Candidate's view: Board can benefit from experience, commitment

I want to be your new St. Louis County commissioner in District 7.
For 27 years, I’ve been a social worker for the county.Like a lot of young people in the mid-1970s, I went to work in the taconite plants. The promise of good wages and great benefits was attractive. But then the early ’80s happened. Thousands of miners were put out of work, many never to return to jobs they assumed would be there for generations. I was among them.With limited opportunities on the Range, my options were moving or returning to school. At 26, I found myself back in college. Four years later, I had a degree in criminology/sociology from from the University of Minnesota Duluth.As a social worker, I’ve had the opportunity to affect many lives. Working for 10 years in child protection opened my eyes to the trauma too many children experience. For 15 years, I worked with children and adults experiencing serious mental health issues. For the past two years, I’ve been part of a team charged with addressing the serious drug problem facing our communities. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Initiative is responsible for educating community members about the opioids and methamphetamines devastating our county.For five years, I served as a board member on the Hibbing Housing and Redevelopment Authority, improving and adding housing options.For the past eight years, I’ve served on the Hibbing School Board; overseeing historic Hibbing High School has been an absolute honor. Our district has invested heavily in our infrastructure, and we’ve implemented technology and curriculum to prepare students for their next chapters.Without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable endeavors I’ve been involved in was working with a small group of volunteers to create the Miracle League of the Iron Range. It still amazes me we managed to raise over $600,000 in three months and create a beautiful ballfield for individuals with disabilities.I’m running for county commissioner because I’m in a unique position after working for the county 27 years. I have a strong base of knowledge about the No. 1 issue facing our county: meth and opioid abuse. I have a strong working relationship with the probation department, St. Louis County Jail and Northeast Regional Corrections Center.My job has taken me to all corners of our county. I’ve seen the poor condition of our rural roads and bridges. I applaud the County Board’s decision to add a 0.5 percent sales tax dedicated to improving roads and bridges.In spite of recent setbacks in mining, I feel the Range will come back stronger than ever. Cliffs Natural Resources’ investment in Eveleth Taconite and its intent to take over and heavily invest in the Essar project will ensure our taconite industry will be a strong force for years to come.When you go to the polls, a vote for me is a vote for a lifelong commitment to our region. Jeff Polcher of Hibbing is a candidate for St. Louis County Board. He wrote this at the invitation of the News Tribune. He can be contacted at (218) 969-7791.I want to be your new St. Louis County commissioner in District 7.
For 27 years, I’ve been a social worker for the county.Like a lot of young people in the mid-1970s, I went to work in the taconite plants. The promise of good wages and great benefits was attractive. But then the early ’80s happened. Thousands of miners were put out of work, many never to return to jobs they assumed would be there for generations. I was among them.With limited opportunities on the Range, my options were moving or returning to school. At 26, I found myself back in college. Four years later, I had a degree in criminology/sociology from from the University of Minnesota Duluth.As a social worker, I’ve had the opportunity to affect many lives. Working for 10 years in child protection opened my eyes to the trauma too many children experience. For 15 years, I worked with children and adults experiencing serious mental health issues. For the past two years, I’ve been part of a team charged with addressing the serious drug problem facing our communities. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Initiative is responsible for educating community members about the opioids and methamphetamines devastating our county.For five years, I served as a board member on the Hibbing Housing and Redevelopment Authority, improving and adding housing options.For the past eight years, I’ve served on the Hibbing School Board; overseeing historic Hibbing High School has been an absolute honor. Our district has invested heavily in our infrastructure, and we’ve implemented technology and curriculum to prepare students for their next chapters.Without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable endeavors I’ve been involved in was working with a small group of volunteers to create the Miracle League of the Iron Range. It still amazes me we managed to raise over $600,000 in three months and create a beautiful ballfield for individuals with disabilities.I’m running for county commissioner because I’m in a unique position after working for the county 27 years. I have a strong base of knowledge about the No. 1 issue facing our county: meth and opioid abuse. I have a strong working relationship with the probation department, St. Louis County Jail and Northeast Regional Corrections Center.My job has taken me to all corners of our county. I’ve seen the poor condition of our rural roads and bridges. I applaud the County Board’s decision to add a 0.5 percent sales tax dedicated to improving roads and bridges.In spite of recent setbacks in mining, I feel the Range will come back stronger than ever. Cliffs Natural Resources’ investment in Eveleth Taconite and its intent to take over and heavily invest in the Essar project will ensure our taconite industry will be a strong force for years to come.When you go to the polls, a vote for me is a vote for a lifelong commitment to our region.Jeff Polcher of Hibbing is a candidate for St. Louis County Board. He wrote this at the invitation of the News Tribune. He can be contacted at (218) 969-7791.