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Fayette County Supervisor race: Three candidates seeking one seat on the Board
  
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Larry Nefzger (I)
Larry Nefzger, former Fayette County employee and small business owner is running as an independent candidate for Fayette County Supervisor.
He is a Navy veteran, a lifelong West Union resident, former Fayette County Secondary Roads Department employee, and he currently operates Larry’s NASCAR Collectibles.
In addition to previously working in West Union service stations, Nefzger served as township superintendent for the Road Department.
Why did you choose to seek election
“I have always wanted the opportunity to serve the public,” Wedo responded.
What makes you the best candidate for the office?
“Although I have 30-plus years of experience in working within the county, I would have to believe the biggest asset I could bring to the Supervisor’s Office is that I possess some good old-fashioned common sense. Common sense is needed at all levels of the county,” he pointed out.
What do you see as the main issues in this election?
“Secondary road conditions, and communication and cooperation at all levels of county government,” he said. “I believe there has to be better cooperation among everyone involved with our county government, the numerous county departments, and the employees. Everyone has to start working as a team.”
What do you see as your main duties if you are elected?
“Communicating with all of the county employees. Taking the time to sit down and listen to the problems and concerns of the employees and the general public. I would always have an open door policy,” he said.
Vicki Rowland (D)
Former teacher and incumbent Supervisor Vicki Rowland, from Clermont is seeking re-election to the Fayette County Board of Supervisors on the Democratic ticket.
She is a lifelong resident of Fayette County. and grew up in Wadena, graduating from Valley High School. She got her teaching and library degree at Upper Iowa University in Fayette.
She taught ninth grade Language Arts for 33 years in the North Fayette School District. After school, she directed plays, costumed musicals, and organized state speech contests, and helped develop a School to Work program for the district. It was through that program that she said she developed skills for grant writing. She retired from teaching in 2004, and ran for supervisor that same year.
Her husband, Everett, works part time for the USDA as a NASDA Field Rep. They have two children; Angelisa Belden of Chicago, Ill., and Brandon, a teacher in St. Louis.
Why are you seeking re-election?
"First of all, I enjoy the work. I like people and problem solving. As a former communications teacher, I use skills of listening, reading, and networking with people who can help find solutions. These are challenging times, and I feel that my experience and leadership will be an asset in the days ahead. I feel I have a good record of accomplishments to cite,” she replied.
Some of those accomplishments include:
- Partnering with a new Mental Health counseling agency to provide better access to psychiatrists and a new facility in Fayette County.
- Initiating a Housing Trust Fund Board which secured a state grant to repair homes.
- Supported the restructuring of Economic Development as a team approach, resulting in several grant awards.
- Advocated the RC&D Board to commit personnel to write the Kellogg Grant project, which has committed $9 million in grant funding for programs in the five-county area to support nutrition, fitness infrastructure, and promotion of locally grown ag products.
- Served as president of the Northland Agency on Aging Board, where she "stood up" for continuing the Oelwein mealsite cooking its meals onsite.
- Worked to lower taxes by 3 percent in 2006 and had to raise by 3 percent in 2007. "Despite skyrocketing costs in insurance and fuel, we have held the line quite well," she pointed out.
- She said she worked with department heads to “watch the little things, such as the hundreds of dollars that were being spent on bandaids with Cintas, as well as to strive for the big things such as working with Sheriff Fisher to balance the jail budget and increase revenue of over a quarter of a million dollars."
- Implemented an Annual Performance Review for department heads overseen by the Board of Supervisors.
- Personally designed a Fayette County website at no cost to the taxpayers (www.fayettecountyiowa.org),
What do you see as some of the big issues?
1. "Finances are always a concern. Fayette County is the 26th poorest county of the 99 in per capita income in Iowa. We have improved, but we still have a lot of needs.
“An example is Mental Health costs. The state funding amount has remained the same for the past decade, despite increased costs of drugs and care, along with more patients needing treatment. Yet the state mandates these and other expenses, such as new voter machines, on our county governments—unfunded requirements. Also our roads and bridges desperately need more funding from the state," she said.
2. "Roads. The primary question is 'are we a Maintenance or Construction Outfit? ' My opponent has stated in his campaign literature that he wants to 'cut down back slopes' and 'make longer and safer sight distances at curves and intersections.' This involves running heavy equipment and moving dirt. Yet, I took photos in late August near Hawkeye of intersections that were completely hidden by tall weeds. The simple act of mowing in a timely manner will also make our roads safer. There have been several questionable jobs done recently without informing the Board of Supervisors. It is not micromanagement to know what projects your departments are doing," she said.
No one knows what the next four years will bring, but I pledge to continue giving it my all, relying on my experience, and being an advocate for Fayette County, leading, and dealing with problems responsibly as they occur," she said in closing.
