Garry Gamble
County Commissioner
» Meet Garry…
Married my high school sweetheart—whom I met while performing in the Bloomington High School musical “Brigadoon.” We have been blessed with five talented children who are all raising gifted children of their own. We lost our daughter Jessa (L in pic), to cancer, in 2021 at the age of 42 years. As with all parents who lose a child, we celebrate her life and her deep faith… “I’ll be running into glory, breathing peace for eternity.” —Jessa
Possess 35 years of diversified professional experience, including six years as Marketing Director for a 300 million dollar financial institution and 15 years as Executive Director for non-profit organization.
Previously served as Cook County Commissioner from 2013–2016.
Believe in the merits of “relentless reductionism” in identifying and determining direction.
Aware that “deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.”
Committed to amiable conflict resolution.
On a personal note… I… love being in the wild; am inspired by simple beauty as well as the drama Nature portrays in the created world; am moved by music and art; am a great appreciator of creativity; posses a great sense of awareness; am an intent—present—listener to the stories of people’s lives; recognize the importance of giving the gift of time to others; value the importance of rightly-held tradition; respect God-given individuality; maintain a child-like curiosity—constantly exploring, discovering and learning; endeavor to live honorably; and am thankful for the gift of each new day and the opportunities it brings.
» Why I am running…
I chose to “run again” because I was receiving calls from individuals who were… I will say, “encouraging” me… to run; not because I was sitting around with nothing to do.
Service for others has always been at my core.
Being a county commissioner is neither ‘comfortable’ nor ‘convenient’; at least it shouldn’t be if you are serving the people who entrusted you with the responsibility.
To make good decisions, a commissioner needs good information. Gathering the necessary data and statistics requires considerable time.
During my previous term as County Commissioner (2013–2016), I averaged 40-plus hours a week conducting research, drafting documents, attending meetings, and responding to constituent inquiries. I did not miss a regularly scheduled Commissioner Board Meeting during the four years I served on behalf of County taxpayers.
» Why should people vote for you?
One of the many attributes I believe any candidate should bring to the position is the ability to frame decisions under conditions of competition for scarce resources.
I am fully aware there’s a big difference between elected officials who believe they’ve been “empowered” to spend other peoples’ money, and those who understand and truly respect that elected officials are, in fact, “entrusted” with other peoples’ money. As I said, “there’s a big difference!”
To the extent people trust you, they will empower you on their behalf.
I seek to earn that trust. I do not take an individual’s support for granted. Power, prestige, and position should never be at the expense of one’s integrity and humility.
I have no illusions that the road ahead will be easy. Quite the contrary, I expect it will be uphill and strenuous. So be it. I believe we can do better as a community, and I'm committed to doing my part.
» Budget Constraints…
Given the budget constraints facing local governments, I am of the opinion we must learn to move beyond the traditional and unsustainable tax and consumption model of county governance.
The Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) in their 2024 Legislative Policy Positions, stated they were in support of greater flexibility for counties to diversify their sources of revenue in order to reduce the reliance on the property tax to fund county operations and state mandated services.
Cook County may be an attractive place to live, but, for a growing number of residents, not an affordable place to remain.
Ever since the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence (MCFE) began comparing (2012) how local governments’ fiscal footprints differ across the state, Cook County has held the dubious distinction of having the highest cost of government per person than any of the State’s other 86 counties.
Unfortunately, there exists those who appear unconcerned as statistics often mask “on-the-ground realities,” …and, as we have witnessed, those in the public sector consentingly move to vote themselves wage increases at the expense of the private sector when the value of money relative to costs decreases.
Consider the substantial impact on someone living on a fixed income (for example, a retiree, of whom Cook County ranks 2nd only to Aitkin County in the State with nearly 30% of our population being age 65 years plus) who is relying on their savings to pay their living expenses. They have no such possible course of action… voting themselves wage increases.
When have we witnessed local elected officials demonstrating genuine empathy, resourcefulness—inventiveness—and a willingness to pare down?
We must learn to “put the individual citizen” at the center of our community, not just the tourist businesses and public sector… that part of our economy that is employed by the government.
Counties that can respond to and adapt to changing economic conditions will be better equipped to bounce back from downturns, support community workforce development, facilitate sustainable growth and—most importantly—retain its valued generational families.
» Multifaceted issues…
Multifaceted issues suggest multifaceted processes. Processes that, if rigorously followed, should lead to a well-informed final course of action: identify the issue (specific decision); gather relevant information; involve the community—who will, in all likelihood, be funding a major portion of the project; identify possible alternatives; objectively weigh the evidence; choose among all possible and desirable alternatives—weighing pros and cons for each alternative… including financial constraints; make your decision and move forward.
