ALLISON - A lawyer, a butcher and two farmers all want a more direct role in shaping Butler County.

The four newcomers to politics are vying to represent District 1 on the board of supervisors. In the running are:

Karl Nelson of Shell Rock;

Rex Ackerman of Clarksville;

and Roger Backer and Michael Ruby, both of Greene.

Nelson is running as a Democrat. Ackerman is a Republican. Backer and Ruby were nominated by petition.

Incumbent Larry Backer, a Republican, took office in January 2001. He is not seeking re-election.

The candidates each complimented the current board members.

"I think the board that we have has done a nice job," Ruby said. "I think we need to maintain the level that they've been at."

Helping residents and business owners recover from the summer's disasters and rebuilding infrastructure is a top concern.

The floods affected the tax base and damaged county roads, Ackerman said. The tornado also added complications, Ruby noted.

"It's going to be a challenging time coming up, that's for sure," Ruby said.

Ruby said he brings the perspective of a property owner and a farmer.

He also runs an independent beef cattle semen distributing business and has served as president of the Butler County Fair Board for the past seven years. He also served on county pork producers and cattlemen boards.

As Butler County residents and officials consider ways to grow, Ruby suggests agriculture should remain a prime focus.

"I don't think Butler County can forget that we are in ag country," he said.

Backer, also a farmer, said as a lifelong resident in Butler County he is familiar with residents' needs. He has served on grain elevator and church boards and once held a leadership position with a union. In addition to farming, Backer worked for Armour-Eckrich Meats.

If elected, Backer said his mantra as a county supervisor would be to maintain services, watch the budget, pay good wages and keep up roads. He also noted the local business climate.

"For the county, the biggest thing is development, trying to get new jobs in here," Backer said.

Nelson, a partner with the Nelson and Toenjes law firm in Shell Rock, wants to help continued growth in the county. But growth, he said, must take place within the county's means. Nelson believes Butler County is poised to see additional growth, thanks in part to the construction of U.S. Highway 218.

"We need to, as I've said, balance the checkbook No. 1," Nelson said. "I want to work to grow the county. To maintain and increase the population and economic base and move forward ."

A native of Rochester, Minn., Nelson moved to Butler County in 1974.

He said he spent the last 35 years working with people, running a business and being part of the community.

"Butler County is a great place," Nelson said. "It's where we raised our kids."

Ackerman moved to Clarksville with his family eight years ago to take over Orly's Meat Market Locker and Deli. He hopes to apply lessons learned as a businessman to county government. As a taxpayer and a business owner who relies on his income to survive, Ackerman said he understands the importance of living within a budget.

Ackerman said he is drawn to the public service component of county government. He said he is also willing to make tough and sometimes unpopular decisions.

"I am not afraid of a challenge," he said.

As Butler County recovers from the summer's disasters, Ackerman suggests looking at the big picture.

More recent developments in the county, like construction of an ethanol plant and business expansions in various communities, are encouraging, he said.

"The county is definitely going forward in the right direction," Ackerman said.

Contact Karen Heinselman at(319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.