On our podcast earlier this week, we began spreading rumors about candidates for Northfield City Council this fall… people who either might be considering filing or who are being lobbied to run for council or mayor by others. Since then, I’ve heard a few more names.
- Betsey Buckheit
- Dana Graham
- Dave Hvistendahl
- Dave Maroney
- Dixon Bond
- Jane McWilliams
- Jessica Peterson
- Jim Pokorney
- Ken Malecha
- Kris Vohs
- Lee Lansing
- Noah Cashman
- Ray Cox
- Scott Davis
Expiring terms:
- Lee Lansing — Mayor
- Kris Vohs — At-Large
- Scott Davis — Second Ward
- Arnie Nelson — Third Ward
Who else would you like to see run for council/mayor? Attach a comment. In a week or so, I’ll create a straw poll.
According to this positions open/candidates needed page on the LWV site:
NORTHFIELD CITY COUNCIL
OPEN SEATS: 2nd Ward, 3rd Ward, one At Large
FILING PERIOD: July 1-15, 2008
(last date to withdraw, July 17)
FILING FEE: $5.00
WHERE TO FILE: Northfield City Hall
801 Washington Street
PRIMARY ELECTION: September 9
(If more than 2 file for one seat)
GENERAL ELECTION: November 4
LENGTH OF TERM: 4 YearsNORTHFIELD MAYOR
OPEN SEAT: Mayor
FILING PERIOD: July 1-15, 2008
(last date to withdraw, July 17)
FILING FEE: $5.00
WHERE TO FILE: Northfield City Hall
801 Washington Street
PRIMARY ELECTION: September 9
(If more than 2 file)
GENERAL ELECTION: November 4
LENGTH OF TERM: 4 Years
I see Betsy Buckheit at the top of the list and I hope she will run. There are other good names on the list, plus a couple I’d rather not see on the ballot.
Remember, Commissioners Gillen (Dist 1), Plaisance (Dist 3) and Brown (Dist 5) come up for renewal on the Rice County Board in November, as well. The fact that meetings are scheduled during the work day continues to limit the number of qualified candidates.
Thanks, Stephanie… we’ll do other blog posts on the races for county commissioner and school board.
I just blogged this: David Hvistendahl, mad as hell, announces run for mayor.
The word on the street is that it would be best for Northfield, our community and its government if all seven seats on the Council were able to be contested in November. Three of the seven terms would be for two years only (I suppose), but those three incumbents would surely receive a needed, and deserved, vote of confidence from our citizens if they risked all and won again.
Norman,
With only three seats up for reelection this year, how would you suggest going about putting the other for four councilpersons’ positions up for a vote?
Felicity: Actually, there are four seats up for re-election, because the Mayor is also. And each is a single council vote. That means a majority.
It has been suggested, however, that not all the “problem” lies with the council.
Therefore , the thrust for change should be for independent thinkers who are not afraid to assume the role and responsibility of policy makers.
There has been talk, on the street, of recalling the three that are not up for election in this cycle; that would be a nearly impossible task, and not possible in the time before the July filing, although some have said there must be a wiped-clean slate.
There are 4 seats up for election/re-election, 3 council seats and the mayor:
Mayor: Lee Lansing
At-Large: Kris Vohs
2nd Ward: Scott Davis (Southeastern fourth of town roughly)
3rd Ward: Arnie Nelson (Northwestern fourth of town including the St. Olaf campus roughly)
Maybe one of the mighty triumverate could post a ward/precinct map under this blog subject.
Jon Denison
Councilperson, 4th Ward (Southwestern/central part of town, the oddest shaped ward of them all primarily because two industrial/business parks are in it causing a smaller population base in a wider geographical area)
After posting and then re-reading my previous comment, I realized i maybe should’ve used the word “equal” instead of “smaller” population in my ward. All of the wards must have close (within 10% of each other) population numbers.
Jon Denison
The fourth ward is an illegally constructed, i.e.gerrymandered ward.
The three requirements are approximate numbers, contiguity, and “communities of interest”.
The fourth ward only meets one of the three requirements: approximate numbers. Contiguity is not even approximated, and communities of interest is somewhat difficult to prove, and may be an outdated concept. When the ward/precinct map was changed, the fourth ward was configured the way it was to allow two seated council members to retain their seats without having to run again.
The League of Women Voters had to decide whether to challenge the Northfield or Rice County redistricting map in court. They chose to challenge Rice County, and won, creating some case law in the process.
Unfortunately, (some might think fortunately) our (LWV) coffers have not yet fully recovered, but there may another map challenge in the future.
