Posted: 9/14/04
City voters will fill in the blanks
By Jane Palen
and David Heiller
Itís a tough job, but somebody has to do it. The problem is, nobody wants to do it.
When filing closed September 7 for two Caledonia City Council seats, and the position of mayor, there were no candidates. Incumbents Mayor Robert Burns, and councilmen Mark Schiltz and John Klug, did not file for reelection.
City clerk administrator Robert Nelson said this is the first time in the 20 years he has been clerk that this situation has come up.
According to Nelson, there are several ways in which those positions could be filled. An interested person or persons could wage a write-in campaign. Or, a person who receives multiple write-in votes without expressing an interest can be offered the seat, but does not have to accept.
If no willing candidates emerge from the general election through either of those avenues, the incumbents will remain on the council until they designate their replacements.
Council members serve for four years and the mayor serves for a two-year term.
Here is a list of people who have filed for offices in other cities in the Caledonia area.
ï Brownsville: Incumbent Tim Serres filed for the two-year position of mayor. Incumbents Rick ìYoung Budî Voshart and Gary Schulze filed for the four year terms of council member. Other council members not up for election are Jim Driscoll and Joe Serres.
ï Eitzen: Incumbent Ron Meyer filed for the two-year position of mayor, and incumbents Jeff Adamson and Brian Spier filed for the two four-year positions of council member. The other council members are Jeff Merzenich and Keith Meyer.
ï Hokah: Mike Walsh Jr. filed for the two-year position of mayor. Current mayor Jerry Martell did not file. Two people filed for the two four-year council positions: Cindy Pfiffner (incumbent) and Rita Christianson. Three people filed for the one two-year council position: Kim Fordahl (incumbent), Laurie Sennes, and Lance Ross (incumbent). Kevin Walther is the other council member.
ï Houston: Connie Kenzke filed for the two-year term of mayor. Three people filed for the two four-year council positions: Jim Edwards, Fred Huhn (incumbent) and Francis Van Gundy (incumbent. Other council members are Andy Davis and Connie Kenzke. If Kenzke is elected mayor, then someone will be appointed to fill her council position. Current mayor Jim Schultz did not file for re-election.
Caledonia Argus
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