First District Cerro Gordo County supervisors candidates meet in NorthIowaNow.com program

MASON CITY — The candidates running for the First District seat on the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors last night discussed several issues during an hour-long program on northiowanow.com. Republican incumbent Chris Watts of Mason City is being challenged by Democrat Tim Lapointe of Mason City for the seat that includes all of Mason City’s Third Ward; Ward Two Precinct Two; and Ward Four Precincts Two and Three.

Watts says he’s worked to improve the whole county over the last six years.  “I’m very active in the community, I’m a hands-on guy. People know I just don’t represent District One, I represent the entire county. Somebody from Thornton calls me, somebody from Dougherty or Rockwell or wherever, it doesn’t matter, I respond. A lot of times I go out and look at the problem, I go out with the engineer, look at the drainage issues, look at roads, bridges. I want to continue that. I’m a hands-on guy, I like to see what I’m dealing with and properly address it.”

Watts says the county’s financial situation is currently good.   “As far as fiscal responsibility, I think the county’s in the best fiscal responsible position in years. Our predecessors Mr. Urdahl, Mr. Amosson, Mr. Dougherty left us sitting pretty good, and we’ve been able to work with what they left us and make these improvements, and we want to keep doing that.”

Lapointe says he has the experience to lead county government.   “Not just get by as I believe my opponent has done for the last six years, but truly lead in issues affecting Cerro Gordo County, the CO2 pipeline, wind and solar issues which I favor, and a host of difficult issues that I’ve been on the forefront of and studied these issues for several years.”

Lapointe says county worker pay is one of his key issues. “Workers in the county should vote for me because I’m strongly supporting increased funding for workers in Cerro Gordo County. I was on the county compensation board for ten years. I saw my opponent almost single handedly attempt to   and successfully reduce wages for county elected officials during that time. I decided then that at some point if I have the opportunity I’d like to run for this position.”

On Monday night at 7 o’clock on northiowanow.com, you’ll see the Third District candidates, Lori Meacham Ginapp and Carl Ginapp, discuss the issues.