Ready to keep working; Gabrielson running for 3rd term

May 23--Tim Gabrielson is looking to continue working to solve problems for Mower County.

Gabrielson, 66, filed last week to seek his third term as the District 1 county commissioner.

"I enjoy being able to work with a great group of commissioners and employees to make the county government work smoothly and efficiently," he said.

Gabrielson said he brings 40 years of experience in solving problems, about 30 as an insurance agent and about 10 being involved in county politics. He retired in 2012 as a Farmers Insurance agent, in part to devote more of his focus to county issues.

Through his years of experience, Gabrielson says he's become good at talking to people and explaining complex county issues in a way the public can understand, even if they don't always like the answers.

In his time on the board, he's been involved with several clean air and water initiatives, and says he understands how important that is for the district.

He also noted it's vitally important for commissioners and county staff to work with legislators to secure funding for the clean air and water initiatives.

He hopes he can continue moving the county ahead on water projects while keeping taxes low.

"I appreciate the opportunity to represent Mower County and the 1st District," he said.

Looking ahead, Gabrielson expects road and bridge issues to be an ongoing concern.

"It's the entire state," he said. "For the last 40 years, [we] have not funded roads properly."

The board has been discussing how to address a roughly $100 million need for road and bridge projects over the next decade and an estimated funding shortfall of $6.5 million per year. One option is the half-cent sales tax the board could enact for specific road projects, which would slim the county's annual funding shortfall from $6.5 million a year to $5 million a year.

While the board is expected to approve or deny implementing the half-sales tax before the November election, transportation funding shortfalls will be an ongoing issue.

With the county's agriculture base, Gabrielson noted it's vitally important to have a strong road system.

"We are a farm to market county," he said. "It's a huge industry, and we've got to have roads to get the crops and produce to market."

Gabrielson also said social services and mental health will be key issues, as those have continued effects on law enforcement, courts, and Mower County Health and Human Services.

"So many people are in need because of having mental health issues, and we have many of those people in jail," he said.

"There's a great need and we need to help these people, but we need to get some of our values back in line, I believe," he added.

Gabrielson has also served on the rural energy board, solar and wind energy boards, the Workforce Development board, and he chairs the Emergency Medical Services board.

In his spare time, Gabrielson enjoys working on his yard, playing golf, fishing and going to car races. He also raced stock cars for many years.

Gabrielson and his wife, Diane, live just outside Austin. They have a daughter and a son, three grandchildren, and a dog.

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