By KALEY LYON

klyon@dailynews.net

HDN: What is your stance on the proposed Ellis County wind farm projects?

JD: "I have no problem with wind farms in Ellis County.

"I also truly believe that, had they laid all the facts on the table regarding county-wide zoning, we would not have all this hatred between families going on right now in Ellis County.

"Had everyone understood from day one that the only way we could get large wind farms was to pass countywide zoning, I believe the people would have rallied behind it and all issues would be long behind us. But instead the entire issue has been belabored with accusations of conflict and bias."

"I still believe we need a zoning committee that's fair and impartial. It should be comprised of 50 percent for the wind farms and 50 percent against the wind farms.

"And I believe that's the only way we can protect both sides in this issue."

HDN: What benefits or concerns do you foresee?

JD: "Certainly there are many economic benefits for bringing in the wind farms. On the front end there'll be lots of construction. The sand and gravel companies will be busy, cement companies will be busy.

"At the same time there'll be lots of disruptions in the area where the work is being done.

"But again, the long-term benefits are very much in favor of improving the economy around here."

HDN: What are your thoughts on the current countywide zoning process?

JD: "I believe it can work, but we have to have zoning boards that are impartial. Both sides need to be protected when it comes to wind farms

"The people certainly have the right to have the wind farms on their property.

"It's their property and they can do with it what they want, but since we have zoning in place, we need to protect the people that will be harmed.

"I've toured the area west of Hays where the number one proposal is. There's no doubt in my mind there's plenty of room to make the project work without intruding on people's property."

HDN: What do you perceive the relationship between the county commission and the planning commission to be? Any changes you would propose?

JD: "I just believe the commissioners should make sure the planning commission is non-biased. It's their responsibility to make sure.

"We should not have boards like we have now, where six out of eight are board members had a vested interest in getting a project through.

"I have no problem with the proposed (wind farm) location in southwest Ellis County. Very few, if any, people would be impacted negatively in that area."

HDN: What are your thoughts on the space needs issue and the proposed Hadley Center relocation?

JD: "In regard to the Hadley addition to the courthouse, I believe the public has not been given enough data.

"Personally I cannot understand why the additional property is needed at this point, or the additional space is needed at this point.

"I adamantly feel that, whether it gets bonding or doesn't get bonding, that the issue needs to be voted on no matter what. It's a large enough project that everyone should have a voice in the decision.

"I believe there are alternatives that have not been researched thoroughly.

"Not so much the Eddy Clinic, but there are certainly other spaces available. It doesn't all have to be done at one time.

"I truly believe that if the tag and tax department were put in a separate facility, this would take care of the space problem for at least the next 30 years."

HDN: How do you view relations between Ellis County and the communities within? Do you believe anything could be done to improve city/county relations?

JD: "I have no real long-term vision in mind. We have a great fire department, sheriff's department, health department and our current courthouse staff is top of the line.

"I do believe we need to concentrate more on road maintenance and that budget. We need to work on the basics and get away from spending our money on new buildings.

"Even if the $5 million bond would pass, no one has addressed where the money would come from to maintain and staff the new facility. This is not a time to build and expand, it's a time to conserve and maintain.

"And I do believe that our city works well with the other cities in the area. It seems that our cities get along well.

"And personally, I've not heard of any problems between the smaller cities and the city of Hays. Or the county and the cities.

Dinges later added he had heard of one issue, in which the city of Schoenchen had the opportunity to have a road resurfaced by the state for the cost of material only.

He said this opportunity did not receive county commission approval, and that this could have been handled differently.

5. HDN: With taxes on the rise from last year to this year, and local property values also increasing, how does this affect the local budget? What are your thoughts about the current finance formula?

JD: "Regarding the local budget, I've not seen the numbers.

"One would assume, with the dramatic increase in oil prices, and the fact that a large percentage of our revenue comes from oil taxes, that there should be adequate funds to deal with the rising costs regarding county maintenance and such."

HDN: Should the mill levy be reduced to compensate for increased valuation?

JD: "Having that in mind, I believe the mill levy could be reduced to compensate for increased valuation."

HDN: Why did you decide to run for office?

JD: "I am running for county commissioner because I believe the Democrats in our county deserve a choice.

"The current District Two commissioner has always had my respect. In fact, I voted for him twice.

"He's a good businessman and, because he's retired, he has been able to devote a lot of time and energy to the office.

"The reason I'm running against him, is that I do not believe in a policy of 'I will do it my way, no matter what the constituents think.'

"And I believe the commissioners should put all the facts on the table and allow the people to vote for the $5 million courthouse expansion."

HDN: Any other issue you would like to address?

JD: "I think we're fine. That's all I really had."