In 1986 Laurren "Laurie" Bordon had to fight to win the Crow Wing County treasurer seat but since then it has been smooth sailing.
borden recently was honored by the Minnesota Association of County Treasurers for 2000 for being an outstanding memeber with distingueshed service to the community and county.
"I have no clue who nominated me," said Borden, who nominated someone else for the award.
Borden said after listening to the speaker talk about some of the things she has done in her career, without saying her name, she realized that the speaker was talking about her.
"I was surprised," she said. "It is quite an honor, but in a way it makes me feel old because of the nature of the award."
Borden, 57, has earned a few honors as the county treasurer, but none like the award she had just received. County treasurers may only win the award one time.
Borden enjoys being an elected official and serving the county. Elected officials' duties are mandated by state statutes.
"I basically work for the people," she said.
Borden decided to run for the county treasurer position when the former treasurer retired 15 years ago. At the time she was a treasurer for Center Township. Borden had to campaign against two other opponents.
"It was a hotly contested election," said Borden. "I had a good campaign committee, the primary was close but I had a comfortable win."
Borden has not had any opposition since.
Borden, who spent her early years in Bemidji, has always enjoyed working with figures, money and people. She attended Bemidji State University and finished her business management degree at St. Scholastica in Duluth in 1991 after her election as county treasurer.
She moved to the Brainerd lakes area when she was in fifth grade and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1961.
Borden married and lived on a corn and grain farm in Merrifield and worked at H&R Block for 20 years. Borden and her husband traveled to state fairs for a New York-based marketing organization, that promoted Jeep Comanches and 4-H.
"This helped my door-knocking skills and increased my confidence," said Borden.
As the county treasurer, Borden tries to keep people informed on what is going on, such as tax deadlines and vital statistics. Vital records include births, deaths, marriage licenses, passports and notary registrations.
Borden also does some accounting for the county with the canceled checks and keeps the accounts balanced. Her main duty is the billing and collection of property taxes. The amount of taxes collected in 2000 was an estimated $47.46 million. | 