Meet the Candidates: Clayton County Board of Supervisors Republican Primary

Iowa’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 7. At the local level, only the Republican primary for the Clayton County Board of Supervisors is contested, as three candidates vie for two spots on the November general election ballot. Supervisor Sharon Keehner has chosen not to seek re-election, but fellow supervisor Steve Doeppke is vying for another term. He is joined in the primary by newcomers Adam Meyer and Doug Reimer. The candidates recently shared their thoughts on key issues with Times-Register reporter Willis Patenaude. Polling places will open at 7 a.m. on June 7 and close at 8 p.m. For more information on primary election candidates and local polling places, please visit elections.claytoncountyia.gov/.

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Steve Doeppke

Steve Doeppke has lived in the Elkader area his whole life and graduated from Central Community School. He has been married to his wife, Janita, for 49 years and they have three sons: William, Grant and Shane. Doeppke worked for the IDOT for 42 years and was a reserve officer for Elkader for 25 years. Volunteering is important to him, and he has served 25 years as a volunteer fireman and two years on his church council. Doeppke retired in 2016 and decided to run for supervisor in 2018, and is now running for re-election in 2022.

Q: Why are you running for re-election as county supervisor? 

A: I am running for re-election to continue to serve the county. I want to continue to share my experience and work toward efforts to balance the county budget. Continued efforts to improve the county infrastructure remains a priority for me. My experience in road maintenance, bridges and overlays serves me to run again. I am motivated to run because I’ve worked on my county issues and have more to do yet. 

Q: What is the platform you are running on?

A: During my term, I have been involved in many things. Some of the projects are supporting the reconstruction of the clock tower on the courthouse, resurfacing Littleport and Gunder Road and, currently, in the process of contracting a building for the emergency management. 

Q: What is your long-term vision for Clayton County?

A: If re-elected, I have many goals that I would like to achieve. My priorities include improving our infrastructure, roads and bridges. I would like to see our signs and 911 updated so they are standardized. I will also pay attention to the mental health issues and needs, especially for the veterans. The county budget is a very important and a large part of my vision. We need to stop wasteful spending and utilize county resources the best we can. But, most importantly, I will continue to listen to county taxpayers’ questions and concerns and be responsive.

Q: What are your ideas for attracting and keeping young people in Clayton County? 

A: It is important to keep out youth in our county by promoting new job opportunities with good wages. We need to have housing available to attract young families. We need to work with existing businesses to expand and provide employment opportunities through apprenticeships and on the job training programs. Clayton County is a great place to work, live and enjoy the beautiful recreational activities provided by our natural surroundings. 

Q: How would you promote economic development and job creation?

A: We should encourage businesses and manufacturing companies to consider Clayton County for development through incentives and tax breaks. This would bring new jobs and tax dollars, while creating jobs is a priority to keep people in the county. 

Q: Natural resources are important in Clayton County, not only for agriculture and tourism but overall quality of life. How will you work to preserve them? 

A: Our water, air and soil are all important natural resources, and I will work to make sure they are always monitored closely. Environmental concerns should be addressed accordingly. 

Q: What is the number one issue you’d like to work on if successful in the election?

A: I have many priorities and concerns that I feel are equally important. They are managing the budget, curbing excessive spending and the safety and well being of all county employees. 

Q: What do you consider to be the top three issues for Clayton County residents?

A: There are always many issues to be dealt with in the county government, but the top issues we are facing right now are working within the constraints of the budget and controlling excessive spending, listening to concerns on mental health, and roads and bridges remain a priority for the county and attracting and keeping jobs in the area is crucial.

Q: Final thoughts?

A: The last two years have been challenging, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic. Keeping our employees safe while keeping the level of service up to the public’s standards has been a learning experience and important to me. I’ve learned a lot in my time as a aupervisor and I feel like my work for the taxpayers isn’t done. I would appreciate your vote in the upcoming election so I can continue to serve and improve the county. Finally, I want to work with the taxpayers and employees to continue projects we’ve started, and I have many goals to reach. I would appreciate everyone’s vote for re-election. 

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Adam Meyer

Adam Meyer is  a 2006 graduate of Central Community Schools and currently works for Clayton County Secondary Roads as a diesel mechanic. He and his wife Joy reside in St. Olaf with their four children: Tenley (11), Tatum (9), Rowan (7) and Rhett (5). Meyer is a member of the St. Olaf Fire Department and is working on completing his EMR certification. He’s also a member of the Clayton County Fair Board and serves as the mayor of the city of St. Olaf, a title he’s held since 2010. The family enjoys spending time on the Mississippi River boating and fishing, and the couple also spends time watching their children in various activities.

Q: Why are you running for county supervisor?

A: I have decided to run for county supervisor because I feel it’s very important for the younger generation to become more involved in their local governments for the greater good of our local communities. 

Q: What is the platform you are running on?

A: The top areas for me are transparency for our public officials, improving and preserving our county’s natural resources and improving our public roadways. 

Q: What is your long-term vision for Clayton County?

A: I want our county to become prosperous, with ample opportunities for our younger generations to be able to return to our area knowing that there are jobs available that provide a bright future for not only them but also their future families. If I was given the opportunity to be supervisor over the next four years, I would hope to become someone my fellow community members could approach, knowing I will advocate for them to the best of my abilities, and want proper spending of our taxpayer dollars to ensure adequate roads and recreation. I want our county to be one that we can be proud of.

