McMahon running for re-election to county board

I am proud to file for re-election as Chisago County Commissioner representing Lindstrom, Chisago City, and Chisago Lake Township South. I consider it a privilege and honor to serve our wonderful community as county commissioner these past four years, currently as county board chair. I live in Chisago City with Faye, my wife of 45 years.

I have been employed in the public and private financial industry. We have two children; one is an elementary school teacher with the Forest Lake school district and the other coordinates the Teamster apprentice training program. My wife and I are active in our local church. I enjoy participating in a number of community organizations including American Legion Post 272, Chisago Lakes Rotary, Chisago Lakes Lions Club and the All Chisago County Veterans Memorial Committee. Four years ago, I said that I would bring sound fiscal management to Chisago County, and I have done that. The last four years haven’t been easy for anyone. Our county has had high unemployment, one of the highest home foreclosure rates in Minnesota, and families and local businesses are struggling. When I was elected, I said our county had to respond to these tough times. I am proud to report that the county responded in a big way. Immediately after I was sworn in as county commissioner, the board appointed me to the county budget committee.

I went to work right away implementing sound financial practices developed in my private sector career. I fought to keep the county tax levy from increasing, and am pleased to report that it has remained at $31.6 million for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 - my entire time in office. This unprecedented fiscal restraint was accomplished by improving and streamlining the entire county financial management process. Chisago County is blessed with hundreds of talented, conscientious and hard-working employees, represented by some of the best unions in the state. By working with our employers and unions, we have been able to continue to provide excellent services for our residents even in the face of substantial cuts in state and federal funding. When I was elected, the clock was running out on a federal mandate to improved our emergency radio system. Following this mandate, we spent approximately $14 million on a new 800 Mhz tower and communication center all without increasing our county tax levy one penny. We now have an excellent emergency radio system that will function even during a very significant major disaster, and we did it by shifting county resources rather then raising taxes. I believe that there is much that local government can do to improve the business climate within our community. We need to work with both existing and new businesses and help them find locations and resources they need to succeed here in Chisago County.

For the past four year I have served on the Easter Central Regional Library Board, this year as its chair. Our libraries have become important community centers and gathering places for local organizations and cultural events. I have heard reports of unemployed residents who have been able to successfully continue their job search through the use of informal training resources at our libraries and our public Internet access computers. I am running for re-election because I believe there is more that our county will need to do in the coming years to address community needs to a cost-effective, businesslike matter as difficult times continue. I welcome any suggestions, questions or comments that any resident would have. Call my cell phone 612-964-6450, or email geomcmahon@ aol.com.