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Update: Myser is next mayor; Keeney, Erickson elected to council; School Board incumbents win
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Critics of the current Prior Lake City Council’s decisions on city spending won election to mayoral and council seats on Tuesday.
Mike Myser won in the race for Prior Lake mayor, defeating main challenger Steve Millar, a current City Council member, in five of the city’s eight precincts. Myser picked up 45.7 percent of the total vote, while Millar earned 35 percent.
Millar will continue in his role as City Council member; his term expires at the end of 2010. Myser will be sworn in in January to replace Mayor Jack Haugen, who chose not to seek re-election after eight years in office.
Candidate Troy Presler took 40 percent of the vote in his home Precinct 5 and garnered about 17 percent overall. Francis Klinkner, who ran the quietest of the mayoral campaigns, got about 1.6 percent of the vote.
Myser’s campaign harshly criticized current city leaders’ decisions on spending, while Millar quietly stuck to the “People Matter” mantra of his 2005 bid for City Council.
Also on Tuesday, incumbent Councilman Warren Erickson regained his seat on the council, with newcomer Richard Keeney – another candidate who criticized city tax increases – also receiving the green light from voters to fill a seat vacated by Councilman Chad LeMair, who chose not to seek re-election. Keeney took 19.5 percent of the vote among eight candidates on the ballot (Jeremy Schammel’s name appeared, but Schammel dropped out of the race early on). Erickson followed closely with 19.4 percent.
Incumbents sealed the deal in the race for three open seats on the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board in Tuesday’s election. Board Members Lee Shimek, Mike Murray and Tom Anderson held onto their seats. Shimek got 21 percent of the vote; Murray got 20 percent; and Anderson got 16 percent.
Total voter turnout in Scott County was about 17 percent in Tuesday’s elections.
For complete election results coverage, see the Saturday, Nov. 7 print edition of the Prior Lake American and check this Web site throughout the week.
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Very interesting results for...
Back to page topVery interesting results for sure. Steve Millar is a very good person, we are lucky he will remain on the council for at least another year (his term expires in 2010). With regard to the other votes there's no debate the citizens of PL want to go a different direction. Fiscal responsibility has clearly won the day.
As far as the mayoral race...
Back to page topAs far as the mayoral race is concerned, congrats to Mr. Myser. However, to say anything in the mayoral race "clearly won the day" is ridiculous. In a low voter turn out year (which I never understand, is it that hard to go to the polls?), no candidate even reached half of the vote, and more people voted against Mr. Myser than for. He also probably benefitted from two candidates splitting a larger number of votes. I hope that Mr. Myser is humbled by his victory, and keeps both those points in mind, and the results in perspective, when making decisions for and representing all of the city.
I hear the low turnout...
Back to page topI hear the low turnout arguement, but history shows that's there's more to this vote than meets the eye. Four years ago three incumbant council members were defeated. Two years ago a very popular council member won by just 100 votes in a race that shouldn't have been close. Last year a conservative County Commissioner won in a landslide, and this year conservative, fiscally responsible candidates won easily.
Not to mention that 3 of the last 4 school referenum questions have failed. Right or wrong, when one objectively looks at the evidence the message is quite clear. Stop spending!
If you are going to use...
Back to page topIf you are going to use history to prove a trend, then let's dive into all of history instead of bits and pieces to prove your point. This is mostly off of memory, so forgive me if minor details are incorrect.
In 2005, three new council members were elected: Steve Millar, Cheri Dornbush and Warren Erickson. At some point in time, Dornbush stepped down (moved out of town?) and was replaced by an appointed Ken Hedberg. As an aside, the incumbent mayor ran unopposed (which I think is what usually happens when people are unhappy ...)
In 2007, both Hedberg and Millar were re-elected. You are correct that there was a very close race between Mr. Keeney and Mr. LeMair, which LeMair won. Who knows why it was as close as it was. I have my opinions, you have yours I'm sure.
At this point, two of the three council members from 2005 who have been part of the council "spending wildly" as some would see it have been re-elected. The third council member, Mr. LeMair, was also re-elected. I still don't see the change for your trend.
