Spring 2020 Eau Claire County Board Candidate Questionnaire District 9

Spring 2020 Candidate Questionnaire: Eau Claire County Board

District 9: Donald Mowry and Todd McClain

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?

Donald Mowry:
I have undergraduate degrees in Business and Psychology, a Master’s in Social Work, and PhD. in Social Welfare. I was a faculty member in the Social Work Department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire from 1988 to 2016. 

I have interests in organizing citizens to be more engaged in their communities and I have worked to support several community development initiatives. 

In my first term I have been serving on the Beaver Creek Board, the Human Services Board, and the Extension Committee. I have also volunteered to serve on the Jail Population Study, the Reentry Committee, the Stepping Up Initiative, and I am the chairperson of the Broadband Committee. 

I feel like I can offer significant administrative, leadership and civic engagement skills based on my history and experiences, and after my initial term of office I feel that I now have the knowledge and experience to move the county forward.

Todd McClain:
No response received 

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

Donald Mowry:
The county board plays a critical role in promoting these areas. On one hand, the board must make decisions about investments in marketing our county to outside investments. On the other hand, the county board must balance economic growth with the protection of the environment and the health and safety of its residents. 
This is not always an easy balance to maintain. However, the county can continue to examine its policies and practices and regulations to determine if some obstacles to economic development can be reduced. An example of this is the Broadband Forward ordinance that the Eau Claire County Board passed unanimously at its last meeting. It streamlines the process of approval for a broadband project by establishing a single point of contact with the county, establishes a timely approval process, reduces fees for permits to a reasonable limit, and does not allow for any discrimination between telecommunications providers.

Todd McClain:
No response received 

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


Donald Mowry:
These issues are being addressed through delays in hiring, not filing some positions, and in a major way by a new way of working with families. This new approach emphasizes strengthening and preserving families rather than placing children in alternative care settings. The major reason for the current budget issues in the Human Services budget is not due to fiscal mismanagement, it is directly related to the pressures on families from the meth and opioid epidemics.
According to FBI statistics, meth arrests increased by 526% between 2011 and 2015, and 2015 is also the year that the overage in alternate care placements began. In 2019, the overages have stabilized and are beginning to decrease. If the community is able to develop a more comprehensive, coordinated, and proactive approach to the meth and opioid epidemics, then a balanced budget would happen sooner.

Todd McClain:
No response received 

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?

Donald Mowry:
1. COVID-19 
2. Recently I participated the Citizen Police Academy offered by the County Sheriff’s Office. Every unit we have been schooled on—patrol officers, jail staff, detectives, bailiffs, drug unit, SWAT team—all said that the Meth Epidemic was the one thing that they would eliminate if they could. Meth and Opioid addiction also have a major impact on the number of persons in jail and the number of children in alternative care. 
3. Studies have demonstrated that access and utilization of rural broadband promotes rural economic development in a variety of ways. Educational levels increase for all ages, income increases, farmers save money using GSI methods and they can connect with UW-Madison Extension Ag Agents and other experts, children can do their homework from home, people can telecommute for work, and people can save time and money by receiving telehealth and mental health services in their homes.

Todd McClain:
No response received ​