We are part of The Trust Project.
WADENA — Don Burns has been a resident and public servant of Wadena County for decades and looks to use his knowledge of the area to serve as the next
Wadena County Commissioner
for District 1.
The Pioneer Journal asked the three Dist. 1 candidates questions prior to the primary election where two candidates will be selected to move on to the general election.
Read on to find out more about Mr. Burns.
Why are you running for office and what are your goals?
I believe it is important to have people involved in local government that can use their training, education and experience to make common sense decisions for the citizens of Wadena County. I look forward to continuing the hard work that is on going in making Wadena County a place where people want to live, enjoy recreation and invest in the local economy.
What makes you the best candidate?
I have lived and worked in the community for decades and as such, I have a lived experience of what is working and what needs to be done differently to make Wadena County a safe and thriving community. My many years in law enforcement demonstrates my commitment to serving the public. I am interested in hearing what people have to say about their local government and I am committed to problem solving through a collaborative process.
Can you please tell us more about yourself?
I am a retired law enforcement officer that dedicated years of serving the public. Part of my tenure was involved working on the Drug Task Force, where I saw first hand the crime, drugs, and violence and the affect that this activity has on families, communities, and local government resources. Because I have lived and worked in this community for many years, I care very much about making Wadena County a place that we can all be proud of and a safe place to live and work.
Is there an issue that you feel needs to be addressed immediately in the county?
There is one constant issue that always needs to be addressed and that is how to maximize our limited resources to continually address and respond to the variety of unfunded mandates from the State of Minnesota. This constant challenge requires collaboration with all stakeholders, building trust with our community partners, and a willingness to make hard decisions.
