Supervisor District 1 has three-way contest

Map of District #1

District 1 of the Winneshiek County Board is one of two districts this fall with three candidates on the ballot.

Republican Dennis Karlsbroten, Democrat Bill Ibanez and Independent Bob Watson are all on the November 6th ballot.

Karlsbroten owns two small businesses and an agricultural enterprise.  He is a Highland Twonship resident, living on Locust Road.  Karlsbroten told the AAUW candidates forum that he would favor selling off some less-used road equipment as a way of saving money.  He says after initial objections to two neighboring animal feeding operations, he has come to see them as good neighbors, although he believes the DNR should require regular manure pit inspections.  Karlsbroten says county officials should explore selling the Winneshiek Medical Center. 

Ibanez is the incumbent county board member, although the district he represents has been redrawn.  Ibanez is a professional engineer who touts his ability to be "fiscally responsible."  He says the county board h"has really opened up" to the public since he became a supervisor.  He says counties should have "a major say" in the licensing process for confined animal feeding operations.  Finally, Ibanez says the $438,000 in county taxes given to support the Winneshiek Medical Center is a"a bargain."

Watson owns a wastewater industry business that he says has taught him how to build coalitions with people of sometimes opposing opinions.  He is involved in the lawsuit filed against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over air quality issues near North Winneshiek School. 

Watson says he supports an increase in the Sheriff's Department staffing.  He says the county tax subsidy of Winneshiek Medical Center gives poor people in the county access to medical care.  And he says economic considerations and emotional issues alike enter into decisions on whether to save county-owned historic buildings.

For more information about the three candidates, click on:

--Dennis Karlsbroten

--Bill Ibanez

Dennis Karlsbroten

Bill Ibanez

Bob Watson