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Timothy L. Lapointe, D-Mason City, 59, is an attorney at the law offices of Timothy L. Lapointe P.C., practicing in Mason City since 1992. He was born and raised in Mason City. He and wife Sheila, have sons Phillip and his wife Amberlee, and grandson George; and Peter and Stephanie Lapointe.
Lapointe has served as commissioner of Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission, Red Cross Board, president of the North Iowa AIDS Coalition, president of the Legal Services Workers’ Union, county caucus chair and precinct caucus chair.
Candidates were asked to give a brief answer to each of the following questions.
Q: What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office?
A: Thirty-four years as a practicing lawyer, with extensive dealings with the Cerro Gordo County judicial system and all of the other county offices; 10 years on the Cerro Gordo County Compensation Board; 24 years on bipartisan Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission, dealing with contract review and issues similar to those Cerro Gordo County will be dealing with such as the CO2 pipeline and wind, solar and drainage ditch issues; common carrier status; set backs; rights of way; 28E agreement; budget oversight; RFPS and other contract interpretation issues.
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Q. What is the most pressing problem facing the community and how would you fix it?
A: CO2 pipeline. I would propose to fix this by aggressively fighting to keep this out of our county, and if it comes here imposing very restrictive safeguards, which I have researched and am ready to draft into a resolution
Wind and solar initiatives. I propose to work with economic development leaders to bring clean energy businesses and good paying jobs to Cerro Gordo County, and would insist on using Lehigh Cement for the bases of the wind turbines and any other concrete work.
Mental health crisis. I would work with the County Public Health Department to help ease the burdens caused by the regionalization of mental health services and would work with multiple agencies to create a plan for services, education, etc.
Opioid crisis. I would rely on experts in the field and would fully support out County Public Health Department and local providers who are experienced and dedicated to this cause.
Homeless issues. I commit to working with local agencies and providing additional assistance at the county level to help eradicate homelessness in our county.
Cyber security. I will use my unique skills from my experience on the ITTC to help ensure the most secure county IT system we can possibly have.
Stagnation leading to loss of young people and underfunding county worker pay. I would promote aggressive economic development plan to raise revenues and would commit to working hard to provide better wages to all county workers.
Q. What do you want most for your community?
A: A vibrant and thriving economy. Tourism. Fully funded public health and mental health system. A community where all of the local economic authorities work together to promote our county and city and support projects that create a welcoming, upwardly mobile city and county and a place where the good people decide to stay and good industrious young people decide to move to.
