OSKALOOSA — Primary election candidates for Mahaska County offices gave their views on issues ranging from city/county communication to disaster preparedness at a candidate forum Tuesday night.

Three Republican and two Democratic county supervisor candidates attended as well as Sue Brown, who is running unopposed for county auditor. The candidates fielded a series of questions from a panel of local journalists.

The candidates across the board agreed that communication between the county and cities within Mahaska County is vital.

Brown said that communication between the auditor’s office and the city clerks in the county goes quite well. The auditor’s office assists the communities with things such as elections and budgeting.

Democratic supervisor candidate Denis Currier said it’s important for county supervisors to attend community city council meetings to keep abreast of issues and to speak to city officials.

Democratic  supervisor candidate Tom Rielly said he’d like to foster and build on the relationships he has made over the years as mayor of Oskaloosa and as a state senator. He also wants to work with community chambers of commerce and to hold neighborhood meetings with constituents.

Incumbent Supervisor Willie VanWeelden said communication between the county and cities has improved.

“We’ve done a really decent job the last few years,” he said.

VanWeelden said the county worked with cities for the Oskaloosa Elementary School, the Highway 63 study, and the Secondary Roads Department works with cities to keep roads drivable and the garbage collected.

Republican supervisor candidate Mike Vander Molen wants to take the initiative in reaching out to city officials across the county.

Republican supervisor candidate Alvern Meppelink also wants to get out and attend local city council meetings to keep the lines of communication open.

Disaster preparedness for floods in the spring or blizzards in the winter is an important issue for the county. The candidates gave their views on disaster preparedness and funding.

Currier favors discussing issues with county officials and running a series of practice drills to make sure departments are ready for emergencies.

Rielly wants to make sure the county Emergency Management office is adequately funded and that county and community officials work together to coordinate efforts such as when to sound warning sirens.

Meppelink favors making a roster of county boat owners who could help emergency personnel in case of flooding.

Vander Molen wants to work closely with Emergency Management Coordinator Jamey Robinson and make sure his office is funded in case federal funds are held up. He also wants to give local fire departments HazMat training.

VanWeelden said the Emergency Management office started out as a part-time position until the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Then, state and federal regulations made it evolve into a full-time position and it is a challenge to keep it funded.

Brown deferred comment on the issue since the auditor’s office isn’t involved in disaster preparedness.

The primary election is on Tuesday, June 5. Voters may vote absentee until June 4. Absentee voters may cast their ballots at the auditor’s office Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The polls for the Primary Election will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com