The Morton County Commission election appears to be drawing a lot of interest, with three men, none of whom are incumbents, having turned in their petitions to run, though the deadline is more than a month away.

Incumbents Mark Bitz, Jim Tokach and Matt Erhardt have announced their intentions to seek re-election, but have yet to turn in their petitions. Those who have turned in the necessary paperwork are Mandan residents Tim Berhow, Ron Balkowitsch and Bruce Strinden.

Berhow is the long-time owner-operator of Mandan's Adventureland Video. He is originally from Iowa, moving to Mandan in 1977. Berhow left briefly, but returned to Mandan, opening Adventureland in 1985.

Berhow and his wife, Pamela, have two children. In his spare time, Berhow enjoys shooting sporting clays, some off-road riding and watching movies. He's a member of the NRA and video software dealers association.

"I'd like to get some new blood in there," Berhow said, when questioned about why he's running. "Every government should be run like a business. You've got to watch your income and can't spend what you don't have. You have to be able to say no and make some hard decisions."

Berhow has never run for an elected office before, but has the time and interest.

"I just felt it was time to do something. This is going to be fun, a great experience," Berhow said.

Balkowitsch is a native of Mandan and has been active in the military since 1969. He did a stint in Vietnam, and for the past 17 years has been a full-time member of the North Dakota National Guard as an intelligence analyst and surplus property coordinator for the state. In three weeks, Balkowitsch is retiring from the Guard.

Balkowitsch started taking an interest in the Morton County Commission and began watching their meetings on television and reading the minutes.

"I thought it would be an interesting venture to run for commissioner," Balkowitsch said.

He's now attending commission meetings each month "to see what really goes on." Balkowitsch doesn't yet have any specific issues that he wants to address, but is learning the lay of the land.

Balkowitsch has never run for an elected government position before. He is active in the Pioneer Auto Club and enjoys working with classic cars. He also enjoys camping and hunting. Balkowitsch and his wife Marlys have two sons and a grandson.

Strinden lives just west of Mandan on a ranch where he raises registered herefords and quarter horses. For the past 19 years he's worked for Newman Signs out of the company's Bismarck division office.

Originally from Litchfield, Strinden and his wife, Lauren, have two sons. He's active in many Mandan organizations, including the Mandan Progress Organization, Mandan Renaissance Zone committee, Mandan Rodeo Days committee and Dakota Zoo board of directors, and is a North Dakota Hall of Fame Trustee. He's past president of the MPO and zoo board.

"Everything I've ever done has been as a volunteer; I've never run for an office or have been paid for my services. I was encouraged by a number of people to run because they felt I would do a good job," Strinden said. "I've always been active in whatever community I lived in or near. My view is that you need to give back to the community you live in. That's my basic philosophy."

With Newman Signs, he is involved with the company's governmental affairs. Strinden is a registered North Dakota lobbyist.

"You might say I know where to find a restroom in the Capitol. I have a good connection with legislators on both sides of the aisle," Strinden said. "I feel it is important for a county commissioner to maintain legislative connections. The things the Legislature does often filters down to the counties and cities."

Strinden describes himself as a fiscal conservative in opposition to wasteful government spending.