NAME: Jai
Johnson
ADDRESS:
PHONE
NUMBER: 796-1426
E-MAIL: bethechange2005@centurytel.net
AGE: 49
NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED IN
FAMILY:
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree UW-L
OCCUPATION
(if retired, former occupation):
Environmental Services Director, Bethany Lutheran
Homes
ELECTED
OFFICES HELD (include years served):
City Council since 2005,
COMMUNITY
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS:
A. Why do you want to serve
on the
I care about the future of our community and region
and want to play an active part in shaping that future.
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?
Sustainability and inter-governmental
collaboration.
I believe sustainability is the most important and
pressing issue of our time. We must find a way to live on this earth that
doesn't compromise the welfare of future generations. I'm very proud of
the leadership I've shown in this area and will continue to make it my
first priority.
The public has a right to quality
and cost effective services from their local government. As we face ever
increasing fiscal challenges, inter-governmental collaboration will be one of
the keys to meeting the needs of the public while controlling costs. Serving on
both the City Council and
Sustainability and collaboration make good
sense, but they also offer tremendous potential for saving the tax
payers money. Whether it be combining services or conserving energy,
I'm truly excited about the opportunities ahead.
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: I favor a modest reduction
in size. 50% is too steep. Such an action would likely result in
higher costs, less diversity, and a greater supervisor work load that
would discourage or prevent many citizens from serving. In other words,
Supervisors would become more like professional politicians. One of the best
things about local government is that we can still truly have citizen
representation. Ordinary people without powerful connections or large
sums of money can still win elections. I serve on the committee to reduce
the board size and look forward to finding a middle ground that preserves broad
representation and cost effective leadership.
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 X
Reason: The board does
not have the expertise to manage the County. It is a large,
complex organization that requires and benefits from the services of a
professional administrator.
3. How satisfied are you with the
county administrator's new four-year contract?
Very satisfied
Satisfied X
No opinion
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
Reason:
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:
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: Citizens can and should
have a voice in making these decisions. Public hearings are held for that
purpose and people througout the county
have ready access to their board representatives. Although a
referendum can be appropriate in certain circumstances, a blanket requirement
would unnecessarily tie the hands of county government.
6. Do you support or oppose
Strongly Support
Support X
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
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: The County has placed
great emphasis on crafting a cost effective, common sense approach to criminal
justice.
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 X
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
9. Do you support or oppose the
state of
Strongly Support
Support
No opinion X
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
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:
This is a necessary expenditure and the County has done an outstanding job of
planning this project. Great care and attention to detail have been given
to developing the law enforcement center.
I'm confident theLEC as planned will meet our future
needs in a highly effective way and will be money well spent.