We, too often, have witnessed, during past proposals, that “the powers that be,” intentionally avoid such disciplined processes, feasibility, or practicability studies. Choosing, instead, to pay consultants to “sell” their proposals to the public, void of sound judgment.
Government officials must guard against making ill-considered, potentially imprudent decisions when investing in expanded construction or retrofits of public buildings.
One of the most important characteristics of a public servant is the willingness to listen actively; the ability to welcome and appreciate different points of view rather than just trying to prove your point or champion personal agendas couched in persuasive rhetoric. A public servant is expected to check facts; suspend judgment and hear everyone out before making decisions. I will state that again, “check facts, suspend judgment, and hear everyone out before making decisions.”
Survey other comparable counties to see how they met similar challenges and become fully aware of the actual net results of their decisions.
When people openly and freely share ideas, the increased time investment is more than offset by the quality of the decision.
It has been said that democracy is a slow process of stumbling to the right decision instead of going straight forward to the wrong one.
» It’s about…
Governance, not politics
Accountability, not avoidance
Clarifying, not confusing
Directness, not deception
Informed decisions, not emotional declarations
Humility, not arrogance
Authenticity, not pretense
Attentiveness, not indifference
Constraint, not compulsion
Applying oneself, not just going through the motions
Serving, not being served
YOU, not me
» During my previous term…
(as Commissioner)
Drafted a number of County Board Resolutions—Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS)—School Trust Land Exchange—Gypsy Moth Quarantine—Northern Long-Eared Bat Listing- In Support of Berglund Dairy Farm.
Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Energy Policy—As a member of the Association of Minnesota Counties Environmental & Natural Resource Policy Committee I drafted and proposed AMC’s Energy Policy which was adopted in 2014.
Waters of the U.S.—Testified, in Saint Paul, before the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee, chaired by Mayor Chris Dixon, South Central Kansas, during the first public hearing on the proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule change.
Superior National Golf Course—Proposed and drafted contract language related to the Superior National Golf Course Tax Abatement Bond Agreement between the County and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to safeguard tax-payers in the event of default. Approved by the Board of Commissioners.
Drafted a number of Initiatives
In partnership with Commissioner Bruce Martinson, Cook County’s Initiative to Hire a County Administrator
In partnership with Commissioner Bruce Martinson, Cook County’s Administrator Job Description
Audit Guide for Local Small Nonprofit Organizations
Cook County Discretionary Allocation Fund Application
Compensation / Reimbursement Policy for Non-County Appointed Positions
Organizational Assessment Document for Minnesota Rural Counties Caucus (MRCC)
Sampling of Drafted Correspondence
Betty McCollum
United States House of Representatives
Member of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee
RE: PILT Payments
Tom Landwehr, Commissioner
MN Department of Natural Resources
RE: Spring Beaver Trapping Season
Committee on Legacy Funding Finance
State Office Building
RE: Allocation of Legacy Dollars
Rick Nolan
United States House of Representatives
RE: Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act
Rick Nolan
United States House of Representatives
RE: Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act
»What others have said…
“When Commissioner Gamble was first elected, I had my doubts; however, he has proved me wrong; and, in fact, he exhibits a persona one should aspire to.”
Bob Pratt Former Life-long Cook County Resident
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“I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your leadership. There are so many little—day-by-day–decisions and acts of kindness to be done, which go by our eyes or appreciation. And yet, I have come to see that you do all things well, and with remarkable thoughtfulness. Thanks for being who you are!”
Rich Murray Director of Music, Forest Lake, MN
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"I have never seen any Commissioner spend so much time researching the facts to make an informed decision. As a result, he is able to be fair and balanced to all parties in his decision-making. His values of integrity, honesty and persistence are self-evident to those around him.”
Bruce Martinson Former Cook County Commissioner (2003 - 2014)
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“The only way we can get our tax levy under control is to elect more commissioners like Garry Gamble; he stands up for the people of Cook County.”
Lloyd Speck Life-long Cook County Resident
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“I have never seen such deep humility and such a sense of service.”
Mr. Jan H. Boer Lecturer and Writer, Grand Rapids, MI
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“I always appreciated your approach to an issue, I like people who are really smart and don't have to tell everyone just how smart they are. That's you my friend, the people of Cook County lost out when they lost you.”
Tom Rukavina Former Democratic–Farmer–Labor member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (1987 to 2013); St. Louis County commissioner (2015 to 2018).
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“What I like about you is that you not only have knowledge, you have wisdom.”
Hal Greenwood Former Cook County Energetic Businessman and Well-respected Civic Leader
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“One of your greatest strengths and contributions to public service is doing your homework and showing up with facts.”
Carol Burger Former Cook County Resident
