Running for Supervisor

In November I made the decision to run for one of the open seats available on our town board, Town of Spider Lake. I felt it was time to get involved in our community on a level more than just showing up at meetings.

Being retired I have the time and resources to be what I feel would be a productive part of our town’s governance. I think each of us should consider, when possible, to get involved in any way we can.

So a little about me. I’ve had 3 careers. I started out as an LPN working at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis on the Neurosurgical ward. Not an easy job but extremely rewarding. We had limited resources for our Veterans but the staff I worked with were second to none. When we moved to Denver for my husband to attend graduate school I continued working as a nurse. But unfortunately, I worked nights, from 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. and with a pre-school son, it became too difficult.

So, I started my second career. I went to work as a waitress at a restaurant near our home. Working lunches and made more money than I did as a nurse. I was approached by the divisional manager and asked if I would be interested in their management program. I said yes. I started as the dining room manager in the evening. Several months later I was promoted to assistant manager so I worked both lunch and dinner shifts.

When we moved to Rochester, Minnesota it was during one of the only times there was an overabundance of nurses. The only job I could find was at a nursing home as an evening charge nurse. Back to the 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. shift. It soon became difficult having an elementary age son involved in hockey to work those hours.

When I mentioned it to a friend who was the food and beverage director at the Rochester Golf and Country Club, she said, “Come work for me.” I did. When she left for a different job I was promoted to her position. I loved the fast pace, involvement in wedding and party planning, working with a European trained chef and so much more.

After eight years there I had our daughter. It soon became apparent that I needed to be able to have a more flexible schedule so very reluctantly left the country club. But I wanted to continue working.

My solution was to get my real estate license. My third career. I started out with a large group and was hooked. I could set my own schedule and more than anything enjoyed being a part of finding someone just the right home.

I continued with real estate when we moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and again when we moved to Madison, Wisconsin. I’ve made so many friends through real estate and it was an industry where you are always learning something new.

I had planned on staying in real estate when we moved here to Spider Lake in 2014. Unfortunately, within months of moving here, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer. I spent the next year recuperating from surgery and chemotherapy. The upside is, I’m five years out since diagnosis and my Oncologist gave me the good news in September, “You’re cancer-free.” The early diagnosis saved my life

Some truths I learned from my illness. There are no guarantees. That giving back has more value than taking. That you will find yourself amazed at the kindness of strangers. Anger is self-defeating, it’s better to forgive even though sometimes it’s hard. Enjoy life, you only have one.

I would love the opportunity to talk with any and all residents of Spider Lake. I want to hear from you. One of my goals would be to see our town become one where everyone has a voice, not just the loudest voices. That we come together as a team, not the current “us against them” atmosphere. I want to see our town grow but doing so in a responsible way that protects our environment and property values. And by doing so we are holding to the core beliefs of those who came before us. I want to see our town be fiscally responsible for decisions made that affect our taxes. Again, I welcome your thoughts and comments.