Well said, John. Much appreciate your post. Just a suggestion…but if you were to ‘risk all’, I am sure the other two (Noah Cashman & Jim Pokorney) may be tempted to support your initiative. Then we would have a break from the past and optimism about the future.
Kiffi -- that comment was actually from Patrick. We’re now working on a system to avoid mistakes like that. But I do agree with the comment made in my name. There will be enough confusion in the next election, without voting for six councilor seats. Also, as has been pointed out, there is the possibility that all four seats will turn over, changing the majority vote completely and thus in my mind nullifying the issue.
On another note, I would really like to encourage everyone seriously considering running for mayor to announce their candidacy as soon as possible. While I applaud David Hv, I know he won’t be the only one brave enough to face this challenge, and as citizens we will need considerable time to compare the potential candidates.
Norm: Are you actually suggesting that the three councilors who are NOT up for election, vacate their seats and then re-run… to accomplish the “clean slate idea” with what would essentially be a vote of confidence?
I don’t see anything that dramatic happening, do you?
Didn’t you mention seppuku somewhere? or am I just remembering your story about the Brit who in HenryVIII’s time was hung, taken down alive, and as he saw the knife raised to “draw and quarter” him said, “Sweet Jesus, yet more trouble?”
In addition to each mayoral candidate’s top five prioritized issues, I’d like to hear each candidate’s views, including reasoning, on the following:
This is GREAT!
For once, it is nice to have to deal with an early election season.
It is going to be a great season of debate this summer.
Kiffi. Yes; a clean slate, a vote of confidence is what is needed after this last annus horribilus (sp?).
Norm : I agree that a clean slate would be good for all; except for those whose terms have two years to go ,and probably feel they aren’t the problem. I would think that from hearing them speak , the three that AREN’T up for election definitely do NOT think they are the problem.
What do you think about this observation, Norm … the three who are not up for election are all very sympathetic with the city administrator … so if one of the newly elected (next Nov.) is also, then we are still in a POSSIBLE dynamic of power struggle within city hall. And that observation presumes that power issues are some of the problem, not just the personality/style or actions of the current mayor.
What say you, Norm?
I tend put myself in their shoes, Kiffi, and consider that a vote of renewed confidence in myself and my judgments as a councilor would be just the tonic for the next two years of council work. Indeed, it would place something akin to a leadership role on the reconfirmed’s shoulders. And I think all it would take for all three to seek affirmation is just one of them to do so (Jon, Jim or Noah). I not not the mechanism but I am sure there is one.
Norm, I’m not at all sure a mechanism exists to do what you suggest. The charter (or perhaps code, can’t recall which) clearly specifies terms for each seat. If all six councilor spots were put to vote this time, how would they then cycle in the future?
Would you punish the 3 who would put themselves up for re-election early (under your schema) by then putting them back thro re-election two years later?
Conversely, would you give them four year terms, but give the new folks 2 year terms?
Well, you are a super confident Brit entrepreneur so you are not hesitant about putting yourself on the line. That characteristic of yours has been proven.
I just can’t imagine the three whose terms ARE NOT up, putting themselves “on the line”, for the sake of a clean slate. As I said, I doubt they think they’re part of the “clean slate problem”.
BUT, assuming they would do such a thing, (just for the sake of speculation) I also can’t think how exactly it would it would be done. Considering the dates and rules of vacated seats, it would get pretty dicey with the primary filing the 1st week of July…
Anybody got any ideas? Help Norm and I out with this one…
I have a question I hope someone can answer…
How are commissions, such as planning and zoning, handled this election year. Are they elected or nominated?
Would this upcoming election result in a change to the planning and zoning commission?
How about the building inspector? That is a hired city staff position correct?
If anyone can enlighten me with an answer, I would appreciate it, so that I can better understand what is/will occur.
John,
I would love to try to explain your questions to the best of my understanding, but I think everyone can tell what responses I get even when all I’m trying to do is explain or clarify what I might consider a straight forward question.
Please feel free to call me at 507-412-1259 or email me at jon.denison@ci.northfield.mn.us anytime.
This goes for anyone!!!
John, the information on the boards and commissions (mayoral appointments confirmed by council), including application forms and description of the process, can be found on the city website. Sometimes, the term dates are included.
Information on the planning commission/ZBA is at http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/cityhall/boards/planningcommissionzba.
Tracy,
The link is helpful, but does not help me determine how many seats on the PZC are coming up for change?
As a member of the PZC, you know there are 7 members. How many members will be selected by the new mayor, and confirmed by the council after the next election?
Term expiration dates are not listed on the City website. Can you help?