Now, in 2009, Mr. LeMair and Mayor Haugen decide not to run. Mr. Erickson still gets re-elected, despite vocal opponents to the council that he has sat on for four years. Mr. Keeney wins a vacated seat againt others who seem to agree with his platform. Mr. Myser also wins a vacated seat, while more people vote against him than for him. Change? Yes. Trend? I still don't see it.
And to try and use the County Commissioner's race, which pulls a vastly different set of voters considering the amount of Shakopee involved, to make a point about Prior Lake voters makes no sense, so I'm just going to leave that one alone.
When the last four years are examined more thoroughly, I don't think a trend or a continuing statement has emerged at all.
As an aside, it troubles me that you lean on "conservative" so much. Prior Lake has generally been a conservative town in a fairly convservative area in state and national races.
To me, however, partisan politics belongs no where in county or city races. It sickens me when local candidates run with some sort of party affiliation. At the local level it does more harm than good, I believe.
This is a common liberal...
Back to page topThis is a common liberal sentiment:
"To me, however, partisan politics belongs no where in county or city races. It sickens me when local candidates run with some sort of party affiliation. At the local level it does more harm than good"
This is mainly because they do not want anyone to know their true political background.
I think it is helpful to the voters to have some indications of the background and philosophy that guide a candidate's views.
To think that just because someone does not expose there political leanings will mean they have none is just silly.
I imagine the school board elections would have been different had Sue Bruns been honest about her DFL affiliations (and it also helps explain the cozy relationships between the school board and the union contract negotiations).
As for the thought they do more harm than good, the two candidate who were not shy about their party affiliations did better than those who did not.
Erin Haust was the highest non-incumbent vote getter and came within a percent of being elected. In Shakopee, Pamela Punt was elected to the council.
I think this shows that the more informed voters are, the better decisions they make.
It's a common sentiment...
Back to page topIt's a common sentiment among those who are issue based, whether liberal or not. Your come back, however, is a common strategy of conservatives, if you want to play that game. Pointing the finger at someone else because for some reason you can't manage to figure out how to articulate your own beliefs instead. (note: both theories are pointless and worthless).
I happen to be liberal, (Gasp! I admitted it) but I see no reason why someone should spread a "liberal agenda" for school board or a city race just like I see no reason why someone should spread a "conservative agenda" in said races. Most of those agendas don't apply on the smaller scale any way (There are members of both parties on the current board and council). When was the last time the city talked about abortion? Likewise, when was the last time Washington politicos talked about dock zoning ordinances? Probably a reason for it.
Local elections, to me, are about issues. You can talk intelligently about said issues without putting yourself in the liberal or conservative box, particularly because many of the issues don't go deep enough on the political scale. I don't believe it helps to try and put yourself in one of those boxes. It gives people a point for baseless attack or praise instead of actually paying attention to what you are saying.
Leave partisan politics to Washington and the State. They (sadly) seem to be doing just fine with it. Local elections should be about issues and solutions, regardless of what party you seem to identify with more. I have never voted for or against someone at the local level because they have been public or private about their party affiliation.
I agree the labels can get...
Back to page topI agree the labels can get utilized too much in local elections. I will say however the real issue in Prior Lake does fall into conservative and liberal categories. Specifically, when it comes to spending. The main issue in Prior Lake is the amount of spending. $13M for City Hall and the Police Station without a referendum still rubs people wrong. Yes, they were needed, however, the amount and design should have been put to the voters. Facade improvement programs, Laker Lines, communication avenues, etc, etc. People feel its too much. I still content this recent Mayoral election shows that.
We actually agree on...
Back to page topWe actually agree on something. Although I feel that the new city hall and police station were long overdue (talked to multiple people who said there were major issues with both buildings and both were old and well outdated, as well as out grown) a referendum would have been nice. However, there are members of the council that are conservative politically that approved the spending, so I don't see liberal/conservative as tied to the issue in any way.
We'll just have to agree to disagree on this election. When no incumbent is running to get beat, and no candidate from either point of view garners even 50% of the vote, I don't think that shows that much.
I totally agree that the...
Back to page topI totally agree that the city needed new Police Station and City Hall facilities. I agree building new ones was the right thing to do. I just think when dealing with projects of that magnitude it should always go to the voters. They should have the right to approve how much gets spent - just like school bond referendums. With regard to this election perhaps its a bit hard to say what really happened. I'm quite shocked (and disappointed) that Steve Millar didn't win. Nothing against Mr. Myser, but Steve is a good guy who would have done well. I never thought it possible he would lose.
