2010 Voter Guide: Myra Peterson

• Myra Peterson

Myra Peterson

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Myra Peterson (incumbent)

City: Cottage Grove

Age: 71

Family: Married, eight children living (one decease); 15 grandchildren

Occupation: Washington County Commissioner

Why are you the most qualified candidate to represent south Washington County in Stillwater?

Peterson has touted her 15 years of experience on the county board, and her decades of involvement in local government — including a stint as the mayor of Oakdale — as her greatest strength throughout the campaign.

"it's absolutely crucial," she said. "We're going to have to make tough choices in the next few years. And having a deep understanding of county government is critical, Peterson says.

The working relationships she has with state and federal lawmakers benefits the county and district, she said. She cites her work at securing dollars for transportation projects in the area — like the recently completed new Wakota Bridge — as proof.

Much of the county's budget is a result of state mandates. What would you cut?

"Our budget is very lean and mean," Peterson said. She has cited Washington County's property tax rate — the second-lowest in the state — and pointed to the county's number of employees — the lowest per-capita in the state — as evidence of the county's efficiency.

"Out county does review all program areas annually" to analyze efficiency, Peterson said at a debate. The county will have to look at increasing fees and decreasing the level of service, she said.

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