Issues tackled by candidates

It was date night Friday at Oak Lawn Town Hall just east of Brainerd where about 50 residents joined together to be involved in their grassroots township government.

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The candidate forum was hosted by a citizen's group called Oak Lawn Township Concerned Citizens. The group formed after controversy surfaced about the township's decision on whether the township should continue to have a maintenance position or if it should be eliminated and the services contracted.

The township board has already agreed not to eliminate the position, but citizens still have their concerns about how the township is being run. The concern is evident by the number of people running for two open supervisor seats, as well as the town clerk position.

Supervisor candidates running for the one-year term are incumbent Joan Olsen and challenger Dan Peters. Vying for the three-year term are Eric VanDrew and Al Mellgren, who was unable to attend the forum; supervisor Carol Cloud, who was appointed to her seat in 2009, did not file. Incumbent Judy Zelinske and Judy Zettervall, former deputy clerk, filed for town clerk. Town treasurer Ken Gondringer is running unopposed.

Oak Lawn Township candidate Eric VanDrew answered a question Friday during a candidate forum held at Oak Lawn Town Hall. VanDrew is running for a three-year term. Others who participated in the candidate forum were Judy Zettervall (left), Joan Olsen, Ken Gondringer, Dan Peters and Judy Zelinske. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

The Oak Lawn Township elections will be March 9.

Lawrence Severt, of the citizen's group, moderated the 90-minute meeting and took questions from the audience.

Zelinske said in her opening statement that she feels that she has done a good job "up until a year ago when they (the supervisors) wanted to change."

Zettervall said she has done the town business for years and understands it. She said she has done all the state and federal reports and has experience with the City Township Accounting System that is used to track the township's business.

"If elected I would assist the supervisors in running a good meeting," said Zettervall.

The first question to the candidates vying for a supervisor position was their stand on the maintenance position. Olsen said the maintenance issue has been resolved and the township and Lonnie Murray, who holds the maintenance position, are working on an employee handbook and job description.

Peters and VanDrew both agreed that Murray is doing a good job and that the township should keep the position. Peters said there should be a better tracking system in place for Murray to report his work.

The candidates were asked if they would favor changing the township elections from March to November when the general elections are held. VanDrew supported a November election, saying people would be more aware of township issues. He said March elections are not advertised as much.

Peters favored November elections because more people would vote and it would be a cost saving.

"I do have a concern with moving the elections from March to November," said Olsen. "I think the township issues would be lost if we moved it and if voting machines are not mandatory (by law) there would be only a minimal charge in March (elections.)"

The candidates were asked if they feel that the town supervisors have told all the facts in a fair manner.

Olsen said, "I sat up here four months ago and I walked into a hornet's nest. I tried to present things as facts and I didn't know all the facts when I took over for Denny (Schmidt, former supervisor who resigned.) I've learned a lot of what can and cannot be done ... I've tried to do my best. I can't speak for the others."

Peters said, "That's one of the reasons why I'm running. Supervisors serving should be honest, listen to people's concerns and make decision that the towns people can live with. If certain individuals would have listened there wouldn't have been a hornet's nest."

VanDrew said, "This (candidate forum) wouldn't have been put together and the candidates wouldn't be here tonight (if the supervisors have told all the facts in a fair manner) ... There has to be a change. You all have kicked, screamed and yelled and then you were not heard. It's apparent why we are here."

All the candidates favored a three-person board over a five-person board, an issue that has been discussed by the citizen's group and the town board. The candidates said if three adults could work together and debate issues in a respectable way there would be no need for a five-person board.

The candidates also all agreed that the citizen's group or an advisory group would be beneficial for the town board.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.