Kevin Adee
I was born and raised in International Falls and graduated from Falls Senior High in 1978. After graduation I attended and graduated from Brainerd Vo-Tech Sporting Goods Sales and Management program and Hibbing Vo-Tech General Office and Accounting Management Program. I worked for the First National Bank from 1983 — 1996. I then received my licenses to sell insurance and investments and a year later I received my license to refinance homes. I started my own business with Primerica Financial Services from 1997-2001.
In 2002 I was elected County Commissioner for District 2 and I have served in that capacity since, for a total of 16 years. I get along well with people and work well with other elected officials including ones that I sit on other boards with that may affect people from Koochiching County. A big part of public office is how you get along with people in general and also those in office. Conflict only slows down the process.
The main thing I’d like to get accomplished is to finalize getting an overpass built over the Van Lynn Road railroad tracks and possibly an extension of the road to Highway 11 East. This needs to be done for public safety purposes especially. There are times now with two trains using the tracks at the same time and even if they don’t slow down or stop it takes 20-30 minutes to be able to cross. That is unacceptable for people that need medical services, need to go to work or have other things to do. This would be done primarily by hopefully federal and state grants.
I have either chaired or co-chaired the 4th of July parade for 28 years. I was chairman of the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Parade. With the authorization of the International Falls Jaycees and the okay from the Chamber and the City, I initiated the Christmas Parade.
Harley Droba
1. I am a 1996 FHS graduate who prepares coffee for a community that is desperately searching for a jumpstart. I represent the residents of International Falls on city council and make my positions clear, voice my concerns, and connect with those of interest to the subject matter. I stand with, and will fight for, my fellow veterans and the twentythree posts I represent in my role of Minnesota VFW District Eight Commander. I support local non-profits and sports programs by assisting in fundraising efforts in my role as Gambling Manger at VFW Post 2948. I laugh, I joke, I razz my friends and family. I take my roles in the community serious, because choices I make affect people and I understand that better than most.
2. I am on open book on my thoughts and feelings on any issue. I research with residents as I did on the Van Lynn Road overpass as outlined in the July 19th Journal article “International Falls City Council supports federal grant for county road overpass”. Unlike my opponent, I am on social media and have access to messenger work groups to keep in touch with residents through projects. This would be one way to keep residents both toward the lake and on county road 24 updates on the sewer project and Van Lynn overpass and possible road extension.
3. There are several issues that I see affect the ability for our county to grow. Employment/ work force, child care, broadband access, and promoting ourselves as a “Cheap Place to Live” are among the highest on my list. Economic development isn’t as simple as people think. We don’t have the luxury to just call in manufacturing jobs or open a Target Super Store. We must set the stage for business to want to be here. Contrary to general conversation, there are jobs in the community that go unfilled for a host of reasons. Pay, lack of child care, and sadly absence of motivation are factors that need to be addressed. As a member of KEDA I am happy we are exploring child care needs as it is both a local and national issue. A nother economic hurdle is access to broadband. No disrespect to the seated county board members but it’s time for someone with a technical communication background, like myself, on the board in this digital world. One commissioner on May 23, 2018 at the KEDA meeting said, “If you took most of us on this committee right now we could fill this (water) bottle with our knowledge of technical stuff.” (Youtube, KCC-TV) I was a military team leader in satellite communications and have data center experience at the 511 building in Minneapolis before the .com bubble.
4. I have utmost respect for my opponent. I am not running against him for any other reason than I want to represent ALL areas of District 2, city of International Falls, Country, and the lake. We must make hard choices for the future, not reminisce in the past.