Q: What are your ideas for attracting and keeping young people in Clayton County? 

A: We need to find a way to bring more industry back into Clayton County while making sure our communities have a fair cost of living. We need our businesses to be able to offer competitive pay and benefits to those wanting to return to our small town communities to live and raise their families. 

Q: How would you promote economic development and job creation?

A: I believe a thriving community affects everyone. We need to be able to connect our businesses within our communities to the proper channels in order to create economic strategies that will lead to great economic development. 

Q: Natural resources are important in Clayton County, not only for agriculture and tourism but overall quality of life. How will you work to preserve them? 

A: I believe our current county parks can get better by making sure there are allocated dollars being spent on preserving what we have now while finding new and improved ways to make them even better. One of my family’s favorite things to do is visit different parks and recreation areas, exploring all they have to offer. I think, if we can work together to provide more areas like this in Clayton County, we could see a big return in tourism and increase in sales for our businesses. 

Q: What is the number one issue you’d like to work on if successful in the election?

A: I believe having a more open door policy needs to happen between our elected officials, workers and the general public. I want the general public and my community members to know they can approach me at any time and I will advocate for them to the best of my abilities. 

Q: What do you consider to be the top three issues for Clayton County residents?

A: I believe Clayton County does an exceptional job of bringing people into our county to see its beauty and explore all it has to offer.  We now just need to work together to find ways to use that to our advantage and make them want to stay. I believe some improvement lies in our bridges and roadways, as we need to better accommodate the ever-growing farming industry within our county.

Q: Final thoughts?

A: I just want the voters to know that I am a young man trying to raise a young family here in Clayton County and to show people that you don’t have to wait until later in life to get involved in our local governments. We should all be aware of what is going on here at home. I would also like to see a more open-door policy for the general public and the county employees to the supervisors.

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Doug Reimer

Doug Reimer and his wife Kathy live on the family farm, homesteaded by his great-grandparents in 1870. They live in the house where he was raised, and have two grown children and four grandkids. Reimer has been farming since graduating from Iowa State with a bachelor of science degree, and the family owns a farming business. Reimer established and was the managing partner of an LLC, and  has been on boards over the years, including the Land O’ Lakes corporate board for over 20 years and the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital board for 11 years. He enjoys the challenge of striving to make a difference and is a fiscal conservative. Reimer truly enjoys being with his grandkids and going to their activities. 

Q: Why are you running for county supervisor?

A: As a lifelong resident of Clayton County, I am motivated to serve its people. I have a lot to offer as far as board experience and working with others. We live in one of the most beautiful spots in Iowa. I want to keep it that way. Like the movie says, “Is this heaven? No, it’s Iowa!” Together, we can make a good thing better. I want to bring all residents to the table and show they have a voice. Two-way communication is important. With board experience, and owning a business, I am used to making tough decisions. It is a personal challenge I take seriously.

Q: What is the platform you are running on?

A: Clayton County is the best in many ways. The best can be better for residents, tourists and the environment.

Q: What is your long-term vision for Clayton County?

A: My vision is to grow the population and the number of visitors to Clayton County. We live in the most beautiful part of the state. Tourists need to know what we have here.  Residents need to share the county with everyone they know, their skills, their hobbies or their business. Important to me are keeping the Clayton County work force strong with competitive wages and benefits and continuing to make Clayton County safe with strong law enforcement. Being fiscally responsible with taxpayer money and maintaining a strong budget is critical.

Q: What are your ideas for attracting and keeping young people in Clayton County? 

A: The pandemic has clearly modified the workplace, as we know it. Many people were asked or forced to work from home and are still working from home, because they want to. The world is incredibly small now with all the technology, and rapid return response. We can offer work from home and a beautiful view out the window!

Q: How would you promote economic development and job creation?

A: A goal for our county is to work together with the economic development department, learning available resources and what we can do with them.

Q: Natural resources are important in Clayton County, not only for agriculture and tourism but overall quality of life. How will you work to preserve them? 

A: Litter is a big concern to our family. Our grandkids have picked up bags of litter near our home. Public awareness as to how we can put on our best look in this beautiful county is so important. Natural resources, i.e. water, are of value to the ag community. They employ the most updated practices available, such as filter strips, cover crops, minimal tillage and the use of GPS in applying herbicides and fertilizer.

Q: What is the number one issue you’d like to work on if successful in the election?

A: I would like to keep Clayton County moving forward. We need to keep promoting the wonderful life we have in Clayton County. Enticing our Clayton County college and trade school graduates to return home to work and raise a family is vital.

Q: What do you consider to be the top three issues for Clayton County residents?

A: Clayton County is in need of an updated IT system. Mental health is an increasing concern to everyone. We need to ensure resources are available for adequate and necessary staff as well as related education. We have lots of miles of roads in our county. Overall, they are in good shape, but there is always room for improvement.  Safety for our citizens can’t be emphasized enough.  Our law enforcement department does a great job.  With increasing drug problems, law officers must be equipped and trained the best way possible.

Q: Final thoughts?

A: Clayton County is a wonderful place to live. I envision a county where young people live their lives where they were raised, and they envision raising their children in the same wonderful place. With years of business and board service, I can offer beneficial experience to the Clayton County Board of Supervisors. It would be a privilege and an honor to serve the residents of Clayton County. Your vote on June 7 would be greatly appreciated.