VOTE411 Voter Guide

I was first elected to the County Board in 2012 and I want to continue the County's good work of providing mandated services while keeping the County's taxes the 5th lowest in the State. I currently represent the 8th District, which is located in the City of La Crosse. I have served on the Veterans, Aging and Long Term Care Committee and am currently on the Planning, Resources, and Development Committee. I also chair the Southwest Housing CDBG Housing Region Committee and the Mississippi Valley Health Services Commission. I have recently been appointed to the newly formed Economic Development Advisory Committee, which combined the former Economic Advisory Committee with the Neighborhood Revitalization Grant Review Committee, which I had served on since it's inception in 2016. I feel that I bring my experience and dedication to making things better for the people of La Crosse County to the Board.

The increase in our unsheltered community members is a concern for all of La Crosse County, including my district. La Crosse County and the City of La Crosse have combined their efforts to end homelessness with the Pathways Home program. Supportive housing has been shown to be the most effect way to help our chronically unsheltered neighbors and it is working in La Crosse County. This program needs to be continued. The opiod settlement money that has been awarded to La Crosse County will be used in the jail to help inmates counter addiction. This will also contribute to people being able to find employment and maintain housing.

It is always a challenge to fund mandated services with decreasing State support. La Crosse County is charged with providing health care services, which includes water testing and restaurant inspections; social services, including child protective services; funding the Sheriff's Department and jail; road repair; and maintaining two care facilities, Hillview and Lakeview. The County is creative in accessing State and Federal grants so that these critically important services are continued. Health care and social services cannot be minimized, and must be balanced with the bricks and mortar upkeep of highways and buildings. The other issue is one which I addressed earlier, our unsheltered community members. Continuing the supportive housing model of Pathways Home, where housing is supplemented with the social services support necessary for success, is working.

I think that La Crosse County is doing a great job of approving balanced budgets that provide needed services to our residents. I want to continue this. Continuing the funding for the Pathways Home will be the next challenge that the County takes on. Looking at private/public partnerships and other funding sources will be key. This program is working and should be continued.