DISTRICT 13

 

NAME: Carl Viner

 

ADDRESS: 2418 S. 13th St.

 

PHONE NUMBER: 780-1308

 

E-MAIL: none

 

BIRTHDATE: 8.30.54

 

NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED IN LA CROSSE COUNTY: 53

 

FAMILY: Wife and two daughters

 

 

EDUCATION: High School diploma

 

 

OCCUPATION (if retired, former occupation): Business owner-operator

 

 

 

ELECTED OFFICES HELD (include years served): None

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS: 22 years in Eagles Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Crosse County Board Candidate Questionnaire

 

A.    Why do you want to serve on the La Crosse County Board? (Please limit this answer to 75 words so it will fit into a standard format.)

To represent the people of the 13th district in a fiscally responsible manner while promoting responsible growth and positive change.

 

B.    What are the two most pressing issues facing La Crosse County, and what do you think La Crosse County government should do about them?

Promote fiscal accountability with taxpayer’s money. This can be accomplished by encouraging intergovernmental cooperation and fighting in revenue sharing. More intergovernmental economic development agreement with growing suburban communities such as Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem.

 

The next several questions will ask your feelings about past and future actions by the county board. Please answer by putting an “X” next to the statement that most closely reflects your view. Then, please explain your reasons in writing

1. Do you support or oppose reducing the size of the county board by half?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason: We must wait until after census due to population shifts between the city and suburban communities before any decision is made, in order to ensure everyone is represented fairly.

2. With the switch to a county administrator four years ago, how satisfied are you with the county board’s new role as a board of directors that makes policy decisions rather than operational decisions?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

No opinion

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

Reason: I support the current county administrator’s style of government, although I feel that it is important that the County Board be kept better informed than they have been in the past as to day to day operations.

 

3. How satisfied are you with the county administrator's new four-year contract?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

No opinion

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

Reason: While I’m not entirely up to date as to the details of his contract, I feel that the administrator while good at that he does, may be compensated too much based upon local income levels.

4. How satisfied are you with the proposed “smart growth” comprehensive plan scheduled for county board approval in coming months?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

No opinion

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

Reason: It’s important to realize the “smart growth” plan Is a state mandated issue. I feel that it is important for the full County Board to debate this issue so I can hear both sides of the argument before I form an opinion.

 

5. Do you support or oppose having the county board hold a referendum before borrowing money for buildings or other capital projects?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason: While it is important to understand the difference between binding and nonbinding referendums for bonding, I personally feel that we need to consider referendums at the very least for public opinion.

 

 

 

 

6. Do you support or oppose La Crosse County being the main developer of its vacant Lakeview Farm property in West Salem?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason: I support the development if the land is not needed in the future by the county.

 

7. Do you support or oppose La Crosse County's criminal justice philosophy, which includes finding alternatives to jail for offenders who are not a danger to the community?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason: I support La Crosse County’s criminal justice philosophy in finding jail alternatives such as justice sanctions and work release programs. Although I must assert the importance of accountability in order to ensure the safety of the public.

 

 

8. Do you support or oppose spending more of the county's budget reserves to reduce the property tax levy?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason:

 

 

 

9. Do you support or oppose the state of Wisconsin's use of a "property tax cap" which limits La Crosse County's ability to raise property taxes by 2 percent, or the percentage of new construction growth, in 2009?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason:

 

10. Do you support or oppose the county's plans for a $29.5 million jail expansion?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose