Two Republicans vie for seat on Red Willow County board of commissioners

McCOOK, Neb. — Voters in the May 12 primary will be asked to choose between two Republican challengers for the District 2 Red Willow County Commissioner seat.

Current District 2 Red Willow County commissioner Steve Downer did not file for re-election.

All county races are partisan, with Democrat and Republican candidates. The single Democrat in the race, Delaine J. Soucie, of rural Cambridge inside Red Willow County, will automatically move on to the general election in November.

The two Republican candidate involved in a run-off are Randy Dean of Indianola and Timothy M. Burke of rural Cambridge (within Red Willow County). Both candidates responded to a questionnaire from the McCook Gazette, with their answers, below:

Tim Burke

Age: 66

General contractor

Family: Wife Deb and five grown daughters (Tobie, Heidi, Abbie, Megan, Alisha) and their families.

What are the Short-term and long-term challenges facing Red Willow County?

Short and long term issues can seldom be divorced from one another. In the midst of this COVID-19 its to maintain continuity of services provided and protect those who depend on them. Yesterday’s problems don’t seem as large when facing circumstances we’ve never known. Trials expose weaknesses and give us the opportunity to make adjustments that we might minimize the impact on, and availability of, essential services and operations as a county if or when they come again.

How do you intend to be a good steward of your fellow taxpayers’ money?

Being a good steward is in the definition of the word. It is understanding that you are being given charge of something that does not belong to you. Being effective in your duties is to always hold that before you in all the decisions you make; large and small. It is looking out for the interests of others.

 What personal and professional qualities, characteristics and skills do you possess that will help you fulfill the duties and responsibilities of Red Willow Commissioner?

I believe that everything we do in life that truly matters is dependent on how it impacts the lives of others. I find that I serve others best when I listen well. What I learned academically and practiced through work experience in such places as the Nebraska State Sex Offender program; Minnesota State reformatory Togo, MN; Agency Counseling and as a small business owner, is that you can only serve the needs of others when you understand what those needs are. The highest quality of an expert is to know the limits of their expertise. When I know what I’m doing I proceed with confidence, when I don’t I ask questions and seek the help of others.

Are you optimistic or a pessimist, and how does that play into your decision-making process?

I would not consider myself an optimist or pessimist, but rather a realist. Being strictly an optimist or pessimist produces blind spots. Pessimism is driven by the daily news, optimism is produced through hope beyond the circumstances. I think you need to fully understand where you are to best understand where you need to go.

What do you want Red Willow County voters to know about you?

I graduated High School from Cambridge NE, served three years in the military at the end of the Vietnam Conflict, attended Pikes Peak Community college (while in the military), Oak Hills College in Bemidji, MN; Kearney State College, and Fort Hayes State University. Completed three undergraduate degrees and one graduate degree in Clinical Psychology and have been a small business owner for the past twenty plus years. My priorities are God, Family and Work which are only in conflict when I get them out of order. I simply offer myself for your consideration and will do my best to be faithful of the task.

 Randy Dean

Age 66

Insurance Broker

Wife (Cathy) and two adult children (Mike & Trisha)

What are the Short-term and long-term challenges facing Red Willow County?

Property taxes, Road maintenance, ever increasing cost of insurance and health care costs, Availability of childcare, Affordable housing, Economic development, and Citizen Involvement

We also need to strive to insure that we all have access to high quality health care for our young as well as our senior citizens.

How do you intend to be a good steward of your fellow taxpayers’ money?

I consider myself as a fiscal conservative that believes we can control ever increasing tax levels.

We need to look at all discretionary spending and accomplish our due diligence of receiving competitive prices for all county necessities. We also need to investigate all possible funding sources from outside of the county. Expand the tax base by promoting the recruitment of new business to come to Red Willow County. It is also imperative that we support and encourage the expansion of our existing businesses.

What personal and professional qualities, characteristics and skills do you possess that will help you fulfill the duties and responsibilities of Red Willow Commissioner?

I have and continue to serve on many volunteer boards in Red Willow County. Over my better than 44 years of community involvement I have gained an unmeasurable amount of experience in how this county operates. I pride myself in my ability to listen to all opinions (both pro and con) and then not only make a decision but be held accountable for that decision.

Are you optimistic or a pessimist, and how does that play into your decision-making process?

I am optimistic about the future of Red Willow County. I have what I like to describe as a “Sense of Community” for all of the rural area and communities of this county. Southwest Nebraska has a rich history of GREAT people. I am proud to live in this area and would like to work on opportunities that will help our area grow by encouraging a business friendly atmosphere, secure our existing quality of life, and promoting our safety.

My optimism is warranted because I know that this county is made up of citizens that share a positive view of the future.

What do you want Red Willow County voters to know about you?

I want Red Willow County voters to know that I spent the better part of my adult life volunteering for causes that I believe in and that improves the quality of life for my fellow residents.

Indianola Rural Fire Board

Indianola Economic Development Corporation

Community Builders

Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency-911 Committee

REWARD committee

Little League baseball coach

Hillcrest “A CARING CENTER” Board of Trustees

Hillcrest Foundation Board of Directors.