NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER: 796-1076
E-MAIL: M.Freedland@gmail.com
AGE: 56
NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED
IN
FAMILY: Robert Freedland (husband), Ben Freedland (23, U.Texas Law
School), Celia (20,
EDUCATION:
OCCUPATION (if retired, former occupation): Former volunteer lawyer for Legal Action of Wisconsin for 10 years, former Assistant Attorney General for State of Louisiana
ELECTED OFFICES HELD (include years served): County Board Supervisor
since 2005
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS:
La Crosse Public Education Foundation (Past President); Logan parent committee; former member of District Wide Parent Committee for 8 years; Congregation Sons of Abraham (Board of Trustees); AMOS interfaith ministry (Executive Committee); Riverfront, Inc. fund raising committee; Clean Energy Coalition; League of Women Voters; Pump House; Hixon Forest Nature Center; former member of City's Equal Opportunities and Police & Fire Commissions, Citizen Board of Review.
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.)
The work of
B. What are the two
most pressing issues facing
1. Taxes. Residents in my district understand that taxes support their neighborhoods and the many services they receive, but residents are also (quite justifiably) concerned about the amount of their taxes. We must be extremely careful about what we spend. Efforts to attract new business with higher-paying employment opportunities are a major priority. We need to retain more of our graduates. We must be efficient and share services.
2. Sustainable practices. We can continue to meet our human and economic needs only by balancing our fragile environment and neighborhoods with economic development and job creation. Solving problems regionally; building green; tending to the needs of families, the elderly and disabled; fair working conditions; and balanced budgets will make our county sustainable.
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 x
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason: Reducing "by half" can't be done now because of the way the
law reads. I do strongly support reducing our size by about a third
after all municipalities have input after the 2010 census. Currently,
our small districts allow close relationships with the people in our
districts -- I value this immensely -- and hearing the opinions of
other Supervisors at meetings, even the long ones, is invaluable. If
reducing the size even to one half will make operations more
manageable and cost effective, and if we won't hurt our board
diversity, I shall support the change.
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:
Professional, full-time management has resulted from the switch and the day-to-day operations of the County run more smoothly. Supervisors have the opportunity to become deeply focused upon the Committees they serve, and to do their homework before meetings. They have time to see the "big picture" and do not micro-manage in areas in which their expertise is limited. Department heads are more accountable and the chain of command is clearer.
3. How satisfied are you with the county administrator's new four-year
contract?
Very satisfied
Satisfied x
No opinion
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
Reason:
We shall continue to monitor the Administrator's performance to guarantee that his compensation justifies his salary. What we've done is to outline his salary expectations -- so that we can keep him -- if his excellent performance continues. His salary should be commensurate with his performance, his type of job, and the savings he has brought to the County.
4. How satisfied are you with the proposed "smart growth"
comprehensive plan scheduled for county board approval in coming
months?
Very satisfied x
Satisfied
No opinion
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
Reason:
I've attended plan hearings (there were 30+ held, in all) and I can appreciate the issue of property rights that comes from comprehensive planning. But it is essential that we take a long-term perspective on county growth for future generations. Uncontrolled development will cost us more money, such as in unneeded roads. We have opportunities for creativity. An example is Purchase of Development Rights (PDRs) that will preserve farmland and fairly compensate the owners who chose them. Comprehensive planning allows us to manage and prepare for mutual city/rural growth.
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:
Citizen input is absolutely essential and valuable. Carefully planned referendums symbolize true democracy. But referendums can also be problematic. They can distort, and can cause misinformation. Critical decisions about our infrastructure or facilities often can't be delayed. Elected officials can't ignore or avoid hard decisions that we are elected to make. Therefore, I support referendums on a case-by-case basis.
6. Do you support or
oppose
Strongly Support x
Support
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
As I write this, three master plan options are being drafted
to create concepts for this large tract of land, including mixes of housing,
industrial and commercial development. Input from the Village will be sought,
and the
7. Do you support or
oppose
Strongly Support x
Support
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
The Justice Sanctions program is a pioneering, nationally
applauded and effective program. Placing the program with Human Services allows
for treatment so that rehabilitation and accountability can better result. It
saves taxpayer money. Justice Sanctions works closely with the
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:
We need to view the reserves as critical to our long-term success. For one thing, the budget reserves contribute to the outstanding bond rating that only six Wisconsin Counties have earned. Our approach now – supported by our Administrator, and I agree -- is to sparingly use reserves only for special projects of long term value – to keep the kitty available.
9. Do you support or
oppose the state of
Strongly Support
Support x
No opinion
Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Reason:
Property tax caps force constant, vigorous evaluation of
spending. But citizens must realize that caps may result in the need to give up
valuable county programs like highway repairs or health services. Controls are
less necessary where there are responsive and responsible representatives serving
the needs of the county.
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: It is ti