COUNTY BOARD CANDIDATE DATA SHEET

 

NAME: Tammy Gamroth

 

ADDRESS: 1910 Henry Johns Boulevard, Bangor, WI 54614

 

PHONE NUMBER: 608-486-4135

 

E-MAIL: TTMJCardinals@aol.com

 

AGE: 49

 

NUMBER OF YEARS LIVED IN LA CROSSE COUNTY: Entire Life

 

FAMILY: Husband-Tim, Daughters-Mallorie and Jacie

 

EDUCATION: Graduate of Bangor High School

 

OCCUPATION (if retired, former occupation): Customer Service and Sales Associate

 

ELECTED OFFICES HELD (include years served): None

 

 

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS: None listed

 

 

La Crosse County Board Candidate Questionnaire

 

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

I would like to serve on the County Board to represent the small town and rural perspective on issues that affect the entire county.  Situations need to be examined in a variety of ways.  It is also very necessary to be able to convey concerns of the citizens a public official represents.  Issues have to be examined and considered based on the effect they will have on each district and also the county as a whole.

 

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?

1. Property Taxes

2. Rural area representation with a voice that will reflect small town principles and ideas. 

 

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 feel the board could be reduced but only marginally.  I would not want to see the rural population lose its voice or viewpoints on the 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: I feel that it is a good idea to have this position of County Administrator fill the role in a non-partisan way.  The administrator can do the research and give advice on operational matters.  The board can then make the policy decisions.

 

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 the contract is competitive and reasonable based on the administrator's responsibilities and duties.

 

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: I support planning ahead, but there has to be a rational balance between all concerned parties.  Everyone needs to look at all perspectives and discuss the best plans for the area as a whole.

 

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: On the level of a village, such as Bangor, I fully understand the need for a referendum such as we had for the building of a new elementary school.  However, at the county level, I feel public forums will meet the need for passing on information so that the electoral officials will be able and qualified to make the decisions their constituents are in favor of.

 

 

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: I feel that La Crosse County should be the main developer of the vacant land on the Lakeview Farm, always keeping in mind creating jobs and also decisions that will benefit the county as a whole.

 

 

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: I support finding alternatives that use other methods of punishments for criminals who are not considered a danger to the public.  It can be a better choice fiscally to use methods that hold individuals accountable but not necessarily incarcerated.

 

 

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: I could support some choices that may reduce property taxes, but it has to be done responsibly so as not to put the County in jeopardy of facing a deficit.

 

 

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 - X

No opinion

Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Reason: I do support control over property taxes.  I also realize people do not want their services affected.  Therefore, it takes a lot of balance to achieve both of these goals, and I am willing to take the time to do ensure a fair balance.

 

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: I support the plans for jail expansion on the basis that we have an overcrowding 

      problem that has few alternative solutions.  I feel it has been thoroughly researched and is the

      most effective solution at this point.