Meet the Candidates: Lincoln County 20th Supervisory District-Towns of Russell and Schley
On the April 3 general election ballot, Lincoln County voters will have a number of choices to make for city and county offices.
Candidates in contested races for local offices were asked to introduce themselves by filling out a questionnaire and making some comments about themselves and their views. This week we will hear from the candidates for Merrill Aldermanic District 4 and 5, Lincoln County Supervisor candidates for Districts 3, 10 and 20 as well as the lone incumbent to the MAPS Board of Education and the candidates from the Merrill Mayoral race. Following are responses from candidates of the Lincoln County 20th Supervisory District race.
Carl J. Vander Sanden – Incumbent
Age: 74 and lifetime resident of Lincoln County
Family: Married 49 years, 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Education: Tomahawk High School Graduate (Class of 1961), UW-Madison Banking Course, Probation Classes.
Employment: Assistant Manager of Gleason State Bank (1963-69), Juvenile Probation Agent (1969-75). Construction Machinery Sales and Territory Manager (1975-2000), Construction Machinery Sales Manager/Northern Wisconsin Branch Manager (2000-09).
Involvement: Lincoln County Civil Service Commission (retired), Lincoln County Board Supervisor District 20-three terms (2012-current), served on several county committees including Finance, Personnel, Highway, Land & Forestry, Solid waste, ADRC and presently serves and chairman of Personnel Committee, Highway and Solid Waste; Director and Secretary Treasurer of Wisconsin Forestry Association; Member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church-Bloomville w/several terms on church council; Town of Russell Volunteer Fire Department-32 years (retired); Town of Russell Sanitary District Board (retired); and Wisconsin Aggregate Producers Association Advisor (retired)
Comments: “I feel I have served the people of District 20 in a manner that represents the majority of voters wishes. Many people do not realize the restraints placed on local government, especially by the state. The county is obligated to provide services but is not able to raise the property tax levee. Balancing the county budget has become our greatest problem. It is only going to become bigger AND tough decisions have been made and continue to be made. These decisions are often not popular; however the county still needs to operate and maintain these services. I will continue to make carefully thought out decisions in an effort to move Lincoln County Forward in a positive financial position.”
Dora Gorski – Challenger
Age: 71
Family: Spouse, Kennan Purdy; daughter, Rapunzel Martinez; 3 grand daughters.
Education: Bachelor’s in Psychology.
Employment: Retired Social Worker (Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee); regional coordinator of Keeping Kids Alive review team in North & West Wisconsin; small business owner; administrator, Montessori school; head teacher at child care center; parent educator, Children’s Resource Center.
Involvement: Volunteer as Emergency Medical Technician with Town of Russell Fire Department – First Responder group, 10+ years; Sunday school teacher.
Comments: “I am proud to live in the Gleason area and would be honored to serve my community as a county board supervisor. I served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with the First Responder group of the Town of Russell Fire Department for over 10 years. I retired from my work as a social worker employed by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Children’s Service Society. I worked as a parent education with families with young children and as a regional coordinator in the northern and western counties organizing and assisting county departments review teams ‘Keeping Kids Alive.’ We reviewed serious injuries and deaths of children in the county to understand the causes and change things in the community to prevent future injuries or deaths.
“I am very concerned about the welfare of children and families and the care at Pine Crest Nursing Home. I want to do everything I can to promote a high quality of life for the citizens of Lincoln County.”