Robinson

RENVILLE COUNTY — Franklin farmer and Renville County Planning and Zoning Board member John Robinson filed for the Renville County Board District 2 seat being vacated by veteran Bob Fox of Franklin.

Serving his 12th year on the Renville County Planing and Zoning Board and experience on other local and county boards, Robinson said he feels qualified to do the job.

“I understand many decisions aren’t the county’s to make because of state and federal mandates,” Robinson said.

He thanked Fox for his service.

“I know what a time commitment it is to serve and would like to thank Bob Fox for his 20 years of dedicated service,” Robinson said.

He said family life also prepared him for government work.

“As the youngest of 10 children, I know what it’s like to work together and compromise,” Robinson said. “I’ll try to be fair to every issue that arises.”

If elected, Robinson said his goals include retaining good county employees with the current job market and being fiscally responsible with taxpayer’s money and balancing a budget, which he said is not easy.

He said stimulating the economy is a priority for small towns, supporting local businesses and promoting the beauty of county parks are his other goals.

“I haven’t shied away from hard work,” he said. “I’ve been a production worker and farmer like many in our district my entire life.”

“I’m committed to serving the people of Renville County and will be available and accessible to voters with issues and concerns with a common sense approach,” he said. “Things are going well. I would like to main the quality lifestyle we all enjoy now in Renville County.”

Robinson said he has always enjoyed rural life and its rich history.

A Morton High School graudate, he attended Willmar Tech for welding. Robinson lifes on his wife’s family farm in Birch Cooley Township, raising corn and soybeans.

In addition, Robinson has worked at Schult/Clayton Homes in Redwood Falls for the past 34 years.

John and Sheila Robinson and their two daughters were chosen the Renville County Farm Family of the Year in 2013.

The Robinsons raise cattle that bean as 4-H projects when their children were young. The couple was active in the Birch Coulee 4-H Club.

“When living in town, I was a member of the Franklin and Morton volunteer fire departments,” Robinson said. “My great-grandfather was first fire chief of the Morton Fire Department.”

He previously served on the Franklin City Council, Sacred Heart Church Parish Council until it closed in 2019. Robinson is now a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax.

He served on the Franklin Lions Club, as its gambling manager and chaired the community building for Catfish Derby Days for many years.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.)