Stacey Feldman

Voters will go to the polls for the primary election Tuesday, June 3, to pick candidates from their party to face off in the November general election.

Six Plymouth County residents are running for county offices. On the Republican side, Mark Loutsch and incumbent John Schneider are competing for the District 2 seat on the county board of supervisors. Incumbent Jim Henrich is on the ballot for another term on the board of supervisors serving District 5, and he will face off with Democrat Bill Koopman, the sole county candidate on the Democratic ballot for the primary.

Also on the Republican ballot are Stacey Feldman, running unopposed for her first term as county auditor, and Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo, running unopposed for his fifth term as head of the county's law enforcement.

Mark Loutsch

Each of the six county candidates answered a brief questionnaire regarding the upcoming election. Their answers are printed below.

Stacey Feldman

County Auditor

John Schneider

1. Briefly explain why you are running for this office.

I am running for Plymouth County Auditor because I believe I have the experience, qualifications and criteria to do this job successfully. I have mentored under the current Auditor, K. Kae Meyer who is now retiring, and I would like to continue to work for Plymouth County as the Auditor dedicating my knowledge, leadership, work ethic, and most importantly, quality customer service to the Plymouth County residents.

2. What is your background experience as it relates to running for this office?

Bill Koopman

Currently, I am a Deputy Auditor for Plymouth County and I have worked in the Auditor's office 5 1/2 years gaining the experience that I need for this position. I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Finance. Prior to my employment for the County, I worked 4 1/2 years in corporate accounting. This office requires one to have a solid computer skill background, as I do, to evolve with the technology and software changes that are being made to various functions of the Auditor's office. From my experience in the County environment, I realize the position of Auditor also has an important role of communicating with voters, residents, the Board of Supervisors, County officials, employees, and other various taxing body officials, in which I have the ability to fulfill.

3. What are your goals for the Auditor's office if you are elected?

Jim Henrich

Providing quality service by giving friendly and accurate information and assistance to residents of Plymouth County has always been a goal of mine throughout my employment with Plymouth County. I will follow the Code of Iowa Laws and regulations as accurate as possible to assist the public, Board of Supervisors, and other county, city and township officials. It's my goal to become a certified election administrator from various training courses, and eventually have all Auditors office staff complete the training and attend continuing education regarding election changes in the future. As Auditor, it will be a goal of mine to continue to work with county leaders to find the best possible space needs and storage solution with as little tax burden to residents. A continued goal of mine is to provide as much information and assistance as possible to the Board of Supervisors during the budget process and I support economic growth for Plymouth County.

4. Are there any changes the public needs to know about voting heading into the June primary election and the November general election?

At the Primary election on June 3rd, voters will use the current electronic touch screen voting system at their polling site. Residents that have not registered to vote prior to an election will now be able to register to vote at their polling site on election day with the implementation of Election Day Registration (EDR). Proof of identity and proof of residence in Plymouth County is required. The best form of proof is a valid Iowa driver's license with a current address.

Mike Van Otterloo

As of the information I have today, at the General election on November 4th, Plymouth County will use a new H.A.V.A. (Help American Vote Act) compliant voting system that uses a paper ballot which is inserted into a machine that digitally scans, counts the votes, and then stores the paper ballots. The electronic touch screen voting system will not be used in November, as mandated by the State of Iowa.

5. How will you work to preserve the openness of public meetings and public records?

I believe the Iowa open meetings and public records laws are important laws that I continually review and follow. With the use of email, I am able to give notice to the media of meetings, announcements and public hearing notices for public attendance. The Auditor's office posts the Board of Supervisors agendas and minutes on the county website as well as publishes them in the county newspapers. I believe agendas are the public's invitation to watch government in action and the agenda should be as descriptive as possible of any specific action to be taken or matters to be discussed. The Auditor is responsible to take and retain the Board of Supervisor minutes thus I believe they should be accurate, complete and accessible to the public, as they provide a permanent record which becomes history. All recorded documents are available for the public to personally view and request copies of, for a reasonable fee. The Auditor retains plat and tax transfer books from the beginning of all land acquisition in Plymouth County. The retention and preservation of all public information is a critical requirement of the Auditor in order to preserve history. As Auditor, I will continue to work to preserve and make that history available and I support using the County website as an avenue for county records and information to be publically accessed.

