News : Candidates sought for Benton County Extension Council

The Benton County extension council soon will begin the process to fill four seats on the council.

The elected council, like the hundreds of others across the country, is the grass roots governing body for the Cooperative Extension System. As part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Benton County council works in partnership with local citizens, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry the land-grant mission beyond the campus in Ames. Candidates for the council will appear on the general election ballot in November.

“The elected council is instrumental in fulfilling the land-grant mission and bringing research-based educational opportunities to the county. We invite those interested in Benton County’s extension and outreach programs, to be involved in the nomination process or consider running for council,” says Greg Walston, Benton County ISU Extension Program Director. The duties of a council member include hiring county staff, managing the county extension budget and helping select programming.

One hundred ISU Extension and Outreach field offices provide local access to extension programs in all 99 counties. “We are part of the ongoing life of Iowa’s communities and are positioned to anticipate trends, build relationships and catalyze opportunities,” says Greg Walston.

Identifying Council Candidates
The nomination process begins with the appointment of a four-member nominating committee. By law, the current council appoints two men and two women to the committee and it cannot include any current members of the council. The committee must be appointed by Aug. 6, 2012.

The committee is charged with nominating candidates for the council, and geographic distribution of the nominees is one factor that they consider. After nominees have been selected, each nominee must turn in to the county elections commissioner, Jill Marlow, a petition signed by at least 25 qualified voters by 5 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2012.

Individuals also may be placed on the ballot through a self-nomination process by turning in a petition signed by 25 qualified voters. Petitions are available from the county auditor and at the county extension office.

The nine-member council has four vacancies for four-year terms this year. Council members whose terms expire at the end of 2012 are Scott Hepker 5603 30th Ave. Vinton; Judi Hertle, 6680 27th Ave. Vinton; Nancy Jensen, 1544 75th St., Luzerne; Ben Olson, 6373 23rd Ave., Vinton. All council members are eligible for re-election.

Newly-elected council members will take office in January 2013. Carry-over council members whose terms expire at the end of 2014 are Shannon Feuerbach, 1443 69th St., Keystone; Marilyn Gerhold, 7298 31st Ave., Atkins; Allison Hicks, 1922 62nd Street Dr., Garrison ; Kathy Janss, 411 1st Ave., Keystone; Matthew Marovec, 2401 66th St., Vinton.

For more information on becoming a council member, contact Greg Walston

319-472-4739.