Who is Don Taylor?
In an effort to introduce myself to everyone, I am writing a series of life stories. I will write about the life experiences that have shaped my beliefs and values, I hope you will enjoy the stories. I hope you will learn from them, but most of all I hope you will understand who I am and what I stand for.
Mayor Don Taylor
I am a candidate for Minnesota House, District 17B, and currently the mayor of Chisago City. As mayor of Chisago City, I have overseen growth in the business community and the preservation of Camp Ojiketa and I know what makes Chisago County a great place to live.
I have lived and paid taxes in Chisago County for eighteen years. Jean and I have nine children, five still living at home. I have owned and operated Taylor Remodeling Inc. for 18 years.
A Call to Missions
In 1985, I was still grieving for my first wife Pamela, who had died and left me with three small children. The death of a spouse is a life shattering event. Work, grieving and learning to run a household as a single parent consumed all my time.
Pam and I believed God had called us into missionary work and to Mexico in particular. I decided it was time to answer that call.
On December 29, 1985, I was commissioned by the Bloomington Church of God as a missionary. Pastor Mike Thompson conducted the commissioning service. I was to be sent to Mexico to "plant" churches. I was to serve with a group called World Indigenous Missions, but first, I was sent to Texas to King's Way Missionary Institute to learn the language and customs of the Mexican people.
I packed up my small little family and the four of us headed to Texas. Natalie, Chris and Briana and I were on our way. The Institute helped me with child care and I began my studies.
In one of my classes, sitting right behind me, I noticed a nice red haired young woman. As the year progressed, we began dating and on April 25, 1986, we were married. Robin was only twenty-five years old, but she loved my children and we were in love. When we finished our studies in June of that year we headed to Mexico to begin our ministry, together.
We were sent to Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico. We were able to "plant" three churches in the area. We would help the people find a place to begin holding service and help them begin the process of becoming a complete church.
Missionary work is not easy. In the beginning the challenges of being far from family and friends, our house and van being broken into, the culture shock and many other things left us questioning "Why am I here?".
We were the recipients of great hospitality by people who lived in stick huts with thatched roofs. We saw many lives changed to serve God through Jesus Christ. I have great memories of Mexico. We gave so little and experienced so much.
Robin and I had five more children. Steven, Tim, Sam and our twins, James and Jon. When Robin was expecting James and Jon we learned she had ALS. When the twins were a month old, Robin died. Robin refused treatment that would have interfered with the development of the babies and she also refused to abort the lives God have given her. For that choice I will always love and respect her. On April 16, 1990, once again I was alone, this time with eight children.
All five of Robin's sons know they are genetically predisposed to the same disease that took their mother. That is why for the past few years, each fall, our entire family has taken part and raised money for the ALS Walk in the Twin Cities.
The Hunting Season
I started hunting seven years ago as a means to find common interests with my sons. It quickly grew into a passion for me and I am happy to say for Sam, James, and Daniel. Sam joined me hunting the second season and shot his first buck. We expanded our hunting time by getting into archery and we did very well over the next few years.
Bow hunting in the fall of 2008 will be forever etched in my mind. I was in my car just leaving North Branch after a long day of campaigning. I answered an incoming phone call to hear Sam's excited and adrenaline filled voice say "Dad I got a buck - a big one." I detoured over to where he was hunting to help him out. As I looked down at his deer Sam told me how he had been in his stand for only thirty minutes when this buck came from the corn field into the woods. How he watched for the next 25 minutes until it got close enough. He had made a text book shot and lying in front of me was a fourteen point buck.
Daniel and I have hunted the last two seasons. James has also hunted the last two seasons but not with me. I found out a father is second to a girl friend and her family that also hunts.
This year has been good for me. Bow hunting I shot a smaller deer. Rifle hunting in the Pine City area I shot an eight point buck.
The last seven years of hunting have given us many good memories and I look forward to many more to come.
My Experience
BUSINESS OWNER
Taylor Remodeling, Inc
PUBLIC SERVICE
Mayor of Chisago City
Committees
Personnel Committee
Finance Committee
Commissions
Lakes Area Police Department
Chisago Lakes Joint Sewer Treatment Commission
*Budget Committee
* Personnel Committee
* Executive Committee
* Union Negotiating Committee
Serving also on:
East Central Regional Development Commission
Chisago County Public Interest
*Personnel and Budget Committee
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Chisago Lakes Grief Support Coalition
Growing Through Loss, Speaker and Facilitator
7 years
SERVICE THROUGH FAITH
Attends Maranatha Church, Wyoming
2 Years Missionary to Mexico
Men's Ministry Leader
Youth Group Leader
Adult Sunday School Teacher, 18 years
Elder
EDUCATION
Graduate West High School, South Minneapolis
3 years wrestling team, 3rd year co-captain
