Newton Independent
Editor's Note: The Newton Independent has asked the candidates for the open seats on the Jasper County Board of Supervisors to introduce themselves and provide their reasons for seeking public office. The ongoing series today continues with Dave Mast who will appear on the June 8 primary election ballot as a Republican. Here's what he had to say:
Lois and I have been married 40 years (in August) and have three sons. I served in the U.S. Army and am a member of the Colfax Amvets.
I am a retired high school math teacher from Colfax-Mingo Community Schools and currently in my third year as Mayor of Colfax (17th year in Colfax city government).
Some of the positions I have held over the last 45 years in churches in Cedar Falls, Newton and Colfax are youth leader, trustee, deacon, treasurer and teacher.
Many residents of Jasper County have known me as a photographer (Mast Photography) for sports pictures, weddings, senior pictures and family pictures over the last 25 years.
At the bargaining table, I have been the spokesperson for employees (Colfax teachers) for 10 contracts and for the employer (City of Colfax) for two contracts. I have been on the board of the Colfax Chamber, treasurer of Colfax Visioning and president of Colfax Economic Development. When Colfax was accepted into the Main Street Program in May 2009, these three organizations dissolved and I was one of the board members of the four-committee Colfax Main Street Program which took over all the previous duties/activities.
As secretary of JEDCO (Jasper County Economic Development) for the last five years, I have been active at the county level. When the Regional Innovation Grant was awarded (in response to the closing of Maytag/Whirlpool), I was part of the initial seven-county planning group.
JEDCO is part of the five-county Iowa Connections which actively promotes our area at trade shows around the nation. JEDCO has been active in bringing biodiesel, TPI, and Trinity Towers to this area. We also assisted in the expansion of the DMACC Career Academy which offers courses available to all Jasper County high school students. JEDCO assists each town with projects, such as Prism Industries, Monroe Tables, and Co-Line Welding.
My aim as supervisor is to continue to pro-actively market our potential to expand our tax base and employment opportunities while wisely using our resources to provide needed services throughout the county.
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