Al Brevik, 74, is seeking another four-year term on the Detroit Lakes City Council.
Now retired, he worked for 36 years as a Detroit Lakes public school teacher. He served as vice president of the Detroit Lakes chapter of the Minnesota Education Association, or teachers union. He also served as a teacher Education and Professional Standards state delegate.
After retirement, he was a bus driver and teacher’s helper for Mahube Head Start for several years.
He and his wife Jean celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary earlier this year. They have four grown children and eight grandchildren.
Brevik said he grew up in a family of nine in North Dakota.
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“Prior to teaching I served in the U.S. Army as a medic,” he said. “I have a service-connected disability with the VA. The Veterans Memorial Park was created with help from the city council. We also have a great working relationship with the Legion campground.”
During his teaching years, he volunteered as a Cub Scout leader, taught sixth-grade confirmation classes in Detroit Lakes and Callaway, coached little league and minor league baseball for many years and coached elementary sports. He also served as president of the DL Lions Club for many years, and has done a lot of volunteer driving to the University of Minnesota hospital, he said.
“I was the building and grounds superintendent for the Becker County Fair for many summers. I had the chance to work for and with many fine FFA and 4-H people. I have also been an advocate for senior citizens and have taken many of them to doctor appointments and social events.”
After he retired, he said, he wanted to give back to Detroit Lakes.
“I wanted to be part of the decision-making process and not just sit around and talk about it,” he said. “I felt I have a lot of experiences, time and energy that I can apply to make an impact on important decisions for our city.”
The city’s greatest asset is Detroit Lake, he said. “Diligent planning and finance from federal, state and local governments has made an impact on saving our lake from various plants and animals that might destroy it. I have voted to give monetary and political support to these efforts.”
The reconstruction of Washington Avenue from Highway 10 to the south remains a critical issue to revitalize downtown, he said. “I feel that is the city’s main priority,” he added.
It will take city-county cooperation to see the project through to completion, he said.
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“Manufacturing and business is vital to future growth of our city,” he said. “The city council has supported both with growth in our industrial parks and incentives for new businesses.”
New construction is up in Detroit Lakes and sales at the city liquor store are up 5 percent over last year, Brevik noted.
“The community development committee and the liquor committee are both vital to our city’s growth,” he said. “I am happy to say I sit on both of these committees and chair the liquor committee.”
The good news was a shot in the arm for both committees, he added.
“New home and apartment spending will bring more population growth to Detroit Lakes,” he said. “Added population will bring more tax revenue and potential employees to help relieve the employment needs for the businesses in our city. Every dollar earned and spent in our area will turn over many times.”
Brevik hopes that DL will continue to be a destination city, and not only on weekends. “All those that live here and visit can enjoy our lake, beach pavilion, parks, DLCCC, DMRA, shopping and all things we enjoy,” he said.
