Forum Candidates Respond To Issues

Incumbent Dan Schmidtke and challenger Richard Koons answered questions Thursday about their campaigns for the District 4 Commissioner seat on the Martin County Board.

Topics at a forum at City Hall in Fairmont included a proposed $40 million county justice center.

DAN SCHMIDTKE SAID THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN THERE FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS AND IS PROBABLY 3-5 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

RICHARD KOONS ADDED THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE LONG AGO BUT STATE FUNDING HELP IS NEEDED BEFORE IT CAN PROCEED.

The Martin County Library in Fairmont CAME UNDER DISCUSSION AFTER REMOVAL OF BENCHES IN the FRONT FOR SAFETY REASONS WITHOUT APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD. BOTH CANDIDATES WERE DISMAYED BY THAT.

CONTRIBUTING FUNDS FOR THE A PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTER IN FAIRMONT, LONG RANGE PLANS AND PRIORITIES AND PROVIDING RESOURCE OFFICERS FOR COUNTY SCHOOLS WERE ALSO PART OF THE DISCUSSION.