John Martin, David Hillier, Dick Pacholl and Dick Lang all lost re-election efforts for their respective seats in city and county government. Recorder Sue Davis is retiring. Here are their thoughts as they leave office.

Q. What are your thoughts as you leave office?

A. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Mower County Commissioner. I will miss the regular contact with many fine county employees and the citizens of the county.

Q. Are there any current issues or projects you wish you could have been a part of in the future?

A. Current issues will continue to go forward with the new board. I have confidence in the new board that they will go forward and make wise decisions.

Q. Why did you first run for office? Did you think you would serve this long?

A. In 1993 I received a conditional use zoning permit and found the process to be interesting. The next step was to run for commissioner when the former commissioner Dewy Hanson retired. I approached it one term at a time with an open mind and did not have a personal agenda.

Q. How how has the community changed since you first took office?

A. Probably the greatest changes have come with technological advances. One of the first meetings I attended in 1995 with community leaders was to determine how and if we could get the Internet to Austin. Now it is available on our cell phones.

Q. What are some memories of your time serving the county/city?

A. Some of my fondest memories include the people I have met and had the privilege of working with. If I start listing names I know I will miss someone, 16 years of meetings has yielded many memories.

Q. What is your proudest achievement looking back over your years of service?

A. I believe the updating of the fairgrounds facilities are a wonderful achievement. The new livestock/multipurpose buildings are a great asset to the community. The new streets and underground infrastructure at the fairgrounds will last for decades.

Q. What is the most difficult project or obstacle you encountered?

A. The Mower County Justice Center was the most difficult project. The county commissioners are responsible for providing jail and courtroom facilities. Many citizens are never touched by crime or public safety issues and therefore do not fully realize the necessity of such a facility. The combination of state mandates by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and the increase in local crime demonstrated the need for a facility that did not have a 90 day holding restriction.

Q. If you could go back and do anything differently, would you? What would it be?

A. One of the most difficult issues I faced was how to inform the public of all of the current issues. The media does not have the space or air time to give all the details that commissioners receive.

Q. What do you plan to do now that you’re no longer serving the community as an elected official?

A. I will continue with my farming and compost operation and will continue to be involved in rural agricultural issues.

Q. What is something interesting the voters don’t know about you?

A. I enjoy fishing and hope to spend more time at it and hope my skill (luck) improves.