Endorsement – Waseca Co. Attorney Cornelius

I have had the honor to work with Crysta Parkin for 11 years, working with her very closely in our roles as child protection attorneys representing MNPrairie (the shared human services of Steele, Waseca and Dodge).  One of the very important reasons that Ms. Parkin should be the Dodge County Attorney is based on her extensive child protection and adult protection experience working for MNPrairie.  Why is this important?  On January 1, 2027, MNPrairie is going to be only a Waseca and Dodge collaboration.  That means more than ever, an attorney versed in child and adult protection will be necessary to help effectuate this big change in the delivery system to Dodge County.  Ms. Parkin has the benefit of knowledge of the long history we have had together as a combined human services delivery system.  We need Ms. Parkin to stay in this role in order to help maintain this important service to Dodge County residents.  Ms. Parkin and I have lived experience from the early “growing pains” of the collaboration of MNPrairie.  We’ve dealt with many issues that are only known to us.  And losing one of the entities (Steele) will have major impacts on the new delivery system.  Ms. Parkin has the training, knowledge and understanding that this role requires, and can help navigate the changes that we will need to work through together in 2027.  Additionally, child protection and adult protection are very important, but nuanced, areas of the law.  It is important to have someone with the experience to navigate these complicated areas of law that are mostly driven by strict timelines, and are the most sensitive of the areas of law that we cover- restricting people’s rights.  It’s crucial to have an attorney that understands these deadlines and understands the law. Crysta Parkin is the only one in the Dodge County Attorney’s Office to be able to handle this proficiently.  I urge voters to vote for Crysta Parkin for Dodge County Attorney.