I was too. I think that some...
Back to page topI was too. I think that some people who generally like the direction of the city, but didn't know Steve really, went with Troy Pressler (whom I was very impressed with). I don't think it was anti-Steve, I just think they split some of the same votes. That's where my point about an incumbent comes in ... then you are pretty much only running one person on the same "agenda" for lack of a better term. Here there seemed to be two.
Thank you to everyone who...
Back to page topThank you to everyone who supported me and my campaign.
Congratulations to Warren Erickson on his re-election to the Council. Candidates Rebecca Radcliffe, Dave Thompson, Susan Crowder, Jeff Evens, and Patrick Olson each deserve our recognition and appreciation for volunteering their time and efforts in service to our community and the democratic process.
I look forward to serving the residents of Prior Lake.
Richard Keeney
http://www.richardkeeney.org
I've found it very curious...
Back to page topI've found it very curious over the years that when citizens get upset or unhappy, or feel it's time for a change, they go to the polls and vote for new city council members but then elect EVERY incumbent running for school board. It doesn't make sense. At some point, we need to wake up and get some new blood on the school board, which I believe has more issues that it needs to take care of than the city by far.
Congrats Mike.Still think...
Back to page topCongrats Mike.Still think you should have gone for head cashier at walmart.You would do better there!
"Total voter turnout in...
Back to page top"Total voter turnout in Scott County was about 17 percent in Tuesday’s elections." PATHETIC! If you don't like the results you're getting from your elected officials, GO OUT AND VOTE!!! If you didn't vote, you have no room to complain now.
The turnout was a sad state...
Back to page topThe turnout was a sad state of affairs indeed. Even the races in Minneapolis suffered from poor turnout according to election stories. This is one reason that I think applause is due for the current council, as they have shifted the elections to line-up with either the Gubernatorial or Presidential races to try to help ensure that, as much as possible, important city races and issues don't get lost in the general apathy of non-election years like this year.
Perhaps someone from the paper could confirm that if they read this post. I know they shifted election length for this time (the reason Myser, Keeney, and Erickson will only have three year terms) and I believe that above was the reason.
It's true that in 2006, the...
Back to page topIt's true that in 2006, the council decided to make a shift to allow for even-year elections to coincide with state and national elections.
The council debated the issue, asking whether it was better to have a large pool of voters who may or may not have brushed up on local issues (in big election years) or whether it was better to have a small turnout (the concept being that those who come out for elections in odd years would be better versed in local election issues since they wouldn't be overshadowed by state and national ones).
Ultimately, the council (Councilman Steve Millar being the most vocal advocate) agreed with the concept that a large turnout is better, and so council members are on track for a switch to even-year elections starting with seats that expire in 2010, at which point mayor and council terms will again be for four years.
So: The three people elected on Tuesday (Mike Myser for mayor, Warren Erickson for another council term, and Richard Keeney for council), will serve three-year terms, up for re-election again in 2012.
I extend my congratulations...
Back to page topI extend my congratulations to Mike Myser, Warren Erickson, and Rick Keeney on their election victories yesterday. I also join Rick in thanking all the candidates for expressing their willingness to serve, even though they didn't receive enough votes for election this year. These folks include Francis Klinkner, Troy Presler, Susan Crowder, Rebecca Radcliffe, Dave Thompson, Jeff Evens, and Patrick Olson.
Thanks also to Steve Millar for waging a spirited campaign for mayor with Mike, Troy, and Francis. I look forward continuing to serve with Steve and Warren, and engaging with Mike and Rick as new members on the council.
Involvement in City government makes our city stronger, and I encourage everyone to find a way to engage in it, through elections, advisory groups, civic organizations, and neighborhood groups.
Ken Hedberg
City Council
Part of the motivation to...
Back to page topPart of the motivation to switch to even-year elections was also the cost savings of holding fewer elections.
Richard Keeney
http://www.richardkeeney.org
So the previous council did...
Back to page topSo the previous council did something as a cost-saving measure? I thought for them, the more money spent, the better, no?