Swartz runs for commissioner

Wants to make changes to support the county

GRANT COUNTY - Carolann Swartz is running for Grant County Board of Commissioners position two because she has ideas to make a positive impact in the county.

"I'm running because I feel that I can do a lot as a county commissioner," she said. "I believe that the office is one that should not be a career."

Swartz said she has immediate goals for the county if elected.

She wants to improve relationships between county and city officials, and implement ideas to improve the county from a city perspective.

"Enthusiasm and growth needs to happen at the city level and then come forward," she said.

Swartz wants to encourage centralized supply buying at the Grant County Courthouse to save money within the departments. She also wants to work to build morale among county employees and the community.

She said her business background will help her serve the board. She's worked as a retail store manager for more than 10 years and owns an electrical-related company. Swartz says she has an appreciation for agricultural business. Her family worked as dry land wheat farmers for several generations.

She said people should vote for her, "because I'm the best candidate. They should vote for me because I bring enthusiasm and new ideas to the department and a willingness to work with other people."

She said there are several issues facing the commissioners.

She said the current board makes decisions in reaction to crisis rather than being more proactive, which is how she prefers to work.

Grant County pays more for public defenders than any other county in the state due to the commissioners "signing-off" on a lawsuit concerning the ACLU recently, Swartz said.

She said the building and permitting departments are problematic. The county needs to help developers continue their projects, she said. It takes 12 weeks to get a building permit when developers are told it should take no more than six weeks, she said.

Improving infrastructure is important to her.

"We need to maintain our roads and keep them passable and safe," Swartz said.

She said there is a need to create a plan to extend railroad service to support businesses.

She said emergency services are in good condition. There are several great municipal fire departments in addition to Grant County Fire District No. 5 meeting the needs of citizens, Swartz said.

To help support tourism in Grant County, she said she will make sure the natural resource environment is well-maintained. She said fishing, hunting, water activities and bird watching are an attraction bringing revenue to the county.

Swartz prefers the Republican party.