By Brian Ojanpa
The Free Press
MANKATO —
With Rolland “Butch” Erichsrud opting not to run for re-election, the Faribault County Board District 2 commissioner position will be contested by four candidates in the Aug. 10 primary election.
The contenders:
Al Thielfoldt has never run for elective office but believes he can unify board members he said are too often at odds with one another.
“I don’t think it should be as contentious as it is,” said Thielfoldt, who owns a marketing company.
In addition to counties’ omnipresent issue of dealing with shrinking budgets, Thielfoldt said one issue he’d tackle if elected is the utilization of a new county jail that he claims isn’t being used to its full capacity.
The 16-year Faribault County resident hails from Forest Lake.
Mike Mensing has never run for county office and was unsuccessful in a bid for a seat on the Blue Earth City Council.
The lifelong county resident said he chose to run at the behest of Erichsrud.
“He approached me last winter and thought I’d be a good candidate.”
Mensing said he has no personal agenda in seeking a County Board spot. “But I would have been disappointed in myself if I hadn’t filed.”
The home improvement contractor attended Rochester Community College and Minnesota State University.
Greg Young, part of a fifth-generation Faribault County family, grew up in Blue Earth and attended Minnesota State University.
A commercial masonry contractor for 35 years, Young said his experience and knowledge of the construction industry will be an invaluable asset to the County Board.
“I have a working knowledge of bidding projects, project specifications and schedules. I am also very familiar with construction contracts.”
Young has served on several area boards and committees and since 1997 has served on the Faribault County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Since 2003 he has served on the Verona Township Board.
Candidate Milton Steele did not respond to requests for personal information.
