The Gardner Gab: Nov. 17 – 24

by Michele Ploor

Hello, Town of Gardner residents. I have decided I would do random interviews of town residents and those who do work for the town in some way, shape or form. I’m excited to get to know the people. I have lived in Gardner for 18 years and feel like I don’t really know anyone. If you know of someone I should talk to or have anything to share? Email me at [email protected].

Let’s meet your garbage man, Dan Merkel. Now, I’ve known Dan for years and years and I’ve gotta tell you he’s a really great guy. He’s hardworking, loyal, fun, and all around someone you can trust and go to for help. He’s been with Advanced Disposal for two years and in those two years he’s been on the Gardner routes. He truly cares about the residents and the company he works for. He always makes sure your cans are standing up and not just thrown in the yard or driveway. He checks what he might be picking up as to not get hot ashes that may turn his big green truck into a ticking time bomb. You just never know what people may throw in the garbage and so much of it is flammable. Nice thinking, Dan; it never would have crossed my mind.

Dan resides in Forestville with his wife of eight years, Sam, and their two children, a 7-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son, both attend Southern Door Elementary School. In his free time you’ll find him camping somewhere with his family; a lot of the time it’s at Quietwoods South Camping Resort. He also enjoys hunting – he should bring me some venison sausage. Dan likes sweets, so if you have some free time bake him some treats to say thanks for caring, he’d love it!

• The town board meeting is held the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm at the town hall, located at the corner of Four Corners Road and County C. These meetings are always open to the public and we’d love to see you there. The town board is in the process of changing and updating the town’s building code ordinances. If they have not been uploaded to the town web page, they will be shortly.
• The Gardner Plan Commission next scheduled meeting is Nov. 27, 8 am at the town hall. We are currently looking for new members. If you’re interested in land use at all, please join us.
• Reminders: You can check the Gardner town website at Townofgardner.org. Here you can find contact information for your town officials, garbage schedules, etc. on the website.

Now you get out there and make it a great day!