads to implement new technology and seek employee input on ways to improve efficiency, reduce waste and improve employee morale.”
District 20 (City of Tomah, wards 1, 2 & 3)
Robert Helming
Robert Helming has been on the County Board for 13 years.
Helming served on the board from April 1996 to April 2006. He was appointed again in September of 2006. He was re-elected in 2008.
Helming has supported the justice center project. He could not be reached this week for comment.
Brian Buswell
Brian Buswell of Tomah said that his interest in running for the County Board was sparked by the lack of a referendum for the justice center project.
Buswell, who is challenging Helming, said that Tuesday’s recall election will act as a referendum on the project.
“The recall is, in effect, a referendum on the justice center,” Buswell said. “My initial interest was piqued when the County Board refused to have a referendum. When I got involved, I did my homework. I looked at the finances.”
Buswell said that the county could save money by housing prisoners out of county. He said that it costs $45 per day to house prisoners in Vernon County and he said housing in the new justice center with building costs could increase to near $100. He added that the true costs are yet unknown, but that in itself is an issue for him.
“I am not advocating sending more prisoners,” Buswell said. “But you take the position that we are saving money sending them out, and finances get worse from there. I don’t want to get specific with this number because it hasn’t been calculated, but it is telling that the County Board doesn’t know.”
Buswell said that in light of the financial situation and the fact that the annex has been used for a third court room, he looked for a reason to build the justice center.
“We have to do something, but in the short term, there is no compelling reason.”
Buswell cited the economy and increases in unemployment, tax delinquencies and foreclosures as reasons to put off the project. He added that he agrees something needs to be done to address issues with the jail and justice system, but other options can be explored.
“I don’t think too many people think we don’t need to do something,” he said. “Downtown is a viable option.”
Buswell added that there are other issues within the county besides the justice center, but the justice center is the big issue for him.
“I don’t want to run as a single-issue candidate,” he said. “There are a lot of other issues out there. I don’t think we do enough to stimulate the economy. But that is exactly what this election is — a single-issue election. I want to run the County Board in more of a business-like fashion.”
District 21 (City of Tomah, wards 4, 5, 6 & 7)
Pete Peterson
Pete Peterson is serving his third term as the 21st District Supervisor.
Peterson continues in his support of the justice center, but also recognizes the many issues surrounding it.
“I support the justice center, “ Peterson said. “I always have. Cost is a concern. The reason I proposed the moratorium (last month) is so supervisors have one more time to talk about it. I am a believer in consensus.”
Peterson pledges to continue in his support of the justice center, citing issues with security and housing prisoners out of the county.
“There is no good time to do this,” Peterson said of the project. “It is a security issue. Prisoners and the public in the same building. Nothing bad has happened yet, but there is the potential for that.
“Transporting prisoners out of county is an unnecessary expense and there is always the risk of an accident at that time.”
Peterson also said that the justice center would add to the county’s infrastructure and challenged opponents who say it will be a waste of money.
“I would like to see money spent here on a safe place for the public and employees,” he said. “I realize that it is a huge cost. When bids are in lower than expected, it is saving $3 million and another $1 million in interest. Money being spent out of the county can be used here now. I realize there will be an added expense for employees, but we will work our way through that.”
Peterson added that he has experience in leadership positions during his over five years on the board and that he does not agree with the recall.
“During my five and a half years on the County Board, I have worked hard on behalf of the citizens of the county,” he said.
William Blanchard Jr.
William Blanchard Jr. wants the county to work on the issue of jail space needs, but he does not support the construction of a justice center.
Blanchard, who will challenge Peterson, said that he feels the justice center is more than what is needed to address the needs of the county.
“I am against spending $30 million,” Blanchard said. “I just moved back into the area, and the first thing I hear about is the justice center.”
Blanchard believes the county can come up with a plan to save money while meeting its needs.
“I agree that the Sheriff needs space and that we need to do something to help him out,” he said. “I believe we can come up with a plan without wasting $9 million on architects to expand downtown or build a jail and sheriff’s department at the dog pound site.
Blanchard said that one plan he would support exploring would be closing K Street in downtown Sparta and expanding a single-level jail out.
“We would give the sheriff what he needs and give him the security he needs,” Blanchard said. “I can’t guarantee it would be less, but we would work hard to come under a budget we can afford. If we can afford $15 million, we will build $15 million.
In addition to the justice center project, Blanchard said he also hopes to work with the Human Services Department.
“I want to work with the veterans, the homeless and aging people we have in Monroe County,” he said.
RECALL ELECTION
District, Incumbent, Challenger
5, Teresa Pierce, Andy Kaftan
10, Simon Wells, Rich Powell
11, Carrol Wallerman, Tom Arndt
12, James Kuhn, John Powell
13, Dennis Hubbard, Jim Schroeder
16, James Schilling, Larry McTaggart
18, Charles Schwarz, Dan Olson
20, Robert Helming, Brian Buswell
21, Pete Peterson, Bill Blanchard
* Note: Recall elections will be held Oct. 20 in all districts except the 13th. The election in the 13th district will be held Nov. 3.
All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.