Candidates vying for vacant seat on the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors

(Editor’s note: The Herald received much of the information for the candidate interviews printed below from Jeremy Troendle, editor of the Standard in Waukon. The sharing of information is most appreciated)

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors has one seat up for grabs in the November General Election as Dennis Koenig of Postville has chosen not to seek reelection. Currently, Mike Monroe and Mark Reiser are vying for the position on the Republican ticket and Jack Knight and Andy Kelleher are on the Democratic ticket.

Printed below is information about each of the candidates who will appear on their respective ballots in the June 2 Primary Election.

Mike Monroe

Mike Monroe, who is a candidate for the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors, is a graduate of Lansing Kee High School. He and his wife, Suzanne, have three children and have farmed in the Lansing and Postville areas. The Monroes, who have been married for 46 years, have property in Lansing, Ludlow, and Post Townships.

He said, “Along with my family, we have owned and operated Monroe Auction Services for 21 years. I have served on the Allamakee County Pork Producers, Extension Council and the Fair Board. I am a member of the Iowa and Wisconsin Auctioneer Associations. I am also a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Postville.

Monroe said he sees working toward the continued growth of the county as the ultimate responsibility of the Board of Supervisors to the citizens of Allamakee County. Working toward that goal in both rural and urban (large and small areas) while being fiscally responsible and using common sense. He said, “I believe as a candidate, I bring common sense, along with the ability to work with people and manage day to day business.”

Mark Reiser

Mark Reiser was born and raised in Allamakee County and is a graduate of Waukon High School. He and his wife, Nancy have four adult daughters. Always active in community functions, the Reisers were dairy farmers for 31 years and they currently have a beef and crop farming operation. He said, “Allamakee County is our home and always will be.”

When asked about the responsibilities of the County Board of Supervisors, Reiser said, “A county supervisor is responsible to listening to the community members’ wants, needs and ideas before making decisions that affect them. It is also the Supervisor’s responsibility to help oversee and guide County Departments. For the last 40 years, I have been a responsible business owner and operator. This has provided me with experiences where I have been fiscally responsible during tough times.

Reiser said that if elected his priority will be to not overspend the currently available tax dollars. This would be done, he said, by prioritizing what needs to be done at this time versus what can be delayed to a later time when the funding is available. He added that maintaining the county’s secondary roads and bridges is another priority needed to keep our communities strong.

Andy Kelleher

Andy Kelleher has lived in New Albin since 1999. A graduate of Eastern Allamakee Community School District, Kelleher was the co-valedictorian of his senior class. His mother is a former employee of Kee High School and is currently the postmaster in New Albin. She also helps run Frawley’s Saw Shop and Variety Store. Kelleher’s grandfather grew up in Lansing and there are still many family members in the area.

Kelleher is currently the Executive Director of Main Street Lansing. He said, “I promote economic development, historic preservation, and tourism in Lansing. Lansing is such a community-minded town, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the people who live there. It has been an honor to serve one of the communities that helped raise me.”

Before working at Main Street Lansing, he was involved in Christian ministry work. He has served on the leadership team at Village Creek Bible Camp and helped develop new churches and college ministries across the nation. He said, “I am still actively involved in ministry work, serving as the leader of the middle and high school youth program for Christ Community Evangelical Free Church in New Albin.”

Jack Knight

Jack Knight, who was born and raised in Postville, graduated from Postville High School in 1971 and the University of Northern Iowa in 1975. The son of Roy and Elaine Knight, Jack notes that he was deeply influenced by his father’s ethical work with the Farmer’s Cooperative and his mother’s community service. He was raised with two siblings, Janice and Noel and was brought up in the Community Presbyterian Church, which played a large part in shaping his values. Knight also has three grown daughters.

While discussing the responsibilities of the County Board of Supervisors, Knight said, “There are several basic responsibilities of a Supervisor and among them are ensuring the County receives all the State and Federal funding it is eligible for and overseeing that it is spent correctly.” He also mentioned retaining the best employees, department heads and board members, as well as, balancing the needs of all citizens of the county.

Knight noted that Allamakee County has been well-governed for many decades. He said, “I have no particular or personal agenda that I am promoting. I have an excellent resume of experience serving on county and regional boards in conservation and economic development. That is what I am running on, my resume, my desire to serve, and the chance to help leave Allamakee County in better shape for future generations.”

Read the full article in the May 28 edition of the Postville Herald.