Maiden Rock voters to elect new president

Talk about it

The upcoming Spring Election Tuesday will mark a change in the Village of Maiden Rock.

Incumbent President Douglas Lansing chose not to seek reelection, opening up the position. In its caucus earlier this year, Peggy Rother and Judy Johnson-Daleiden were nominated as candidates for the position.

In an effort for the public to get to know the candidates, the Herald sent a questionnaire to the two candidates. This is their responses.

Please give a brief description of yourself. Include information such as age, family, where you live and for how long, and list any educational, life or public service experiences which you believe will assist you in the position you’re seeking.

ROTHER – I’m 56 years old and have lived in Maiden Rock for the last 10 years, and have been a resident of Pierce County for 30 years. I have four children, Jason, 37, DJ, 28, Todd, 26, Andy, 16, and three grandchildren. I have been employed at the Red Wing Shoe Company for 30 years and presently work in the Raw Material Warehouse along with Receiving and Inventory Control. I have worked with the public in many aspects both in my job, and through my volunteer work, having been a 4-H leader for 12 years, and on various County 4-H committees. I am currently a board member of the Pierce County Housing Board, secretary of the Maiden Rock Area Community Association and editor of the Maiden Rock Press.

JOHNSON-DALEIDEN – I am 59 years old. My husband Fran and I have been married for almost two years, and I have two grown step-children, Janaye and Brent. I am a native of Maiden Rock and majored in math at River Falls before embarking on a career with the Federal Government. I worked in Purchasing with the Air Force in Fairbanks, AK; as Director of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Administrative Branch in Minneapolis; as a Policy Analyst with the FDA Center for Food Safety in Washington D.C., and as a Program Analyst in the FDA Office of the Commissioner. I served on the Pope County, Minn., Land Use Task Force charged with development of a comprehensive land use plan and draft zoning ordinance. I am currently serving on the Maiden Rock Planning Committee and Board of Adjustments. I believe my years of public management and analytical experience has provided me the strong leadership and public relations skills necessary to effectively serve as a Trustee and President of the Maiden Rock Village Board.

If you are a challenger, explain how and why you chose to seek the position and what areas particularly interest you.

ROTHER – I would like to serve as President because I enjoy living here and being involved in the community. Maiden Rock is a beautiful historic village with people of many talents and interests. I previously served a term as Trustee for the Village of Maiden Rock, which included being on the Zoning Committee for the village and I have regularly attended the monthly board meetings, both as a citizen and as a trustee, since moving here.

JOHNSON-DALEIDEN — I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in various public service jobs and I would like the opportunity to utilize my skills by serving the residents and businesses of Maiden Rock.

Discuss your approach to representing and being responsive to the residents in your area.

ROTHER – I think a willingness to listen to the residents’ concerns is very important. I would like to see more residents attend the village meetings to take a part in the decisions that will affect them and the village. The village belongs to the people, the board is there to represent and serve with fairness, equality and transparency.

JOHNSON-DALEIDEN — I enjoy interacting and working with others. I believe that I am a good listener, and I am open to ideas/comments that will foster a healthy, safe, fiscally sound community. I am knowledgeable in a wide array of government operations, willing to learn and understand issues, and believe in a common-sense approach to the decision-making process of the board.

Identify and elaborate on any issues facing the board you’re running for which you feel to be important.

ROTHER — Getting more businesses in to the village is key. There are many opportunities here. Located on a main highway, many travelers come through our village, as well as the locals out for a scenic drive around Lake Pepin.

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