EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a series of profiles on the candidates for the Yankton City Commission.

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NAME: Laura H. Baumeister

FAMILY: Husband - Dave, Son - Sean (10), Daughter - Molly (4)

EDUCATION/OCCUPATION: Graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Advertising and a minor in Sociology. Currently employed as director of marketing and college relations with Mount Marty College

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1. Why do you want to be a city commissioner?

Since moving to Yankton nine years ago, I've been involved in various organizations that have a far-reaching impact in Yankton. My service to the Chamber on Leadership Yankton and the Education Committee spanned several years, but most recently I've been heavily involved in the activities of the Yankton Red Cross. I've discovered I have an interest in a variety of areas, though, and am ready to serve the Yankton area in a broader sense through service on the city commission.

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2. When it comes to working on economic growth, do you believe there are potential Yankton-friendly opportunities that the City Commission and its economic development allies have not fully explored? Do you have ideas on how the city could improve its economic development approach?

A variety of economic development options have been explored, but I don't believe we have the right "experts" at the helm who understand business development, technology and our current resources. There also needs to be a better understanding of how competition increases the standard of living for all of us.

We need to develop a true think-tank of qualified experts ... not self-proclaimed experts... who can provide a coordinated approach to courting prospects. Our current format of VIP courtship currently offers more hype than help to the interested businesses. To assemble this team, I recommend an interview process to select individuals in a variety of disciplines. Then, this team would take a very coordinated, organized and customized approach to courting the businesses to the area.

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3. Four months since two City Commission members were recalled, there are people in the community who still harbor bitter feelings about what transpired. However, commissioners currently seem to be working well together despite any past differences they may have had. Do you believe the commission has sufficiently dealt with the issues raised during the recall effort? Do you see yourself as someone who could "keep the peace" on the commission but still be true to your beliefs?

I disagree that the commissioners are working well. The current commissioners are "gun-shy" on big issues. The B-Y water question magnified that hesitation as the commission answered "write your legislators."

One of the issues raised during the recall had to do with an element of secrecy on the commission. Secrecy still exists as evidenced by the silence around the pool issue. By not placing the pool on the agenda, perhaps some commissioners are hoping it will remain a secret.

I've been told that I'm a valuable team player who sees the "big picture" and asks tough questions in order to arrive at the best solution. I don't like "playing politics," but I'm ready to represent the public's point of view constructively on the commission.

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4. Yankton voters will decide in the upcoming election whether they support a $2.5 million property-tax opt-out for a second fire station. Will you be supporting the opt-out? Why or why not?

I will be supporting the fire station opt-out for several reasons. First, although it's very clear that the current fire station has a wonderful volunteer staff and has great coverage of the downtown and central portions of Yankton, coverage of the north half of town is sketchy. As Yankton continues to grow, the need for another fire station is important for public safety.

Another reason to support the fire station is to influence the insurance ratings of Yankton. Currently, the rating is a 5 (out of 10). The lower the rating, the better insurance rates homeowners can receive from insurance companies. To the homeowner, this may translate into about the same amount of insurance savings per year as the opt-out may cost in tax dollars.

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5. The City Commission rescinded from the ballot a $2.5 million property-tax opt-out for renovations at the Memorial Park Pool and are still struggling to come up with what they believe will be a workable plan for the project. What would you like to see in a pool plan? What price range would you like it to fall within, and do you have any innovative ideas (outside of an opt-out) to pay for the endeavor?

Have we asked our average, every-day customers (children and parents) what they would like?

The commission has admitted that any improvements to the pool would be a "losing proposition." That's because the operation costs of the pool and the increased operation costs of improvements would still cost more to the city than revenue generated.

Yet there are definitely groups very much in support of the pool. Much like the Yankton Area Ice Association and the new ice rink or the dog park and their fundraising drive, maybe the pool project is best handled by a volunteer group that will survey, size up and submit a plan for growth, development, fundraising and sustaining this form of recreation. Yankton is rich with entrepreneur spirit... let's use it.

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6. Any closing thoughts?

With the recall, there was speculation of who was "pulling the strings" of the candidates and city commissioners. Today, you'll still see some current commissioners and candidates with their entourage of supporters. I will come to the commission without puppet strings, but plenty of ties to the community and community members. I welcome questions and comments from Yankton citizens at all times to help ensure I'm making the right decisions.

The recall decision is behind us, now. Let's move ahead and do good things for Yankton. I believe I'm the right person to move things in that direction.