Bemidji to get new mayor
Bemidji is poised to have a new mayor in 2011.
As you've probably heard by now, Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann announced this past weekend that he is going to run against Rep. John Persell, DFL-Bemidji, for the Minnesota House 4A seat. (If this is news to you and you want to learn more, you can read Political Editor Brad Swenson's article on the announcement at www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100016614)
The city's mayoral position is a two-year term, which means that if Lehmann wanted to hold onto his seat, he would have had to run for re-election this year. A candidate cannot file for multiple seats at once (i.e. you can't run for Bemidji mayor and state House simultaneously); thus, Lehmann will step down as mayor at the end of this year whether he wins the 4A seat or not. (Although he could always run again for mayor in a later year, if he were to choose to do so...)
There are three other council seats (four-year terms) up for election this year: Ward 2, currently represented by Councilor Roger Hellquist; Ward 4, currently represented by Councilor Jerry Downs; and the city's at-large council position, currently represented by Councilor Barb Meuers. While those three would be unable to file for both re-election and the mayoral position, any of them could choose to run for the mayoral position and just give up their current council seat.
Current city councilors whose seats are not up for re-election also could choose to run for mayor (Ron Johnson, Greg Negard and Kevin Waldhausen). But, if any of those three men were to run and win the mayoral election, he would have to resign from his councilmember seat.
Of course, we won't know for several months yet who actually files for City Council. Council filing is later this year.
But the council will change, we know that for sure now following Lehmann's announcement.
That makes this election season, perhaps, even more interesting. Will we have a completely new mayor? Someone not now on the council? Will a sitting city councilor be "promoted" to mayor? Will former Ward 5 Councilor Nancy Erickson, who lost to Lehmann in the 2008 elections, try again?
I certainly don't know. Sure, I've heard a rumor or two in the last few months, but I don't know anything officially.
Do any of you readers out there have any thoughts?
- Bethany
Reporter's note: Apparently my info is old. I thought filing was July 6-20, but that has changed. Read comments for more info. on filing dates.
Posted by: bjwesle on 3/08/2010 at 2:30 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink
Tags: 2010 elections, bemidji, elections, government, local, news
a sad few weeks
I had a blog entry all scripted in my head when I came to work today: I was going to write about annexation and all the meetings about that issue in recent weeks.
But first, I checked my blog sites and sadly learned that Bemidji State University student Erik Ludwinski, a Park Rapids native, passed away last night. (Web site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/erikludwinski) I just keep picturing the energetic young man who sat across from me just over a year ago, talking about his faith.
Erik's passing follows last week's loss of Ayven Shepard, the infant who was allegedly injured by his daytime care provider(s). Ayven's Web site, too, was updated this morning as his mother, Krysten, wrote that the famly is coping and preparing for a funeral: "We are holding up the best we can right now. Still feels like we're in a nightmare waiting to wake up and have our baby boy back. but we know we cant and he's in good hands." (Web site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/ayvenshepard)
And there also was the unexpected death of Coleen Jennings, who died Jan. 30 of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.
It's been a sad few weeks here in the editorial department. Even if it's our "job" to cover some of these things, that doesn't make it any easier.
- Bethany
Posted by: bjwesley on 2/10/2010 at 9:27 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Vote now for Bemidji Skate Park
Fundraising for the Bemidji Skate Park, to be located in the renovated Bemidji City Park, is continuing.
Nate Dorr, a volunteer who is working with the Bemidji Skate & Bike Association to raise funds for the skate park, sent me a link this morning asking for votes that could earn Bemidji a $25,000 grant through Pepsi.
From Nate: Please take the time to sign up and vote for our project. We can get $25,000 if we win this month from Pepsi. http://www.refresheverything.com/BemidjiSkatePark
Skate park supporters have raised $315,000, but need another $135,000 to complete it. Once complete, the skate will be the first public custom concrete skate park in Minnesota.
Posted by: bjwesley on 2/01/2010 at 2:36 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: bemidji, grant, local, news, skate park
Not the kind of story update we like...
In November 2008, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Erik Ludwinski, a Bemidji State University student who had, unfortunately, been battling cancer since he was a child.
Erik, who I believe is now 24, has thrice taken on Stage IV neuroblastoma, a cancer of the bone marrow. he beat it for the first time when he was 6 years old, and then fought off recurrences in both 2005 and 2006.
After three rounds with cancer, Erik told me in 2008 that he wasn't going to use terms such as "No Evidence of Disease" (what some people refer to as remission).
"After my second relapse, I didn't even try to make plans," he told me in 2008. "I'm just looking at the short-term."
He was enjoying his good health, and loving his college experience. He was focused on working toward a degree.
But last fall, he was told that the cancer -- which he had been keeping dormant through a steady dose of low chemo and "lots" of drugs -- was getting stronger.
Today, I read on his CaringBridge Web site that he has received bad news: "Erik has several masses in his brain."
(You can read about Erik on his new CaringBridge site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/erikludwinski)
While Erik's story, his battles, are newsworthy alone, what makes this kid -- this man -- even more inspiring is his steadfast reliance on and faith in God. Several of the posts on the Web site are written by him and address his struggles throughout his life. They're incredible.
From Erik's mother (on his Web site): "Please pray. This is a devastating turn, and more difficult than ever to maintain hope that Erik will get better physically ... thank God for the Good News and that we have a far greater hope of perfect healing in Jesus."
***
A note: I know there are many, many people Bemidji connections who are battling health struggles or fighting for life. Including baby Ayven Shepard (www.caringbridge.org/visit/AYVENSHEPARD. I am focusing on Erik only because I had the chance to get to know him through my position here at the Pioneer -- my intent is not to overlook anyone.
- Bethany
Posted by: bjwesley on 1/19/2010 at 9:47 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink
Tags: bemidji, cancer, erik ludwinski, local, news
Wondering about wards
I covered my first Charter Commission meeting last Tuesday, and while I didn't get around to writing the article until Friday, it was not due to a lack of interesting material. Charter Commission members spent a good deal of time discussion the impact annexation will have on the balance of the city's wards.
Bemidji now has seven elected council members: five are councilors who are elected from the city's five wards and one "at-large" councilor is elected from the entire city, as is the mayor.
Wards will be "out of whack" in both 2010 and 2016 following the next phases of annexation, according to a city staff member. The wards will be re-balanced in 2011, following the U.S. Census, but will not be able to be redrawn following the 2015 annexation until the next Census.
The question was raised as to whether it would be more beneficial for the city to have all at-large representation.
While Charter Commission members quickly rebuffed that idea, some voiced various degrees of interest in at least exploring the idea of amending the current structure: perhaps having four wards and three at-large representatives.
You can read my full article here: www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100014050/
The conversation last week was just the beginning. Research is needed, as is public opinion.
So what do you think? Do you like the way councilors are elected now? Or would you like to see changes?
- Bethany
Posted by: bjwesley on 12/15/2009 at 2:16 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink
Tags: bemidji, elected officials, local, news, wards
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