Five township residents are running for two supervisor seats.

 

Incumbent Bill Langenbacher is the only candidate currently on the board. Supervisor Dan Mol decided not to run again this year, so his seat is up for election.

 

Here is some information provided by each candidate in their own words.

 

 

I am currently a Clearwater Township Supervisor, appointed to fill a vacancy in Oct., 2015. Before moving to Clearwater Township, I lived in neighboring Silver Creek Township where I served as a supervisor and planning and zoning board member. I am a retired project manager and facility designer for a Minneapolis based engineering firm. 

 

I have extensive experience working with building code officials and various other state and local government agencies. I have experience working with township personnel management and payroll/ benefits packages as well as township fiscal management, setting and maintaining annual operating budgets and road and equipment budgets. 

 

I have attended numerous educational, training and legal seminars specifically designed for township supervisors. While in Silver Creek, I was instrumental in establishing a mutual aid agreement with Clearwater Township which is still in place. I am a certified member of the Minnesota Revenue Board of Appeal and Equalization. 

 

Also, I hope to refine current and future road maintenance policies and establish both a long-term road maintenance plan and a long-term equipment replacement plan. I would like to maintain the mutual aid agreement with Silver Creek Township and propose discussions with Corinna Township to establish a similar agreement.

 

Finally, I propose working with state and county officials to gain township control of speed limits on our local roads.

 

I have lived in Clearwater Township for 21 years, where I own a home with my partner Chuck Derry. Together we operate the Gender Violence Institute. Previous employment includes serving as a legislative/public policy coordinator at the Legislature for the MN domestic violence coalition.

 

My public service includes serving as a Clearwater Township supervisor from 2003 -2008 and as a Wright County Commissioner from 2008-2012.  I have also been appointed to over 20 organizations, including the following planning boards -  Northwest Quadrant, Clearwater City / Township, and Bertram Lake;  and the following advisory/ governing boards - Wright Community Action, Wright County EMS; Wright County Water Management, Wright County Public Health, Area Agency on Aging, and the Clearwater River Watershed District. 

 

Planning for future growth, including addressing annexation issues; Expanding high speed internet access to all residents; Protecting our lakes and water from invasive species and contamination;

Improving roads without imposing one-size-fits-all solutions; Managing dog kennels, speed limits, and other activities that can infringe on health and safety; Setting priorities for budgets and expenditures.

 

To address these issues, I would work to increase board effectiveness by implementing protocols and activities through social media, surveys, newsletters and in-person events to:

 

Provide greater access for residents to provide ideas, concerns, and other input to help set priorities, budgets, expenditures, etc.

 

Expand knowledge about issues by scheduling speakers at monthly meetings or special workshops for the board and public to assure fully vetted, informed decisions;

 

Strengthen partnerships with county, city and other township governments to clarify roles, improve communication, planning, decision- making, and accountability systems to effectively address and monitor issues of joint concern.

 

I have lived in Clearwater Township for 15 years and have great pride in this community.  I am an active member and on the board of the Fish Lake Property Owners Association.  I have coordinated several projects to help clean and protect Fish Lake so everyone in the area can use and enjoy the lake.  I work in St. Cloud for BlackHawk Industrial as a Regional Customer Service Manager.  I belong to Rejoice Lutheran Church where I make baptismal quilts and participate in church serving activities.  I have also taught Sunday school and conformation in the past.  I have 2 adult sons and a daughter-in-law that now live in the Twin Cities. 

 

I am running for Township supervisor so that I can represent the people of the township, by listening to their concerns.  I will use township resources that will benefit the majority of township residents not just a few.  Control tax increases by correctly budgeting for township expenditures.  I will maintain the existing long term equipment replacement plan.   I feel I bring a fresh and new way of looking at the issues and how to resolving them.

 

I am running for Clearwater Township Board Supervisor. My wife and I have lived in the township for over 28 years. 

 

I was an industrial arts teacher in local school districts as well as a local business owner. I am currently retired and have the time to devote to the needs of our township. Having worked in education and small business, I possess the people skills to work well with township employees and residents.  

 

I will be a new voice on the Clearwater Township Board.  If you have questions, contact me at 320-558-2506 or email me at spragdcd@frontiernet.net.

 

I would appreciate your vote on November 8th.

 

I have lived in Clearwater Twp. for over 33 years, so I know the issues this township and its taxpayers face.

 

I serve on the Clearwater Orderly Annexation Area Joint Planning Board and I am the president of the Fish Lake Property Owners Association, causing me to deal directly with both county and state government agencies.

 

I have worked with Wright Co. Soil & Water and the University of Minnesota on a pilot program to study zebra mussels in 10 Central Minnesota lakes.

 

I retired after 33 years from the insurance industry and I currently work for Keystone Automotive Industry in St. Cloud.

 

I know that not everything residents want can be done, but at least they can be heard and discussed and have their ideas considered.

 

We need to maintain the township’s roads, and I would like to see more projects like the chip sealing that was done this past year.

 

In a day when healthcare costs are skyrocketing and taxes are continually rising, we at the local level need to rein in spending while performing the necessary tasks and maintenance.

 

I believe in and support open meeting laws so that all township residents at our township meetings will have the same information that the supervisors have, so they will be well informed.

 

I would like to give back to the community and make this a better township with a common sense approach.

 

I am asking for your vote on Nov. 8. I will listen to the residents of Clearwater Twp.

 

Together, we can make change happen.