Hello! My name is Chris Meyer, incumbent Winona County Commissioner, District 1. Please vote for me during the 2026 election cycle!
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VisionTogether, I want us to plan a sustainable future where our children and grandchildren can have the same opportunities that we have had. Where they can breath clean air, drink clean water, play, swim, fish, and also have opportunities for gainful employment. While we can't match wage scales of the twin cities, we can offer all ages a higher quality of life with arts, recreation, and education. We can place a higher value on infrastructure and services to the community and not dwell solely on lowering taxes.
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Service I ran for County Board in 2018 with a goal of service rather than a fixed agenda. I like facts and use the best information I can gather to make decisions. Information not ideology is what I use to determine the best course of action. Over the last 7 years as County Commissioner my life has become about learning. I’ve gathered invaluable information from our staff of professionals, experts both in and out of our community, and from passionate community members. Hearing from multiple sides of issues helps me make decisions.
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GoalsI'm running for re-election with the following goals for Winona County.
* In 2025 Gov. Walz appointed me to the Clean Water Council to represent rural counties. In that role I am advocating for Legacy Funding to address public health issues related to nitrates and other contaminants in private wells, particularly in Southeast MN. This includes support for a soil health program similar to Olmsted County, but also free well testing, education, and mitigation. * I plan to continue to vote to support our Soil and Water Conservation District financially so that they can advocate and implement best farming practices to reverse the trend of ground and surface water nitrate contamination. * Winona County is working to improve the delivery of Health and Human Services programming and to maintain our social safety net. Federal cuts and cost shifts from HR1, and unfunded mandates are hurting everyone as services are reduced but the cost for Winona County to provide them increases. As a board and executive committee member for the Minnesota Inter-County Association I'm joining forces with other commissioners to lobby for funding and improved IT systems for all Minnesota counties. * Winona County should improve collaboration with cities and organizations inside our borders on joint needs. With regional HRA SEMMCHRA as administrator we created a Local Housing Trust Fund in 2024. I'm working for similar cooperation on attracting workforce, providing child care, economic development, or mental health crisis services. |
LeadershipCounty Boards have long been nonpartisan, meaning we focus on providing services that benefit the majority of our community, not ideologies outside of our authority. Partisan issues have been introduced more and more into Winona County discussions, to the detriment of doing our county work. I stand against this rhetoric and whenever possible partner on issues where we can agree. I will work to find responsible, thoughtful, even-handed and cooperative solutions to county government issues.
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ExperienceSince my retirement in 2013 I have spent time learning about our local county government; first on the planning commission and, since 2019, as a County Commissioner. My two terms in office have provided lots of opportunities to make information and data-based decisions beyond the standard challenge of balancing services against taxes. * Our county jail was condemned in 2020 and set for closure by the MN DOC in 2021. Due to regulatory and space issues Winona had been using neighboring county jails for years, but our research indicated, that the cost of building a jail would likely be the same or less than a strategy to use only those neighboring jails and provide additional benefits. As a result, we are building a slightly smaller but more flexible replacement jail. The facility will be safer and most importantly keep inmates closer to their families, jobs, community, and services. There will also now be space for classes, recreation, and for the staff and programs to help with diversion and recovery, such as treatment court and our Winona Reentry Assistance Program Plus (providing social services for inmates). * We declared an emergency when Covid hit and it lasted over a year. During that time the County learned to do much of its work in a new way to keep both employees and the public safe. People worked remotely, meetings moved on-line, and work continued. Our Emergency Management and Public Health departments were innovative in providing education and updates, performing contract tracing, issuing safety equipment like masks and disinfectants, and finally coordinating vaccine clinics with dozens of other organizations. * The county used Covid relief funds from the CARES act and American Rescue Plan funds to support businesses and residents economically with direct grants. Funds are also being used to expand broadband to 90% of the households in the county, and to support much needed projects in the community. |
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HistoryI grew up on a small dairy farm on the very southern edge of the Minnesota Iron Range. At that time, Aitkin County was a poor place and in the top 10 US counties for the number of people on public assistance. We were poor too. Both of my folks worked full time jobs off the farm, and my dad especially struggled to keep year-round work. It was a beautiful place and I loved it. I had what I think of as a quintessential Minnesota upbringing–showing livestock in 4-H, selling girl scout cookies from my bike, haying in the summer, cleaning barns, canning vegetables from the garden. There was however, absolutely no economic opportunity for me, and so like 90% of the kids I graduated with, I went elsewhere. I received college degrees from Drake University in Des Moines, and later from the University of Minnesota. I had a terrific 30-year career with General Mills in Minneapolis writing software and managing IT projects.
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Winona CountyMy husband Paul and I moved to Winona county in 1997 and I finished the last 15 years of my career mainly telecommuting. I love Winona for all the reasons that I loved the environment where I grew up. Winona county has a very diversified economy and can provide economic opportunities for young people in addition to offering an incredible quality of life. I want Winona County working together to thrive and grow, without compromising the future.
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Prepared and paid for by the C Meyer for Winona County Commissioner Committee – 322 High Forest St, Winona, MN 55987