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2 Democrats in race for District #2 Supervisor
by David Namanny, Press-News Editor
William Squier a Democrat from St. Ansgar, as well as Dave Feldt, another Democrat from rural St. Ansgar are officially in the race for the coveted District #2 post, which covers constituents in the areas of Mitchell, St. Ansgar, Toeterville, Carpenter and Otranto in Mitchell County.
The post is currently held by incumbent Republican Supervisor Stan Walk. Either Feldt or Squier hope to challenge Walk in the general election.
Squier, who was previously District #2 Supervisor from 1997 until 2000, filed his nomination papers last week at the Mitchell County Courthouse. He has also previously served as the mayor of St. Ansgar two different times for a total of 10 years.
He said he is running because he wants to continue his service in local government. He also said he wants to get involved in overseeing the people's money.
"I think we should get the most out of our tax dollars, and I would use those dollars a little bit better than what they are currently doing," said Squier.
"I certainly wouldn't vote myself an eight-percent raise."
Squier was born and raised in Mitchell County. He graduated from Osage High School in 1947 and went on to serve his country in the Korean War starting in 1950. He has been a member of the St. Ansgar American Legion for 55 years and current serves as finance officer.
Squier, who has now lived in St, Ansgar for 40 years, said he has been his own boss for many years, mostly driving truck. He and his wife Joyce have one son, Bradley Squier, as well as two daughters, Wnedy Hansen and Laura Squier. His grandson is Cory Squier who owns the Sears Store in Osage.
Squier's competiter, Walk, lives just south of St. Ansgar. He has served as District #2 Supervisor now for 8 years.
Dave Feldt, a farmer and livestock producer of rural St. Ansgar is the second Democratic candidate to throw his hat in the ring to challenge Republican incumbent Stan Walk for the Mitchell County District 2 Supervisor post.
Feldt and his wife Candi have two children, Cole, 21 and Whitney, 23. The couple lives on the family farmstead (a Century Farm since 1992) approximately two miles south of Carpenter. The public will have to choose between Feldt and Squier in the primaries this summer.
"Because Mitchell County is an agriculture community and is made up of an ag economy, I thing we need an active ag/farmer candidate to represent the farmers," explained Feldt when asked why he decided to run.
He said there will be many issues coming in the future that will directly affect the local ag community in areas such as environment, confinement livestock farming, coal-fired electric generation and pollution from ethanol plants.
"Decisions on these issues will directly affect the farmer," said Feldt. "Not one of the current candidates or the current supervisors are farmers - so I feel they should be represented on the board."
Feldt graduated from St. Ansgar High School and then went to North Iowa Area Community College to earn a degree in Ag Mechanics. When he was in high school he was president of the St. Ansgar FFA Club and was extremely active in 4-H.
His wife Candi is a superitendent at Acorn Park Golf Course in St. Ansgar, and he often volunteers his time to help maintain the popular golf course.
Story created Mar 18, 2008 - 10:51:13 CDT.
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