Posted: 9/12/06
Engineer likes versatility of new county job
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Marcus Evans sees likes what he sees so far in his job as Houston County engineer.
Evans, 35, started on September 5. He is replacing Tracey Von Bergen, who resigned earlier this year.
The staff in the highway department is great, he said, with a lot of versatility and a variety of skills.
Thatís a little different than his previous job; he worked as assistant state traffic safety engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Roseville. There the focus is on specific areas of expertise.
ìI like the versatility,î he said.
Evans feels his DOT experience will helpful in his new job. It will be a plus with state aid, and his contacts with state workers will be helpful.
All county roads in Houston County are County State Aid Highways except for County Road 249.
Working in the county also will give him a chance to get closer to people. ìIn state government, itís a little more removed from the citizens of the county and the state,î he said.
Evans plans to get involved and understand the needs and concerns of local citizens.
Funding is one big concern. Money is not readily available, so the county needs to be efficient, Evans said. ìMake the dollars stretch as far as we can.î
Addressing deficiencies in township bridges is another challenge., and one that counties throughout the state are facing, Evans said.
The terrain of the county has challenges too, Evans said. The ecosystem is fragile, with hills that are highly erodible and wetlands near the rivers. ìThose kinds of things encroach on our highway projects too,î he said.
Evans stated several goals. One is to seek out other funding sources, and that will be a challenge, he said.
Heíll also look for ways to better serve the community. ìWe are public servants,î he said. ìWe never want to lose sight of that.î
Itís all a new experience, Evans reiterated. Thereís lots to learn, and he has full confidence in his staff.
Evans is originally from Owatonna. He and his wife, Pam, live in La Crescent.
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