Bjergum, Bockman and Ettleson face off in County Recorder race

All three candidates for Winneshiek County Recorder appeared on the same panel on Tuesday night.  Republican LaVonne Bjergum, Independent Teresa Bockman and Democrat Barbara Ettleson addressed the candidate forum held by the League of Women Voters and AAUW.  

Bjergum pointed to her 15 years experience as Recorder.  She said she believes in watching spending and will make sure the operation of the Recorder's Office is kept separate.  Bjergum defended the operation of her office, saying all operations are current and the office is providing service to everyone.

Bockman said she decided to run for the office "to provide voters with a choice."  She pointed to her experience as a small business owner and as local government employee.  She said she would use current technology to provide efficient and friendly public service.

Ettleson said the County Recorder job is NOT a clerical position.  She said she had the experience to manage the office, set priorities, manage the budget and do the other necessary tasks.  She said she visited other recorder's offices and read the Hacker Nelson Co. audit of the Winneshiek County Recorder's Office before deciding to run.  Ettleson said she believed timeliness and accuracy were important to the operation of the Recorder's Office--especially since the office might be combined with another office if it couldn't provide such a level of service.

Winneshiek County Recorder candidate Barb Ettleson

Winneshiek County Recorder candidate LaVonne Bjergum

Winneshiek County Recorder candidate Teresa Bockman