LORI MEACHAM GINAPP
My name is Lori Meacham Ginapp, I am the daughter of the late Kenny and Rosie Meacham, I was born and raised in Plymouth on the family farm which I still have today along with my brother, Jay Meacham. I have lived my whole life in Cerro Gordo County, I attended North Central Manly High School, where I graduated from, and then I attended NIACC, which I graduated from with an Early Childhood Education Degree and I went back and got my administrative assistance degree— yes I choose NIACC first – twice.
I have worked the past 16 years in the Auditor Office of Cerro Gordo County, where I have worked with land legals, transferring property and placing credits on properties. I also worked with the drainage districts as the drainage clerk and I have attended several meetings at the Drainage District Association. I also am the election clerk, where I have helped with the set up for elections.
The past five years I have served on the school board at Central Springs, Manly, Iowa, the last two years as vice president of the school board. I have attended several school board conferences in Des Moines, Iowa.
I have two children: Joshua is 20, serves in the United States Marine Corps reserves, and is attending NIACC and is employed at Rock Falls Grain Elevator in Rock Falls, Iowa. Elizabeth is 18, she is attending NIACC and is employed at Charlie Brown Day care in Mason City.
Are there specific issues which motivated you to seek office? If so, which ones? Why?
No, not really, but with my 16 years of experience I have knowledge in areas that I have some concerns and areas that I think might need extra support— and support doesn’t always mean money, but other ways to look at things and see where we can improve for our Cerro Gordo residents/property owners. A) Public Health. B) Mental Health. C) Drainage Districts:. D) Property Owners rights; E) Infrustructio nof roads and bridges in rural areas .
What is your top priority if elected?
My goal is to be that person that everyone feels comfortable to come to and sit down with and talk about their concerns. If we have differences, we can find a middle ground that we all can support. I believe that experience is knowledge and I have 16 years of that knowledge.
DON O’CONNOR
My name is Don O’Connor and I am a lifelong Cerro Gordo County resident. I am the oldest of four kids born to Jerry and Maxine O’Connor. I was raised on a farm in east central Cerro Gordo County and went to school in the Rudd Rockford Marble Rock School District. My brother still lives on the farmstead we grew up on and farms with his two sons yet today.
I am married to the love of my life, Carol. We have two grown married children and four grandchildren who we absolutely adore.
I worked for Hy Vee Food Stores in my very early days and started my career in the automotive business and spent 34 great years managing and operating dealerships here in North Iowa. After closing out my career there I have enjoyed working for a local community bank here in North Iowa again helping people with their financial needs.
I am very active in the community and am currently volunteering my time for service clubs and other organizations such as the River City Morning Kiwanis, Mason City Noon Rotary, Rockwell Lions, United Way of North Iowa, North Iowa Fair Association, North Iowa Builders Exchange, Mason City Chambers Ag Committee and Band Fest Committees, Mason City Housing Rehabilitation Committee, River City Rifle and Pistol Club just to name a few. I serve as a board member on many of these organizations and truly enjoy giving back to the community that has been so good to me and my family.
Are there specific issues which motivated you to seek office? If so, which ones? Why?
I really cannot say I got into the County Supervisor race for any specific issue. It seemed like the right time and opportunity to bring my skills learned over my business management career to be able to serve the citizens of Cerro Gordo County. I, like most others, find myself less than excited about the direction our country is going and the hardships the price of groceries, gas and everything else is having on our everyday lives. The job of a supervisor is that of a Business Manager who oversee the business of the county which was a $44 million dollar budget last year. We have a lot of issues coming at the Supervisors fast, such as the carbon sequestration pipeline, commercial solar farms and wind turbines just to mention a few. Cerro Gordo County finds itself in a strong financial position today and the Supervisors have been working hard to upgrade the counties infrastructure over that last five years without putting tax payers in a huge debt position. They have been good stewards of the tax payers money and have lowered the counties tax levy each of the last five years which is great news for tax payers but there is still a lot of work to be done and I feel I am the most qualified person for the job.
What is your top priority if elected?
As far as my top priority, I will be a voice for all the citizens of Cerro Gordo County. I am not a politician, I simply promise to work hard to grow Cerro Gordo County creating a positive environment where our kids want to stay and raise their families and businesses want to come. I promise to be a good steward of your tax dollars and use my business expertise to hit the ground running on Jan. 2, 2023. As I have been out visiting with you the voters I have made it very clear that you have my personal cell phone number and I want to hear what you have to say.
