There is no name opposite that of current District Two Carroll County Supervisor, Dean Schettler, on the Nov. 6 ballot. However, as the Democratic incumbent, he still wants voters to know more about the person behind the name printed there. Now seeking a second term in office, he says there was one surprising benefit from the past four years of service.
He adds he has no regrets over any of the decisions he has made and he still has a lot to offer the residents of the county. When he ran for the first time, his mission was to provide all the necessary services to the county and to do it in a fiscally responsible manner. He believes he has lived up to that promise. One of the major issues faced in the last two-and-a-half years and the last item on this ballot he says is an example of this. Schettler says the $8.95 million, 16,800 square-foot jail project has been fast-tracked. He says the need for a new facility is not in question at all, it is needed. However, he is just not sure the west side location is the most viable. Schettler has no concerns there would be a detrimental impact to the downtown businesses, nor that the aesthetics would ruin the streetscape. He is more concerned about the most effective use of taxpayer dollars.
Schettler says he has also done some research on his own about the project. He spoke with Delbert Longley, Iowa’s Chief Jail Inspector.
Longley also told him that there is a trend in many communities to place the jails in locations away from the courthouse, especially if the county owns land and other infrastructure pieces are in place. Schettler says the closing of the Warren County jail has come up frequently, but that was a very serious structural issue with the building. He has a hard time believing Longley would put the taxpayers in a position where it will cost them unnecessary money. He says it would take a serious issue to close the current jail. Schettler points out there are some great minds involved with this project, but he is not ready yet to move ahead.
As a candidate, Schettler asks only one thing of voters.
Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more from other local candidates in upcoming newscasts.