Mark Loutsch

Board of Supervisors - District 2

1. Briefly explain why you are running for this office.

I am running for the office of Plymouth County Supervisor because I want to bring a more conservative approach to the decisions of the board. I want to help work with the decisions being made and make the best decisions for the entire county.

2. Briefly explain your background and experience as it applies to this position.

I have been raising crops and livestock with my two brothers for over 25 years. I know the cooperation it takes to run a successful business and I would use that knowledge to work with the board to represent Plymouth County. I have been involved on local and state sheep boards and most recently I am President of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau.

3. What issues do you think need to be priorities for the county?

I would like to see the people of the county be more informed on the issues of the county. One way it may be done is through the minutes of the Supervisor meetings on the internet. There is very little information available on discussions of issues or any committee reports from the Supervisors that sit on various boards.

We also need to address the space needs for county courthouse and find a feasible way to expand the courthouse that is suitable for the county.

4. How will you work to preserve the openness of public meetings and public records?

I believe an elected official is appointed to a board as a representative of the county. That information should be public knowledge. Supervisor reports from the board they serve on should have acknowledgements in the minutes of the Supervisor Board meeting. The people of the county have the right to be informed on the actions of the boards of which the Supervisors serve.

5. How should county handle economic development?

The county will need to continue to provide adequate infrastructure for new development. If or when the county invests or loans money to a project, it will need to realize a return on the investment right away, whether by interest or an increase in property value. We can not make the citizens of Plymouth County uncomfortable or at risk with the decisions we make.

John Schneider

Board of Supervisors - District 2 (incumbent)

1. Briefly explain why you are running for office.

I am running for re-election to the Board of Supervisors because I wish to make a positive and progressive influence on Plymouth County. I would like to continue to work toward implementing the county's strategic plan which I was instrumental in creating.

2. Briefly explain your background and experience as it applies to this question.

I am a life long resident of Plymouth County living on and operating our Century Farm in Fredonia Township. I am a graduate of Iowa State University with a Farm Operation Degree. I have business experience as a farmer and also financial experience as an agricultural loan officer. I have a record of community service and leadership with the County, State and National Pork Producers associations; I have been president of the Floyd Valley Medical Foundation, Le Mars Rotary Club, Le Mars Municipal Band and a Vice President of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce.

3. What issues do you think need to be priorities for the county?

I have heard the message from the taxpayers that we need to balance the County's budget and limit budget spending increases. I am proud that Plymouth County has one of the lowest tax levy rates in the state and I want to move forward in a financially conservative manner. We need to ask our department heads to limit budget increases to 3% or less unless there are extenuating circumstances. We also need to address the space needs issue in the Courthouse. I believe we can address our current needs by electronic document storage, combining part-time offices and better utilizing current space uses. For example, Zoning and Board of Adjustment could meet in the Supervisors' board room and that would free up other space for an improved Drivers License room and/or office space.

4. How will you work to preserve the openness of public meetings and public records?

We comply with state law in the number of official newspapers we designate to publish agendas and board meeting minutes. I will not engage in deliberations with the other supervisors outside of regular or published special meetings. I welcome visitors at our board meetings and invite the public to visit the county's website to view our agenda and meeting minutes.

5. How should county handle economic development?

This also is an important priority for the county. We need to support our economic development director and have faith in and trust his judgment and expertise as he represents and promotes Plymouth County. We have a tremendous opportunity for growth in Plymouth County with the highway 60 expressway though the county and need to continue to capitalize on that opportunity. We need to cooperate with all communities in the county to invest in incentives and infrastructure to attract new business and retain and expand current ones. The amount of our investment needs to be based upon a combination of job creation, wage rates and taxable valuation growth. We also need to continue to market the entire county; primarily with Northwest Iowa Development which Plymouth County is a member of and supports on behalf of all communities in the county.

