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Paynesville Press - February 20, 2002

Three candidates run for supervisor

A year after a contested race drew a record 560 voters, Paynesville Township has three candidates running for supervisor this year: incumbent Warren Nehring and challengers Edward J. McIntee and Patrick Meagher. The election will be held on Tuesday, March 12.

Edward J. McIntee
Edward McIntee
Edward J. McIntee has been a permanent resident of Paynesville Township for seven years and a seasonal resident for 34 years. He owns M & H Equipment. He has three sons and seven grandchildren.

He ran for township supervisor a year ago and lost by 18 votes, 289-271. He served for five years on the planning commission in Deep Haven and for 15 years on the Hennepin County Draft Board, including five years as chairman.

In the past year, the township board has lessened the restrictions on accessory buildings and been more lenient on variance requests. Would you continue this zoning trend?
Each situation would be judged on its own merits.

Do you support the township board's effort to revise its zoning ordinance in order to eliminate dual permitting with the county and keep some local authority?
Yes.

Do you support the proposed Koronis Trail? If so, what township resources would you be willing to use for the pedestrian trail project?
I am presently a member serving on the Koronis Trail.

  Pat Meagher
Pat Meagher
Patrick Meagher, 42, has lived in Paynesville Township and the city of Paynesville for 30 years and has worked as a driver for the United Parcel Service (UPS) for 18 years.

He and his wife, Lorie, have six children.

He has no government experience, but has been a regular attendee of township meetings for more than a year.

In the past year, the township board has lessened the restrictions on accessory buildings and been more lenient on variance requests. Would you continue this zoning trend?
Yes, it puts us more in line with the county.

Do you support the township board's effort to revise its zoning ordinance in order to eliminate dual permitting with the county and keep some local authority?
Yes, it will save money and time for those applying for permits.

Do you support the proposed Koronis Trail? If so, what township resources would you be willing to use for the pedestrian trail project?
Yes. I would be willing to spend some surplus road/bridge/snowplowing money, but we need other help. This trail would benefit more than just Paynesville Township.

  Warren Nehring
Warren Nehring
Incumbent Warren Nehring, 61, has lived in Paynesville Township for seven years and has served on the township board as a supervisor for just over six years. Currently self-employed and semi-retired, he farmed in the area for 23 years, worked as the superintendent at the golf course for seven years, owned a septic and drain cleaning business in Paynesville for 15 years, and has done landscaping for 10 years.

He is single, with four children and 11 grandchildren.

In the past year, the township board has lessened the restrictions on accessory buildings and been more lenient on variance requests. Would you continue this zoning trend?
I like the fact that we are taking a case-by-case approach and using some common sense but still using the ordinance as a guide to come to a solution on a particular problem. There are side- and rear-yard setbacks in a R-5 district that I am not comfortable with yet.

Do you support the township board's effort to revise its zoning ordinance in order to eliminate dual permitting with the county and keep some local authority?
Yes, very much. We still want to stay involved with site permits so we know what is happening and where. Local control is still the best.

I am concerned about homes and land in commercial-zoned areas. These people will be contacted soon to explain the situation.

Do you support the proposed Koronis Trail? If so, what township resources would you be willing to use for the pedestrian trail project?
Yes, it's going to take a strong trail committee and volunteers with positive and creative minds with cooperation and patience for this project to move forward. It will also take money, grants, or payment in kind to make this happen. Paynesville Township and the city of Paynesville have already committed funds for this community project.

(Editor's Note: The Press's profiles of the three supervisor candidates in Paynesville Township will continue next week and run through the election on Tuesday, March 12.)



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