The seven Wheeler County Commissioner Candidates participated in a forum put on by the Wheeler county farm bureau. Those candidates include Douglas Nichols, Doug Pokrney, Jesse Plugge, Jim Birtwhistle, Randy Sheldon, Dennis Derner and Travis Heinz.
There were nearly 75 people from Wheeler County who attended the candidate forum.
Road Conditions, alternative energy,property taxes and communication were the main topics of the night for the candidates.
All the candidates showed concerns for the roads and the trees being placed in the ditches across the county. All the candidates expressed opinions against alternative energy, specifically in wind farms.
The candidates ended the forum with two minutes each to explain why the members of Wheeler County should vote for them.
Elections will take place on May 15.
The following is the 7 questions asked and who started off the question then down the table to each candidate.
Question 1 – In your eyes what is the chain of command for the road department and when a sign is down or there is a road issue who are we to contact?
- Douglas Nichols
Question 2 – How do you feel about alternative energy, specifically wind farms?
- Doug Porkorne
Question 3 – What changes or improvements would you provide to your employees for professional growth?
- Jesse Plugge
Question 4 – What are your plans or strategies for receiving feedback or concerns from members of the county?
- Jim Burtwhistle
Question 5 – As a candidate what do you feel are the top duties of being a commissioner and how does the chain of command go?
- Randy Sheldon
Question 6 – What are your visions and priorities if you become commissioner?
- Dennis Derner
Question 7 – As county commission how will you balance the needs and county services in controlling the budget to ease the burden on property taxes?
- Travis Heinz
Question 8 – Why should the members of Wheeler County vote for you?
- Douglas Nichols