It’s a race! Flurry of last minute filings for Tower Mayor and City Council

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018 — Although filings to run as a candidate on the ballot for positions on the Tower City Council opened on Tuesday, July 31 no one made any filings until the last day, August 14. The present mayor, Josh Carlson, and Alderman Lance Dougherty and Alderman Brad Matich have been vocal in their insistence that they would not be seeking reelection. Tower citizens were beginning to believe that complete apathy had engulfed the community and the city council would soon be looking at several vacancies with little interest in serving the city shown amongst our colleagues.

Now it is a race to see who will govern the city next year.

Three candidates filed for Mayor.

Third generation life-long resident Jeff Hill tipped his hand on Monday when Main Street buzzed with the news that he was going to seek the support of his fellow citizens in his bid to be Tower’s next mayor. Hill made his candidacy official when he filled to run for mayor on Tuesday afternoon.

Orlyn Kringsted who has posited himself as a real estate developer and has worked with the city over the past two or three years attempting to build condominiums on the East Two River in Tower also filled as a candidate to serve as Tower’s next mayor on Tuesday.

Steve Altenberg filled, in the last moments before 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, to also be on the ballot to be the next Mayor. He currently serves Tower as Fire Chief, Ambulance Director This will be his second attempt to win a seat as mayor.

The next mayor will serve a four year term.

There are also five fillings for two open alderman seats on the city council. All candidates will compete for one of the two open seats and the candidate who receives the highest vote tally will serve a four year term on the city council. The second highest vote winner will also serve a four year term on the city council.

Candidates for City Council are:

• Fifth generation Tower resident and Tower Fire Fighter Michael Larsen

• Steve Aberahamson who has previously served on the Tower City Council as Alderman and Mayor

• Political newcomer Mary Shedd

• Recent resident Rachel Beldo

• Shakopee, MN resident Victoria Ranua

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