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Meet Your Local Candidates: Tama County Supervisors District 1

Contested June 7 GOP Primary

Tiffany L. Feisel
Jim Niebergall
McWhirter
Curt Hilmer

The June 7 Primary in Tama County features several contested Republican races while the Democratic challengers in all races are running unopposed. Look for a subsequent questionnaire that includes all the candidates in the lead-up to the General Election on Nov. 8, 2022.

Due to limited space, some questions were omitted from the print version of the North Tama Telegraph.

Tama County Supervisors District 1 – vote for no more than one

Tiffany L. Feisel

Age: 46

Residence: South of Traer, rural

Profession: Medical assistant, server and bartender

Education: Medical Assistant, Nursing and Dental Assisting

Family: Tim husband of 24 years; son Clayton, daughter-in-law Megan, granddaughters Lauren and Elizabeth of Robins; daughter Carlee of Cedar Rapids; son Conway and significant other Payge of rural Traer; daughter Chloe of Cedar Falls

What motivated you to run for elected office? I was motivated to run for Tama County Supervisor District 1 because I have a DESIRE to improve Tama County as a whole. I have a DESIRE to improve Tama County government. I feel that county supervisors are vital to the success of the communities they serve.

What do you see as the primary roles and responsibilities for the position you are running for? As a supervisor it is my responsibility to make decisions on a variety of issues such as changes that need to be revised in the county’s ever changing Zoning and Ordinances. Supervisors decide the Tax Rate and approve the County Budget. As a Tama County Supervisor one needs to provide solid and well rounded direction to ALL County Departments. It is the Supervisors power to fill vacancies in the county and legislative offices and finally but not least oversee the Health, Roads, Parks, Libraries and Law Enforcement with in the county to make sure the County is functioning at the greatest potential.The County must stay current to the time and the challenges that are faced and make changes as needed not continue down the same beaten path. The old saying why change something if it is not broken? Why not change something and do business differently to make Tama County better to assure the MOST of the Tama County residents are benefitting from the functions of the county, not just a handful.

The continuing development of corporate-owned, industrial wind energy projects in Tama County has become a hot-button issue in just the last six weeks. What is your position & why regarding A) a possible wind energy moratorium being enacted in the county – temporary or otherwise, and B) property rights as it relates to industrial wind energy projects? I am in favor and vote YAY to both of the wind energy project moratoriums. I have researched and educated myself on wind energy being a “clean source of power,” turbines are available in a wide range of sizes and with improving technology are producing more electricity and require less maintenance, and run more quietly and safely. Consumers can take advantage of their own power to use and/or sell it to reap some profits. This all sounds good for consumers BUT is this GREAT for consumers? Is there true transparency with wind companies and governmental promotions to the people? Who is truly benefiting from Tama County’s wind resources? Not Tama County residents. I feel that, yes, wind energy is a growing industry however, there are still many technological immaturities. Wind farms in my vision are not the right fit for Tama County. I feel that only a small number of residents would financially benefit from the wind farms. Wind energy is a renewable greener option of energy, however, wind has disadvantages and limitations such as: the blades are dangerous to flying wildlife, wildlife that habitat on the ground can be affected by the noise pollution, NOISE this is why wind farms are found in rural areas (we are the targeted consumers). Wind energy falls short to the consistency of energy due to wind blowing at various speeds. Shadow flickers (shadows of the spinning blades) created by wind turbines. These flickers could have lasting health issues for people sensitive to light. Radar interference 911 and cell towers can be interrupted. The United States government has created “greener/cleaner” financial incentives to use renewable energy to preserve our environment. It is key to remember that wind turbines are “developing technology” and with that being said at this time the disadvantages of wind energy do not make sense for the betterment and longevity of Tama County. Wind farms don’t belong in our county. My motto for Tama County is for the betterment of most of the county, not some of the county. We as consumers are the only boss of our county, we can simply spend our money somewhere else.

