Oct 05, 2008 - 04:05:20 CDT
A roster of six candidates awaits voters at the polls in the Morton County Commission race.Ron Balkowitsch is a retired full-time National Guardsman . There, he was an intelligence analyst with the drug task force.
Mark Bitz is just finishing his first four-year term on the board. He runs a convenience store in north Mandan and runs a property management company.
Incumbent Matt Erhardt is a substitute teacher for the Bismarck School District.
Bruce Strinden works full-time for Newman signs and he ranches.
Incumbent Dick Tokach is a lifelong resident of Morton County. He is completing his second term on the Morton commission and was a two-term legislator for the former District 35.
Susan Beehler is a test administrator and sells Avon products. She previously was a postal carrier and a delivery person.
Each candidate was asked if a large feedlot should be allowed north of Crown Butte Dam, whether salaries for Morton County commissioners are too high and what should be included in the county's comprehensive plan.
q q q
If the health department determines that a feedlot north of Crown Butte Dam meets safety standards, should the county allow the project to proceed?
"The people out in Crown Butte probably have a good point, but this feedlot has got to go somewhere. ... The only thing this feedlot can do is bring more business into Morton County. (Fred) Berger's feedlot is going to generate more revenue for the county," said Balkowitsch.
Bitz said the county's regulations have been for setbacks. "If the state health department approves the application, I see no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to proceed," he said. "I feel a larger feed operation is probably safer than a small one because they have so many strict guidelines."
"I am not against feedlots," Erhardt said. "With all these different chemicals in the water due to spray, it concerns me."
Erhardt said the feedlot would have received his vote if it weren't located over an aquifer.
'The reason I voted no for the feed lot is because a certain amount of that waste will seep into the ground. ... That will be a health problem for a lot of farmers and a lot of people," he explained.
"If all their rules are met, there are no reasons for this feed lot not to proceed. It is economic development for the county," said Strinden.
"We decided to follow the guidelines of the model feedlot ordinance. ...It was formulated by some people across the state in 2003," said Tokach.
"It meets the criteria as far as the setback, distance between a residence - at least a mile away."
"I think it's a moot question because they already decided to let it go ahead," Beehler said.
She did say the county needs an ordinance that would require a feed lot to go through a preliminary planning, not just an application. 'That way, the people in the county have the assurance the health department has done their work," Beehler said.
q q q
Are Morton County Commission salaries and benefits appropriate compared to the level of work done and to what other county commission boards earn?
"My feeling it is actually more money than a commissioner should be making," Balkowitsch said. "There are people working 40 hours a week who are making just a little more than that."
Bitz noted that Morton County commissioners are not the highest paid or the highest compensated in pay or benefits. "But we are on the high side," he said. "I don't think it needs to be that high. It's a civil servant position. It's going to happen that there has to be some sacrifices made.
I've devoted a lot of time. I'm not short-changing the people of Mandan and time spent when they have questions and meeting them," Erhardt said.
He estimates he spends 20 hours a week on his commission-related duties and more time interacting with the public.
"I am a servant of the county. I appreciate what the county has done for me. I feel I work hard for what wages I get. Whatever the public demands, I serve. We haven't taken a pay raise in three years," said Erhardt.
Strinden said three commissioners are making more than $24,000. "I feel that is too much," he said "This is still public service. It was never designed to be somebody's retirement income, retirement job or full-time job. It is a public service job."
Tokach said the Morton County Commission is rated third or fourth for compensation.
"For the last three years, I have made the motion to freeze the salary," he said. "Some other commissions get health care which is not included in their wages. ... They are being compensated quite a bit more than we are."
Beehler said the commission post is not a full-time position. "They only meet two, three times per month. It comes to $500 per meeting," Beehler said. "It's not appropriate compared to what the general population earns. ... I think along the lines of $1,100 would be more appropriate."
q q q
What important issues should be addressed in the Morton County Comprehensive Plan?
(A comprehensive plan helps a county plan how it will expand in infrastructure, transportation, in housing, commercial development, in agricultural and zoning in the future).
"There needs to be some limitations to the out-migration into the county," said Balkowitsch. "As far as subdivisions, there needs to be regulations and rules enforced. ... The thing with the county road department, they are pretty well tapped out."
Bitz said the commission is trying to work on orderly growth near the city. He argued that would place less strain on the county services that would have to be provided.
"The biggest thing is, I do not want rural development infringing on agriculture. I think the ag areas need to protected," he said.
Erhardt said he has been working on a comprehensive plan for 10 years.
Erhardt cautioned the comprehensive plan should look carefully at subdivisions, but look at the quality of life for people in the rural area. He said the roads and services should not prove too costly to the county.
"We can't afford to be building all these subdivisions spread out for such a period," he said.
Strinden said the comprehensive plan is particularly important because Mandan is growing.
"There is a demand for citizens to move out into the outlying areas of Mandan into the rural areas," Strinden said. "It's very important that the land use plans address the harmonious blending of agriculture and residential. ... It will give the county a road map for future growth."
Tokach said orderly development is key. "We have to consider with development, what the cost of the development to the county will be so it doesn't burden the taxpayers. "There is always a problem with extra-territorial land. At the present time, Mandan has a two-mile extra-territorial area, but the people within that area have no say as far as who governing them. Also, the county has to maintain those roads," Tokach said.
"We'd like to at least have the road superintendent sign off on the subdivision roads."
Beehler said she favors property rights. "I am for the proposed legislation on the state level that will put the extra-territorial rights back with the people who live in the area. ... To me, a comprehensive plan is more like a guideline," she said.
"There are different needs and wants from the city perspective and the county perspective."
(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com)
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.