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Several new names will be appearing on the ballots
By Kristen Miller
News Editor
A number of area townships will host elections Tuesday, March 8 for various open positions.
Each township has set its own polling time, and the candidates who have filed for the open positions are listed.
A questionnaire was sent to each candidate who filed for the township positions. Below are their responses.
Cokato Township
There are two positions up for election in Cokato Township, including treasurer, which is a two-year term currently served by Nancy Dahlman, and that of supervisor, which is a three-year term currently served by Dan Bravinder. Both Dahlman and Bravinder have filed as incumbents.
Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.
Dan Bravinder, Supervisor
Why are you running for this particular office?
Township office is grassroots government, where people in any given township should have easy access to the people they put in office. This is important to people that live in our township.
The second Monday of every month is the township’s regular meeting, and anyone is welcome to attend and have input at that meeting.
Our main role as township supervisors is to oversee the infrastructure in the township, which consists of roads and bridges.
My goal is to make sure the roads are taken care of in a way that benefits those that use the roads (public and commerce) and those that pay for the roads, the taxpayer.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
The first issue this year will be spring flooding. It will be a priority to make sure all culverts are clear, to provide proper drainage.
The second issue is dealing with the many soft spots that have appeared in the last few years. We began a program of tiling 1,000 feet per year of problem spots, to insure the road beds dry as quickly as possible. So far, this has worked fairly well, and I intend to make sure this continues.
Nancy Dahlman, Treasurer
No information provided.
Stockholm Township
There are four positions up for election in Stockholm Township including treasurer, a two-year supervisor, a three-year supervisor, and a clerk.
Jody Selseth, who is serving as the appointed clerk, has filed for the position.
Mitch Klein, Dan Sangren, Dan Gesinger, and Andrew Engh have filed for the two supervisor positions.
There was no one who filed for the treasurer position, which is currently served by Mark Wendolek.
Wendolek has stated that he did not file for re-election and will not accept the position as a write-in candidate.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.
Mitch Klein, Supervisor
Why are you running for this particular office?
To help oversee the township policies and supervise their enactments, also to participate in development of a budget, levying taxes, and looking at changes that come with time.
I believe my experience as a business owner would be an asset to this process.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
Making a decision on a township building.
Keeping our policies and ordinances in the interest of the residents.
Dan Sangren, Supervisor
Why are you running for this particular office?
I would like to help voice the concerns of the people in the township.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
I feel the two major issues at this time are the quality and amount of gravel our township roads have, and the disputes between purchasing an existing building, building a new township hall, or remodeling our existing township hall.
I would like to look into the purchase of better-quality gravel, so that in the long run, the roads, the safety of the people, and the wear on vehicles would benefit.
As for the township hall, we will have to look into more of the needs vs. wants of the township people.
Dan Gesinger, Supervisor
Why are you running for this particular office?
To assist in making good decisions for our township.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
1. To find a new township hall – either by buying the old church and renovating it or building a new hall.
2. To clarify the job description of the maintenance supervisor.
I want to listen to the people of our township, and try to make good decisions based on what the township people need/want.
Andrew Engh, Supervisor
No information provided.
Jody Selseth, Clerk
No information provided.
French Lake Township
In French Lake Township, the two positions open are that of treasurer (two-year term), currently served by Lucille Ekholm, and that of supervisor (three-year term), served by Mike Granquist. Both have re-filed for these positions.
Lucille Ekholm, Treasurer
No information provided.
Mike Granquist, Supervisor
No information provided.
Collinwood Township
The two positions open in Collinwood Township are that of treasurer and a three-year supervisor term. Michelle Schnitzler has re-filed as the incumbent for the treasurer position. Two have filed for the supervisor, currently served by Randy Holm. Dale Anderson has filed, along with Holm.
Polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. with the annual meeting to follow.
Michelle Schnitzler, Treasurer
No information provided.
Randy Holm, Supervisor
No information provided.
Dale Anderson, Supervisor
Why are you running for this particular office?
I am running for Collinwood Township Supervisor, because we need common sense back. I will make sure Collinwood Township people will have fair and just representation. I want to help the people to budget the allocated money to control spending. We can’t shift the burden on property taxes anymore.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
In this critical time, we need to not only balance the budget, but help everyone in the township, by using the resources and spending wisely.
I will review the spending by looking at past and present practices.
I will have meeting information published in the local paper, so everyone has access to the discussions, to keep everyone informed.
I will work with the township people to effectively represent everyone.
Government on every level – big or small – cannot keep spending money and try to resolve the budget issues by putting the burden on the people by taxation.
Your vote will be appreciated.
Dassel Township
The two open positions in Dassel Township are that of treasurer and supervisor.
Galen Nyman, the current treasurer, has re-filed for the position. David Isaacson filed for the supervisor position.
Polls will be open from 5 to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.
Galen Nyman, Treasurer
Why are you running for this particular office?
I enjoy the opportunity to serve the people of Dassel Township as their treasurer.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
Due to a federal mandate, we must update our road and street signs by the year 2015. So, we need to allocate money for this project, and, at the same time, maintain general services to the township without raising the township taxes.
David Isaacson, Supervisor
No information provided.
Ellsworth Township
The treasurer and supervisor positions are open in Ellsworth Township.
Elvera Smith, the current treasurer, has re-filed, along with Roger Werner, who re-filed for the supervisor position.
Polls will be open from noon to 7 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow.
Elvera Smith, Treasurer
Why are you running for this particular office?
Having retired from many years in the accounting world, I felt I would enjoy a new challenge. I am running for my third term.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
The two major problems are the cut in funding from the state, and delinquent real estate taxes.
We will have to budget the money wisely, in order to give the residents of Ellsworth Township good roads, fire protection, etc.
Roger Werner, Supervisor
Why are you running for this particular office?
There are some important projects coming up in the next two years I feel I should be a part of.
What do you think are two major issues at this time, and what to you propose to do about them?
The first issue confronting the township is the federal mandate to replace all signs within the township. This will amount to a large amount of money.
The second will be the need to hard-coat some of our black-top roads.
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