Name: Rick Fey
I have been married for 36 years to my wife Karen and we have four biological children who are married and living in Luverne, Sioux Center, Minneapolis and Hammenschraal, South Africa. Our son, Evan, who is living in Minneapolis, is currently deployed with the US Air Force in the Middle East. Our fifth child, Israel, is our adopted gift from God and is age 11, attending Edgerton Christian Elementary School.
I was born in the Pipestone Hospital and have lived in Edgerton all 58 years of my life.
Occupation: After 10 years editing the Edgerton newspaper, spending nine years in the office as Procurement Manager for Fey Industries, and another three years as Customer Service Manager for Knology Communications (under their former name), I have worked the last 10 years for Monogram Foods at their plant in Chandler -- one of three plants owned by this corporation out of Memphis, Tenn. My current position involves negotiations for best rates in transportation services across the U.S., as well as supply purchases for items that are used in the manufacturing of beef jerky, bacon jerky, meat and cheese sticks. Our plant has about 400 associates in Chandler.
What prompted you to run for county commissioner? I have spent years following the actions of the County Board as they have directed our tax dollars. Budgetary concerns always top the list for all voters as those decisions are felt in our pocketbooks -- fiscal scrutiny of all expenses is critical to the Commissioners' responsibility. Some of my qualifications that will be beneficial in my role as commissioner: 1) Have worked with the Human Servies staff for about 18 years as foster parents; as newspaper owner and editor for the Edgerton paper had close interaction with the Auditors office staff.
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Do you have experience in leadership or local government? Enjoyed 8 years on the Edgerton City Council overseeing the Edgerton budget, water quality, growing staff needs, and the growth of this corner of our County; have also served on the local Christian school board and the First Chr. Ref Church Council; and am presently representing Pipestone County as the at large member elected to the SW Minnesota Workforce Council which controls the budgets of the Workforce Centers in Marshall and Worthington. I serve on the governing board of the Hillside Cemetery.
What do you think is the most important issue in your county? With the present commissioner retiring, I feel I can use my varied experiences to watch over the County Budget, encourage fiscal scrutiny in the Highway Dept, Human Services area, Sheriffs Dept. and all other important services.
