Washington Island Town Supervisor Candidates

Joel Gunnlaugsson

Age: 34

Family: Wife-Krista, Daughter- Gretta

Education: NWTC 2001, Associates Degree in Electronics; 100 Ton USCG Master License, 1998

Occupation: Employed by the Washington Island Ferry Line as a Captain

Previous Elected Offices: Town Board Supervisor, (2004 – 2008); Door County Board Supervisor (2008 – present)

Civic Involvement: 2nd Assistant Chief, Washington Island Fire Department, member since 1998; Treasurer – Washington Island Lions Club, member since 2001

Why are you the best choice for the board?

I’m not saying that I am, but I feel I will bring a bit of “what local government is supposed to be about” back to the Island. My previous experience on the town board and my present experience on the county board has given me a sense of what needs to happen and how things should happen. I think I can bring to the table what I have learned.

Are there services that the town provides that should be cut or scaled back to save money? Are there services the town should take on?

I think there are some things the Town can do much better to operate more smoothly and possibly save money. But, hand and hand with that, there are services and requirements that I thing we need to expand on which might have the opposite effect. I understand that times are difficult and sacrifices need to and are being made, but in some cases, services provided to the taxpayers come with a certain cost, and they expect them. As far as the Island is concerned, we have in place most things to operate, I just think we need to re-visit them and fine-tune a bit. Hopefully the outcome will be better service with, hopefully, cost savings.

What other issue or issues are a high priority for the town in the term ahead?

The town needs to be thinking about the future. I have lived on the Island my entire life, seen a lot of things change. I personally believe that currently, we are starting to fall behind the rest of the peninsula. I’m about as conservative as the next guy, but I also understand that to succeed in the future, you need to develop and grow in the present. There are potential “growth” options that the Island needs to think about.

What is the number one thing the council can do to make the town a better place to live?

I think the number one thing any municipality can and must do is to be open-minded and open with the public. Listen to what the taxpayers want and don’t want, like and don’t like! Our job is to represent them. They provide us with data, some good and bad, then we use that data to make educated decisions that effect the operation of the town and growth of the community. You can’t be faulted if you do your job to the best of your ability.

Randall (Randy) Sorensen (I)

Family: Wife Kathy; three sons and two daughters-in-law; one granddaughter

Age: 64

Education: High school and toolmaker apprenticeship

Occupation: Lineman for electric co-op

Previous Elected Office: Town supervisor for the previous two terms

Relevant Experience/ Civic Involvement: Washington Island Fire Department (18 years); Trinity Church Council; Board of Directors, Velkomen.

Why are you the best choice for the board?

I don’t know if I’m the best choice but I think my goal is to do what is best for all Islanders be they year round or seasonal residents.

Are there services that the town provides that should be cut or scaled back to save money? Are there services the town should take on?

The Town of Washington runs on a very tight budget. Our services are sufficient for our citizens and at this time I don’t see adding or eliminating any.

What other issue or issues are a high priority for the town in the term ahead?

Finding out how the budget repair bill will affect the Island and dealing with skyrocketing insurance.

What is the number one thing the council can do to make the town a better place to live?

Get our C.O.R.P. (Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan) and our strategic plan in place so we can be eligible for grant funding for future needs as they are identified.