Although township elections are not held until March, the time for citizens interested in running for a town board seat ended January 12, 2016. Unlike some years when the townships have struggled to find citizens interested in serving, there are candidates for each position up for election, and in Tofte there is a race between two candidates for supervisor.
Lutsen
In Lutsen, the supervisor seat currently held by Tim Goettl is on the ballot. Goettl did not file for re-election. However, a citizen did submit her name to be placed on the ballot. Rae Piepho filed to run for supervisor.
In November, Sharon Hexum Platzer was appointed by the town board to serve as clerk, to fill the unexpired term of Amity Goettl. Goettl submitted her resignation in November. Hexum Platzer has filed to run for the town clerk position.
Tofte
Tofte is the only township that will have two names on the ballot. Incumbent Supervisor Jim King has filed to run once again. Sarah Somnis is also running for the seat.
The clerk position is currently held by Barb Gervais and she filed to run for re-election.
Tofte has an additional spot on the ballot for a one-year term for treasurer. Erin Huggins was unable to serve as treasurer after being elected in 2015 and Nancy Iverson has been filling that role. Iverson has filed to serve the unexpired term.
Schroeder
There are no contested races in Schroeder. Incumbent Supervisor Tina McKeever has filed for re-election as has Clerk Doug Schwecke.
However, Schwecke told the News-Herald, “Write-ins are welcome!”
Townships are the original form of local government in Minnesota, established as part of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 which created the State of Minnesota. The township form of government, a carryover from Europe, served as a familiar building block to develop the State by dividing land areas into 36 square mile units known as congressional townships. Today, the term township generally refers to organized but unincorporated communities governed by a local board of supervisors and created to provide services to their residents. There are 1,790 townships across the State.
Township elections are held the second Tuesday of March. The 2015 election will be March 8, 2016. In addition to elections, the township sets its annual levy at the annual meeting.
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