Two candidates are running for the District 5 commissioners position. Dave Kenworthy is the incumbent and William Sanson is challenging him as a write-in candidate. District 5 is all of Wasioja Township and Concord Township including West Concord and most of Dodge Center. Here both candidates introduce themselves to our readers.
My name is William Sanson. I grew up in Dodge center and raised my family in Dodge Center and now my grandkids are growing up here. I retired from the operating engineers at 40 years of service. We own a couple businesses in Dodge Center.
The reason I’m running for commissioner; I would like to help watch out for public safety in the county before someone gets hurt or killed in the construction work zones. What I have seen in this district, it’s totally ignored .
I’ve spent 40+ years in the construction field traveling all over the world. In that time, I have worked in Supervision. And doing so I had to deal with contracts , union trades, Federal, state and local governments on safety and environment issues . This I believe would help me navigate through today’s issues, and help the people in the district
As commissioner I would like to be open to the public . To where the people can call me on questions dealing with the county. I will address and research all problems.
I am Dave Kenworthy and I have been a 5th District County Commissioner for almost 8 years.
As one part of a 5 member board, I cannot claim any accomplishment as being completely mine, but in my tenure we have worked hard to keep the budget as low as possible while continuing to provide the service that our residents have come to expect. This is reflected by the current property tax rate being at a level last seen in the mid 1990's. We now have a canoe launch park along County Rd 24 and Restoration Park in Kasson that provides hiking trails. We have secured funding to improve the number of county roads we can repair every year.
Keeping our tax rate as low as possible. I have been an advocate in having our county adopt the Minnesota State building code, so that our residents can be assured that the construction project they spent their hard-earned money on is built to state standards. I would like to see more parks be available to our residents to not only give our residents a place to go, but to also draw people into our county to visit and see how great Dodge County MN is.
I directly represent 2 communities. Dodge Center and its surrounding area has some large commercial businesses that provide good paying job opportunities that draw people in to our county work, spend money and hopefully decide to stay and live. West Concord has resilience. Though smaller, it works hard to draw in new businesses and housing opportunities. Their community spirit and events are second to none.
I would like to see continued improvement of our county roads and bridges. I would like more state and federal advocacy for issues faced by rural communities (EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement, schools, etc).
I have been married to my best friend for 26+ years, we have 2 children together. I have 3 children from a previous marriage. I am a 50+ year resident of Dodge County and an Eagle Scout. I am head deacon of my church which I have attended since age 5. My wife and I together were named Dodge Center Citizens of the Year for 2023. I have been a volunteer firefighter for combined total of nearly 35 years serving in the communities of Dodge Center and Kasson. I am an 8+ year volunteer for Dodge Center Ambulance. My priorities are family, God, and community service.
