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I am interested in many things, and have always supported life-long learning. These traits have served me well as a county commissioner because of the diverse issues that come before me for discussion and making decisions. Most days do not have enough hours to finish everything on my to-do list. I enjoy being busy but have also learned to appreciate quiet moments with a good book and the wonders of nature as I work in the garden or enjoy the view at our lake cabin in Wisconsin. My faith, family, and friends remain the primary focus of my everyday life.
My heritage comes from the strong roots of German immigrants who settled here to farm the land. My father, Lawrence Hartmann, grew up on a farm near Lake Bavaria in Victoria; he had no siblings. He was a “people person” with the gift of gab. I think some of it must have rubbed off on me. My mother, Harriet, was raised on the family farm near Cologne as one of ten children. She was much more quiet and reserved, and could never understand my desire to be involved in public service. Shortly after they married, they moved to Chaska where I grew up as the oldest of five daughters. I was born in the old St. Francis Hospital which was then located on the block west of the Government Center where I now work. I attended Guardian Angels School in Chaska for 12 years and graduated as Valedictorian of my class in 1969. My first taste of politics came in my Junior year when I challenged the school’s star athlete for the office of class president because of his narrow agenda which focused only on athletics. I won that election and was re-elected the next year by our Senior class. When I look back on those years, I know that it was a fabulous learning experience – one that taught me that I could indeed make a difference and change the outcome of something with which I did not agree.
After high school, I attended Normandale College and earned an Associate degree in Liberal Arts. At the time, it was hard for me to decide on a lifetime career - again because of my many interests and the available options. I needed time to think about the rest of my life. I traveled extensively in Europe for a few months and later married the love of my life, who was introduced to me by a mutual friend. My husband, Gary, is a Shakopee native. He attended St. Mary’s School until his family moved to Burnsville for a business opportunity when he was a teenager. Many Marschall families still call Shakopee their home town. Marschall Road and the Marschall Farm at the top of the hill remain today as well-known landmarks in this great community.
In 1971, I began working for Carver County in the Register of Deeds office. It was my first experience with county government. The work was interesting and I gained valuable knowledge that I later used throughout my long career in the real estate title insurance business. In 1976, we moved to Prior Lake with our infant daughter, Kelly. We still live in that same house where our three children grew up. The neighborhood has changed many times in 32 years; neighbors and friends have come and gone but we still enjoy and appreciate our little piece of the world next to the neighborhood park.
Our children are all grown now and we will soon be “empty nesters.” Kelly is married and lives in Belle Plaine with her husband, Brian Collins. She is the client services and marketing manager for Crossroads Animal Hospital in Burnsville. Our son, Todd, is recently married and living in Apple Valley with his wife, Nicole. He works in Minneapolis as a financial planner for Mass Mutual. Our youngest daughter, Devon, will be attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter beginning this fall. She will major in music and/or English. My husband, Gary, works in student transportation for the school district, and has many tales to tell about stories the kids share with him.
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Barbara and her husband, Gary, with their children – Devon, Todd and his wife Nicole, Kelly and her husband Brian Collins. |
So how did I end up to be a Scott County Commissioner? In 1977, I was offered a part time job with a title insurance company in Shakopee to research the condition of real estate in Scott County that was being sold or refinanced. I worked at the courthouse 3 or 4 days each week. Over the course of the next 17 years, I observed processes that were outdated or being duplicated by different county offices. I heard employees and the public comment about ways to improve customer service that were never implemented. And I watched as double digit increases in the county levy and budget resulted in higher taxes for all county residents. Changes in these areas required policy changes. The County Commissioners were responsible for that. After much thought and soul-searching, I decided to file for County Commissioner in the 1996 election. I had no experience in running a campaign of that size and scope. All of my volunteers were in the same boat. Common sense, enthusiasm, and a desire to succeed carried us through to a decisive victory in the November election.
Shortly after I was elected, it became evident to me that it was impossible to maintain the same schedule that I had worked before the election. After considering all options, I resigned from my position in the title insurance business and devoted my time to learning about all aspects of Scott County government. In 1998, I began attending Metropolitan State University and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the College of Management, and a Certificate of Completion in Public Service Management in 2002.
As your commissioner I have been actively engaged in representing you and the County throughout the community, metropolitan region, and the State. My involvement includes:
Serving as a delegate to the following:
• Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC)
• AMC Board of Directors
• AMC District X Executive Committee
• AMC Human Services Policy Committee
• AMC Legislative Steering Committee
• AMC Public Safety and Corrections Committee
In addition, serving on the following Boards and Committees:
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American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Labor
Management Committee
• Board of Equalization
• Community Corrections Act Advisory Board
• Community Health Board
• County/Court Communication and Policy Committee
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Labor Management Committee
• Law Library Board of Trustees
• Meth Task Force
• Metropolitan Emergency Services Board
• Metropolitan Emergency Services Board Executive Committee
• Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)
• Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Board of Directors
• Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Executive Committee
• Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District, liaison
• Scott County Association for Leadership & Efficiency (SCALE),
• SCALE Minnesota River Crossing Coalition
• Scott County Community Health Advisory Committee
• Scott County Human Services Resource Council, liaison
• Scott County Legislative Committee
• Scott County Library Board of Advisors
• Scott County Regional Rail Authority
• Scott County Transportation Committee
• Scott Watershed Management Organization Board
• State Community Health Advisory Committee
My years on the County Board have provided me with first-hand knowledge of the issues and concerns shared by many residents. I have had opportunities to meet people I would not have otherwise met. Many of those people have become my “sounding board” on emerging issues and decisions that come before me. Some of those decisions were difficult, but the direction and stand I needed to take were clear. I am proud of the efficiencies and accomplishments I have helped to achieve for Scott County during my tenure. I have grown personally and professionally during those years, and I look forward to the future – living and working in Scott County.
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Barbara coached Girls Softball for Prior Lake Athletics for Youth (P.L.A.Y.) since 1985. Pictured here with her daughter and some of their team members. |
