Meet the local candidates: Marv Zylstra

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Name: Marvin L. Zylstra

Commissioner District: District One

City or Township in which you reside: Hersey Township

Occupation: Farming, consisting of corn/soybeans and farrow to finish swine operation; Commissioner in Nobles County District One.

What qualifications do you have for seeking a county board seat?

Education: Graduate of Worthington Community College with an A.A. degree in pre-ag. Graduate of Southwest State University with a B.S. in Business Administration/Ag Business. Masters of Agriculture with emphasis in Extension Education from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.

Experience: I have served Nobles County as a Commissioner representing District One for 9½ years. I have served as board chair, on the budget committee and numerous assigned committees. On the state level, I am vice chair of the State Extension Committee, member of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), Futures Committee, and AMC Transportation Committee. My experience also includes 9 ½ years working for the Minnesota Extension Service as an Ag Educator and 4-H Youth Programs. Working with area farmers on budgets utilizing the “FinPack” program. I also gained valuable experience working with the 4-H youth.

Finally, I have farmed north of Worthington since 1973, operating a corn-soybean rotation and a 50-sow farrow to finish operation.

Education and experience are the best qualifications I bring to a County Board seat. I have represented Nobles County and District One with a positive voting record, and served the citizens to the best of my abilities.

What is your top priority in county government? I believe the top priority in Nobles County is the hiring of a County Coordinator/Administrator. The board has hired Vijay Sethi as an Interim Administrator, however, the board, the elected officials, department heads, and Vijay need to lay the ground work for the hiring of a new individual to serve Nobles County.

Explain ideas you have to address your top priority: Started the process of team building with the board, elected officials and department heads. Hired Toni Smith, AMC, to facilitate the team building process.

Elected, Department Heads and two board members meet twice a month to discuss the “Counties Future” and improve the operations of county government.

Work with the current board and Vijay to begin the hiring process, and have a hire by January 1, 2013.

What would you like to see accomplished in the county in the next four years? I would like to see the Library Project move forward; continue to fund for roads and bridges in Nobles County; work to have a positive work environment and have employees proud to work in Nobles County; partner with cities, neighboring counties and the state for economic development; continue the plans for building energy savings to the county.

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