Time to think about running for township offices

Although township elections are not held until March, the time for citizens interested in running for a town board seat to file is coming soon. The filing period to run for clerk or supervisor for the townships of Lutsen or Schroeder and for clerk, supervisor and treasurer in Tofte begins Tuesday, December 29, 2015 and closes at 5 p.m. on January 12, 2016. Lutsen and Schroeder townships are holding election for a supervisor term of three years and a clerk term of two years. The Tofte township will have an additional spot on the ballot for a one-year term for treasurer.

Lutsen

In Lutsen, the supervisor seat currently held by Tim Goettl is on the ballot. The town clerk seat currently held by Sharon Hexum- Platzer is also on the ballot.

In November, 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.

To file for the supervisor or clerk board seats in Lutsen, contact Town Clerk Sharon Hexum-Platzer at (218) 663-7501 or email lutsentownship@gmail.com.

Tofte

In Tofte, the supervisor seat held by Jim King is on the ballot, along with the clerk position currently held by Barb Gervais. Supervisor King said he will run for re-election.

Tofte will have 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. A citizen is needed to fill that vacancy for one year.

To file for office in Tofte, contact Town Clerk Barb Gervais at (218) 663-7315 or (218) 370-0763.

Schroeder

The seat currently held by Tina McKeever will be on the ballot in March. The clerk seat, held by Doug Schwecke, will also be on the ballot.

At the last Schroeder town meeting on December 8, Supervisor Bruce Martinson asked McKeever and Schwecke if they were going to run for their offices again, and both responded by saying yes.

“I’ve put so much time in learning all of this stuff that I would hate to quit now,” said McKeever.

To file for office in Schroeder, contact Town Clerk Doug Schwecke at (218) 663-7599.

A non-refundable fee of $2 is charged at the time of filing. Township elections are held the third Tuesday of March. The 2016 election will be March 15, 2016.