TheGrand Marais mayoral race is now a two-way race, with the entry of a write-in candidate, Larry “Bear” Carlson. Carlson announced his intention to run as a write-in candidate this week, challenging Mark Sandbo, who will be on the ballot in November.
Asked why he didn’t file during the election filing period, Carlson said he was sure that someone else would come forward to run. “I think people need a choice,” said Carlson.
Asked in a phone interview if he had other reasons, Carlson responded, “Mark [Sandbo] was in before and he was kind of “spendy.”
Carlson was a science teacher at Cook County High School for 25 years, teaching before that in Silver Bay and at the Shaddock School in Faribault, MN. Asked about previous governmental experience, Carlson said he served on the Cook County Planning & Zoning Commission in the late ’70s. “I also negotiated teacher contracts for 10 years—and nurse’s contracts. They asked me to help out at North Shore Hospital,” he said.
After retiring as a teacher, Carlson worked as a black jack dealer at Grand Portage Lodge and later as a school bus driver. Now completely retired, Carlson said, “I’m retired, I have the time to serve. It’s about time I did something like this.”
Mark Sandbo, the candidate whose name will appear on the ballot, was also employed at Cook County High School. He served as principal for six years and before that was a principal in Worthington, MN and assistant principal in Spring Lake Park, MN. He served as mayor four years ago.
Contacted by phone on September 8, Mark Sandbo said he had not heard that he had opposition, but said, “That’s good. People should have a choice. Running unopposed isn’t the way the process is supposed to work.
“It’s good that people want to be involved,” said Sandbo.
There are three seats being vacated on the city council and three candidates—Dave Palmer, Bill Lenz, and Bob Spry.
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