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1129%13 Economic development on new Washington County commissioners'agendas I StarTribune.com a StarTribune Economic development on new Washington County commissioners' agendas Article by: KEVIN GILES Star Tribune January 11, 2013- 5:14 PM _ ty The bricks that built Fran Miron's farmhouse near Hugo were hauled 18 miles by horse and wagon from Stillwater, back in the days when most of Washington County was an empty place. Miron has lived in that house almost all of his 58 years, as did three generations before him. His great-grandfather started the farm in 1887, the house was built in 1900, and even today Miron and his family milk dairy cattle and grow com, soybeans and alfalfa on many of their 800 acres. v "When you create a level of pride in where you live and you create the quality of life that people want to be part of, and I think we did -- ' that in Hugo, there's something very gratifying about that," said Miron, one of two newcomers to join the Washington County Board last week. i _ - Also sworn to duty was Ted Bearth of Oakdale, a longtime civic Fran Miron;Washington County District 1 Commissioner activist and, like Miron, a former city mayor. They have high Photo Provided By Candidate regard for each other. "He's generally committed to public service," Miron said of IN OTHER BUSINESS Bearth, 74, who defeated incumbent Bill Pulkrabek. "That's my attitude, too. I don't see Ted on ane o tri here. He's a seasoned Lisa y Bo was voted chairwoman of the Washington g p County Board. individual who wants to give back to his community.' Autumn Lehrke was elected vice chairwoman. Bearth said of Miron: "I think we're quite similar. I think our Fran Miron and Ted Bearth were sworn in by backgrounds are similar, I think our philosophies are pretty close. District Judge Gary Schurrer. How do we differ? I don't think we really do." Weik and Gary Kriesel,incumbents re-elected this fall,were sworn in by District Judge Tad Jude. Both new commissioners bring a strong belief that Washington Further information about the Washington County Count should more vi orousl explore partnerships with cities on Board and its members is available at Y 9 Y p p P www.co.washin_qton.rnn.us. mutual issues, such as roads and transportation. They also want more attention paid to economic development. "What I noticed when I was out campaigning was a sort of disconnect between county government and local government," said Miron, who displaced longtime incumbent Dennis Hegberg in November. Here's where the new commissioners stand on some key issues before the board: Land and Water Legacy: In 2006, Washington County voters authorized the county to spend as much as $20 million to preserve open spaces and ensure water quality. "The public has entrusted us to spend their money wisely, to get their money's worth," Bearth said. Should all land purchased be open to the public? "Except for extreme cases, I think it ought to be," he said. wwwstartribune.corr✓[ocal/easV186228091.html 1/3