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Zorn seeks seventh term on board
April 22, 2002
Dale W. Zorn is seeking re-election as a county commissioner.
By JOSHUA KENNEDY The only Republican to ever lead the Monroe County Board of Commissioners has announced his intentions for a seventh consecutive term. Dale W. Zorn, 49, has represented District 2, which is roughly Raisinville Exeter and London townships as well as the Village of Maybee and parts of Ida and Dundee villages. "I enjoy being involved in the community and helping the community grow and prosper," he said, announcing his intentions. "I enjoy being a public servant. If I wasn't elected I'd be in the public service one way or another." The environment will be the focus of this year's campaign, Mr. Zorn said. "There's a lot of things that tie into that," he said. "Industrial development is just one of those issues. Every time we do development we have to look at how it affects our natural resources." Dundee cement-maker Holcim (US) Inc.'s recent request to dredge its man-made lake on Macon Creek has many environmental impacts, Mr. Zorn said. Part of that project will include drilling two 350-foot wells on the Day Rd. site. A recent U.S. Geological Service report suggests that 75 percent of Monroe County's ground water is being used by industry and quarries. "We're in the water issue," Mr. Zorn said. "Water's such a commodity. It's used by every individual and business in the county." Mr. Zorn said it's the government's job to ensure that those competing interests work cohesively and not antagonistically. "They, too, need to help us help protect our resources," he said. "One way of doing that, the state government - because this issue is bigger than Monroe County - needs to provide incentives for industry to help protect the environment." Mr. Zorn said he'd like to see financial incentives, but didn't offer specific examples. In addition to protecting the environment, Mr. Zorn said economic and industrial development is tantamount in Monroe County. "Good economic and employment conditions rely on a solid infrastructure of roads, transportation and services," he said, adding that he often has argued for increasing the county's self-help road fund, which in many cases allows townships to double their annual road budgets. Public health, welfare and safety are other issues Mr. Zorn said he'd work toward bettering if elected again. Earlier this year, he announced that the county would improve its emergency services and add a hazardous materials response team by the end of the year. Mr. Zorn said residents should rely on his experience as an elected official. He's served in an elected office since being elected to the Raisinville Township Board in 1980. He's an Ida High School graduate, and attended Monroe County Community College. "When I'm dead and gone I'd like people to think I was someone who cared for the community and that I was somebody who made a difference," he said. "Vote for me because I've had a lot of experience as chairman and I bring a lot of historical value to the board. "I have experience in our past problems and how we dealt with them and I still enjoy what I'm doing." Mr. Zorn and his wife, Cindy, have four children.
İMonroe Evening News 2002