Atwood, Thielen vie for three-year supervisor term

John Atwood

Atwood has owned a home in Paynesville Township since 1957. He is a retired district manager and field supervisor in dairy and beef genetics for the Minnesota Valley Breeder's Association and Select Sires, Inc. He and his wife, Julie, have four adult children.

In addition to his township experience, Atwood served as an assistant recruiter for the 2000 census. Atwood, 77, says that you are only as old as you feel.

This March, the township board will propose a tax levy increase at the annual meeting. Do you support raising the tax levy?
The township has not had a tax levy increase for two years. Increase of costs for fire and police protection, the snowplowing contract, and the loan for the arena taken from the road and bridge fund are reasons to support the levy. The township residents will decide by majority vote.

Do you support the proposed community pool project? Should the township participate financially in the construction of a community pool?
If we were not in a period of financial austerity, I would support a community pool. A needed grant and local taxes would have to be used to pay for the pool. A referendum in the township would decide about financing.

Do you support the Lake Koronis Recreational Trail? If so, what township resources would you be willing to use to continue this project?
My support for a Lake Koronis Recreational Trail starts in the city to the park, where lifeguards and swimming are available. Support for road widening for walking and bike riding has been ongoing, such as the future possibility of NW Lake Koronis Road, Crestridge, and Breezewood. Easements by landowners and future grants will have to finance in part.

In the last year, the township board voted to pay off the debt for the Koronis Civic Arena. Was this the right move? How should the township support this facility?
The law restricts the use of road and bridge funds; therefore, we must repay that portion used to pay off the loan on the arena. Paying off the loan saved the township higher interest rates. The township supports in part the use of the arena, even though it is leased to the Paynesville-New London-Spicer Hockey Association. The arena management costs are shared by the township and the city; $7,000 a year is put in an escrow fund for future mechanics. Also, 100 hours of free ice time is reserved for public use.

H. Harry Thielen

He graduated from Paynesville High School in 1955, spent three years in the U.S. Navy, and worked for 29 years as a maintenance supervisor for a large steel fabricator.

Now retired Thielen, 65, has been married for 44 years and has three children and eight grandchildren.

This March, the township board will propose a tax levy increase at the annual meeting. Do you support raising the tax levy?
If the numbers indicated mean more money is needed to operate the township, I would support a tax levy increase, rather than cut police and fire protection.

Do you support the proposed community pool project? Should the township participate financially in the construction of a community pool?
I would like to see the construction cost, where the pool would be built, and the cost to maintain the pool before I support it.

Do you support the Lake Koronis Recreational Trail? If so, what township resources would you be willing to use to continue this project?
Yes, as a board member of the Lake Koronis Association, we have given the township $10,000 towards this cause. Therefore, I would not be willing to use township resources until all government and lake association support has been exhausted.

In the last year, the township board voted to pay off the debt for the Koronis Civic Arena. Was this the right move? How should the township support this facility?
Yes. I would like to re-evaluate the rent paid by participants using the arena or have a fund raiser to support the facility.