Berleen Wobeter (D-Toledo).

Berleen Wobeter, 67, is the Democratic nominee for Tama County Supervisor District 4. She lives on a farm north of Toledo. She was raised on her family’s farm in northern Tama County; after marrying her husband Pete Wobeter, they moved to their current farm where they raised two children, Kit and Rachel who are both now married; the Wobeters have two grandchildren. Wobeter is a graduate of Dysart-Geneseo High School. She has a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University; she has held both an Iowa teaching and substitute teaching certificate. She has worked in area schools including STC, Meskwaki Settlement, North Tama, and GMG (Garwin) as a part-time teacher, long and short term substitute teacher and classroom associate. Wobeter has also been a Christian education director and youth group leader for UMC-Toledo. She spent 15 years with Iowa Valley Community College in the Career Development Center for Adults with Disabilities-Tama.

1. What is something you wish to change in your role as county supervisor?

I think my neighbors are wishing I would say have our gravel road paved. Since you framed the question as a “wish” I will say I don’t believe in wishful thinking. Positive change and success is most often the result of careful and intentional planning.

I would be part of a 5 member board. We will make change together and it will require cooperation. What I will bring to the board is my desire to be a thoroughly informed, thoughtful and educated board member on issues that come before us. I will not judge if that is a change from the current situation. As I have attended board meetings and engaged in many conversations, it is clear many things are not as they seem on the surface so I do not want to be quick to judge others.

2. What is the largest issue facing Tama Co. today in your opinion?

Berleen Wobeter (D-Toledo).

Michael [Davis; News Chronicle correspondent], I love that you, in particular, are asking this question. When I witness you at events doing your work for the newspaper I am amazed and grateful that a young person like you is dedicating your skills to our local area.

There are counties in Iowa with obvious signs of rapid growth and development capable of attracting young people to come live and work. I see the challenge as Tama Co. finding our own unique path to growth and development for a future where young people want to come back, stay, and grow our county. Certainly this goes well beyond what supervisors are responsible for, including state and federal policy.

3. Why is 5 supervisors better than 3?

First, I want to recognize the efforts of those who made the change from 3 to 5 supervisors happen. Organizing for change is never easy and requires dedication and effort. Do I think it is better? I do not think the number of supervisors is as important as the mindset of those elected. There are supposed pros and cons to each but only if the right people hold the position. There is considerable cost to the county with the change to 5 members with the same responsibilities now spread among more people. Does that mean less responsibility per person with the same pay? It is an impossible question to factually answer but in my opinion I would favor a 3 member board as a savings to the county.

4. Do you think wind energy has a place in Tama Co.?

I believe the first big question that should be asked if any company wants to do business in our county is are they legitimate and trustworthy. This follows my distrust of wishful thinking. We have all likely heard stories of failed projects in counties which appeared too good to be true but were allowed to proceed with disastrous results. After the fact, it seems these failures could have been predicted with some background research into the offending companies.

I don’t believe any wind turbines should ever go up on private property without informed voluntary consent. Private able-minded landowners need to be responsible for making their own informed decisions, while companies need to act with integrity and transparency. The use of eminent domain for proposed carbon dioxide transport pipelines in the state is wrong.

What my husband and I would do as private land owners must be kept separate from how I would respond as a supervisor. Each landowner has different views on turbines, financial considerations, best solutions to climate change, etc. As a supervisor I would need to see a benefit to the county overall, respect for private property owner’s rights and consideration of neighboring property. We seem to be at an interesting point for wind energy development in the county. As I answer this there are major questions as to what the current Salt Creek developer is planning. If this project comes to an end, we, as a county, would have an opportunity to reevaluate our current ordinance without the threat of a lawsuit for interfering with already permitted projects. Following that I would expect landowners to be better ready to respond to any new proposals offered by wind developers. Lessons learned. If Salt Creek proceeds I would be bound by past board decisions and legal concerns. The short answer to this long narrative is this, the board is responsible to the citizens to protect them but to also provide for the freedom for citizens to thrive. If given the chance I would reevaluate our current ordinance with the intent to protect but not eliminate the choice of others. We must also ask what the future development of this county should look like. Where is farming going? What other development is likely?

