WAPELLO, Iowa — A lot has changed in Louisa County since the June floods, and the Louisa County Board of Supervisors has a lot of responsibility on the road to recovery.

Four candidates are vying for two at-large seats on the board in Tuesday’s election.

Democratic candidate Don Foor said he is ready to join the board and face those long-term problems as well as ongoing issues. Foor, 64, of Letts, is the former mayor of Fruitland, past Zoning Board chairman and past vice chairman of the Board of Adjustment.

“I have worked for 11 years to see our county building lots reduced from five acres, and as of Oct 1, have seen our Zoning Board finally recommend to the supervisors a cut in required acres from five to three. I personally would have liked to see it cut to two acres, but you take your victories where you can. Three is better than five. This will increase new rural housing starts,” Foor said.

Republican candidate Ken Purdy, 65, of Columbus Junction, who has been on the board of supervisors for two terms, is proud of the accomplishments the group has made. He is looking forward to helping the Louisa County Economic Development Group, of which he is president, raise incomes or the tax base in Louisa County. Purdy is also looking forward to finishing the jail project, filling the state-mandated veterans affairs administrator position and scheduling meetings to make changes for the better at Lake Odessa.

Democrat Paula Buckman, 62, of Morning Sun, said she wants to make effective use of taxes and other county resources to provide for road repair, emergency service management and other county services without increasing the tax burden. She will also see that the county is making use of grants to support projects and positions.

Republican Chris Ball, 50, of Mediapolis, is a lifelong resident of Louisa County.

“My experience as a farmer has taught me how hard it is to make a dollar and how important it is to spend it wisely. If elected, my goal would be to do the same for the people of Louisa County,” Ball said.

Louisa County Auditor Sylvia Belzer and Sheriff Curt Braby, both Republicans, are unopposed.

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