Supervisor Candidates Tackle Issues At Debate
To the left is Tom Rielly (D) and on the right is Mike Vander Molen (R). Both are candidates for a seat on the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors. Both participated in the candidate debate on Thursday evening.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The candidates for Mahaska County Supervisor had an opportunity to discuss issues with each other and the public on Thursday evening.
Both candidates introduced themselves to the audience with a two-minute opening statement.
The intensity between the two candidates was evident early on when Republican candidate Mike Vander Molen made reference to not being asked or “persuaded” by others to run for the position, in reference to Democrat candidate Tom Rielly and how he had been approached to run for the position.
When it comes to working with other governments, such as city councils and nearby counties, Vander Molen said that being professional and making inquiries are of importance. Vander Molen said it’s not difficult to work with them, and that being informed of the issues is a benefit.
“That’s something I am very good at, is making sure we get things done,” Vander Molen said of himself. He says that his time as an engineer helped in developing that skill.
Rielly said that he would like to build off of what he’s been doing for the last 15 to 20 years. He said that he has utilized neighborhood and other types of listening posts, saying some were successful and others may not have been as well attended. “Frankly, that’s where we get some of the best ideas,” Rielly said.
Rielly also wanted to build off of his existing relationships he has developed over the years. He believes that regular meetings between supervisors and the local mayor could be beneficial.
The subject of avoiding any future controversies between Mahaska County Supervisors, such as the one that recently played out in the Mahaska County District Court, was one of the questions asked.
Rielly once again pointed to communication and listening as key to help prevent such an episode from happening once again. “I’d like to see us get back to where we’re a team again.”
Vander Molen explored the difficulties posed when supervisors discuss issues at hand because of there being a quorum and possibly being in violation of sunshine laws. “You have to be careful what you discuss,” Vander Molen pointed out.
Vander Molen said that if all discussions and concerns were to happen at the scheduled meetings, it would help keep things clear.
A follow up question by moderator Jeff Stein, who is a professor at William Penn University, asked the candidates about the possibility of increasing the board size.
Vander Molen said he would be in favor of increasing the board size. He believes that the additional members would allow the county to be broken up into districts. He believes that could help prevent any us versus them mentality.
Paying for the additional government, associated with adding board members, is a concern of Vander Molen.
Vander Molen proposed that stripping the supervisors of health benefits might help pay for those additional supervisor seats.
Rielly says that, although he sees issue with a three-member board, he wants to see what that [county government] is going to look like, what’s the districts going to look like and what about an at-large position. “I think there’s a lot of unknown questions,” Rielly said, adding he’s open to new and good ideas.
In the middle of a discussion between the candidates over how best to help Mahaska County grow, beyond the roads issue, Rielly asked Vander Molen where they had disagreed with their thoughts about how to help Mahaska County grow.
“Where, is the level of spending. I do have an R behind my name, and you do have a D behind your name and that indicates a little bit of where we stand on these issues. I don’t think that’s any big secret,” was the statement by Vander Molen to Rielly.
“That’s very disappointing.” Rielly said in response to Vander Molen. “This is the first time this entire campaign I’ve heard that. It’s very disappointing.”
“We have enough of that partisan stuff at the federal level and at the state level. We don’t need it at the county level. We don’t need it at the city level or the school boards. This is a non-partisan thing.”
Rielly then talked about his time in the Iowa Senate and having to make cuts to the budget, and knowing friends of his would lose their jobs over his decision. “This idea because I’m a Democrat and a wild-eye spender, don’t buy that, Rielly said in a frustrated tone.
“We’ve got to get rid of this R and D stuff,” Rielly said.
Rielly responded to the question by saying, “We’ve got to come together as a team, as Mahaska County. We’ve been fragmented and that’s not good for us anymore.”
“The infighting that’s happened in the court house, that’s gotta stop.” Rielly said.
The debate lasted an hour, with a gentlemanly handshake from both participants to end the discussion.
If you would like, you can watch the entire CRI Weekly News broadcast of the debate below.
