CROW WING COUNTY DISTRICT 5
Daniel Lewis Hamm
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Age: 31.
Address: Ironton.
Education: Crosby-Ironton graduate, Central Lakes College graduate with associate's degree, Christ College graduate with degree in philosophy/theology.
Family: Wife, Abigail; children, Elijah, 4, Audrey, 3, Isabelle, 3 months.
America is facing harsh economic times. If elected, what specifically would you do to control government spending?
Daniel Hamm
In these harsh economic times, if I were elected, I would not vote for a raise. The priority of the county should be to limit itself to the necessities, protecting the people and maintaining the roads. The county then needs to watch every dollar carefully, spending only on the items that are necessary and cutting items, agendas and programs that are not. If the citizens are tightening their belts, the county should have to also. They work for the people.
What abilities or qualifications separate you from your competition? Why are you the best candidate for the county board seat?
The experience and knowledge that I have gained by operating a successful small business has taught me that people, businesses and governments have to operate within their means. And that even a 2 percent levy decrease helps all families. I believe that I am the best candidate for the job because my view of the role of county government is more in line with the people of District 5. I will listen to the people, townships and cities of the district.
Doug Houge
Age: 45.
Address: Ironton.
Occupation: Industrial sales, Weyerhaeuser Co.
Education: Graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School, construction management Alexandria Technical College.
Family: Daughters Sara, 24, and Ashley, 19, and son Brandon, 20.
America is facing harsh economic times. If elected, what specifically would you do to control government spending?
I view Crow Wing County as a "service-based" business in which 48 percent of the overall budget goes toward employee wages and benefits. We recently completed a restructuring of Land Services Department. Although this did result in an overall lower head count, we can now offer the same - if not better service at a lower cost to the taxpayers. We do make every effort to limit the loss of jobs, but the county is a business and we need to be responsible for how tax dollars are spent. This same exercise can now be used for the remaining departments.
Doug Houge
What abilities or qualifications separate you from your competition? Why are you the best candidate for the county board seat?
I have had the privilege of serving as commissioner for District 5 for the past 14 months along with being a member of the planning commission for over six years. In this time, I have gained the knowledge required to keep Crow Wing County moving in a positive direction. I have also spent much of this time listening to the concerns of citizens and understanding what is working well and what areas require improvements. I am committed to making the necessary changes required to assure that the citizens of Crow Wing County are provided with the absolute best service possible.