The president of an Albert Lea credit union offers a new take on a position that has been in the same hands for more than one and a half decades.

United Employees Credit Union President Matt Maras, 54, will face off against incumbent 6th Ward Councilor Al “Minnow” Brooks in the Nov. 4 general election. Brooks, 59, owner of Brooks Safety Equipment, has been in office for 16 years.

Maras has lived in Albert Lea for about 30 years but grew up on a farm in southwest Minnesota. He and his wife, Daphney, have three grown children and reside at 1721 Oakwood Terrace. He has been the president of the credit union for 21 years.

He said he thinks he is a good candidate because of his business and financial background. He has been involved with numerous boards in the community, including Senior Resources, the United Way of Freeborn County, the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Albert Lea Children’s Center and the Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services board.

He noted he also thinks he has a good rapport with people of all incomes, having dealt with all sorts of people at the credit union.

Though he admits he does not know all of the details about the proposed 2015 budget and tax levy, Maras said he supports what he has heard about the preliminary 3 percent tax levy increase — especially because 2 percent of that covers infrastructure improvements already completed. He has previously described himself as fiscally responsible.

Looking ahead, he said some of the biggest issues facing the 6th Ward will be infrastructure and keeping neighborhoods clean.

He also will be an advocate of dredging Albert Lea Lake, he said, noting he thinks there is more untapped potential in that lake than Fountain Lake.

Not raised in Albert Lea, he said he can offer an outsider’s view of the city. He knows what other cities are like and therefore values what is in this city.

He thinks city leaders should focus on encouraging and building the businesses already in the city.

He said he has started distributing his political signs, and he can’t seem to go a day or two without someone coming up to him or calling him with their support.

Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, biking and snowmobiling.