Wilson announces Dist. 5 candidacy

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, July 12, 2008

W. Rick Wilson, a member of the Fergus Falls City Council, has filed as a candidate for the county board of commissioners District 5 post. Wilson said this week he does not plan to run for reelection to the city council.

The county commission District 5 territory includes most of Fergus Falls. This position will be open at year’s end with the retirement of Robert Block.

Wilson said that if elected to the county board he’ll bring experience in local government, work for fiscal responsibility and have a commitment to do his best.

“Being part of the county board would be a good transition for me,” Wilson said. “We on the Fergus Falls City Council have a strong working relationship with the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners.”

Wilson said he’d also rely on his past work with the planning commission and would address the need for guidelines for overall development — including development at the many lakes in Otter Tail County.

“It’s a balancing act, and we need to do things right with development and lakeshore property,” Wilson said. “More and more retirees will be coming into Otter Tail County. It’s not only lakeshore and lots, but also tiers three, four and so forth. That’s why specific guidelines are needed.”

He said that growth, along with protecting the environment, can take place, in his words, “that makes sense and is good for residents, landowners and developers.”

Wilson was appointed to the city council in April 2004 and was elected in November of that year to a four-year term. He’s also in his fifth year as a member of the Otter Tail Planning Commission.

He is a native of Miller, S.D., a small town in central South Dakota. He attended Black Hills State College and graduated in 1972 from Lakes Area Vocational Technical School, Watertown, S.D., with a diploma in drafting and civil technology. Wilson entered the U.S. Army and served seven years active duty and one year in the South Dakota National Guard.

Wilson worked as a civil technician in Yankton, S.D., returned to school and received a bachelor’s degree in vocational technical teacher education from the University of South Dakota. He taught civil technology at USD/Springfield.

He moved to Wahpeton in 1984 where he directed the North Dakota vocational teacher education certification program. Wilson received a master’s degree in adult higher education in 1985 from the University of South Dakota and in 1987 moved to Fergus Falls.

In Fergus Falls he has continued his consulting business, Training Resources, and worked with the county historical society, assisted Lakeland Mental Health Center with its marketing and employee assistance program (EAP) and other area non-profit organizations.

In 1997 Wilson started Wilson LTC Insurance Services and specializes in long-term care insurance planning.

Wilson has served on the Chamber of Commerce education committee, the adult education board, is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, is a past member of the church council, a member of the American Legion and Legion Honor Guard, is a life member of the VFW, belongs to noon Kiwanis and calls bingo at the veterans home.

He enjoys the outdoors while fishing, hunting pheasants and turkeys and helping his wife with flower gardens.

He and his wife of 38 years, Denni, were college classmates. They have two daughters and one grandchild.