Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Mower County Board of Commissioners. In District 1, incumbent Tim Gabrielson is looking to hold off newcomer James Williams. Two familiar faces return in District 2, as Polly Glynn looks to win a second term by defeating Ray Tucker, who she ousted by 61 votes in 2012 after he’d served 16 years on the board.

Ray Tucker

After losing to Polly Glynn four years ago after 16 years on the board, Ray Tucker, 64, is back for another go. He lives in Dexter Township,  owns Tucker Tiling, has a daughter and four grandchildren.

Q: Why did you decide to run for a seat on the Mower County board?

A: My decision to run again came primarily from the residents of District 2. I kept hearing that their needs were not being heard or “nothing was getting done” so I felt that I needed to do what I could to get some of those needs, concerns met. I also enjoyed being on the board in the past and wanted the opportunity to serve again. 

Q: Tell us about your past experience.

A: I have many years of political experience as I served as County Commissioner from 1996 to 2012.  Prior to that I served on the Dexter City Council. 

Q: What do you believe will make you a good board member?

A: What makes me a good board member is that I have a “down to earth” principlethat I apply on a daily basis. I am comfortable making tough decisions and most importantly, I listen to what my constituents are saying.  Since I work primarily with the ag community I am easily accessible to the people in my district. 

Q: Describe how you would approach and consider issues on the board?

A: I like to approach the issues the county faces on a priority bases. Some items are mandated and there isn’t a lot that we can do with that, however, there are issues that the county needs to address and although we like to be able to address all those issues, it is not always possible, therefore we have to take the items that are of a highest priority and deal with those the best we can.  Work down the ladder from there.  I also feel it is important to work well with the other commissioners. 

Q: Mower County has long faced shortfalls in transportation funding and has a half-cent sales tax for roads set to take effect in 2018. How would you like to best address road concerns?

A: We need to make the county road system a priority in our funding budget and I am not in favor of the proposed half cent sales tax for the road system.  I feel the county needs to work harder to obtain those funds via our legislators. 

Q: Describe your approach to discussing and weighing budget, funding and spending issues as they come up.

A: To get to a budget that is fair and can meet the needs of the county, each item in that budget needs to be prioritized.  It is up to the county board to determine that priority and come to a mutual agreement on how to meet those needs. 

Q: What things do you think can be done to improve the county?

A: I believe the county can improve by focusing on the needs of the county and making sure that those needs are met. We don’t need to be spending county funds to “give away” programs.  I think that the county needs to use the resources that we already have available to encourage economic growth.  Our county needs to do a better job at promoting and putting those services to use. 

Q: What other issues would like to see addressed by the board and why?

A: The district I represent is primarily an ag community.  The ag community, and all those who live in District 2, rely heavily on the county road system to either get to work or to get their work done.  They pay a great share of the property tax paid in Mower County in order to have these roads to use and I feel the county has dropped the ball on maintaining and improving our county road system and I would work to get our county “back on track” and make the county road system a priority.

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

A: I enjoy helping my daughter and son-in-law on their farm. I like boating and fishing. I enjoy driving around the county and visiting with the area farmers. 

Q: What would we find you doing on a typical Friday night?

A: Socializing locally or a drive out to my daughter’s farm.