~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
The Scranton Journal submitted a list of questions to the candidates for Greene County Supervisor District 3. Here are their responses:
Supervisor District 3
Name, age, address:
Dan Benitz, 76 years of age, 1706 Westwood Drive, Jefferson
Mike Holden, 64 years of age, 559 240th St., Scranton
Current employment and past employment that may be relevant to the board of supervisors:
Benitz: I am currently retired from teaching Career Education for 40 years for Greene County Community Schools and Iowa Central Community College. I have also worked in industry and farming. I started a construction program building 16 homes with students contributing close to $4 million in taxable real estate. During my teaching career Greene County had an outstanding Industrial Technology Program earning many state and national awards. I also worked for SAV Farms in the spring and fall after retiring.
Holden: Self-employed grain and cattle farmer since 1980; I also held a sales position at New Way Mfg. and worked part-time for C&R Construction; I dealt cards, part-time at the Wild Rose Casino for a little over a year.
Current involvment in the community (service organizations or church):
Benitz: I am a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and currently serving as an elder. I have also served as a trustee and president of the congregation and participated in three renovation projects. I am an active member of Kiwanis Club and have participated in many activities involving youth for 50 years as well as a member of Greene County Sportsman Club.
Holden: Jefferson-Scranton School Board member, Board member for Greene County Development Corp., Steering Committee member of Nueva Vida en Greene County, Farm Bureau member, Greene County Cattlemen member, Jefferson Elks member, member of St. Joseph’s/St. Brigid’s Catholic Church.
Why are you running for Supervisor?
Benitz: I want to see Greene County grow and be a quality place to live. That includes a quality medical center, schools with top notch career and vocational programs to help train students and adults for employment in Greene County. We also need to maintain law enforcement, fire and emergency services for Greene County. I have been asked to run for supervisor for several years and by the chairman of the Republican Party this year.
Holden: To help lead and grow Greene County to achieve our full potential. I want to join in the effort to reverse our current population decline by actively recruiting people and businesses to our county. Doing so will help us spread the county tax responsibilities across a wider tax base.
If elected, what are your two or three top priorities for Greene County?
Benitz: To help the county work through the controversial issues. Such as carbon dioxide pipelines, alternative energy opportunities, education and diversity issues.
Holden: We need to retain and sustain our existing businesses and people. We also need to recruit new people and businesses to Greene County. To accomplish these, we need to develop medium and long-term strategic plans for the County.
What do you see as the challenges that Greene County is facing today?
Benitz: Everyone has their wants and needs. The challenge for the supervisors is to economically keep wants and needs clearly defined and put into priorities if necessary. We all have wants but it’s difficult (for example) to have all the retail businesses we would like if we don’t have the population and skilled workforce. I feel we have a great county and would like to see us continue to grow.
Holden: We do not have a clearly defined vision for what we want Greene County to be or to look like. The economic challenges to counties like ours are only going to increase over time. Without a clear vision, it’s difficult to plot a course. I’m also concerned that we have a culture in our County that looks at ALL tax dollar outlays as expenses only instead of recognizing that some outlays are badly needed investments in our future.
What do you like most about living in Greene County?
Benitz: I like living in a rural community and we have the best of many worlds. There are opportunities for our youth, along with great and employment opportunities and the best agriculture in the world right here in Greene County. We also have good people with many willing to try new things in developing ideas and products in manufacturing. What I like most is seeing people and past students grow and be successful in the community.
Holden: Having lived here all my life, I have always enjoyed the people and the opportunities we have regardless of our age. Our location allows us to enjoy the rural life we value, while we are still close enough to travel to the Metro areas when necessary.
What would you tell someone who is considering a move to Greene County?
Benitz: Greene County is a great community to be a part of with low cost living expenses, as well as employment opportunities, good schools, safe environment with many opportunities and activities to get involved in to being a big part in making a community thrive.
Holden: You will like what you see here. We have jobs and remote work possibilities waiting to be filled. We also have new school facilities, a wide array of shopping, entertainment and sporting opportunities, and the entire county has that great “hometown” feel.
Final comments:
Benitz: I would like to thank all those that have been supporting me in this race. I have learned a lot about the supervisors and responsibilities. It’s a big challenge representing the people of Greene County for the next four years but I feel I have the common sense, leadership ability and work experiences to help successfully lead the county.
Holden: The work of the supervisors is critical for the county’s future. Therefore, we should vote people to the Bboard based on who’s going to move Greene County forward. We need to elect proven, dedicated, and dependable people to the board of supervisors and I believe I am such a person. If you agree, I’d appreciate your vote on November 8.
