COUNTY BOARD CANDIDATE DATA SHEET

 

NAME:   Robert F. Keil

 

ADDRESS:   N 3475 Smith Valley Road, La Crosse, Wis. 54601

 

PHONE NUMBER: 781-5175

 

E-MAIL:  None

 

AGE: 70

 

NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED IN LA CROSSE COUNTY:   70

 

FAMILY:   Wife, Ruth; daughter Karen; son Todd, three grandchildren

 

EDUCATION:  Central High School graduate

 

OCCUPATION (if retired, former occupation):  Retired dairy farmer

 

ELECTED OFFICES HELD (include years served): Medary Town Board, three years; La Crosse County Board, one term

 

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS:

Farm Bureau member; I-90 corridor study; Wisconsin Counties Association; member of La Crosse County Zoning, Planning, Resources and Development Committee; member of La Crosse Agriculture Society

 

La Crosse County Board Candidate Questionnaire

 

Why do you want to serve on the La Crosse County Board?

There are current county issues that need to be resolved and I would like to be involved in the future final decisions – making progress for the La Crosse County taxpayers.

 

What are the two most pressing issues facing La Crosse County, and what do you think La Crosse County government should do about them

Future repairs/replacement of the present La Crosse County Administration Building. To examine all possibilities for resolve.

The comprehensive plan. Making sure it’s far to all the county citizens. Examine all details.

 

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:  More things accomplished, more problems solved with a smaller board.

 

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: Gives better direction.

 

 

 

3. How satisfied are you with the county administrator's new four-year contract?

Very satisfied

Satisfied X

No opinion

Unsatisfied

Very unsatisfied

 

Reason: I feel his increase in wages, compensates for the savings he has done for La Crosse County. His accomplishments have proven his worthiness. You get what you pay for.

 

4. How satisfied are you with the proposed “smart growth” comprehensive plan scheduled for county board approval in coming months?

Very satisfied

Satisfied 

No opinion

Unsatisfied X

Very unsatisfied

 

Reason:  Not totally satisfied at this time. I feel some townships may suffer from the plan. Deserves more thought.

 

 

5. Do you support or oppose having the county board hold a referendum before borrowing money for buildings or other capital projects?

Strongly Support X

Support

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason:  La Crosse County citizens can express their feelings on these high dollar issues. The people need a voice on these matters as taxpayers.

 

 

6. Do you support or oppose La Crosse County being the main developer of its vacant Lakeview Farm property in West Salem?

Strongly Support

Support X

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

 

Reason:  La Crosse County owns the property and their decisions will benefit La Crosse County the most.

 

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:  It will save the taxpayers money in the future, and will at the same time promote the rehabilitation process for the first-time offenders through community service.

 

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 should not tap the reserve monies at this time due to unforeseen issues in the future.

 

 

9. Do you support or oppose the state of Wisconsin's use of a "property tax cap" which limits La Crosse County's ability to raise property taxes by 2 percent, or the percentage of new construction growth, in 2009?

Strongly Support

Support

No opinion

Oppose X

Strongly Oppose

 

Reason:  I am not in favor of a property tax cap. We may have to raise taxes to maintain the county budget in the future.

 

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 need more space for the prisoners which includes more educational rooms, and to separate those prisoners with mental problems. We have a need to separate hard core prisoners from first time offenders which will help the rehabilitation process.