Meet the Linn County supervisor applicants

CEDAR RAPIDS - A committee tasked with filling a vacancy on the Linn County Board of Supervisors plans to make its pick by Tuesday.

The winning applicant will hold a seat for about five months on the five-member board that sets public policy and oversees spending for the county government.

Of the 30 applications received for the District 2 appointment, 12 are from people within the district, 15 are from Linn County residents outside the district and three are from people who live outside the county.

The District 2 applicants are Sandra Bell, James Fields, Amy Johnson, Eugene Kopecky, Fatmir Kote, Jerry McGrane, Rick Nusbaum, Ron Olson, Frank Sladek, Wade Wagner and Bronica Wilson. (For more on the applicants, see below.)

On person applied for the appointment but later withdrew his application.

By week's end, the committee - which consists of County Auditor Joel Miller, County Recorder Joan McCalmant and County Treasurer Sharon Gonzalez - will have interviewed the candidates who live in District 2, which includes much of Cedar Rapids.

Applicants are seeking to fill the seat left vacant by former Supervisor Linda Langston, who resigned from the board effective last Friday to become director of strategic relations with the National Association of Counties in Washington, D.C.

By law, the committee has until May 25 to select a new supervisor but it has set Tuesday as its deadline. The interim supervisor will hold the seat until after the November general election.

Democrats Stacey Walker, 28, and Dick Hogan, 75, are vying for the seat's next four-year term. One will receive the Democratic Party nomination in the June 7 primary.

The position pays just over $100,000 a year.

Here are the applicants living with District 2:

Sandra Bell

Ran for a seat on the board in 1998.

'Having lived and worked in Linn County for over 30 years and being in the forefront in trying to improve the status of the community as an activist in both city and county government, I believe I could do the people of Linn County a fair and unbiased job as a supervisor,” Bell said in her cover letter.

James Fields

Director of homeless and underprivileged outreach program, House of Prayer.

'I have an extensive background in working with the citizens and governmental agencies in Linn County and I believe I am well suited for the position,” Fields said in his cover letter.

Amy Johnson

Former chief development officer for Horizons Family Services Alliance.

'I am a longtime resident of District 2 and have been very active in Democratic Party politics for the past 15 years. I feel this is an excellent - and unique - opportunity to serve my county, while putting my skills and experiences to good use during this transitional period,” Johnson said in her cover letter.

Eugene Kopecky

Lawyer and former Linn County Attorney.

'I think it is important to maintain and improve the quality of life in Linn County. As a former elected official in Linn County, I am very familiar with county government and the duties of the Board of Supervisors. Uniquely, I provided legal advice to the Board of Supervisors for more than eight years. I believe those experiences are an important quality to bring to the Board of Supervisors,” Kopecky said in an email.

Fatmir Kote

Spent time as a public safety officer and assistant director of public safety with Mount Mercy University.

'Throughout my working career I have always been involved with people of diverse backgrounds. This has allowed me to develop a passion to work with people in various circumstances, which in return has given me the confidence and ability to help and relate to other cultural backgrounds,” Kote said in her cover letter.

Jerry McGrane

Former Cedar Rapids City Council member.

'I just feel that I could give a fair and honest vote on any agenda brought before the Linn County Board of Supervisors and I would serve the District 2 citizens with my full vigor and attention,” McGrane said in his cover letter.

Rick Nusbaum

Former Marshall County deputy assessor.

'I have worked for the past 39 years in county government with the county Assessor's Office. My time here has allowed me to be familiar with the many functions and operations of county offices,” Nusbaum said in his cover letter.

Ron Olson

Former member of the Cedar Rapids school board.

'I feel I am uniquely qualified to fill this position by virtue of my background in public service as a member of the Cedar Rapids Community School District board of directors as well as my extensive experience serving on non-profit boards which serve Eastern Iowa,” Olson said in his cover letter.

Frank Sladek

Adjunct professor of education, communication, speech and theater at Kirkwood Community College.

'As an educator, as a person who is a senior representative with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as a person who was raised in the town of Ely ... I've seen both the urban and rural parts of our county,” Sladek said. 'I really think it's an honor to represent the people of the 2nd district.”

Wade Wagner

Former KGAN-TV reporter and anchor.

'I believe I have the education, the experience, a sense of history and the passion to perform as a supervisor in a positive and productive environment,” Wagner said in his cover letter.

Bronica Wilson

Accountant with Johnny Spaw Race Cars Weld and does woodworking with Morgan Meredith Inc.

'I know what it feels like to have to handle a lot of different things at once and keep everything moving forward for the greater good, being a mother and juggling children, bills and a business, keeping things in line like a well-oiled machine, that's very important,” Wilson said. 'The main thing is you let people know you're listening to them, acknowledging them and that their opinion is important.”