This week marks the end of my work as a county commissioner.
In 1977, Donnie Morrill, Leroy Swenson and Dave Steen stopped by our farm to ask if I would fill out a term as a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. I was pretty young - I think they would have preferred to have offered the job to my father, but decided he was too busy. I accepted the offer because I liked trees and there was a small per diem. I'd been a Sunday School teacher and a volunteer for the Wilder Foundation while in college, but this was my first job where I had some actual management authority. I should take this opportunity to offer retroactive apologies to Gary, Laura, and Mary for my many missteps as I was learning how to be a boss.
Since then, I've served on hospital boards, nursing home boards, church committees, and so much more. An advisory group for the University of Minnesota, a wildly successful ethanol plant and an utter failure of a wind turbine project. I was on the first Board of Directors of the Big Stone County Pork Producers and the first board of the New Life Primary School in Mizak, Haiti. Blandin Foundation training and a Bush Foundation Fellowship...the list goes on and on.
And, of course, twenty years as a Big Stone County Commissioner.
I've helped achieve some things and failed at so many.
Over the decades my public involvement has waxed and waned depending on the needs of my family, but I've never not been involved in something. At the age of 70, with nearly a half century of efforts behind me, it’s time to step aside for people with fresher ideas and more energy.
Plus, I have a lot to do. I've been a Methodist my whole life and I've always taken John Wesley's admonition seriously. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” I'm still going to be doing that, but on an individual basis, with a little more time spent in my pajamas, and considerably less effort to be diplomatic.
The frustrations and joys of public service have one constant – the people I've been fortunate enough to meet. I cherish the people I've met and appreciate the richness they've added to my world. That includes both the people I've worked with and the people I've worked for.
As I step aside, I just want to say that the past half century has often been a pleasure, but it's always been an honor and a privilege.
Best wishes to you all.
Copyright 2024 Brent Olson
Even though I don’t live in your county, your leadership and writing have been an inspiration to me. Thank you for your gifts. I came across your comment “if you are on fire people will come to watch you burn.” I wish we lived a few miles closer so I could warm my hands on your flames! Congratulations on serving so well for many years.
I don't live in your district, and I know you only through your writings, but I'm convinced that what this country needs is more thoughtful citizens committed to work for the betterment and common good of their community. Thank you, Brent, for all that you have done over the years. We're no doubt a better place because of you and people like you. Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.