NAME: John Medinger
ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER: 608-788-4594
E-MAIL: none
AGE: 59
NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED IN
FAMILY: Wife, Dee, two children, Emily and Johnathan,
two step-sons, Christopher and Justin
EDUCATION:
UW-La
Crosse, 1972, Masters of Arts Degree in Teaching
OCCUPATION (if retired,
former occupation):
Half-time Staff assistant for US
Senator Herb Kohl; part-time instructor in Political Science Department at
UW-L; presently
on
ELECTED OFFICES HELD
(include years served):
State Representative 1977-1993;
Mayor of La Crosse 1997-2005; County Board 2006-2008
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND
MEMBERSHIPS:
Holy Trinity Catholic Church; Place
of Grace prayer group; Salvation Army Advisory Board; World Services Board;
Hmong Mutual Assistance Association Fund Raising Committee; NAACP; La Crosse
Jail Ministry; Moose Lodge; Knights of Columbus; Sons of the American Legion;
Democratic Party; Mental Health Coalition; Citizens for Responsible Government;
and more.
A. Why do you want to
serve on the La Crosse County Board?
I believe that
government can be a force for good. I believe that it can truly help people
such as the property taxpayers, frail elderly, the poor, families in difficult
situations and children at risk of messing up their lives. I want to help
the County be the best County in the State when it comes to Human Services,
Criminal Justice Services, Embracing Diversity, Environmental Protection, the
wise use of our Tax Dollars and aiding Regional
Cooperation.
B. What are the two most
pressing issues facing
The first most
pressing issue at this time is diminished economic resources due to lack of
State support for the County and high poverty rates which inhibit people’s
ability to pay taxes. Secondly is getting the
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 X
Support
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason: 35 members is simply too big. Most voters do not even know
their supervisor so having fewer will raise the profile and accountability of
the remaining supervisors.
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 X
No opinion
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
Reason: The
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: We need to balance development with land
preservation. We can’t just think of ourselves and today but we need to think
of what kind of County do we want to leave for our descendents a hundred years
from now.
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: Sometimes I support referendums and other times I don’t.
For example, I did not support a referendum on the Jail Expansion because I
think such a referendum would never ever stand a chance of passing. Would the
majority ever vote to spend money on jail inmates? However, I can see where
road referendums would be advisable. For example, a hugely controversial North
South Corridor should go to referendum since so many people would be affected
in positive and negative ways.
6. Do you support or
oppose
Strongly Support X
Support
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason: Why not? It’s the County’s land.
7. Do you support or
oppose
Strongly Support X
Support
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason: It saves the taxpayers money and focuses on rehabilitating
non-dangerous people who have broken the law.
8. Do you support or
oppose spending more of the county's budget reserves to reduce the property tax
levy?
Strongly Support
Support X
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason: Rainy day funds are there for rainy days and I see a dark
cloud on the horizon. Of course, we don’t want to jeopardize the County’s solid
bond rating so it has to be a responsible drawdown of the reserve.
9. Do you support or
oppose the state of
Strongly Support
Support
No opinion
Oppose X
Strongly Oppose
Reason: I support local control. I am not sure that the people in
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: This passed the