Second Amendment debate leads to challenge for Oak Harbor council pos. 4

Very distinct paths in life led the two men to challenging each other for position 4 on the Oak Harbor City Council.

Lucas Yonkman grew up in Oak Harbor in a well-known family that owns a successful construction company. After graduating from Oak Harbor High School, he enlisted in the Army, learned Arabic and ended up in Afghanistan, where he was seriously injured by a rocket-propelled grenade.

After being medically discharged, he returned home to Oak Harbor and joined with a fellow wounded warrior to start a new construction company.

Im just a regular guy running for public office in his hometown and trying to make a difference, he said.

Bob Severns, the incumbent, earned a bachelors degree in administrative management and came to Oak Harbor in 1974 after accepting the position of vice president of Island Title Company. He didnt plan on staying for more than a few years, but ended up falling in love with the community and becoming one of the most well-known characters in town.

Severns has given his time in a broad array of community organizations over the years, including leadership positions on the chamber, the Rotary and Habitat for Humanity.

My education and experience gives me a special set of skills that I believe no other council member has, he said.

Im always ready to serve when called upon.

Its mainly just the luck of the draw that led Yonkman to square off against Severns.

Yonkman said he was inadvertently thrust into the spotlight early this year after he attended a council meeting because he was curious about a Second Amendment issue. He ended up speaking in favor of gun rights and was questioned by Councilman Rick Almberg, who asked him if he was armed. Yonkman admitted he was and Almberg walked out when fellow council members didnt support his motion to disarm Yonkman.

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Second Amendment debate leads to challenge for Oak Harbor council pos. 4