VandenBrink announces candidacy

From Staff Reports

   Keith "Doc" VandenBrink of Roan Mountain has officially announced his candidacy for a seat on the Carter County Commission for the 2nd District, which includes the Roan Mountain, Tiger Valley and Hampton regions.
   VandenBrink is a retired pediatric orthopedic surgeon. He has been a resident of Roan Mountain since 1995.
   He was Assistant Chief of Staff at the Shrine Hospital for Children in Lexington, Ky., and served with the 3rd Marine Division in 1962.
   He received his M.D. degree from the University of Iowa and his B.A. degree from Drake University.
   VandenBrink has committee experience in local and national medical administrations and is committed to representative government. He is a member of the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America and the Scoliosis Research Society. He has served as president and past president of The Association of Children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics, and is presently serving as historian of that organization.
   VandenBrink and his wife, Charlene, retired full time to 638 Buck Mountain Road, Roan Mountain, in 1998, their home here being completed in 1995. He is a member of The Roan Mountain Masonic Lodge #566, a board member of the Roan Mountain Recreational Foundation and is the developer and caretaker of the Roan Mountain Memorial Garden.
   VandenBrink and his wife have three children and three grandchildren. Charlene also serves on the Roan Mountain Recreational Foundation board, in addition to volunteering and substitute teaching at Cloudland Elementary and Cloudland High School.
   VandenBrink said he will strive for government by the people, voting the desires of the constituents of the 2nd District. He said he wants truly representative government so that the complaints and desires of all constituents can be voiced using periodic districtwide meetings.
   He also said he had a deep and profound interest in the improvement of education for the children of the 2nd District and to further enhance the beauty of the district.
   VandenBrink may be reached for any questions by calling 772-3672 or by e-mail at docsplac@preferred.com.