Polk County Commissioner Don Diedrich has served 16 years representing the Fifth District on the Polk County Board. This November, district residents will select his successor.
Diedrich said the time has come to pull the plug and turn the page in life. “I’ll be completing my 16th 
year,” said Diedrich. “It’s been a joy; it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve really enjoyed the people I’ve met. I’ve enjoyed working with the guys talking about staff, employees, and everybody involved in county business. I guess there comes a time when it’s maybe time to pull the plug. I guess that time has come for me. I’m going to go out of here on my terms. I’m going to go out of here with good memories, and I’m looking forward to turning a page in my life.”
Diedrich said he’ll spend more time with his kids and grandkids. “I don’t exactly know where it’s going to lead me,” said Diedrich. “I’ll spend a little more time with my kids and grandkids. It’s been a good run. I ran once unopposed, and the rest of the time, I’ve had to campaign, and I campaigned hard. I campaigned in a tough district to win for an outsider, and I like to think I did a good job for my constituents. And I’d like to thank each and every one of them too.”
Diedrich counts the current COVID-19 pandemic as one of the biggest challenges in his time as a county commissioner, along with the challenges around building the Justice Center and upgrading the incinerator in Fosston. “Well, outside of COVID, when I first got on, we built the Justice Center,” said Diedrich. “The initial plans had been made, but I was in on the building of the Justice Center and all it entailed. I was on the board for three years before we got that up and running, and the issues that went with that. I was also involved in the upgrades with the incinerator in Fosston the past few years. Some disappointments in getting our state funding. Those always provided some angst. We’ve done some other things, but those are what stand out as the biggest challenges in the 15 years.”
Polk County Commissioner meetings have changed since Diedrich was first elected, becoming more streamlined, which Diedrich attributes to Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting. “We were just talking at the board meeting today that our meetings, we’re going done at noon or so,” said Diedrich. “And its due to an administrator. We used to have a coordinator and run meetings until 4 or 5 p.m. on meeting day. We’re getting out of here at noon or 1 p.m. I think we’re turning over more of the management, the administrative work to Chuck, and he’s done a good job doing it. I think his day-to-day presence lends for better government and a better relationship for all the department heads to get done what they need on a timely basis.”
Former State Representative Tim Finseth and Mark Holy are both running to replace Diedrich this fall. Diedrich said he is looking forward to hearing both of them speak and thinks either would make an excellent commissioner. “I happen to know both of the candidates that are running, and quite frankly, they are both very, very good individuals,” said Diedrich. “Tim Finseth has been a former legislature, and I think well respected. And Mark Holy has been on the East Grand Forks City Council in the post-flood years, and I think he worked with getting that city up and rehabbed. He’s currently farming in the Sherack area. So, I think we have two good candidates, and I think the county is going to be served well by either one who wins. I know I’m going to be interested when they have Meet the Candidate night to hear those two gentlemen speak. I think they’re both learned, dedicated, and either one would make an excellent commissioner from our district.”
Diedrich also thanked many people for their support during his time in office, including residents of his district as well as both past and present staff. “I’d like to thank all the people who voted for me and all the people who didn’t,” said Diedrich. “I tried to represent you in the best manner that I could. I tried to answer your complaints and answer your phone calls. I guess I’d like to have a shoutout to the employees of the county that always had a friendly smile and a greeting for me, especially the department heads. On the county board, the guys that we worked with the most is Chuck Whiting and his predecessor Jack Schmallenberg. Good fellows, good people to work with. And I’d just like to say thank you to each and every one of them. You guys have given me a lot of memories to ponder. Thank you so much to each and every one of you.”
