Linn supervisor District 5: Incumbent faces off against small-business owner in GOP primary
By Rick Smith, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The district comprises most of
Harris won the seat in 2010 in a close vote over
The five supervisor districts have been redrawn since 2010, and Houser is running this year in the Democratic primary for the
Harris, 61, and Banowetz, 56, have business backgrounds and held elective office at their local city halls.
Harris is retired from
Banowetz began his work career in
Banowetz and his family returned to the
Banowetz said he is not running against Harris, but is running because he thinks his experience starting up and running small businesses can help
"We need to be able to react and look ahead and be creative ... to keep some of these programs going that we have," Banowetz said. " ... I have a lot of experience in business and budgeting and finance to go ahead and bring to the table."
Harris said he is seeking re-election because he continues to have "a need to do something good for the community,"
Before the flood in 2008, which hit his residence and the town of
Since then, he said he has had mayors of other cities in
Banowetz, too, stepped down from his city council post -- after nine years for him -- and he now has decided it's time to get back into public service.
"I'm refired up again," he said.
Harris said he has worked to cooperate and collaborate with the three Democrats and the other Republican on the county board.
"Seldom do we argue. We get a lot done that way," he said.
Harris said the supervisors have held the line on taxes, and, in fact, have used a portion of the county's revenue from the local-option sales tax to reduce property taxes for those living in the unincorporated areas of the county outside of cities.
Harris and Banowetz said they will pay attention to a big county issue -- how the county deals with changes in the delivery of mental health and development disability services.
Both expect changes to the county's Options sheltered workshop program, with which Banowetz is well acquainted despite being the non-incumbent in the race. His brother-in-law, he said, used the workshop's services for years. Banowetz said he's not sure that local businesses will be able to employ enough of the workshop's adults, which is one of the recommendations.
A year ago, the
Harris said one issue facing the supervisors in the future will be whether they decide to help provide funding to protect May's Island, home to the county courthouse and jail as well as
Out on the campaign trail, Banowetz said he tells constituents that he's not running to be "part of a social club" or as part of a popularity contest.
"I'm doing it because it's a job," he said. "I think I'm a man of integrity, and I'm not afraid to stand up, to stand alone and to say, 'I don't agree with that.'"
Harris, a cancer survivor who has been cancer free for a year now, said he talks to voters about "leadership."
"I have led a group of contract professionals in business (at
The Republican primary winner will compete against Democrat
___
(c)2014 The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Visit The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) at thegazette.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 999 |
The Fresno Bee Marek Warszawski column
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News