WILLMAR -- Questions about the water quality of area lakes and residential development that's occurring around those lakes were addressed Thursday night by the candidates running for the Kandiyohi County District 5 commissioner seat.
Harlan Madsen, who has served on the County Board for 12 years, is being challenged by Andrew Lindquist to represent the district, which includes the towns of Atwater, Blomkest, Kandiyohi, Lake Lillian, Prinsburg, Raymond and 11 townships in the southern half of Kandiyohi County.
Madsen, 57, is a dairy farmer from Lake Lillian. Lindquist, 31, is a construction manager for Marcus Construction. Madsen said he is "passionate" about the people of the district and strives to "seek solutions that are fair and just" by finding common-ground to issues.
Madsen cited his experience as one reason why he's prepared to continue serving on the board. Besides serving on the County Board since 1994, Madsen listed a string of other local and statewide committees he's served on.
Lindquist, who is a newcomer to politics, said the County Board has lost some of its ability to listen to citizens and that he would "restore confidence" in the board by listening to people and avoiding "even the appearance of a conflict of interest."
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Lindquist said that "change is good and now is the time for change in leadership."
Most of the questions for the debate, which was sponsored by the Willmar Area League of Women Voters and Heartland Community Action Agency, were called in by voters.
Although the southern part of Kandiyohi County has far fewer lakes than the northern half, what to do with the lakes in the Fifth District was a recurring theme by the callers.
The water quality of Diamond Lake, whether the Green Lake Sanitary Sewer and Water District system should be put around Diamond Lake, whether the aeration system should be turned on or off on Lake Wakanda and if lakes were overdeveloped were some of the questions the candidates addressed.
Both Madsen and Lindquist said it's difficult to find one right answer for how to deal with all lakes but agreed that common ground should be sought between people who want lakes for fishing or hunting waterfowl, or think lakes should have a lot of houses or none.
"There's no yes-or-no answer" to the question of whether area lakes are being overdeveloped, Madsen said. "It depends on whose ox is being gored."
Lindquist said there needs to be a "balance" between people's rights to develop land for residential, agricultural or industrial purposes and the need to practice good land stewardship and preserve resources for the future. He said planning and zoning decisions need to include "common sense" along with the zoning ordinances and that decisions the board makes about lakes should be based on "what's good for the lake."
Madsen's experience and knowledge of county issues was evident as he responded in depth to some questions, like whether the county should explore expanding the jail as part of a state chemical dependency program for inmates. If such a plan is pursued, Madsen said he'd like to see a 10- or 20-year contract with the state to ensure that county taxpayers would be financially protected in such a venture.
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Lindquist said he would be willing to listen to such a proposal for a state partnership.
When asked to list the top three issues of concern for the county, Lindquist said the county board needs to "stay diligent" in areas of public safety, crime and drugs; create a balance in land development; and ensure Kandiyohi County is an affordable place to live.
Madsen said the top issues may vary from day-to-day and include the economic development and growth of agriculture; the reduction of state and federal funding and the need to preserve the welfare of children during an era of reduced federal funding and increased incidents of abuse and neglect.