Larry Nefzger, former Fayette County employee and small business owner is running as an independent candidate for Fayette County Supervisor.
He is a Navy veteran, a lifelong West Union resident, former Fayette County Secondary Roads Department employee, and he currently operates Larry’s NASCAR Collectibles.
In addition to previously working in West Union service stations, Nefzger served as township superintendent for the Road Department.
Why did you choose to seek election
“I have always wanted the opportunity to serve the public,” Wedo responded.
What makes you the best candidate for the office?
“Although I have 30-plus years of experience in working within the county, I would have to believe the biggest asset I could bring to the Supervisor’s Office is that I possess some good old-fashioned common sense. Common sense is needed at all levels of the county,” he pointed out.
What do you see as the main issues in this election?
“Secondary road conditions, and communication and cooperation at all levels of county government,” he said. “I believe there has to be better cooperation among everyone involved with our county government, the numerous county departments, and the employees. Everyone has to start working as a team.”
What do you see as your main duties if you are elected?
“Communicating with all of the county employees. Taking the time to sit down and listen to the problems and concerns of the employees and the general public. I would always have an open door policy,” he said.
Vicki Rowland (D)
Former teacher and incumbent Supervisor Vicki Rowland, from Clermont is seeking re-election to the Fayette County Board of Supervisors on the Democratic ticket.
She is a lifelong resident of Fayette County. and grew up in Wadena, graduating from Valley High School. She got her teaching and library degree at Upper Iowa University in Fayette.
She taught ninth grade Language Arts for 33 years in the North Fayette School District. After school, she directed plays, costumed musicals, and organized state speech contests, and helped develop a School to Work program for the district. It was through that program that she said she developed skills for grant writing. She retired from teaching in 2004, and ran for supervisor that same year.
Her husband, Everett, works part time for the USDA as a NASDA Field Rep. They have two children; Angelisa Belden of Chicago, Ill., and Brandon, a teacher in St. Louis.
Why are you seeking re-election?
"First of all, I enjoy the work. I like people and problem solving. As a former communications teacher, I use skills of listening, reading, and networking with people who can help find solutions. These are challenging times, and I feel that my experience and leadership will be an asset in the days ahead. I feel I have a good record of accomplishments to cite,” she replied.
Some of those accomplishments include:
- Partnering with a new Mental Health counseling agency to provide better access to psychiatrists and a new facility in Fayette County.
- Initiating a Housing Trust Fund Board which secured a state grant to repair homes.
- Supported the restructuring of Economic Development as a team approach, resulting in several grant awards.
- Advocated the RC&D Board to commit personnel to write the Kellogg Grant project, which has committed $9 million in grant funding for programs in the five-county area to support nutrition, fitness infrastructure, and promotion of locally grown ag products.
- Served as president of the Northland Agency on Aging Board, where she "stood up" for continuing the Oelwein mealsite cooking its meals onsite.
- Worked to lower taxes by 3 percent in 2006 and had to raise by 3 percent in 2007. "Despite skyrocketing costs in insurance and fuel, we have held the line quite well," she pointed out.
- She said she worked with department heads to “watch the little things, such as the hundreds of dollars that were being spent on bandaids with Cintas, as well as to strive for the big things such as working with Sheriff Fisher to balance the jail budget and increase revenue of over a quarter of a million dollars."
- Implemented an Annual Performance Review for department heads overseen by the Board of Supervisors.
- Personally designed a Fayette County website at no cost to the taxpayers (www.fayettecountyiowa.org),
What do you see as some of the big issues?
1. "Finances are always a concern. Fayette County is the 26th poorest county of the 99 in per capita income in Iowa. We have improved, but we still have a lot of needs.
“An example is Mental Health costs. The state funding amount has remained the same for the past decade, despite increased costs of drugs and care, along with more patients needing treatment. Yet the state mandates these and other expenses, such as new voter machines, on our county governments—unfunded requirements. Also our roads and bridges desperately need more funding from the state," she said.
2. "Roads. The primary question is 'are we a Maintenance or Construction Outfit? ' My opponent has stated in his campaign literature that he wants to 'cut down back slopes' and 'make longer and safer sight distances at curves and intersections.' This involves running heavy equipment and moving dirt. Yet, I took photos in late August near Hawkeye of intersections that were completely hidden by tall weeds. The simple act of mowing in a timely manner will also make our roads safer. There have been several questionable jobs done recently without informing the Board of Supervisors. It is not micromanagement to know what projects your departments are doing," she said.
No one knows what the next four years will bring, but I pledge to continue giving it my all, relying on my experience, and being an advocate for Fayette County, leading, and dealing with problems responsibly as they occur," she said in closing.
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