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Posted on: Dec. 22 2004,12:06 am |
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Behrends forsees winds of change
By Ann Austin, Tribune staff writer 5/23/04
Having survived making difficult decisions for the county during his first term as District 5 Freeborn County commissioner, Mark Behrends now wants to work through the opportunities created by those earlier decisions. He announced Friday he will run for a second term on the county board.
"I've enjoyed the last three and a half years and would enjoy another term," he said.
Behrends, who farms soybeans and corn on a fourth-generation farm, initially became a commissioner to be more involved in the community. He's excited about the growth of Albert Lea, he said, siting businesses moving to Albert Lea because of benefits available through Gov. Tim Pawlenty's JOBZ program.
"There's great things that could happen with that," he said.
Behrends prides himself in having an open mind when presented with issues and being able to make difficult decisions.
"I'm willing to make the tough decisions when they have to be made," he said.
Some of the issues creating the biggest challenge for Behrends during his first term included the new courthouse, budget cuts and the development of the watershed board.
Job creation is one of the biggest concerns now, Behrends said, but programs like the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency can help job growth.
"There are a lot of different entities working to make this city and county grow," he said.
Behrends has been involved with various boards including Planning and Zoning, the Extension Committee, Semcac, Greater Jobs, Port Authority, Solid Waste and the Agriculture Task Force, to name a few.
His first term has given him background in many areas considered by the county board, which is an asset for making future decisions, he said.
Behrends was on Port Authority Board while that board was renting land to him.
Did the Port Authority offer that land to the public for rent and accept highest bids or did they rent only to an insider?
Ave rent 2002 Freeborn County $106.31/acre
Ave rent 2002 Pickerel Lake Township (where port Authority land lies) $127.76/acre
http://www.extension.umn.edu/county....nd'
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