RIPON — Ripon insurance man Don Wever, 62, is ready for his second four year term with the Ripon Consolidated Fire District as there is no contender on the ballot seeking his seat.

Wever was a 40-year volunteer firefighter with the fire district having been in the insurance business in downtown Ripon since 1978 working with his dad John.  He took over the business on the corner of Main Street and Stockton Avenue in 1986.  John Wever passed away some 10 years ago.

“My background is in accounting, being conservative with an emphasis on accounting,” he said.  Wever served as president of the Downtown Association through the recent redevelopment.

He has been very involved in the Northern California Senior Softball Association where he acts as their secretary and plays shortstop.  Wever said he plays about 120 games a year.  During the winter months he is involved with a little baseball to stay active.  Coaching women’s softball for some 20 years has also been a focus in his free time and he has also coached women’s softball at Ripon Christian as well as managing the Quick Silver Softball Club for eight years – a Stanislaus competitive team.

Wever described having something of a godsend within the fire district. 

“I think we’re doing better than most because we don’t’ have budget issues.  State and federal government should be more like us,” he quipped, adding that he doesn’t accept any money from the department for his service.

He noted that the district is planning a new fire station at the intersection of North Ripon and River roads with a two bay facility to better serve that residential area in the north eastern part of the town.  It will be complete with living quarters and with a social room that may be used by the community.