What challenges do you see small, rural communities like yours facing today as compared to larger cities and suburbs? What do you plan to do to help meet those challenges as an elected official? Tama County’s rural location and geographic isolation brings many challenges that are not as visible in the larger cities and suburbs, some of the same challenges I would like to take on and face as a Supervisor of Tama County. I would like to improve and insure the people of Tama County adequate connectivity to healthcare, education, employment, economic opportunities and concentrate on the rural developments that are crucial sources to consumers such as agriculture, water and food. I would like to bring the small communities of Tama County and rural residents together to raise the standard of living and improve the way of life throughout ALL if Tama County

Why should people vote for you on June 7, 2022? I am the candidate with the small campaign sign. A small sign but a mighty mind. Please vote for Tiffany Louise Feisel. Focusing on ALL of Tama County. The actions of the Tama County Supervisors impact Tama County and all that it encompasses. Allow me to be the voice of diversity, let me lead, influence, inspire and motivate others in the county to assure Tama County is not just a good county but a great county with great identity, agriculture, historic character, scenic beauty and small town, small community values. Feisel: planning for the future, doing business differently. Feisel: not afraid to make a stand on proposals at odds with Tama County’s well-being as a whole. Feisel: Choosing to make Tama County great by choice not by chance.

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Jim Niebergall

Age: 56

Residence: Lakeview Drive, Buckingham

Profession: Retired John Deere engineer

Education: Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering – Missouri University of Science and Technology; 1984 graduate of Grandview High School (Grandview, MO)

Family: Wife Cathy, daughters Morgan and Molly, son Michael

What motivated you to run for elected office? I do not agree with the decisions made and the actions taken by liberal elected officials across the U.S. over the prior 18 months so I decided to get off the sofa and get involved in my community to provide a conservative option for Tama County Supervisor this fall.

What do you see as the primary roles and responsibilities for the position you are running for?

-Ensure responsible county fiscal management

-Ensure that the county infrastructure and services are maintained and improved where needed

-Work to address the concerns of county employees and residents

-Represent Tama county on multi-county boards

The continuing development of corporate-owned, industrial wind energy projects in Tama County has become a hot-button issue in just the last six weeks. What is your position & why regarding A) a possible wind energy moratorium being enacted in the county – temporary or otherwise, and B) property rights as it relates to industrial wind energy projects? I am not opposed to Commercial Wind Energy in Tama County. I support a temporary moratorium on approving new Wind Turbine Conditional Use Permits until the current Tama County Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance is fully reviewed and updated. The ordinance needs to be changed to ensure that the development of new Industrial Wind Turbine projects in the future is managed responsibly and balances the rights of all Tama County property owners while also protecting the next generation of Tama County residents from the high cost of decommissioning and disposing of commercial wind turbines once their useful life ends.

I believe a landowner has the right to sign a Wind Energy Easement to profit from their land but the adjacent property owner, that chooses not to sign a wind energy easement, has the right to not be overly harmed by their neighbor’s easement. An updated Wind Energy Ordinance should strive to achieve a balance in those competing rights.

What challenges do you see small, rural communities like yours facing today as compared to larger cities and suburbs? What do you plan to do to help meet those challenges as an elected official? A slowly declining county population which negatively impacts county tax revenue, local business income and school enrollment. I will work where I can to ensure that the county supports local businesses and communities in obtaining high-speed internet, maintaining quality roads and improving the quality of life by supporting the development of outdoor recreation sites such as ATV trails and Kayak access points to help attract families to the area.

Why should people vote for you on June 7, 2022? I will work hard to help solve county issues in a timely manner and make thoughtful and logical decisions for the county.

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Maurice McWhirter

Age: 67

Residence: Traer

Profession: Retired. Former lawyer/judge & Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Education: North Tama High School, Traer, IA; Harvard University (Bachelor’s degree; Economics), Cambridge, MA; University of Iowa Law School (Juris Doctorate), Iowa City, IA; Arizona State University (Bachelor of Nursing Science), Tempe, AZ

Family: Wife Tomomi. Two adult daughters.

