Oct. 20—BEMIDJI — District 3 will have a new commissioner after the November general election, as Richard Anderson, the district’s current commissioner, has not filed for re-election.
Newcomers Kari Howe and Scott Winger are on the ballot as the two District 3 candidates for the Beltrami County Board.
Kari Howe, 66, retired four years ago after working for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for more than two decades. She served in many roles in that position, with the primary goal of helping business and industry grow and expand.
Howe and her husband were also small business owners. They have operated Dunn Brothers Coffee for 18 years, have lived in Bemidji Township since 1995 and in Beltrami County since 1978.
Now she wants to return to her role as a public servant, this time for Beltrami County.
“I think some of the biggest (county) needs are mental health, public safety and safe roads,” Howe said. “The province is working to address these issues and I would like to do my part by participating in creative solutions.”
Howe supports strong local programs – including those specifically related to mental health – as key to improving public safety.
“I also support any programs that address the challenge of recidivism and helping people return to the community from prison as successful citizens who contribute positively to our neighborhoods,” Howe said.
Thanks in large part to the limited taxable land in Beltrami County, Howe believes budget issues are also a top priority.
“It is important to me, if elected, to work to manage the balance between taxes and spending to meet the needs of the county’s residents,” Howe said. “My husband and I have also been small business owners for eighteen years, so I understand what it takes to have a budget and work to stay within it, while also understanding to expect the unexpected.”
Scott Winger was born and raised in the Bemidji area, graduated from Bemidji High School and has worked in various career fields over his 62 years, including more than 21 years with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.
He has worked as a mechanic and is currently an area manager for a non-emergency medical transportation company. He is also an instructor for Minnesota’s Specialized Transportation Services and owner/CEO of Professional Hypnosis Services LLC.
Winger previously ran against Richard Anderson for Beltrami County Commissioner thirteen years ago. Although he lost that race, Winger says he has always thought about competing for the position again and Anderson’s recent retirement has inspired him to give it another try.
“I have always cared deeply about Beltrami County and have done what I could to make it a better place by volunteering for many youth activities and working at the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office,” Winger said.
Winger believes taxes, public safety and roads are all top issues facing the county.
He believes that reducing the tax increase can be achieved by cutting spending, seeking more help from the state and federal government and working to grow the industry, which “may include incentives for businesses to to move to our area’.
Winger aims to improve public safety by supporting law enforcement agencies and fire departments across the province, particularly promoting volunteer organizations to provide assistance.
To improve provincial infrastructure, Winger suggests pushing for more funding and aid.
“I feel like too much of our money is going to the roads in the metro area and we have to fight hard to get their money into our community for our public safety and tourism,” Winger said.
