Podzimek promises independent voice

I am running for District 1 Linn County Supervisor as an Independent because we need an official with fresh ideas and creative solutions for Linn County. We have the power to make things better, but not if we cling to the belief that one party is right and the other is wrong.

As an Independent, I will act only in the best interest of our community.

I will focus on collaborating with city governments, school boards, adjoining counties and state and federal governments to find solutions. We can effectively work together to address three critical and connected issues that confront Linn County - sustainability, quality of life and economic development.

Building these relationships will allow us to press forward on these issues, and my experiences as a business owner and a city council member are valuable resources I bring to lead us in these endeavors.

Focusing our efforts on sustainability, both economic and environmental, will improve the quality of life in Linn County. Linn County has a responsibility to protect our natural resources, offer diverse recreational opportunities, care for intellectually and developmentally disabled citizens and provide all county services efficiently and effectively.

I believe we can do it with a part-time Board of Supervisors, paid a part-time salary and utilizing full-time professional management to implement the board's policies.

We all benefit from improving the quality of life in Linn County. We must have jobs that pay a living wage. We can jump start this by having Linn County be an active financial partner in flood protection. Linn County should use its bonding capacity to keep this project moving forward. In addition to all the businesses and homes, Linn County has valuable assets - the courthouse, jail, Jean Oxley Public Service Center, Juvenile Justice Center and Sheriff's Office - that we must protect. Doing so now will save us money in the long run. This public investment will accelerate more private capital investment in the core of Linn County. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt, 'We all do better when we all do better.”

I would like to be your voice on the Board of Supervisors, and I need your vote. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

' Tom Podzimek is an Independent candidate for the Linn County Board of Supervisors, District 1. Comments: tpodzimek@gmail.com