What motivated you to run for elected office? Civic-mindedness is something my parents instilled in me early on. However, my life professions (Judge/Navy officer) discouraged/prohibited me from seeking elective office, until I retired. However, I started by undertaking a few other civic duties first. I became active in the local American Legion, providing military graveside services for deceased veterans (amongst various other community activities), and eventually became the Tama County Commander. The Republican Party and its activities also became a focus for me. In 2016, I was part of the Iowa delegation to the National Convention in Cleveland, where we nominated Donald Trump for President. Since then, I’ve become the Tama County Republican Party Chairman. I am active in my church. Now, I want to use the experience and qualifications I’ve accumulated over the years to help Tama County re: its activities and services, and make it a place where families can live, work and play without worry for generations to come. See my Facebook page “McWhirter for Supervisor” for further information.

What do you see as the primary roles and responsibilities for the position you are running for? As the elective head of Tama County, the Board of Supervisors deals primarily with the bureaucratic, budgetary, regulatory and administrative issues of Tama County. As a Supervisor, I would expect to be evaluating the information provided regarding such issues, and making voting decisions based upon it, with an eye towards maximizing the general welfare of County citizens in the process…a role very similar to what I did as a judge for over 20 years on the bench.

The continuing development of corporate-owned, industrial wind energy projects in Tama County has become a hot-button issue in just the last six weeks. What is your position & why regarding A) a possible wind energy moratorium being enacted in the county – temporary or otherwise, and B) property rights as it relates to industrial wind energy projects? Among other things, the USA was built upon the proposition that one has the right to engage in any activity on their own land that they want, as long as that activity does not pose a clear and present (or ongoing) danger to their neighbors or society in general that would demand that activity be insulated from the public, restricted, or prohibited outright. The current wind turbine issue is just such an issue, and can be addressed on several levels: Professionally, practically, and personally.

Professionally, I would expect to examine the information presented by those on either side of the issue, separate the allegations and anecdotes from the actual facts and peer-reviewed study results, weigh the pros & cons, and make a decision accordingly… and that should be the position and responsibility of any Supervisor.

Practically, this issue should be resolved by the current Board of Supervisors long before any candidate in this election takes a seat on the Board, thus making any candidate’s “opinion” on the matter moot at this point. Nonetheless, if this issue should be properly brought before the Board at some future date when I’m on it, I would be more than willing to reengage on the topic, including amending those actions (or lack of action) taken by previous Boards should the evidence presented dictate such action be taken. Keeping an open mind on issues is paramount. In any event, should a person’s vote for a candidate be based upon what that candidate believes regarding a single “hot-button issue”, or should it be based upon the candidate’s capabilities, experience and how they will comport themselves regarding the other myriad issues they will face in the future? I would argue the latter.

Personally, I wouldn’t place a wind turbine on my farm, based upon the information I have now. Everyone has their own reasons for placing/not placing one on their land. Mine is that I believe this method of low-density electrical generation for large populations is too environmentally intrusive for an agricultural locale such as Tama County. … [response continues online] Also, the turbines themselves will become “dinosaurs” in 30-40 years, as newer, more energy-dense and less environmentally intrusive technologies come forward. Ex: improved geothermal; liquid fuel thorium reactors (LFTR), etc. I would want someone to post a bond to ensure the concrete and gravel placed on my land were removed when the windmill was decommissioned…and no one is promising that. The whole issue strikes me as a repeat of why the Superfund was established to clean up chemical dumpsites years ago. One may be able to make a case that wind turbines are safe and needed now, but what about the future? Who cleans up the mess after the “need” and/or economic viability of wind turbines evaporates?

