We will miss you Dan

Last week we lost a truly good citizen.
I met Dan Wright early on in my career. In fact he was one of the first people that I interviewed in 1989.
Dan was hired on to be the economic development officer for the West Rainy River District. He came to us from Atikokan full of enthusiasm and a belief that this area has tremendous economic potential.
We were of the same belief on that subject and I really enjoyed interviewing him.
As time went by I saw him put his entire being into his job, working very hard to bring projects like Voyageur Panel and Beaver Mills Market to fruition.
Dan also took the townspeople of Rainy River by the hand and lead them through a self examination and planning process when the railroad ran through.
He saw opportunities that were right under our noses and served as the spark that got the flame burning. Some flickered and went out, but many grew in intensity and are burning bright today.
Perhaps those bright flames will be his legacy to some, but to me I think it will be the fact that he showed us that we can be more than we are.
I remember Dan saying to me once, “When I started here everyone, including the banks, said this is a depressed area. Now people are knocking at the door to come here.”
Dan left this world at a very young 50. It is sad that such a vibrant and enthusiastic person has been taken from us so soon, but I am sure the good Lord has plenty of developing for Dan to do in Heaven.
Hopefully his efforts to make us see our potential will live on for years to come. It is only too bad we could not have said thanks to him one more time.
We will miss you Dan.
–Until then,
Ken