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| Affiliation | Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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2007-12-01 |
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| Name | Don Ness |
| Address |
Duluth, Minnesota , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
January 09, 1974
(50 years)
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| Contributor | The Oncoming Storm |
| Last Modifed | The Oncoming Storm
Oct 26, 2008 09:42pm |
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| Info | Don "Donny" Ness was born to Don and Mary Ness on January 9, 1974 - a 30 degree below zero Duluth day. By his early twenties, Don Sr. was a pastor for a small, non-denominational Christian church and worked various other jobs to provide for his young family. For the first year of Donny’s life, the family lived in a tiny place without running water or indoor plumbing. Don and Mary affectionately called this home the "happiness house."
Donny’s childhood was shaped to a large degree by his family’s church. This faith community was defined by a passionate sense of idealism and mutual support. Growing up in a modest three bedroom traditional in the Hillside, Donny and his three younger brothers were also surrounded by this larger “family”. There were common meals, gatherings, and individual counseling taking place around the kitchen table or in the living room most days. Donny has vivid memories of the intensity and emotion of people coping together with whatever came along – personal struggles, illness, imperfections, confusion, comfort, conflicts, reconciliation, a lost job, or a death in the family. The authenticity of these experiences developed in Donny a compassionate awareness of the ways we are responsible to and for each other; an awareness that ultimately led him to public service.
Duluth Public Schools and UMD
Donny's Baseball Card PhotoDonny attended Grant Elementary, Washington Junior High, and represented the fourth generation of his family to attend Central High School. At Central, Donny was active in student government and was Student Council President as a senior. He excelled athletically playing basketball, track and football. Donny was co-captain of the Trojan basketball team which took 3rd place in the 1992 State Tournament.
When it came time to choose a college, Donny didn't look far. He enrolled at UMD in order to stay close to his family, friends, and his beloved Duluth. He served as Student Body President in 1995, and as chair of the University-wide Student Senate in 1996. Donny graduated with a degree in Business Administration and was given the Sieur du Lhut Award for his service to the campus. In addition to classes and activities, Donny supported himself by working 20 hours a week as a cashier at a local gas station throughout his college career.
A Commitment to Community
At the age of 23, Donny was hired by Congressman Jim Oberstar to serve as his Campaign Manager, a job he held for nearly a decade. Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District is the largest district east of the Mississippi, covering 18 different counties – Don spent a great deal of time traveling the district and seeing, first hand, the ways our region’s economy is interconnected. Don considers Jim Oberstar one of the finest examples of public service in Minnesota history. He considered it an honor to work for, and to learn from the Congressman.
In the fall of 1999, at the age of 25, Don was elected to the Duluth City Council. Two years later he became City Council President and held the role again in 2004.
Donny with Mentee PhotoAfter being elected to the council, Don founded the Bridge Syndicate, a group of young people whose mission is to increase civic, cultural, and economic opportunities in the Twin Ports. Under Don’s leadership, the group expanded to over 500 members in its first year. Now, 7 years later, the group is still active in the community; sponsoring such events as Homegrown Music Festival and awards recognizing emerging leaders.
Don now works for the Zeppa Family Foundation, a dynamic, progressive-minded foundation focused on hunger and poverty, environmental sustainability, and support for the visual and performing arts. Alan and Leanne Zeppa have made a tremendous difference in the community, and Don is excited about contributing to their efforts.
Family Man
The most important moment of Don’s life came in the summer of 2002 when he met Laura, a field staff worker for Senator Paul Wellstone. Laura soon became the love of his life. Less than two years after meeting, Don and Laura were married and just nine months and four days after the wedding, Eleanor Mary was born. In December of 2006, Eleanor was promoted to “Big Sister” when James Olav (otherwise known as Sweet Baby James) joined the Ness family.
Together, Don and Laura opened Vintage Duluth in Old Downtown. After operating it for two and a half years, the Nesses sold the store shortly after Eleanor learned to walk and pull things off the racks. Vintage Duluth is approaching its fourth year in operation.
Both Don and Laura find family life joyful and rewarding beyond expectation. No matter what the future brings, family will be a vital part of Don’s daily life.
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