Candidate column: John Harris

I am running for re-election in District 5 because I want to continue representing the people of Linn County on the board of supervisors.

In my modest opinion, I bring unique and valuable leadership experience to the board. For 38 years, I managed a team of professionals at Rockwell-Collins, leading complex sales and service agreement efforts. For 15 of those years, I was also involved in local government for the City of Palo, including post-flood leadership.

The past four years I have been involved in several actions taken by the board of supervisors that resulted in improvements to public safety and improved quality of life for our citizens. A few of these actions are:

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Tax decrease: Rural residents will receive an unprecedented property tax reduction of 6.6 percent in the county portion of their property-tax bill, made possible by applying the local-option sales tax revenue to property tax relief.

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Flood recovery: Recovery from the 2008 flood with building repair and replacement totaling $58 million, with Linn County taxpayers paying only $10 million of that amount.

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Balanced budgets and tax control: Linn County property tax levy rate is the same today as it was in 2009.

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Public safety: Linn County enhanced its radio communication system to provide seamless communication for all emergency responders, including the ability to communicate with Johnson County as well.

The Board faces many challenges in the coming years, such as Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MHDD) regionalization of services, Options of Linn County changes, and May's Island flood protection (for county properties located there). I hope to continue work on these issues and more.

For the past four years, it has been an exciting time for my family. With the enjoyment that comes from our home in Palo, four daughters, two grandchildren (and another on the way!) my wife Phyllis and I have much to be thankful for.

It also has been a historically exciting time for Linn County. During my first term, I have carefully made decisions I believe will best support the citizens I am proud to represent. I have honored the public trust, and with the support of our friends and neighbors in Linn County's 5th District, I hope to continue the next four years.

Thank you for your time reading this, and for voting in the upcoming election.

' John Harris of Palo is the District 5 incumbent on the Linn County Board of Supervisors. Comments: jharrisp@juno.com