News that David Demmer is leaving his post as wetlands administrator in the Cook County Land Services Department came as a surprise. But our loss is Minnesota’s gain. In his new post with the Minnesota Board of Soil & Water Resources, he will surely do well, for David epitomizes what good government should be.
David is young and knowledgeable and passionate. He is also kind and open-minded and eager to learn new things. David has grown enormously during his time as the person charged with administering wetland regulations in Cook County—a difficult and occasionally contentious job. We have all gained from the very generous investments of time and talent he has made on our behalf—both on wetlands and also more recently on a county trails system.
David also illustrates how our investment in essential government services can bring huge auxiliary benefits. Amy Demmer, the multi-talented director at the Grand Marais Art Colony, makes her own oversized contributions to our county. His tax-financed government salary and her private nonprofit salary together have allowed this family to put down deep roots and form strong bonds in our community. Without both, we would have been deprived of so much that they have invested in us. Thank goodness the investment can continue and that David will be able to do his new state work from Grand Marais. It’s good news that the Demmers will remain with us for the foreseeable future. Thank heavens for broadband!
It is easy to be cynical about government—full of waste, fraud and abuse, dedicated to taking and misusing hard-earned taxpayer dollars—until you meet and work with someone like David. In truth, there are many Davids in county government. We are fortunate to have them.
Jim Boyd
Executive Director
Cook County Chamber of Commerce
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