Government : Meet the Candidate: Mark Zahradnik

Editor's Note: We continue our series of candidate profiles with Mark Zahradnik, a Republican candidate for District 3 Benton County Supervisor. As with all other profiles, the following is in the candidates' own words.

Benton County Supervisor, 3rd District Candidate Profile

Background

Mark Zahradnik, 43 years old. I grew up in Linn County. I’ve lived in Benton County for over 10 years.

Education

I graduated from Coe College with a degree in Biology and Physical Education, and Iowa State with a Masters in Animal Science and Agriculture.

Family

I live South of Luzerne with my wife Jennifer, an attorney in Belle Plaine, and our 2 girls, Sam-8 and Alex-4. We attend First Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine and our children go to Central Lutheran in Newhall.

Occupation

I have 2 trucks on the road, hauling grain and seed corn, and we lamb out around 40 ewes.

Experience

I have owned and operated Zahradnik Livestock Inc. since July of 2005.

If elected, my goal is to see that the money collected from Benton County tax payers is used in an efficient manner. We cannot continue to increase taxes to justify a growing government. Citizens are not cash cows that can be used to fund every project that comes along or fill shortfalls due to overspending. The idea that government has to be all things to all people is a flawed premise. We need to be conservative with our spending and reserved with our regulations.

Remaining focused on supporting agriculture, having good roads and bridges, protecting our citizens, rebuilding our rainy day fund, and helping those who cannot help themselves will keep Benton County the place we all enjoy living and raising our families.