Welcome to my website and thank you for taking a look at my values and my approach to government service.

As young person in grade school I took an early interest in government.  I enjoyed learning the history of this country.  I followed current events on television and served in student government. 

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I was elected to the village board of my small town in Illinois at the age of 26 where I grew up on a corn and soybean farm and I assumed that farming operation in the same year.  In Illinois we have township government and I ran for the assessor position in the fall of 1989 and assumed office on January 1, 1990.  I was elected to that position 3 more times for 4 year terms.  The records that I assumed were last updated in 1957, so it was time to get better records and more uniform values.  What  assessors first learn, is that all property should be valued fairly and uniformly.  I believe that same approach works well in any government office.  Treat each resident in a fair manner and use a standard uniform approach when implementing statutes and policy.  I believe that a person who gives respect to others, then gets respect back.

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I became a county department head in Illinois when I was elected by the county board as the Chief County Assessment Official (same as Director of Equalization in South Dakota).   There, I  instituted the first assessment website so that our residents could view  their values anywhere and anytime.  I believe government functions need to be as accessible as possible.  Providing our residents with knowledge will empower them to become more involved in government. 

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I feel that I possess the life skills and knowledge needed to work with the residents of Minnehaha County as their Auditor.  I also know how important it is for the three county offices, the Director of Equalization, the Treasurer and the Auditor to properly handle the annual tax bill process.  Collaboration in that process knows no party affiliation.  

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The financial duties of the Auditor are very important and require great attention to detail.  The election aspects of this position require continued public outreach to encourage voter registration and election participation.  Vote counting and canvassing must be carried out with the utmost integrity.

 

 I want to earn your support.  Thanks!