5. Why do you wish to be a supervisor?

It is my belief that our form of government requires citizens to step-up and participate. At this moment in my life I am available, highly interested, willing, and capable. My life is rooted in the soils and people of the county. From my early days on my family farm and tending trees on our evergreen nursery and years of growing plants to my many varied roles as an educator around the county, I am invested in this county. My interest has grown exponentially in the past three years with a deep dive into farm, local, and state policy. This has included attending meetings, conferences, statehouse events, lobbying at the Capitol and building relationships with people also interested in state issues. I have an unusual affinity for attending meetings and conferences, always curious about what I might learn next. Having this broad perspective will be useful on the board. The work of the board happens within the context of broad influences which have been both positive and negative in the past few years. Counties were granted “home rule” in the 70s but are seeing some of that rulemaking ability gradually taken away. For example, my earliest experiences were that counties provided mental health services and funding. I learned this from my work with adults with disabilities and as a member of the Mental Health Clinic of Tama Co. Board. Now these services will be under state control with the seven newly formed administrative districts created by the state HHS. Beyond perhaps offering public comment when asked, counties have had minimal control of this change and it is difficult to know how services will happen with the implementation of these changes in 2025. In the past, Tama Co. knew each of the clients we served. Will the state be able to provide that kind of personal service and what does it mean to an individual to be known versus part of a much larger system?

I want to bring my broad experience and desire to continue learning to the board as well as use my education background to inform citizens.

6. Why do you think the job of supervisor is important?

Honestly, I believe the important work is done by our many dedicated county employees. Our current government structure requires the formation of a board but our work should focus on enabling our workers and citizens to live their best life and do their best work. Occasionally, the board will have to make decisions which address major developments in the county. Not everyone is willing to sign on to a job that requires this type of responsibility, but I realize this is the responsibility I would accept and that is important to me.

7. What are your thoughts on EMS becoming an essential service in Tama County?

Coincidentally, as a high school student I responded to a call for students to take EMT classes at the Dysart fire station. I never served as a volunteer but the information I learned has served me well all these years and I remember the compassionate dedication of the trainers. I now realize that was the beginning of community ambulance services. We are now at a critical point if we want those medical services to continue. Multiple factors have led us to this point and we are being asked to pay attention and respond.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law in 2021 which allows county boards of supervisors to designate EMS as essential services. I don’t think there is reason to question why our board then made this designation. It seems obvious and was supported by the results of a county-wide survey completed by our Tama County Emergency Medical Services Association.

This obvious step is then followed by the bigger question, “Do Tama Co. citizens then support a property tax levy to support these services?” This is a vote by all citizens on our Nov. 5 election ballot.

I have followed the development of this issue by attending in-person and Zoom meetings of the newly designated Essential Service Advisory Board. The board has been thorough in their approach to this issue. I do not have the space to tell all I have learned nor should I be the voice of people who know all too well the realities they face going forward. Please attend informational meetings and ask questions of our emergency medical staff. This is not a board vote, this is your vote. I do know I want a well staffed ambulance to respond if I call and sooner rather than later. I will support the future of our emergency medical services with my vote.

8. If you had a superpower, what superpower would you have?

If you can grant this, I would want to be gifted with mental telepathy. I don’t personally want to know what other people are thinking, but instead use it to help others. I would know what information others need to know and send that information to them. A repeated frustration I hear is from people wondering how to get information out to the people who need to hear it. We have more ways to communicate than ever yet seem more frustrated than ever that our messages aren’t reaching the right people. If I can’t be granted this superpower, I would settle for a rich benefactor who would fund a county-wide newspaper that would go to every home with lots of room for community announcements. I would insist our current newspaper crew keep their jobs with pay raises.

9. You are stranded on a desert island with one snack and one movie: what are they?

I would prefer television reruns of “The Big Bang Theory.” That dates me but it is the show which transitions my day from busy day to quiet night. It is my comfort show. Chips would be my snack of choice but I would quickly tire of chips and miss my homegrown fresh and preserved foods.

10. If voters wish to ask you a question, how would they contact you?

You are welcome to call my cell phone at 641-328-4739, or email me at bwtamaco@yahoo.com.