There is a three-way race for Mayor coming to Garretson in the near future. So, as a public forum the Gazette wanted to give each of the candidates an opportunity to speak directly to the public.
The Gazette asked the three mayoral candidates (Tom Godbey, Bruce Brown and Greg Beaner) to each answer a questionnaire and are now sharing their direct responses with you, the voting public. The candidates responses will be presented in alphabetical order (excerpt only, to see the full responses, please see the full issue of this week's paper):
Greg Beaner
Name and personal history along with a brief biography on yourself and family?
My name is Greg Beaner. My wife and I have been married for 26 years and we’ve lived in Garretson for 19 of those years. We have 3 teenaged children, a sophomore and junior in high school and a freshman in college, whom we have been proud to raise in Garretson.
My wife is a high school English teacher and I have been a flight paramedic with Sanford Medical Center for 23 years. Gaye Lynn and I both grew up in Miller, SD and are high school sweethearts.
We both enjoy Garretson because it reminds us of our hometown. I’m a second degree black belt and assistant instructor at Hoover’s Martial Arts and Circuit Fitness in Brandon. I have been a little league baseball coach, Cub Scout den leader, religious education teacher, and chess coach for the Garretson community.
I am treasurer of the Sioux Empire Chess Foundation. I enjoy mountain biking, chess, backpacking, and woodworking in my spare time.
Bruce Brown
Name and personal history along with a brief biography on yourself and family?
My name is Bruce Brown and I was born in Storm Lake, Iowa, raised in Estherville. Graduated from Estherville High School 1973.
I graduated from SDSU, Brookings, with Degree in Pharmacy.
I have been a resident of SD since 1985. (Valley Springs). I moved to Garretson in 2016.
My mother and father were both teachers, my mom went to summer school and got her masters and PHD, and became a principal in Shakopee, MN. My dad was like a lot of teachers in that he painted houses in the summer, so his family would be better off. I have 2 younger brothers, Dan is the middle one and he owns a flooring business in Minneapolis. Terry, the youngest, works for Boston Scientific in Minneapolis as a quality control and design engineer.
My father taught me my love for the outdoors and was active in Scouting. He formed the Explorer Post in Estherville and every year for over 20 years, he led us on canoeing and backpacking trips. He taught a great many young men about honesty, integrity and self reliance. He was the greatest man I ever met, and I miss him everyday. My father passed away in November of Alzheimer's. He struggled with it for 12 years and spent the last 2 in the Veterans Home in Luverne.
I grew up with grandparents on both sides and spent a lot of time with them. I have one remaining grandmother who turned 100 last June. She is very active and lives in a retirement community in Spirit Lake, IA. My mother lives with her second husband there also.
I am active in a local church, volunteer at The Banquet, and have built a Habitat for Humanity house. I support local businesses, as they are the heart of any strong city.
Tom Godbey
Name and personal history along with a brief biography on yourself and family?
I was born Thomas LaMoyne Godbey and am a lifelong resident of Garretson. I have been married to my wife, Karla, for 36 years. We have three grown children. They are Danielle, Meghan and Derrick, who all graduated from the Garretson School District. I retired from Sullivan's, Inc. three years ago after close to 28 years of employment there. I am an active member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church here in Garretson.
I am a second generation city council member, serving in that position from 2004-2014. I am also a second generation bus driver for the Garretson School District and a third generation meat cutter. I am very proud to be following in my father's and grandfather's footsteps.