What challenges do you see small, rural communities like yours facing today as compared to larger cities and suburbs? What do you plan to do to help meet those challenges as an elected official? As our county moves into the 21st Century, it will take all of us to promote growth and development, to secure jobs and education opportunities, and to think ahead to solve problems here on our own doorstep. As a Registered Nurse, I’m acutely aware of how ensuring adequate medical care is available in rural areas will be a challenge not faced by Iowa urban areas. I will take steps to ensure the funds the County has available to face that challenge are efficiently utilized. Growth and attracting jobs and small industry to the county is always a way to solve fiscal problems, but shouldn’t be done at the expense of the way of life we have built in Tama County. As always, these challenges and issues are a balancing act, and shouldn’t be dealt with in a “knee-jerk reaction” manner, or in the heat of the moment.

Why should people vote for you on June 7, 2022? My great-great-grandfather (James McWhirter) is buried in Grant Township (Amity Church) Cemetery. Another (Jefferson Morrison) founded the town of Morrison. I am a 5th generation Tama County native and not an “outsider.” The experience and qualifications I’ve accumulated over the years make me uniquely suited to be a Supervisor. I have always been a quick study and have no agenda. I have experience in municipal finance, government contracts, state agency regulatory actions, law enforcement, civil engineering, construction, and public healthcare as a result of my having been a tax-exempt bond attorney, judge, Navy Captain, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Agent, and Registered Nurse. It is my hope to use my knowledge and experience to serve the people of Tama County and make it the best home and the best County it can be. … [response continues online]

As for some of the concerns many people have expressed to me about the other candidates in this primary, I can only say this:

1. I am not a RINO. I didn’t suddenly declare myself a Republican simply because the position and filing period for 1st District Supervisor came open. I have been an ACTIVE Republican for decades. The Trump/Reynolds/Grassley/Ernst/Hinson campaign signs you saw around Tama County in years past were obtained and often placed by me;

2. I am not already employed by Tama County;

3. I actually attend the meetings of the governing boards of the organizations to which I’m appointed/elected; and

4. Although many Tama County residents understandably work or have worked outside Tama County, I will not treat it as a “gated bedroom community” where I simply rest my head at night, will ACTIVELY engage in its communities, and will do my utmost to keep its best interests at heart.

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Curt Hilmer

Age: 57

Residence: Dysart

Profession: Tama County Road Dept.

Education: Dysart-Geneseo High School, attended Kirkwood Community College and Wartburg College

Family: Wife (Kristi), daughters Kelsi (Steven) Stoner, Raini (Ben) Chapman, daughter Jaimi and son Brady

What motivated you to run for elected office? I would like to be involved with the improvement of county road management and county budget and spending.

What do you see as the primary roles and responsibilities for the position you are running for? I intend to move the county and its citizens forward in a positive direction by promoting the support of local Tama County businesses. I also look forward to making changes that will limit wind energy expansion.

The continuing development of corporate-owned, industrial wind energy projects in Tama County has become a hot-button issue in just the last six weeks. What is your position & why regarding A) a possible wind energy moratorium being enacted in the county – temporary or otherwise, and B) property rights as it relates to industrial wind energy projects? Although I intend to support economic county gain, I am not in support of the wind energy expansion in Tama County. Rather, I will focus on bringing in economic development that will bring resources that will benefit our residents and can be used locally.

What challenges do you see small, rural communities like yours facing today as compared to larger cities and suburbs? Budgets that affect how to keep utilities, fire and rescue, EMT, and streets and roads in the best possible condition. All of these will affect positive community growth.

Why should people vote for you on June 7, 2022? Having 25 yrs of experience with the Tama County Road Dept. is the number one qualification that makes me the person for this position. I am familiar with county policy and procedures and already have awareness of areas of spending waste and where improvement can be made. I am passionate about what I believe in and am not afraid to dig my heels in for the residents of Tama County. I look forward to working together with each entity in the county to obtain grants and finances to make them run efficiently and effectively. I would also like to see our residents communicate with us on any matters to help everyone feel heard as taxpayers.