NAME: Audrey
Kader
ADDRESS:
PHONE
NUMBER: 784-3817
E-MAIL: audrey.kader@mindspring.com
AGE: 68
NUMBER OF YEARS
LIVED IN
FAMILY: Sons:
Amir and Niall; daughter:
Nadia; granddaughter: Maria
EDUCATION:
OCCUPATION (if retired,
former occupation): Part time Parish Visitor, First
Congregational Church. Retired Publisher/Project Manager
ELECTED OFFICES HELD
(include years served):
City Council 9 years -
currently serving
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
AND MEMBERSHIPS: I have been very active in the community over the years,
serving on the boards of directors of most of the organizations of which I am
or have been a member.
Downtown Mainstreet Inc; La Crosse Area Development Corporation;
Pump House Regional Arts Center; Preservation Alliance of La Crosse; United
Fund for the Arts and Humanities; Chamber of Commerce; La Crosse Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau; International Trade and Business Development
Council; Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Because the County is responsible for so many services that
affect my constituents it is important that I can participate in decisions to
ensure access to those services in a cost effective manner. In addition
to having a large number of students the 11th. District is empovrished
and transitional. It needs a Boardmember who is a
long term resident who understands the needs of both.
B. What are the two most pressing issues facing
Law enforcement and dealing with criminals are major
issues. Building the new jail is an important step forward but much work
is still to be done in relation to rehabilitation while maintaining public
safety.
Another priority for me is economic development to ensure
growth in the tax base and keep property taxes as low as possible, while maitaining the necessary services.
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 X
Strongly Oppose
Reason: Cutting it in half is not practical for a number
of reasons. I would be open to some reduction but in general I have come
to realize that there is better public representation with a broad based
board. For example it is much easier to obtain a majority of four, as is
the case with the nine
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 X
Satisfied
No opinion
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
Reason: Not only has the County
saved thousands of dollars due to the skills of the administrator, I believe
the employees are functioning more efficiently and are less confused than
when they were answering to thirty five bosses.
3. How satisfied are you with the county administrator's
new four-year contract?
Very satisfied
Satisfied X
No opinion
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
Reason: When somebody is doing a good job it
is appropriate to provide a degree of security for that individual.
With potential Board leadership turnover every two years, one of the main
benefits of having an administrator under contract is to provide continuity in
operations.
4. How satisfied are you with the proposed “smart growth”
comprehensive plan scheduled for county board approval in coming months?
Very satisfied
Satisfied X
No opinion
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
Reason:
While the plan does not meet unanimous approval I believe
it is a good compromise in protecting the interests of those who value the
beauty and agricultural importance of the County with the need for development
and individual financial gain.
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 X
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
Capital projects and buildings
have an extended life and can best be paid for over their lifetime, just as one
takes out a mortgage on their house. As long as the
County maintains its AA2 bond rating it is an indication that the borrowing has
been responsible. It is not necessary therefore to go to the expense and
distraction of a referendum.
6. Do you support or oppose
Strongly Support X
Support
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
I continue to serve on the
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 X
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason: Obviously safety is a
primary concern so that only non violent criminals should be considered for the
Justice Sanctions program. Given that I agree that it is much better to
rehabilitate an individual than to incarcerate them.
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 X
Strongly Oppose
Reason: It is important to retain
sufficient reserves for cash flow and to maintain a top quality bond
rating. This in itself saves the taxpayer as evidenced in the recent
borrowing for the jail. It also protects the citizens from major
fluctuations in tax rates.
9. Do you support or oppose the state of
Strongly Support
Support
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose X
Reason: The current cap formula is
counter productive and unfairly penalizes
10. Do you support or oppose the county's plans for a
$29.5 million jail expansion?
Strongly Support
Support X
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason: Unfortunately the criminal
population continues to grow and it is most cost effective to house them
locally. The current women's jail is totally inadequate and must be
replaced.