Three to vie for seat on Dakota County Board of Commissioners

Posted under News,This Week in Dakota County on Thursday 22 July 2010 at 1:46 pm

Primary election is Aug. 10

by Laura Adelmann
Thisweek Newspapers

The pool of three candidates for one Dakota County Board seat will be narrowed to two with the Aug. 10 primary election.

Running for the District 4 seat are three Inver Grove Heights residents: 12-year incumbent Nancy Schouweiler, business owner Linda Apfel, and Bill Klein, an 18-year member of the Inver Grove Heights   City Council.

While Klein and Schouweiler cited their governmental experience as assets, Apfel said she will use her experience in business to address issues.

Rumors that Apfel had dropped out of the race are false, she said, adding that she turned down a job offer to dedicate herself to pursuing the county commissioner seat.

All candidates agreed that finances are the top issue facing Dakota County, and said prioritizing county services and programs will be essential.

What differentiated the candidates most were issues they want to address if they get into office.

Schouweiler, who was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes last fall, said she would work with Dakota County’s Public Health Department to provide people with more information about  the importance of watching carbohydrate intake to prevent or manage the disease.

Klein said he would keep in close contact with local cities he represents, promote cutting commissioners’ pay and county spending, and work to reduce or eliminate the trips commissioners take to conventions and other out-of-town meetings.

Apfel said she would like to review the county’s bidding process and practices that could save the county money and seek creative solutions to budget problems, like asking residents to help save programs by donating volunteer hours.

District 4 includes Eagan precincts 10, 12-16 and 18-20, and Apple Valley precinct 10.

The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election on Nov. 2.

In that election, County Commissioner Paul Krause and County Attorney James Backstrom are running unopposed. County Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord will face challenger Molly Park, who is currently the mayor of Sunfish Lake.

Seeking office for Dakota County Sheriff is interim Sheriff Dave Bellows and Apple Valley Police Sgt. Mitch Scott.

Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ecm-inc.com.

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