Get to know the candidates running for Boone County supervisor
Incumbent Stephen Duffy, a Democrat, is facing Republican challenger Shawn Bryant for Boone County supervisor in the general election.
To help voters, the Ames Tribune sent questions to area candidates running in contested races this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
The Tribune did not send questionnaires to candidates in countywide uncontested races. They include Lauren Novak for county treasurer and Matthew John Speers for county attorney. Both are incumbents.
Early voting begins Oct. 19 for the Nov. 8 election.
Who is Stephen Duffy?
Age: 78
Party: Democrat
Where did you grow up? Boone
Current town of residence: Boone
Education: Bachelor's in industrial administration at Iowa State University
Occupation: Owner of Duffy's Appliance
Political experience and civic activities: Current chair of the Boone County Board Supervisors; former member of the Boone County Conservation Board; former little league coach; member of the Boone County Chamber of Commerce and American Legion; board member of Boone County Board of Health, Second Judicial District, Boone County Communications, Boone/Dallas County DCAT and Central Iowa Expo; former officer in the Iowa Army National Guard
Who is Shawn Bryant?
Age: 49
Party: Republican
Where did you grow up? Fort Madison, Iowa
Current town of residence: Ogden
Occupation: Retired military — was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2010; received the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge and others.
Political experience and civic activities: Boone County Search and Rescue; co-chair of the Boone County Planning and Zoning Commission, Comprehensive Development Plan Steering Committee and Boone Green Space Committee
More:Get to know the candidates running for Boone County recorder in 2022 general election
What do you believe to be the key issue facing residents in your county?
Duffy: Inflation, worker shortage and supply issues, to name a few. We can't address all of the issues, but we can't ignore them either. We need to work harder to draw new employers and work with our current ones to expand and grow job numbers. We offer incentives to facilitate these endeavors and look forward to accelerate this process. In the rural areas, we need to update roads and continue our vigorous bridge replacement program. We have over 100 bridges in our county, many with weight limits. This causes farmers to use circuitous routes in their hauling, which costs money and time.
Bryant: I don't think that I could point out just one key issue — every household in Boone County will not always agree on what the key issue is. With that being said, I will listen to the residents of Boone County and vote on key issues with their best interest in mind. Right now, the county is facing aging infrastructure. For example, our county sheds in Madrid and Boone have been in need of an update for a long time. That, coupled with rising costs of materials, maintenance, and wages, creates a key issue. But that issue might not be as important as the Don Williams Clubhouse to some.
What new programs or initiatives, if any, would your office launch under your leadership?
Duffy: We need to upgrade our efforts to make Boone County grow. We need people to come and live in our beautiful county. We welcome new residents. We need good jobs so our young people can stay here and live and work. We have great schools in our county and they all would welcome more students. Boone County has so much going in the area of recreation: a world class bike trail, parks, three golf courses and pure natural beauty and more.
Bryant: At this point in time I don't plan on implementing any new programs. I believe with the current state of the county budget any new programs would directly add to county taxes and that is something I want to keep low.
How would you manage rising personal costs for taxpayers while maintaining a budget that provides essential services to residents?
Duffy: A very important topic, which something can be done about, is taxes. Taxes are a necessary component in providing the services people want and need, but there is a limit. Your tax bill is made up of a number of tax entities' requests, i.e. schools, hospitals and cities. Excessive taxation affects anyone who owns property, or indirectly, on renters. I and my fellow supervisors are proud of our efforts to control taxes. If you live in a city in our county you pay only our general levy rate. We have the third lowest levy rate out of our 99 counties. If you live in a rural area you pay both a general levy and a rural levy. This group has the 6th lowest levy rate out of the 99 counties.
Bryant: Working with the departments within the county to cut unnecessary spending and direct our focus on critical essential services. Modern challenges require embracing modern thinking and modern solutions.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Who is running for Boone County supervisor and what are their issues?