Councilor Jon Denison wrote: “Maybe one of the mighty triumverate could post a ward/precinct map under this blog subject.”
Great idea. Here ’tis, Jon.
http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/v/votingmap.pdf
Kiffi wrote: “When the ward/precinct map was changed, the fourth ward was configured the way it was to allow two seated council members to retain their seats without having to run again.”
Kiffi, could you let us know what year this was and who those two councilors were? I think some folks might infer that this involved current council members.
FYI, for others, info on the lawsuit Kiffi’s referring to: Hilary Ziols v. Rice County Board of Commissioners.
John: You should talk to the Chair of the Planning Commission to find out how many/if any, seats will be coming up for replacement. If you are interested you can put an application in any time during the year. he council discussed a slightly earlier time schedule for review of those applications, so I’d do it by the first of November.
Yes, the Building Inspector, who works under/with the Building Official, is a hired city employee.
Hope you left a comment on the city’s website if you thought it was lacking in some area of information, because i think they are interested in improving its usability.
Griff: I can’t remember the exact year, you can determine that from the lawsuit. I t was either the year the lawsuit originated ,or the previous year. It was two city administrators ago, and the two council members whose seats were retained, without new election, are no longer councilors, for reasons that have nothing to do with this discussion.
Since there is also discussion on this site about what and how people write, and how that writing is interpreted, I went back to look at what I’d said about the map change, and the council seats, and I thought what I said was just a pure statement of what happened, no inference.
Goes to being careful how you phrase things…
Just to be perfectly clear, I have no intention to run for public office, or the PZC.
I am more curious about the change of command of that particular commission, and will go and find the information.
Thanks Kiffi.
Erica Zweifel plans to run in Ward 3!
Jon D. I assure you that we would all benefit from the clarification that you are offering on a one-to-one basis to John T and others. Its rare and precious when a councilor gives us the benefit of their particular knowledge, understandings and insights, for you are privvy to much that we are not. So, by all means please share these and ignore the brickbats.
John T., when I was on the EDA, the terms of each member were posted on the website. I’d suggest calling Kathy Frederickson at City Hall and requesting that information be posted for all the boards and commissions.
For the Planning Commission, here’s the current status, terms expiring Dec. 31 of the year indicated:
Ross Currier (2009)
James Herreid (2009)
Joe Hargis (2009)
Greg Colby (2010)
Ronald Griffith (2010)
Tracy Davis (2008)
Alice Thomas (2008)
There! Straight answer to a straightforward question. (It took five minutes internet time, three minutes on the phone, and five minutes drumming my fingers while waiting for the info to come in via email, and another four minutes to post it here….. just to follow up my comment made in the delurking thread about why questions sometimes go unanswered)
Tracy… Thank you so much. That helps.
Norm: Looks like your “clean slate” proposal has garnered little interest, and that only being on the mechanics of how a clean slate option would work, not the reason for/or substance of, your proposal .
Too bad. I thought it was an interesting thought, given a broad overview of the personality dynamics, and how they might or might not change with the fall election.
Maybe you should use it for a discussion topic at “Politics and a Pint”, Norm…
Then you might get some public opinion.
I’ve spoken to a couple people who are trying to convince Margit Johnson to run for Mayor.
Another person being discussed, I just found out: former Mayor and current school board member, Paul Hager.
Alright! Alright! Stop calling me! Stop the constant barrage of pleading e-mails and pigeon-delivered telegrams. Stop.
I’ll do it. I’ll run for mayor. O.K.? Happy now?!
Here’s my proposed motto: “Brendon Etter: Mayor-y Me”
or — “Brendon Etter: He’s Less Stupider Than You Might Think”
or — “Brendon Etter: Ribbed, For Your Civic Pleasure”
or — “Brendon Etter: He Know Things About You And Your Family That Your Vote Might Help Keep Under Wraps”
or — “Brendon Etter: Probably Fighting Terrorism”
I just need a campaign manager… Tracy?
Brendon: I love your possible campaign slogans. If you run, I would be happy to represent your legal interests. At my standard billable rate, of course.
Britt, I hope you would volunteer your time. Enthusiastically. This is about civic involvement! Fighting for a cause much greater than yourself: Myself.
Hey, Brendon. If Jesse Ventura could be governor (he was actually pretty good. He knew how to wrestle with the issues.) of Minnesota, then I think you have some hope. But, considering the roastings that have gone on in the Northfield political theater this last year, I think running “from” the mayor position would be a better moniker. What would your first and second “acts” entail?
All kidding aside, Margit Johnson and Paul Hager are both strong names I could support.
