WADENA — Ron Noon, a former police officer and Wadena County Commissioner is back in the running for District 1 commissioner in a race against another former officer, Don Burns.
Read on to find out more about Noon's desire to be on the board.
Tell us about yourself including education, occupation, family, interests, hobbies, etc.
My name is Ron Noon. I've been married to my wife Gretchen for almost 41 years. We have 2 children, son Ben (deceased) and daughter Bria DiSanto who's married to her husband Tony Disanto and they reside in St. Louis Park, Minn.
I'm a graduate of Willmar and Northland College and am a retired 26 year law enforcement officer working for Wadena PD and Granite Falls PD.
I currently am employed with CMDI as an MRI tech assistant driver since 2015.
My interests/hobbies include golfing, Wadena Lions Club member, motorcycling, watching football/hockey, helping in my wife's flower garden and time with family and friends.
What qualities do you possess that will or do make you a good county board member?
I'm very approachable, patient and respectful of all individuals. I keep an open mind and I gather all information on a subject. I've worked very well with others in deciding what's best for everyone involved as a previous Wadena County Commissioner and Wadena Township Supervisor.
I believe more citizen involvement is needed as well as meeting with local city councils occasionally to work together on issues that affect us all.
I alone don't begin to have all the answers but working cooperatively with many county citizens and getting their input we can do what's best for our county
What would you like to see done to make Wadena County a better place to live?
I feel Wadena County is a great place to live with very welcoming citizens, churches, businesses, schools and many organizations.
Being away from larger areas, it’s peaceful, quiet and safe for families to raise their children and enjoy. Many family-owned businesses provide good jobs to hundreds of citizens. Schools in Wadena County are known as being very high quality as is our local Tri-County Hospital and clinic.
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I would encourage our economic development to be more aggressive in promoting Wadena County through more internet advertising and billboards as far away as I-94.
Are there any specific issues that are of particular concern to you?
My biggest concern is the obvious high tax rate that is being imposed upon businesses and citizens. It severely causes a strain on folks that are barely getting by and is a major detriment to quality of life and future economic growth. Each county department budget needs to be reviewed. Times are very tight for many citizens and services will need to be reviewed.
Many "unfunded" state mandates have been imposed and at some point, other county services will have to be readjusted and/or eliminated. This cannot continue on the path the state mandates. I was glad to see the commissioners begin to address this with other counties as well as the state.
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