Mark Doland (R-Toledo).

Mark Doland, 48, is the Republican nominee for Tama County Supervisor District 4. He lives in rural Toledo (seven miles northwest of the city limits) with his wife Gwendy (Thede) Doland; they have five daughters and three sons. He works as a probation officer. His educational background includes a Master of Christian Counseling, a Bachelor in Theology/Bachelor in Christian Substance Abuse Counseling, and a National Criminal Justice Training Center/Academy for Probation Officers Certificate.

1. What is something that you wish to change in your role as county supervisor?

Restore citizen representation and function of government. If elected, I plan to lead an effort to abolish the new ordinance for supervisor meetings. We will return to allowing public comments on any topic during public comment time and follow Robert’s Rules of Order. I propose agenda items be finalized Wednesday of the week prior to the meetings directed by any supervisor and having a packet of all documentation necessary to being informed on making a decision no later than Thursday the week before the meeting.

2. What is the largest issue facing Tama County today, in your opinion?

There are two issues I would like to address.

The first that we are facing is the roaring epidemic of substance abuse and mental health crisis plaguing our community. Resources are sparse and the need continues to outpace the services that we provide exponentially. I have a record of accomplishment in securing resources and services for those struggling in rural areas. I would enlist professionals that

I have worked with in the past to address the ongoing epidemic and proactively implement services with the rise of fentanyl seeping into our area.

The second is communicative leadership and transparency. This transcends every area of county government. Taxpayers do not feel like their voices are being heard so they start screaming and eventually filing lawsuits. Decisions and issues should be discussed and made in the light of the public during meetings. Currently, residents do not trust decisions are being made on their behalf. The most frequent concern that I have heard while campaigning is that people are afraid of what is happening behind closed doors and they have been silenced through a new ordinance that only allows public comments during meetings on a specific agenda item.

3. Why is 5 supervisors better than 3?

Five county supervisors are better than three for a number of reasons. You get more local access to your representative and the ability to have more expertise and talents to contribute to the board from the added members.

4. Do you think wind energy has a place in Tama County?

I assume the question is directed towards commercial/industrial wind as opposed to private. There is currently the repowering Vienna Wind project. Also, Salt Creek Wind has been attempting to advance a large project in three phases. This project has been met with fierce resistance from the public. It is apparent that countywide, about 63-65% of the electorate oppose it. It is my firm belief that the role of elected officials are to represent the views of the people of their district. Therefore, I would be opposed to any new commercial/industrial wind projects being approved. I support the effort of other new board members to look into the permits and conditional use permits of current project proposals. Additionally, I will support updating the commercial/industrial wind ordinance and establishing a commercial/industrial solar ordinance.

5. Why do you wish to be a supervisor?

I was encouraged to seek the office from several different close friends and family from all different political persuasions and backgrounds. Several are democrats, republicans, and some independents. They all know my qualifications and my experience very well. Initially, I resisted the request. As the encouragement to run continued to build, I felt it was a calling and an honor to be considered for the position of Tama County Supervisor.

6. Why do you think the job of a supervisor is important?

The public has entrusted their elected officials with their livelihood and tax dollars. It is important for all viewpoints to be listened to and represented by the person who is elected by their constituents. Elected officials are essentially the employees of the public and that seems to have been lost somewhere along the way.

7. What are your thoughts on EMS becoming an essential service in Tama County?

I 100% support EMS becoming an essential service in Tama County and should be fully funded to ensure quality services are available to every resident of the county regardless of where you live. If elected, I look forward to working with the EMS providers to discuss more robust services that can be added to address the opioid epidemic and increasing need for mental health training for first responders.

8. If you had a superpower, what superpower would you have?

Healing. Within my twenty-seven year career in behavioral health, it has been rewarding to help people find hope and opportunity. It is profound what life-changing results I have witnessed being the one person sitting in the corner of the single mom struggling with depression, the young man contemplating suicide after a heartbreaking relationship ended, and those who have struggled to find purpose and struggle with substance use/mental health crisis. I have sat with widows as they said their final goodbyes to their spouse of sixty years. Far and away if it was possible I would heal people if I had a superpower.

9. You are stranded on a desert island with one snack and one movie; what are they?

The movie I would have would have to be Sweet Home Alabama and the snack would be a pumpkin pie Murph’s mixer.

10. If voters wish to ask you a question, how would they contact you?

Through my Facebook page Mark Doland for Tama County Supervisor.