Newcomer Mike Hintz is squared off with incumbent Al Ruhland in pursuit of the District 2 seat on the Waseca County Board of Commissioners.

District 2 includes Woodville Township and portions of the city of Waseca.

Waseca native Hintz is a self-employed cabinet maker and remodeler who won a primary election runoff and is seeking a board seat for the first time.

“I feel very happily honored at that outcome, but I need to work hard to gain the support of the voters,” said the 49-year-old, who has two college-age children.

Hintz said he hopes to help bring more efficiency and revenue growth to the county, and his decision to run wasn’t made in haste.

“I’ve been considering it over the past couple years. I’d like to bring a louder voice and a bigger set of ears to that level of government. I can bring a lot of different resources to the table, and tap into a lot of resources, too.”

Hintz, a 25-year volunteer fire and rescue team member, said he’s been prepping for the position by putting himself in the role of a commissioner.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response I’ve gotten from the public.”

Hintz said people have buttonholed him about the possibility of a new county building due to courthouse overcrowding (he’d look into remodeling/expansion options before deciding whether to build anew), and have chatted him up about Waseca’s new Clear Lake bike trail (he said it’s been a positive, though some people suggest the public wasn’t privy enough to its formative planning).

He also said he’s spent plenty of time at the courthouse, getting familiarized with departments and staff.

Ruhland, who retired from a Waseca fuel and oil company, is seeking his third term in office.

He formerly served as Woodville Township clerk, a post he held 25 years.

He said he’s always had a keen interest in county government, and if there’s anything that’s surprised him about his county commissioner role, it’s the time demands of the position.

“It’s been a lot more meetings and the like than anyone can imagine. Another commissioner figured he averaged 32 hours a week last year. Sometimes you wonder why you do it, but it’s fun.”

During his tenure as commissioner, Ruhland said he’s proudest of helping achieve such things as the Clear Lake recreation trail, the effort to clean the waters of Gator Lake, moving the county Human Services department into new quarters, implementation of placing county land-parcel maps on an Internet site, and the impending opening of an ethanol plant between Waseca and Janesville that will employ 50 to 60 workers.