The Star Herald asked candidates facing a primary election on Aug. 9 five questions to inform readers about themselves.
The five questions are:
1.) Community involvement
2.) Employment, education and family
3.) What made you decide to seek election/reelection to the County Board of Commissioners?
4.) How do you view the role of a commissioner in your community?
5.) What makes you the best candidate for the job?
Gary Overgaard lives in Vienna Township and is running for District 1 County Commissioner.
1.) Served two terms on the Rock County Extension committee, member of the Farm Service Agency county committee and Five Star Co-op board and was a member and past chairman of the Southwest Minnesota Regional Extension Board, Minnesota State Suffolk Sheep Association, Rock County Pork Producers Association, Farmers Union Co-op Oil Board of Luverne and Lismore and the Vienna Township Board during the 1990s. I am currently a member of the county, state and national corn and soybean growers associations and also a member of the Rock County Rural Water System since 1979. For the past 40 years I have been a member of the Rock County Fair Board and a Rock County Fair 4-H Sheep Superintendent. Previously served on the Minnesota State Fair 4-H Livestock Committee and was a Minnesota State Fair 4-H Sheep Superintendent. I am a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne.
2.) A lifelong farmer involved in production agriculture since 1975. Between 1975 and 1977 worked as an instructor in the Lamb and Wool Program at the Pipestone Vo-Tech School. Was an assessor for the Kanaranzi Township between 1975 and 1980. From 1985 to 1987 I worked with the Rock County Extension Office doing farm financial analysis during the Farm Crisis and also filled in as county Extension director during the time when there was no permanent county agent. Between 1989 and 2002 I worked as a multi-peril and hail crop adjuster and for the last 36 years I have been a DeKalb/Asgrow seed dealer. I attended country school in Kanaranzi and am a 1970 graduate of Luverne High School. I obtained a bachelor of science degree in animal science from South Dakota State University in 1974. Have been married to my wife Emily, a professional opera singer, for 20 years.
3.) Since my high school days I have had aspirations to run for political office. The community has given me a great deal over the past 50 years and I believe serving as a commissioner is the best way that I can repay my debt to the community. Many people have encouraged me to run and I believe that this is the right time for me to throw my hat into the ring.
4.) I see a commissioner’s job as that of an overseer of all the functions of county government and, in particular, determining what is beneficial for all county residents and not just a few. It is very important to me that we make our decisions based upon what is best for all of Rock County. If given the opportunity to serve as the Commissioner for District 1, I realize that there will be a learning curve and I am more than willing to listen to my constituents to help me determine what precisely my role should be to best serve both the district and county.
5.) In order to be a successful commissioner, you need to be able to devote sufficient time and energy to the job. As such, my recent retirement from hog farming will afford me the necessary time to be an effective commissioner. I have learned from past and present commissioners, such as Bill Brakke, Milo Fodness, Wendell Erickson and Ken Hoime, on how best to serve as a commissioner. Having been involved in many local, county and state organizations, I have developed numerous personal connections that I will be able to utilize for the benefit of the residents of Rock County. Furthermore, having lived and worked in Rock County all of my life, I have a lifetime of experience and leadership to offer, which I believe makes me the best candidate for the job.