Voter Guide: Soil and Water Supervisor, District 4

Kim Samuelson (incumbent)

Background

I have been an SWCD board supervisor for much of the past eight years. I also spent many years working with other organizations that emphasize natural resources. This experience and knowledge has helped me understand the importance of conserving and protecting the natural resources of our communities, state, and country.

What made you decide to run for the Soil and Water Conservation District?

I do all I can to help protect and conserve our beautiful natural resources and also work to help others, including children, learn and do their best. I strongly desire to help get SWCD conservation tools into everyone's hands. Together, we CAN make a difference!

What do you think is the biggest issue for the SWCD and how would you like to see it addressed?

It is important for the Carlton SWCD to continue to not only help people, but also educate and teach them how to take that knowledge and apply it to other resource situations. SWCD staff have a vast array of skills, knowledge, experience, and great ideas, as well as a great infrastructure to help staff use creativity and resources in projects. However, they need all of us to work together to reach all Carlton County people.

If each of us learns how to protect and conserve our natural resources, we will all enjoy a richer heritage.

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Dan Reed

Background

I was born and raised in Carlton County. BS from UMD with majors of English and History; Barnum school board member; local business owner; Automba Township board member; civic activist for western Carlton County; published historian; ML Area Historical Society member and researcher.

What made you decide to run for the Soil and Water Conservation District?

We are on the edge of a new recommitment by all levels of government to ensure clean water and air and be good stewards of our land. More funding is needed and I hope to work for more money in this area.

What do you think is the biggest issue for the SWCD and how would you like to see it resolved?

As a township supervisor I have worked with the SWCD for wetland permitting and found them a very capable staff. They patiently walk local officials step-by-step through the process of permitting where everything is done online. Continued funding is the key to help support this effort and new funding would open doors to help improve their services and provide financial support to those members of the public that want to do no harm to the environment. I would like to help improve the funding stream.