That’s just fine, Stephanie, I didn’t want your support anyway… I mean why fight for mature, reasonable, thoughtful voters? They’re so much harder to fool.
John G… I think I would be able to handle the political roastings. I have a very broad, savory political baste.
Back in # 18 Felicity asked: How, Norman would you construct a clean slate since three Councilor seats are not up for election — each of those having 2 plus years remaining in their terms.
Very easily accomplished … if the councilors in question were inclined to face the public mid term.
Felicity wrote
Here’s how. Each of the three : Denison, Pokorney and Cashman submit resignations today …. effective the day of the election in November ’08 … Nov. 4?
Having made that move, their respective seats are then up for election for the remaining part of their original 4 year term — from November ’08 through December 31 ’10.
Having announced their resignations, the full council then sets the rules (By Charter, their prerogative) for the seating of the to-be newly elected Councilors to the three vacated seats. The other four seats of regularly scheduled elections, hold their office through Dec. 31.
Those seeking office file for the seat of their choice. This is likely to include all those who submitted resignations.
So, the three seats effected by the resignations are included in those voted for on Nov. 4 and the winners of those take office immediately upon the canvassing of the vote by the remaining four outgoing officials.
Assuming some or all of those who resigned sought re-election, they might win … and be immediately re-seated, losing no time on the job.
Those who do not vie for or win election, vacate per their earlier resignation.
So the question of the cycle of terms, is not interrupted. Wards Four, and Two and one At Large seat run again in two plus years, Nov 2010.
RESULT: The scalawags faced the voters and took their chances.
Brendon- Love it! And from a seasoned professional, too! Some issues are worth brushing aside.
Stephanie- Spoil sport! I suppose your right, though. We should probably be serious about this, but it is such a drag!
Victor,
Very clever, but I don’t think calling our elected Councilpersons “scalawags” is going to help convince them to follow your suggestion. And I see no other reasons why they should.
They’ll be up for reelection when their terms end.
Opinion on Norm’s “clean slate” idea is definitely divided, Patrick.
There are many people of all different sorts, who have said that the dynamics will not, or may not, change unless all of the current councilors are up for election.
This has not been an isolated thought.
Norman Butler can fill you in on more detail of his ideas on the matter.
The three who are NOT up for election could choose to show their good intentions for a more productive, less contentious future by voluntarily putting themselves up for re-election thus garnering a renewed mandate for their actions.
They could. They have little incentive to do so.
Patrick: I agree “they have little incentive to do so” … but think how much more “comfortable” it would be for them if they had a new approval, and were not always having the old negative dynamics thrown up to them.
And maybe that would not happen if all went well with the mix of newly elected.
The clean slate requires two extraordinary things. First, a group of four who come to the table as a ready-made “clique”, or they will end up forging (or being cajoled) into joining with the “Residual Three (TM)”. Second, a group of four strong minded and knowledgeable people, NOT knowledgeable about the issues, but knowledgeable about the workings of this city’s staff.
First, as a ready made clique they might be able to avoid some of the pitfalls of small group coalition dynamics. Anyone can run for office, even a populist demagogue. But it takes a politician to change things (using politician in the non-derogatory sense).
Second, one of the primary shortfalls of “term limits” as a strategy for keeping the elected officials from becoming entrenched insiders is that the full-time staffs they rely on become the center of power because of their long-term memories of where the skeletons are. Heck, the new guys sometimes can’t even find the closets! And we’ve seen the sorry state of the relationship between staff and council in Northfield.
They wouldn’t be any more comfortable at all. As far as I can tell, there seems to be a very small, but vocal, minority of persons who offer the majority of criticisms leveled at the three Councilpersons you would like to have resign from their offices.
I see no reason to think that, even if the Councilpersons in question resigned and were soundly reelected to their posts, that that vocal minority would cease their criticisms.
Kiffi, I don’t think I have anything else left to offer on this topic. Anyway, as you said in post #9: “I don’t see anything that dramatic happening, do you?”
Oh no, Patrick, not you too -- with this ‘small but vocal minority’ nonsense. Why not just bow out of this particular discussion without firing that last futile, baseless, broadside aimed at no-one in particular, no stated issue, no iteratable (?) comment, if fact nowt of substance at all. C’mon Partrick!
Norman,
I did say, as far as I can tell. I can think of about 6 or 7 names of persons who have expressed a desire to “throw the bums out” regarding the Councilpersons who are not up for reelection.
Compared to some controversies around here, that’s a pretty small minority.
If there are more persons who feel that way, perhaps they should step forward and be counted.