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Candidates
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Pierce Co. treasurer race draws four candidates A primary election will be held Sept. 12 to select the Republican candidate for Pierce County treasurer. Three Republicans and a Democrat are running for the position now held by Lee Skog, who is not seeking re-election. The Republican candidates are Gordon Borner, Beldenville; Tami Langer, Ellsworth; and Faye Owen, Maiden Rock. The Democratic candidate is Paula Knutson, Beldenville. Printed below are the four candidates’ responses to a series of questions.
Gordon L. Borner Family: Wife Juliann Borner; children: Rhett, 24, Andrew, 21, and Coral, 15 Educational background: 1968 graduate of Park High, Cottage Grove, Minn.; 1972 graduate of University of Minnesota, animal science major; 2003 real estate broker license from Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing; 2005 real estate sales license from Minnesota Department of Commerce Professional background: 2003 to present -- licensed Realtor in Wisconsin and Minnesota; 1998 to 2003 -- parts and service counterperson at Ellsworth (Berg) Ford; 1978 to 1999 -- owned and operated a Registered Holstein dairy farm in town of El Paso Organization memberships: Zion Covenant Church of Ellsworth, past chairman; Pierce County Farm Bureau, past chairman Previous elected office: None What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term? While the treasurer’s office is overseen by the county Finance Committee, the treasurer’s office needs to maintain its non-partisan integrity. My experience and training in real estate, serving in leadership positions and working with people to solve their concerns will help me in serving Pierce County. The current staff will be an invaluable source in running the office. From budget constraints to confidentiality, Pierce County residents expect sensible leadership. That leadership also extends to being able to work with those who are delinquent in property taxes. The treasurer can be a source of educating the property owner to keep current, which helps maintain their credit and clear title on their property.
Tami Langer Family: Husband Denny, married 24 years; children: Cole, 21, and Renae, 20 Educational background: Graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1981; completed many WBA courses Professional background: 25 years of banking and finance experience; currently assistant vice president/branch manager at M&I Bank Ellsworth branch, works with real estate loans that require knowledge of legal descriptions and verifying tax information Organization memberships: Board member Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce; member of the Ellsworth Lions Club, treasurer for two years, secretary for one year; Pierce County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term? My goals if elected as Pierce County treasurer will be to continue to maintain quality customer service to the residents of Pierce County. I will focus on achieving maximum return on the county’s investments and the collection of the delinquent taxes. My knowledge and qualifications are something I am proud of and would like to share with Pierce County.
Faye K. Owen Family: Husband Don, 5th grade teacher at Prairie View, Ellsworth Schools; daughters Sara and Molly, son-in-law Matthew, two grandchildren Educational background: St. Paul Park High graduate; Bethel College, Bachelor of Arts degree; post-graduate work at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus Professional background: Maiden Rock town clerk/treasurer, 10 years; part time courthouse employee in treasurer, county clerk, and Land Management offices; register of deeds office, five years; AFSCME Local 556 treasurer Organization memberships: AFSCME Local 556, Pierce County Republican Party Previous elected office: Town of Maiden Rock clerk/treasurer, 1989-1999 What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?
Reducing the $1.3 million in uncollected taxes must be a priority.
Paula J. (Schaller) Knutson Family: Husband Jim; children: Eryka, 4, and Jasper, 2 Education: Spring Valley High School graduate; bachelor’s degree, UW-Eau Claire, accounting major (magna cum laude) Professional background: CPA (Minnesota); financial accountant, three years; tax accountant, six years; paralegal, two years Organizations memberships: Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants Previous elected office: None What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term? The goals of my term would be to perform the duties of the treasurer’s office as efficiently as possible to keep in line with the county budget. |
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