Spring 2020 Eau Claire County Board Candidate Questionnaire District 22

Spring 2020 Candidate Questionnaire: Eau Claire County Board

District 22: Katherine Schneider

Note: These questions were drafted and candidate responses requested before concerns about COVID-19 escalated to their current level.

Q1. What are your background and qualifications for this position, and why are you a candidate?

Katherine Schneider:
The first time I voted by myself was in 2006.  I cried in joy because voting is that important to me; it means I am an American. Before 2006 either a friend or two poll workers had to help me vote. But the Help America Vote Act of 2002 guaranteed a secret ballot to all Americans.  

When I retired from thirty years as a clinical psychologist, half of them at UWEC, I became more active in the community.  I’ve served on the library and the Aging and Disability Resource Center boards as well as working on disability issues locally and nationally. A political strategist once said to me “If you’re not at the table, you may be on the menu.” I began to think about serving in the government somehow. When Sue Miller moved out of the district, I decided to step forward to see if I could make a difference in county government. I was fortunate to be chosen for her seat to represent District 22. I’ve had three months on the County Board and have already made a little difference.  I got disability accommodations mentioned in the publicity for the “Speak Your Piece” meetings. Officials weren’t against it but just hadn’t thought about it.

I want to be at the table using my listening, problem-solving and collaborating skills and my disability perspective to make a difference for the people of District 22 and the rest of the county. Please vote on April 7 and vote “Schneider for Supervisor District 22” if you can.

Q2. What is the County Board’s role in promoting economic development, business maintenance and commercial growth in the county?

Katherine Schneider:
The county needs a diversity of businesses to provide employment and services to residents. A healthy county with good infrastructure and efficient and effective county government will support businesses.

Q3. What should the County Board do to address the current budget issues and program demands in the Human Services area?

Katherine Schneider:
Because of our high poverty rate within the county, state mandates services will continue to demand fiscal support. We can continue to search for collaborations between county departments and with local non-profits to reduce budget overruns.

Q4. What are the two biggest issues you expect Eau Claire County to face during your term, and how do you think the County Board should address them?

Katherine Schneider:
1. Paying competitive wages to employees to keep good ones 
2. Budget overruns

I think the County Board should have a yearly retreat to work together to brainstorm long and short-term solutions.