The Grand Marais city election is unique in that the choices are both clear and stark. There are three offices at stake – the mayor’s office and two council seats. Voters can vote for two council members. The incumbent mayor, running for re-election, is Mark Sandbo. His four years in office have been noted for heretofore unknown levels of incivility, controversy and divisiveness in the body politic of Grand Marais. He and Bob Spry, who is hoping to be re-elected to the city council, have been accused of an almost unending litany of charges of conflicts of interest, catering to special interests, cronyism, closing ordinary people out of the political process, caving in to developers, risking the very heart and soul of the city by supporting a DNR takeover of the harbor, and incivility to all but their friends.
It is undeniable that Sandbo and Spry, in the eyes of most citizens of Grand Marais, have become symbolic of politicians whose elections have given them a sense of privilege, instead of responsibility. They were elected on promises of service, and are by most seen to have promptly fallen into a pattern best described as self serving. Many who initially supported them no doubt feel betrayed.
The other candidates in the race are Evelyn Larsen, for mayor, Kay Costello, for re-election to city council, and Bill Lenz who is running for city council in his first try for elected office. Bill has no record as a politician, but has proven to be intelligent, articulate and dedicated to serving others as evidenced by his volunteerism in the community. He is known as person of openness, integrity, and untiring civility. These are attributes that alone make him attractive to many voters who are looking for a clear contrast to what Bob Spry has proven to be. Bill deserves the support of all the voters in Grand Marais.
Kay Costello was initially appointed to fill out an unexpired term on the council, and has shown herself to be hard working, dedicated, intelligent, civil, and someone who does her homework by digging into the details of the business that comes before the council. The latter characteristic clearly sets her apart from Spry who often arrives late and has seldom given any indication of having read any of the materials necessary to preparing properly for a council meeting. Kay has earned the trust and admiration of the people of Grand Marais, and deserves their whole hearted support in seeking re-election.
Running for mayor, in opposition to Sandbo, is Evelyn Larsen. Evelyn has served in the past on the city council and on the EDA. She has also represented the city on the North Shore Management Board. Evelyn is a native of
Evelyn is a clear contrast to Mark Sandbo. She has the support of both sides of the political divide in Grand Marais – conservatives and progressives alike are in favor of her election. She is known for her intelligence, fairness, hard work, kindness, civility, and shear dedication to what she sees as a special community filled with special people. She loves Grand Marais, both for what it is and what it can be. She is unstinting in her support for maintaining the uniqueness of the city while helping it to grow deliberately, wisely and prudently. Evelyn Larsen has the trust of the people of Grand Marais and has earned their votes.
In this election, the electorate of Grand Marais can choose the politics of privilege and profligacy, and vote for Mark Sandbo and Bob Spry. This would be a vote for a divided community, with a bleak future and a city center dominated by condominium development and a harbor given over to the DNR and the privileged, outside boaters the DNR wants to serve.
The clear alternative is to choose the politics of responsibility and vote for Evelyn Larsen, Bill Lenz, and Kay Costello. They will unite the community, working for the best interest of everyone and will do so honestly, openly, and with fiscal prudence – a clear contrast to what the last four years have brought us. They will protect both our unique human and fragile natural environment for the benefit of our children.
When you vote on Tuesday, vote for a slate that will bring the community together to work for a Grand Marais that serves everyone, not just those who seek privilege at the expense of civility and at the risk of leaving our children a city that has no place for them and is nothing special. Ask yourself, do you want Grand Marais to be just another haven along the lake for the wealthy and the privileged few? If you don’t want a city that has no place for ordinary people, with ordinary values, and if you want Grand Marais to remain as inviting, open, and special as it is now, vote Larsen, Lenz and Costello.
Remember, you can vote for two council members; make them Lenz and Costello. For mayor, there is one choice, Evelyn Larsen.
A Grand Marais voter
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