VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a media news release from Vicky Lovell.

“My name is Vicky Lovell and I am your current Barnes County Commissioner for District 4. I currently live in a rural area of Barnes County by Sanborn. I was born and raised in Barnes County and spent most of my life here, besides my time at Basic Training, I also lived for a short time in Seattle. My hobbies include reading books, going for walks, spending time with my family and friends, and helping out in my local community through the Our Saviors Lutheran Church, the American Legion, and the Sanborn Fire Department.

During my time living in Barnes County, I’ve had the opportunity to get exposure to many different industries here that give me a very well-rounded set of experiences that make me a great fit to serve as Commissioner. From working on a road construction crew in my younger years to the gravel hauling business I owned with my husband, I understand the importance of road safety and what it takes to build and maintain the roads in the county. This experience helps me provide the input necessary to make the decisions to keep these projects within budget and ensure the county is getting the most out of their tax dollars. I’ve used this experience in making decisions for the paving of the Eckelson Road, the refurbishment of the Viking Bridge, and to help get the little dam the repairs needed to operate efficiently. In addition to these projects, I also look forward to getting the county and township roads, the needed attention, as the flooding has created the need for a lot of repairs.

I have run a farm and worked for elevators, which gives me a unique perspective in what our farmers deal with every year, from bad weather to the large rise in fuel prices recently. I believe that the farmers do make up a lot of our economy and that this year will be a struggle.

In addition to the other things I’ve mentioned, I’ve also had experience as Business Office Manager for the Times Record, Freight Payables Manager at Cargill, and HR/Payroll/Safety Manager at the Sheyenne Care Center. With these experiences, I understand the importance of properly budgeting and that is something that I’ve made it a point to bring to the county commission. I look forward to continuing to try to limit the spending in our county and focusing on the projects most important to the taxpayers.

These jobs have also helped me to understand the shortage of workers we have in the county, especially within health care, due to the frustrations they have with balancing their personal lives with the long hours of helping others in their jobs. The shortage of workers is an ongoing problem we are all facing. The Valley City Barnes County (VCBC) Economic Development Corporation has programs to help in hiring workers for the area and provide relocation assistance. They also have resources to support small businesses.

I am very much for fiscal responsibility, and I would love to continue to work in the best interests of all of you in the county and I will continue to work hard at keeping the spending in check. I hope you Vote for Vicky in the upcoming primaries on June 14. and in the election on November 8th.

Lovell will face Ron Manson and Barry Borg in the June 14th primary. The top two will face each other again in the general election on November 8th.