Tuesday, November 7 is Election Day. Election information and names of the candidates running for City Government and School Boards can be found on pages 10 and 11.
The Pioneer has received responses from three candidates seeking spots on the Sanborn City Council and from incumbent Sanborn Mayor Randy Lyman, who is seeking re-election. The responses from Daniel Verrips were printed in last week’s issue.
Kevin Groendyke – candidate for City Council
Kevin Groendyke is seeking election to the Sanborn City Council. Kevin grew up on a farm just west of Sanborn and attended Sanborn public school. After graduation he farmed with his Dad and brother for a few years as well as working in several Automotive Collision Repair shops in Paullina and Sheldon. In 1985 Kevin moved to San Antonio, TX and began a career at USAA. He worked for USAA until 2020 when he retired. In 2020 Kevin moved back to Sanborn and purchased a home on Petrich Ave. He is married to wife, Ever. Their main hobby is working together on automotive restoration. The Groendykes attend First Reformed Church in Sanborn and are proud to be part of the Sanborn community.
Kevin says this is the first time he has run for public office. “While I have no previous experience in any elected public office, I do have strong experience in management,” he said. “Throughout my career I used this knowledge to resolve and/or improve difficult issues.”
When asked about his goals and expectations should he be elected to the City Council, Kevin had this response, “My goal is simple. Work for the residences of Sanborn. Every small town has something we can work in and improve. I simply want to work with my peers on the council to make Sanborn better. We have a great small town with many opportunities to become even better.”
Kevin is prepared to go to work for the community. “I am ready to ‘pay it back’ to Sanborn,” he stated. “As a young man, my family and Sanborn help mold me into the adult I am. When I moved to Texas in 1985, I was always told the ‘Iowa work ethic’ was hard to beat. I am ready to bring that same work ethic and attitude to the Sanborn City Council.”
Brian Visser – candidate for City Council
Brian Visser is running for re-election to the Sanborn City Council. Brian is a life-long resident of Sanborn and graduated from Sanborn High School in 1978. He is a loan-officer at Iowa State Bank in the Sanborn branch. He has been married to Sheryl for 43 years and has four children and 15 grandchildren. His hobbies include biking, camping, and spending time with family.
Brian has served on the City Council for 13 years. He has also been part of Sanborn Improvement, the Chamber of Commerce, Revolving Loan Fund, O’Brien County Community Foundation as well as serving on the Sanborn Christian school board and as a deacon in his church. He is also part of the trail committee for Sanborn’s bike/walking trail.
Brian has enjoyed serving his community as a council member and helping to promote changes and improvements to the community. “Sanborn is a great community with much to offer,” he said. “I believe as Council Members, we need to be informed and involved in the community so that we can effectively discuss the issues and base our decisions on what is best for the community as a whole. Sanborn is a wonderful place to raise a family and I feel blessed to have had that opportunity for both myself and my family. Serving on the Council gives me an opportunity to give back to the community.”
Brian feels some of the important issues facing Sanborn are not only attracting new businesses, but also helping the existing ones grow. He said another goal is attracting new families with what Sanborn has to offer. “Maintenance is an important part of a community,” said Brian. “We need to maintain what we have and continue to make improvements while planning for the future.” Brian also believes our future is in our youth. “The training they receive in our schools, the examples we instill in them along with other programs available will prepare them for the years to come,” he said. “Together we can make a difference in the future of Sanborn for years to come.”
Randy Lyman – candidate for Mayor
Randy Lyman is seeking re-election to the office of Sanborn Mayor. He is married to Candice and they have two children, Chad and Kimberle, and three grandkids.
Randy is semi-retired. He worked for the City of Sanborn for 38 years and then for Prins Plumbing for a year after quitting his job with the City. Randy started helping Lonnie Klever in the spring and fall with putting in and taking out crops. He worked for E&R Construction for 12 years until last fall when he decided to quit and start doing some Handy Man projects in town. Randy has been a member of the Sanborn Fire Department since 1975.
Randy and Candice now spend two months of the year in Mesa, AZ from mid-January to mid-March. Randy enjoys golfing, camping, scuba diving (which he admits he hasn’t done much of lately) and spending time with kids and grandkids.
Randy detailed his experience in local government. “I was appointed to the City Council when a council member resigned from office back in June of 2012,” he said. “I ran for election in Nov. 2013 and Nov. 2017. I was appointed Mayor when the mayor left office back in Feb. 2019. I have run for election for Mayor in Nov. 2019, Nov. 2021 and now again in Nov. 2023.”
Randy’s goals for the community have changed little. “My goals are pretty much what they have been in the past,” he stated. “I would like to keep Sanborn moving forward and keep people moving to Sanborn and building new homes. I would like to see business come to town and make more jobs in town so we don’t become a bedroom city for other towns.”
Randy also spoke about continuing to work with AMPI, saying, “I feel that I have been working with the council on moving things in the right direction to help keep AMPI in town by working to keep the wastewater plant up to date and, with the help of AMPI, to get a pre-treatment system in place to help with their loading to help keep the smell at the water treatment plant under control.” He added, “We worked hard in getting the new drinking water plant on line to help to get better water in town.”
When asked to state why he was the best candidate, Randy responded, “I don’t feel I am the best candidate, but I feel with my years of service to the people of Sanborn that I can help when things happen in town. I have the knowledge of things in town. I can help the guys get problems figured out, not saying I wouldn’t help if I wasn’t Mayor.”