Town of Glenwood candidate: Mark Maes

TOWN OF GLENWOOD  —  Two candidates will be on the ballot for the April 7 election for chair in the Town of Glenwood.

Joe Draxler, incumbent town chair, will face challenger Mark Maes.

Maes, 66, is a resident of 150th Avenue and describes himself as retired. His family includes his wife, Audrey Maes, and their children, a daughter, Melissa Henry, and son Joseph Maes.

The Tribune Press Reporter sent out questionnaires to the candidates.

Here are Maes’ answers to the Tribune Press Reporter’s questionnaire:

• Where have you lived other than the Town of Glenwood?

Lived in Glenwood Township all my life, except for two years in the Marines.

• What is your educational background?

High school graduate, and college course in supervisory.

• Why did you decide to accept the nomination for chair of the Glenwood Town Board?

Many people in the Township have said to me they would like a change in leadership and asked me if I would take on this roll.

• What about your background makes you particularly suited to serve on the town board?

After 30 years running a district for a seed company, I learned how to delegate tasks and how to work within a budget successfully. I also learned to get ideas from other people and to incorporate them into the business.

• What do you believe to be the biggest challenges or issues facing the Town of Glenwood?

Roads — seal coating over gravel roads does not work. Roads are not being properly upgraded before blacktopping.

• What ideas do you have for increasing revenue or decreasing spending?

Stay out of debt. Work within budget. Going into debt only leads to more debt.

• Why are you the best candidate for chair of the Town of Glenwood Board? 

I believe I am the best candidate because I am retired, so I will have more time to devote to the job. I also do not have any outside interests that would sway my decision making for the other people’s ideas on what would be good for the township. I think that is very important.