Bill Koopman

Board of Supervisors - District 5

1. Briefly explain why you are running for this office.

I am running for county supervisor to share my voice and my experience, to assist the other supervisors in their duties to stabilize Plymouth County and prepare for the future.

2. Briefly explain your background and experience as it applies to this position.

I have been a member of the county zoning board since 1993. I have been in the tax and accounting business since 1980. I was born and raised in Plymouth County. I graduated from Gehlen Catholic School and Westmar College.

3. What issues do you think need to be priorities for the county?

The No. 1 issue, naturally, is the budget. Other issues would be economic development and additional space needs of county offices.

4. How will you work to preserve the openness of public meetings and public records?

I feel that as an elected official, every meeting and every vote I make should be open to the public. The people that I represent should always be aware of issues and actions made by the supervisors.

5. How should county handle economic development?

We should utilize the county development director to promote Plymouth County. We need to offer incentives to get companies interested in Plymouth County. We should not, however, purchase land for development. That should be handled by developers and not a government entity.

Jim Henrich

Board of Supervisors - District 5

1. Briefly explain why you are running for this office.

I am interested in government and have the time available to do the job. I have presently served 3 1/2 years as a county supervisor and feel that I have the knowledge and insight needed to accomplish the many tasks of county government

2. Briefly explain your background and experience as it applies to this position.

I have worked with the public for 37 years as a teacher and coach, served 10 years on the Akron City Council and am presently serving my fourth year on the board of supervisors.

3. What issues do you think need to be priorities for the county?

Work to stabilize or grow the population of the county. This would benefit all areas of the county

How to deal with increased costs, especially in the rural services areas such as increased fuel costs, steel and concrete.

Space needs for the courthouse, especially in the Judicial Services area.

4. How will you work to preserve the openness of public meetings and public records?

Publish all meeting times and places and continue to give reports from the committees I represent.

5. How should county handle economic development?

Work with all areas of the county to encourage economic development and business growth. This will enable us to continue to grow the tax base and keep our tax levy one of the lowest in the state.

Better use of the regional information that is in place to allow Plymouth County to compete with the larger metropolitan areas around us.

Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo

Plymouth County Sheriff, fifth term

1. Briefly explain why you are running for office.

I have a genuine desire to continue providing excellent law enforcement service to the people of Plymouth County. I want to use my God given talents, my education and experience, to provide leadership by word, action and deed in my personal and professional life to those we serve and to those who work in law enforcement. I have a great desire to come to work each day. It has been a privilege to serve as sheriff for the last 18 years.

2. What are your goals if you are re-elected for another term?

Some of the goals for the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office are:

a. Continue to promote the fair and equal implementation of federal, state and local laws

b. Be fiscally responsible with the tax-payers money

c. Train staff at a high level with continued education

d. Find ways to increase revenue opportunities

e. Work closely with other public safety entities within and outside of Plymouth County

and sharing resources with one another.

3. What issues are currently a challenge for you at the sheriff's office as you enforce the law in the county?

Some of the challenges I see for the sheriff's office are:

a. Drug Education & Enforcement

b. Domestic Abuse Education & Enforcement

c. Identity Theft

d. Illegal Immigrants

e. Technology

f. Update & upgrade the Communications Center

4. What aspect of law enforcement or what kind of crime requires the most time of you and the sheriff's department?

Crimes that require a great deal of time and resources are those concerning drug investigations. A lot of time is dedicated to building informants and then working with

them to develop a solid criminal case. It also takes a combined effort between federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutors. The sharing of information and coordination of efforts is critical when developing a drug case. Lab investigations are also time and manpower exhaustive; proper disposal and dismantling of a lab requires a great deal of training and expensive equipment.

5. How will you work to preserve the openness of public meetings and public records?

My office has a policy in effect that governs our actions when dealing with the open meetings and records law. It is according to the state code and all employees are exposed to the policy. I believe it is very important to share information with the public, it is the public's right to know. The biggest factor in preserving the openness of public meetings and records starts with the rapport we build with our local newspaper, television and radio reporters. If an open line of communication is established, then respect for one another is built and issues that come up can be discussed and resolved.