NAME:
Gerald Sebranek
ADDRESS:
PHONE
NUMBER: (608) 788-4097
E-MAIL:
none
AGE: 60
NUMBER
OF YEARS LIVED IN
FAMILY: 4
children, Anthony, Tracy, Sherry, Amy; 4 grandchildren
EDUCATION:
OCCUPATION
(if retired, former occupation): Retired, former occupations self-employed
barber, retired from G. Heileman Brewing Co. 21
years.
ELECTED
OFFICES HELD (include years served):
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND
MEMBERSHIPS:
American Legion, 40 & 8, Moose
Lodge, County Board-Southwest Wisconsin International Trade Business &
Economic Council (Chair, Organization & Projects Committee).
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.) I have always
been interested in local politics, and now that I’m retired I have the time it
takes to commit my energies to serving the citizens of
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?
It’s hard to just pick out two most
pressing issues. It seems that pressing issues always arise, they are always
there. However, as of right now I would judge the jail issue as a high
priority, and land management and the comprehensive plan we are nearing
completion on.
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:
It will increase more problems than it will solve, it is just a trendy idea
that people with way too much time on their hands think the board has nothing
better to do. And the proponents of this are under the delusion that this will
save the county money and boost their political ambitions. The cost of
redistricting will be astronomical and a waste of taxpayers money.
Incidentally, by law, we can increase the county board up to 44 members. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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:
That’s the first time I have ever heard of the county board referred to as a
board of directors. Policy decisions are operational decisions. Setting policy
is what the county board does.
3. How
satisfied are you with the county administrator's new four-year contract?
Very
satisfied
Satisfied
No opinion
Unsatisfied
X
Very
unsatisfied
Reason:
Way too many perks. However, I believe we have the best administrator money can
buy. The administrator is a forward thinking innovator that sets the bar high,
and many counties look to La Crosse County for solving problems, setting the
pace, and moving in a new direction that other counties will follow, because
it’s the right direction. Credit should also be given to the county chair and
our excellent department heads and staff. Other counties with problems always
ask, what did
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:
We are moving in the right direction. And I think mandated is a better word
other than proposed. The state of
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 X
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
It depends on how much money, what kind of building, and capital projects. Each
case is different, and born out of necessity.
6. Do you
support or oppose
Strongly
Support X
Support
No
opinion
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
But remember, the health care consortium through collaboration is a different
thing.
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 X
Support
No
opinion
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
There are few to no options not to support this philosophy.
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:
The county is not the culprit. There are two other
entities out there that are responsible for high property taxes. There are
always new ideas for raising taxes, it’s way past time
to start putting some thought and effort in the other direction.
9. Do you support or oppose the
state of
Strongly
Support
Support
No
opinion
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose X
Reason:
We are being penalized for other counties wasteful spending, they should take a
lesson from La Crosse County there’s a reason La Crosse County is the third
lowest out of the 72 Wisconsin counties, and it took a lot of work by the administrator
and county board to reach that status.
10. Do
you support or oppose the county's plans for a $29.5 million jail expansion?
Strongly
Support X
Support
No
opinion
Oppose
Strongly
Oppose
Reason:
We had no choice, given the jail population and the women’s facility, statistically
the population will steadily increase, and we have made plans for that with
this addition. To clarify, the resolutions was for up
to $29.5 million mainly because we cannot control future cost of materials.