Sibley board campaign underway

Dan Uecker, Jim Swanson to compete in District 3

Dan Uecker and Jim Swanson are vying to replace Leo Bauer on the Sibley County Board of Commissioners. Bauer represented District 3 for 18 years.

District 3 is in south-central Sibley County and includes part of Gaylord and Dryden and Sibley townships.

Q: Why are you running?

Swanson: I have the background experience, leadership skills and knowledge of how government works and would like to continue as county commissioner. I have worked with people at local and state levels to ensure programs run smoothly. Retired, I have time to devote to the job. I want to be part of the process and help to make our county an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

I would also like to look for better efficiency, whether it be services offered, good customer service or changing the way the county does business. The past two years I have participated in legislative hearings to successfully acquire funding for the city of Gaylord.

Uecker: I have had a longtime interest in local government and serving people. I feel that now is the right time to pursue that interest by running for Sibley County commissioner. Listening to Sibley County residents, bringing their concerns to the County Board and working together to promote the well being of our county is important to me.

Q: What do you see as top issues in the county and how would you tackle them?

Swanson: Some of our roads and bridges need repair. The railroad is a plus, but has limits. I would support a faster rail system to take some of the wear and tear off the highways, saving road repair costs. I would look into the practice of hiring private contractors to do county work when we have county departments able to complete this work. We need to explore ways to maintain current services without raising the tax base by completing county tasks more efficiently.

We also need to address our surface and ground-water problems. Old practices need to be changed to ensure better water for future generations.

I would encourage our communities to develop more activities and centers for our aging population so that they can share their skills and knowledge with younger people. We need to find jobs and opportunities to keep talented young people from leaving our community.

Uecker: Sibley County is a small rural farming community on the fringe of the metro area. After visiting with the 3rd District residents, I feel one of the top issues facing this county is to improve the area’s economic outlook. One way would be to continue to improve and maintain the infrastructure.

I believe the Minnesota Valley Rail line is a vital part of this infrastructure. With support by the county and continued improvements, this will be an important asset for our area.

Further study is needed of water quality for the area watershed. This would be a good joint effort for Gaylord and Sibley County.

Another consideration for Sibley County is the planning and control for renewable energy. As interest increases for new energy sources, we need to have a comprehensive plan in place to allow our residents to benefit from this technology. Wind energy and how it would affect our county needs further evaluation to assure proper utilization.