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Incumbent, challengers vie to become Harlan's next mayor
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HARLAN --- Three Harlan residents will be on Tuesday's general election ballot, hoping to become the town's next mayor.
Among the three are the current incumbent, a local businessman and a college student, who all say they have visions of what the Harlan community needs and can become.
Gary Christiansen is the incumbent mayor, having served the city for 10 years as mayor and eight years before that on the Harlan City Council. He sees continued challenges ahead for the city, most notably preparing a budget that not only meets the demands of these economic times, but promotes high quality of life for the citizens of Harlan.
He touts the teamwork of city administration and city personnel as a key to the success Harlan has seen over the years. And he sees the development of the Dye Street housing project as a goal for the future.
David Tyrrel is vice president and general manager of Molded Products in Harlan. He said he decided to run for office to provide leadership for the city. As a business leader in Harlan, the future of the city is important to Molded Products' success, and to the employees who live and work here. The same common sense approach that has been successful in business will serve the community well, he said.
Tyrrel said he'd like to see increased emphasis on retail development. He sees Harlan as an outstanding community with a solid foundation. The city needs fiscally-conservative leadership and guidance to improve quality of life, without sacrificing the city's financial future, he said.
Josh Gear is a 20-year-old college student and graduate of Harlan Community High School. He sees his youthful enthusiasm as a true benefit to the city.
His goals include helping the city through the difficult financial and economic times that are current and that lie ahead. He'd like to trim as much of the budget as possible without harming the superior civil services in town such as the police and fire departments, and community organizations.
Gear hopes to help in adding and developing new businesses for the community, in particular those in the technology field. He said he's running for office to give something back to the community, which has given him so many opportunities over the years.
City council
Candidates for Harlan City Council on the ballot Tuesday include Aaron Anliker, Orv Roecker and Keith Kaufman.
All are incumbents and have sought re-election to their council seats. Anliker represents Center Township's at-large position while Kaufman represents ward 1 and Roecker represents ward 3.
See letters to the editor from candidates who submitted them on page 4A of today's Harlan News-Advertiser.
Write-ins to decide some positions
COUNTY -- A number of mayor and council positions in communities throughout Shelby County will be decided by write-in vote in Tuesday's election.
Although there are some who are seeking election, some towns have open positions for mayor and others for council.
In Shelby, there will be a five-way race for two open city council seats, as well as a race for mayor, featuring incumbent Ron Kroll who is challenged by newcomer Lisa Juhl.
Irwin also will see a race for council, as five candidates vie for three open positions on the council. Earling will see six candidates vie for three open council seats.
Following is a list of all the candidates who have filed nomination papers for public office throughout Shelby County. This year will see the municipal election, with candidates for both mayor and council seats.
Defiance
Mayor: Nobody running
Council: Mary Ann Anastasi, Robert McConnell and George Rewerts (vote for 3)
Earling
Mayor: Randy Heese
Council: Connie Andersen, Jackie Frum, Janice A. Gaul, Kelly Mahlberg, Gail Schwarte and Kelly S. Schwarte (vote for 3)
Elk Horn
Mayor: Not on ballot this year
Council: Paul K. Hansen (vote for 2)
Hotel/Motel Tax: increase the hotel/motel tax from five to seven percent
Kirkman
Mayor: Ron Heese
Council: Nobody running (vote for 2)
Irwin
Mayor: Randy Rademaker
Council: Donald D. Ferry, Patricia Gawley, Lee Ferry, William D. McMahon and Lana Schwieso (vote for 3)
Panama
Mayor: Nobody running
Council: Nobody running (vote for 3)
Portsmouth
Mayor: Nobody running
Council: William J. Sondag (vote for 3)
Shelby
Mayor: Ron Kroll and Lisa Juhl
Council: Lucille Schlensig, Jim Cunningham, Dyle Gilland, Kristen Lund and Sheila M. Rihner (vote for 2)
Tennant
Mayor: Lori Teachout
Council: Mark Tearney and Harold D. Peters (vote for 2)
Westphalia
Mayor: Jerome M. Gross
Council: Diane M. Sick, Brian Arkfeld and Julie Goetzinger (vote for 3)
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©The Harlan Tribune 2009
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