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Paynesville Press - February 27, 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.

Do you support the township's participation in the proposed new airport? If so, why? If not, what do you plan to do about the airport proposal?
No! Most of the people of the township are not in favor of the airport. As a supervisor, my position would be the same.

How important do you consider the township having a good working relationship with the city of Paynesville to be?
I have stated the following last year, "I feel the township of Paynesville should treat the city of Paynesville as a good neighbor. A good neighbor should be treated with respect, kindness, and understanding. A good neighbor will never get involved with his neighbor's arguments, politics, and never get Ôin bed' with his neighbor. Following the above rules, you will always have a good neighbor."

How important is an orderly annexation agreement for the township?
Under the above agreement, the individual landowner has no right of objection, protest, or hearings.

I made reference to Minnesota Statute Sec. 414.0325, paragraph 5. In the agreement, between the city and township, paragraph 5 is not disclosed. Ask your leaders, "Why not?"

  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.

Do you support the township's participation in the proposed new airport? If so, why? If not, what do you plan to do about the airport proposal?
No. My property may not be affected directly, but a large portion of school property is severely restricted. I would send a survey to township residents asking their opinions. Then I would do whatever I could to represent their wishes.

How important do you consider the township having a good working relationship with the city of Paynesville to be?
I think it's very important. You can accomplish more if everyone pulls together.

How important is an orderly annexation agreement for the township?
Very important. It prevents the city from annexing land at will, just to increase their tax base.

  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.

Do you support the township's participation in the proposed new airport? If so, why? If not, what do you plan to do about the airport proposal?
Yes. 1) Cooperation with the city is very important; 2) Have joint powers agreement with city on airport; 3) Orderly annexation agreement, which we can't and do not want to abandon; 4) Economic development tool; 5) Local and outstate use for a legal airport to land in; 6) Hangar space for use and rent. Fuel available also; 7) Fills void in airspace for safety reasons; 8) Part of a well-rounded community for now and future use; 9) Can't imagine not having an airport at all. That's going backwards.

How important do you consider the township having a good working relationship with the city of Paynesville to be?
Very important. Paynesville Township residents have to make sure the right people with positive attitudes are being elected into office who will cooperate with each other to make a strong working relationship with the city and township.

How important is an orderly annexation agreement for the township?
Very important. What it does is just what it says: orderly. At the present time, we have an agreement that has been tested. Not that the city of Paynesville would do it, but it keeps cities from grabbing huge amounts of land for future development and we would lose our tax base for the township survival. It keeps everybody honest.

(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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