To the Editor,
I encourage the citizens of Fillmore County to reject the idea that our County Auditor/Treasurer and County Recorder should be appointed by a small group of people. We need to keep these offices elected, local and independent. We must maintain their independent and elected status so that they can continue to be a check and balance to poor decisions that may be made by other officials and so that they can protect the interests of the people of this county. They also need the authority and independence of an elected official to make common sense decisions. They will lose that independence, authority, and responsibility if they are appointed. They will not be required to live in the county if they are appointed. If appointed, they will not be able to stand up and oppose poor budget decisions or bad choices since they will be afraid of losing their job. If they are appointed, the citizens of this county lose their voice and won’t be able to re-evaluate their performance every four years at the ballot box. We have been well served by David Kiehne, our current Recorder and by Shirl Boelter when she was Auditor/Treasurer. It is important that our elected Auditor/Treasurer and Recorder continue to be selected by the people and not simply be a bureaucrat. Vote for an elected Recorder and Auditor/Treasurer who will protect our interests, remain independent, have authority to make difficult decisions, and live locally.
Doug Baker
Lanesboro, MN