Four on ballot for trustee, two for school board
By Heather Ruenz
Staff Writer
In the Village of Sharon, four candidates are on the ballot for three trustee seats up for election with voters choosing not more than three when they cast their ballots.
Below are capsules on three of the four candidates on the ballot. Incumbent Robert Sachs did not respond to a request for information by the press deadline.
Robert Carlson, 60, is the owner of Lookin’ Good Turf & Snow Services, LLC. He has a 2-year business management degree.
He said some of the main issue he plans to focus on as a trustee in the next term is the infrastructure of Sharon.
“So that means the sewer systems, operations, improving the parks,” Carlson said.
Marge Dreksler, 68, is the lone challenger in the race. She’s a high school graduate who has taken college classes. Dreksler, who is retired, has previously worked in accounting and management positions.
As far as community service, she served as the program manager for the Sharon Main Street Association from 2001-2003.
Dreksler said she decided to run for the seat because she has the time to dedicate and hopes to bring a different voice to the board.
“I know, first hand, that it is extremely difficult to find that time to get involved when you work full-time and have a family to raise. Now that I am retired, I have more time to dedicate to village involvement,” she said.
Dreksler said she aims to bring a different voice to the Village Board; a voice that will express the concerns and interests of the hard-working families who don’t have the time to represent themselves.
“Although I know nothing about the politics of being on a Village Board, I am willing to learn and try to bring more transparency to village government,” she said.
Pamela Schutt, 52, has worked in the medical field for 30 years as a certified medical assistant currently working for Advanced Reproductive Center. Her education includes Blackhawk Technical College, McHenry County College and First Institute.
Her previously elected positions include eight years as secretary and treasurer for Sharon Fire and Rescue, and as a Village Trustee since 2012.
Schutt’s community service includes: member of the American Legion Auxiliary; a former 20-year member of the Sharon Fire and Rescue Department. She also finished working on the recodification book, which was last updated 20 years ago and raised $50,000 with the community for new park equipment.
“I am now working on fundraising for a new dog park with a walking path for people on the outside of Raymar park, keeping Sharon a great place to live,” Schutt said.
She said the biggest issue facing the village is the need for industry growth, which the current board has been working at.
“I feel like I am the best candidate for the position due to the fact that I have been on the board for multiple terms and have become familiar with the daily operations of the village,” Schutt said.
School board
There is a seat up for election on the Sharon Joint 11 District School Board in Tuesday’s election, a race that has two candidates.
Stacy Gallagher, 32, is a dental assistant and treatment coordinator who has earned a college certificate.
Gallagher is on the Sharon Park Committee, which is raising funds for park equipment for the village. She has also volunteered for a variety of other events in Sharon and said she makes sure to always donate toward food and toy drives held in the Sharon community.
“What makes me a good candidate is the fact that I care about our kids, community and school and want to make a positive impact on them all,” Gallagher said.
Lori Lefel (her last name is spelled incorrectly on the ballot), 38, is an Adaptive Physical Education Teacher for the School District of Beloit, grades K-12.
Her education consists of: a bachelor’s degree from UW-Platteville in physical education, health education and adapted physical education; master’s degree from UW-LaCrosse in Professional Development.
She said the biggest issue the board will face in the next few years is raising the district ranking by ensuring each child’s needs are met within the local school.
“When we come out of this national epidemic we will need to hit the floor running with these things to help students, and staff, get back into the normalcy of school life,” she said.
“We need to focus on ensuring tools are in place to help struggling students, challenge gifted students and make sure students feel safe at school,” Lefel added.
She said her 13 years of experience in education make her the best candidate.
“I have worked within the Big Foot district in Fontana as well as Sharon. I know how the school and daycare run, am familiar with staff and students, my child attends kindergarten there and my youngest attends their daycare,” Lefel said.
“I feel like my background with education, and the school, can be a great asset to the board because I will bring the view point of an educator to meetings and decisions,” she added.
