MEET MARK

HOW A NEW ZEALANDER ENDED UP IN BEAUTIFUL GREEN LAKE, DECIDING TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL

I've often heard that my wife and I should write a book, and it all begins with the story of a New Zealand guy traveling the world and crossing paths with an American lass in the rural heartland of Virginia. We were both young camp counselors at Camp Friendship, and the foundation of our bond was built on teamwork and clear communication. Those skillsets and themes would prove to be key in future business ventures and, hopefully, in a City Council role.

From there, our story unfolds with extensive world travels, an engagement, and a harrowing experience of witnessing the ground shake beneath us, buildings crumble, and the loss of a dear friend in an earthquake in my hometown of Christchurch in February of 2011.

The decision from there was clear: we chose to settle down and start a family in the land of opportunity - the United States of America.

In 2011, we found our home in the northwest suburbs of the Chicagoland area, raising four children and spending our vacations in the Green Lake area, where my wife, Mae, had spent her childhood summers. It held a special place in her heart and quickly became dear to me too. At the end of the day, it reminded me of the natural beauty and tranquility of my home country.

During the summer of 2022, we faced the challenging choice of moving away from our family in Illinois, all in the hopes of providing our children with the chance to experience the natural beauty and close-knit bonds of small-town America. So, we made the move to Green Lake full-time.

It was abundantly clear to us, driven by our passion for the area, our entrepreneurial spirit, and our youthful drive, that there was an opportunity to deeply engage in our community. We achieved this by networking with local business owners, connecting with other families through school events, participating in the Economic Development Board within Green Lake's City Government, and starting our own business in town - the Green Lake Shuttle.

I've learned and continue to learn so much along the way. It's a delicate balance to preserve our small-town charm while fostering a sustainable environment where businesses can thrive year-round, and residents can access the quality services they deserve.

There's a remarkable opportunity to safeguard and nurture our small-town, friendly way of life while planning for the future and embracing the efficiencies of the modern era.

Achieving this vision will require our community to work closely together. It demands collaboration among business owners, the City Council, and the City's Chamber of Commerce. These three key groups must work closely together and not in a silo, communicate transparently with all local residents, and plan and execute actions that propel our beautiful town into the future, attracting young families for generations to come.

It is my hope that you'll elect me to Green Lake's City Council and provide me the opportunity to make an impact on the future of our beautiful town.

Thank you and all the best!