Editor’s note: John Johnson has lived in rural Britt for 55 years. “I live on the farm my grandfather started on after they came out on the train from Indiana,” John said. “On the train is where he meant my grandmother and they got married shortly after getting to Iowa.”
John’s Daughter, Whitney, is going to UNI after she finished 2 years at Kirkwood and his wife Linda works at CDI in Forest City.
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From John Johnson of Garner, candidate for Hancock County Supervisor –
Employment: 12 years at Dart Transit – Independent Contractor
I can’t be honest to you without being honest to myself. My chances of winning this election are just as good as the Cubs winning the World Series or the Vikings a Super Bowl. First off I’m running against an incumbent completing his 12th year and member in good standing of the vastly majority Republican Party. Couple that with me running as an Independent and the fact I’ve written many letters to local newspapers, you know I have taken positions on issues. You may agree with 8 out 10 letters, but many will base a vote on those 2 they don’t. Also candidates who give straight forward answers usually lose to incumbents who have raised the ability to be vague to an art form. Besides that, do you really think of that large voting block of county employees any of them will cast a vote for someone who dare questions the status quo?
I wasn’t going to run, but then I opened my property tax bill. When I saw the rural portion of Hancock’s up 13% this year, which is 4th highest in the state, I thought somebody has to challenge Jerry on this. And then I dug deeper and discovered Hancock County, while under Jerry’s stewardship the last 12 years, has gone from $2 million to $3.8 million. That’s an 86% increase, 5th highest in the state. The state average for all 99 counties is 53%. How in the world can anyone justify the growth of government at 13% while our nation’s economy is struggling at 1.3%?
The newspaper questions what experience do I have to be Supervisor. Once again I’ll be honest with you. I’m not going to craft some answer so full of it you have to stand upwind to read it. I have the same amount as Jerry did when he ran in 2000 against 8 year incumbent Robert Reibsamen. In a June of 2000 interview, first time candidate Jerry said “I think it’s been the same people there for too long”, which I whole-heartily agree with today. Also in the same article Tlach said the county should cut back on wasteful spending. My candidacy asks this question. How can you have said you will cut wasteful spending and yet while in office almost double spending? Don’t mistake this as an assault on an opposing candidate. It’s a legitimate question based on statistics.
I realize government needs to grow, but it should not grow at over twice the rate of inflation while our county population decreases.
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John Johnson has a website located here and a Facebook page located here.
At least he’s questioning the issues and not attacking the opponent personally. This in itself is a refreshing change.
I think he deserves consideration for this position. I’m not decided quite yet.