We are in the final two days of voting for the Primary election. Check out the 2024 election insert in the Pine Bluffs Post showcasing several candidate interviews.
I would be honored to have your vote for Laramie County Commissioner
*Photo credit to Pine Bluffs Post, Karen Lipska.
Candidate for Laramie County Commissioner Don Hollingshead
Jim Merryfield Pine Bluffs Post
Don Hollingshead is a republican candidate for the County Commissioner seat. Hollingshead retired from the county sheriff’s department last year. He believes that his experience and interaction with the community and its citizens make him a good candidate for the seat.
“After retiring from the sheriff’s department last year, I still wanted to continue with public service. With all the information that I have in my head and contacts with public officials through my service in the sheriff's office what better way to serve my community than in the commissioner’s role.” He added that “there is still a lot of public service left in me.”
Hollingshead believes that “my over all knowledge of the job and deep understanding of what the commissioners do and the responsibilities that they hold.” He continued, “I am well versed in county budgets and worked within a fourteen-million-dollar county budget as captain of the sheriff’s department.” He believes that he is very adept in human resources and the county needs someone who understands the day to day of Laramie County. “I believe that the other candidates are smart and willing but with my background and experience I can hit the ground running.”
“With the growth of Laramie Coun ty, we need to make sure that we are not growing faster than our resources can provide.” He wants to make sure that we have a very diverse work force. “Ensure that we are reviewing our land use regulations and all of the roadblocks that come up in the permit ting process to help businesses com ing in.” Hollingshead believes that the schools are doing a good job educating the students in the 11th and 12th grades to go into either college or trade schools. But also believes that there is room for improvement. He stated, “We need to provide not only workforce opportunities but also social activities to keep our young people here. There has to be something for the younger generation to do to keep them active in the community and want to stay” He added, “Things like the community center, parks and centers like the trampoline facility are needed for our kids to enjoy.”
Other than his experience with the community as a sheriff he is also in volved in the community as a Laramie County citizen. “I have been a volunteer with the Special Olympics for 25 years, I have been on the board for Special Friends and Safe Harbor Children’s Justice Center.” He continues, “Not only am I involved in community safety through his sheriff’s position but also ties to the community in my personal life. I just want to make a difference in Laramie County. It’s not just a job to me it is my way to continue giving back to Laramie County as I have done in public service for 30 years.”
This interview was conducted on 6 August.