Manson promises experience and knowledge in the Barnes County commission race
Ron Manson is running for County Commission, challenging Vicky Lovell for her District 4 seat. Unable to come in for an in-person interview, Manson provided a document detailing his background and providing information as to why he believes he’s worthy of the county’s vote come June 14.
“What I bring to this candidacy for Barnes County Commissioner representing District 4 is a career of service, leadership, hard work and the knowledge of how a local government operates, and what it takes to fund the services that a county provides,” Manson stated. “But more importantly the desire to support those people needed to manage and work in these positions around the county.”
Describing himself as a local Barnes County resident, Manson lives in Sanborn, a graduate of Valley City High School, a member of the Valley City Eagles Club, Ducks Unlimited and the Barnes County Wildlife Club. He attends Connect Church in Valley City and enjoys fishing, being in the outdoors, singing at karaoke and cooking.
“For most of my early adult life, I had the opportunity and privilege to work at both the Open Door Center in Valley City and at Alpha Opportunities in Jamestown working weekends and overnights providing services to individuals with disabilities,” Manson stated. “Both my wife and I have worked in this field over many years, with many different people and in many different settings. Working in those settings provided me with my first taste of servitude towards others and putting their needs in front of mine.”
His career has taken him to many places, including working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a biologist in the mid-90s as well as working for the Stutsman County Weed Board, first as a seasonal employee and then stepping up to become Weed
Control Officer in 2006 and ultimately becoming head of the department.
“As a Weed Control officer in Stutsman County one of my strengths at this job has been developing partnerships and positive relationships with state and federal agencies along with different weed boards and weed officers around the state,” Manson stated. “One of the more important tasks at my job is pursuing grants to fund my counties weed control efforts, these monies are above what is given to me by my commissioners from taxes levied each year in Stutsman County.”
He stated that his work has required him to forge partnerships and agreements with other government agencies for the purpose of qualifying for grants, as well as private industry partners.
“I currently work with numerous agencies, such as the ND Department of Ag, NDSU Research and Extension, ND Game and Fish, ND Dept of Transportation, ND Dept. of Trust Lands, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corp of Engineers ... I also work with private industry partners such as Corteva, where I have provided chemical research for development of new noxious weed herbicides,” Manson stated. “I have also in the past sat on an advisory panel for DuPont Chemistry. Working with other government and private entities is important to my job at Stutsman County Weed Control, and I also see it as important as a commissioner in Barnes County.”
My success in my job as a Department Head, and as a business owner over the years can be attributed to my ability to hire the right people and instilling in them a feeling of importance and accountability,” Manson said. “It’s really about the people that work alongside you that make or break you. From their knowledge, work ethic, energy, and more importantly their willingness to be part of a team to get the job done makes my job easy.”
He is proud to say that many staff under his leadership have moved on to bigger careers.
“Staff that have worked with me usually move on to other careers after spending a few summers of mowing or spraying weeds with me,” Manson stated. “Those on my list that have gone off to “bigger and better” include: three county weed control officers, two doctors, two assistant weed control officers, Soil Conservation District manager, ND Game and Fish. bridge Pipeline, Head of Technology, two Insurance agents, two bankers, two nurses, two HS football coaches, two college athletic trainers, one who helped train the US Olympic team, and many others that have moved on with continued success.”