Nolander to bow out at end of this year

Published 12:00 am Friday, April 12, 2002

A very familiar face will make a departure from the county’s law enforcement scene.

Friday, April 12, 2002

A very familiar face will make a departure from the county’s law enforcement scene.

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Sheriff Don Nolander announced Thursday that he is not going to seek another term in the election this November.

&uot;I decided not to run because I thought it is time to hand over this job,&uot; said Nolander. &uot;It was my great honor to serve the people in Freeborn County all these years.&uot;

Nolander’s career in the Sheriff’s Office started in 1971 after he received a B.S. in business administration at the University of Minnesota.

He climbed up to the top of the law enforcement organization in 1982. Since then he has won wide public support in five straight elections.

Nolander’s 20 years in the Sheriff’s office correspond to a period of dramatic changes in police business.

&uot;A six-pack bottle of beer found in a car, for example. That was a concern in the 70s. But drugs have replaced it nowadays,&uot; he said.

More complex legal procedures and progress in technology have been requiring the law enforcement officers to have constant training and education. Nolander said he did his best to maintain his force to keep up with all those changes.

Among others, one thing he will miss is the completion of a new judicial center.

For the past several years, Nolander has vigorously spent his time promoting the facility. His professional input was crucial for the county to come up with the current conceptual design.

He also represents the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association as its 2002 president.

&uot;I expect a new sheriff to be somebody young, energetic and enthusiastic,&uot; said Nolander. &uot;It is not just a job, nor a step for career advancement. It is a way of life with a tremendous responsibility to our community.&uot;

Nolander said he would start preparing for handing down his office to a new sheriff as he approaches his departure next January, in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Nolander has also been keeping himself busy, being an active member of organizations such as Rotary, Elks, Eagles, Masonic Lodge, Ducks Unlimited, YMCA, Heritage Foundation and American Cancer Society. After his retirement, he said he will dedicate his time to volunteer and church activities, he said.

So far, one candidate – former detective Mark Harig – has announced he will run for Sheriff. Another man who has been mentioned as a possible candidate, sheriff’s deputy Bob Kindler, had a press conference scheduled for 9 a.m. this morning.