ELY – The city of Ely continues to wait for former mayoral candidate Erik Urbas to decide if he wants the job after gaining the majority of votes for the position in the Nov. 3 election.
Urbas pulled out of the race in August, citing ongoing health concerns, however, his announcement was too late for his name to be removed from the ballot. He challenged incumbent Chuck Novak for the position. Urbas, 31, received 925 votes and Novak received 800 votes.
The new Ely mayor has until the end of the year to decide if he will honor the voice of the voters. He would be sworn in at the first city council meeting of the new year. If he declines the position, an interim mayor would be appointed until a special election could be held in February.
Urbas told the Timberjay this week that he is mulling his decision while deer hunting in the Roseau area. “I will let you know when I have some decisions made. I am still undecided one way or the other,” he said.
Novak was clearly surprised last Tuesday night as he watched the vote totals come in at the Ely Senior Center. He declined to comment on the outcome.
Both candidates have similar views and would likely draw similar support from many Ely voters.
Novak is an ardent supporter of the mining industry, particularly the proposed Twin Metals sulfide mine near Ely, and the improved jobs outlook it could bring to the region. He joined five other Iron Range mayors this summer in signing a letter endorsing Donald Trump that said the president’s pro-mining policies helped the local economy.
Urbas said he also supported mining in Minnesota and President Trump.
Novak was called out last spring for encouraging the boycott of businesses owned by the Bois Forte Band that supported a congressional bill that would kill the proposed Twin Metal project.
Several local critics of the proposed mining projects were contacted by the Timberjay to comment on Novak’s ouster and all of them indicated they were unaware of any “below-the-radar” effort to rally votes against him.
Steve Piragis, owner of a wilderness outfitting and retail store in town, said, “I kind of thought (Novak) was a shoe-in for the job. He is well-connected in St. Paul with the Republicans in the Senate. It seems like the bonding bill success here was partly thanks to Chuck,” he said. Piragis resides outside of the city.
Peta Barrett, owner of Women’s Wilderness Discovery in Ely, who has frequently disagreed with Novak on a number of local economic development and environmental issues, said, “By the election results, it looks like folks were signaling they’re ready for a new mayor.” Barrett lives and votes in Lake County.
Voter turnout in Ely approached 90 percent this year. According to Deputy Clerk Casey Velcheff, there were 2,783 registered voters on Nov. 3. Another 174 voters registered on Election Day.
A total of 1,165 voters opted to vote in-person at the Ely Senior Center and 855 absentee voters were received. She said that six military and/or overseas ballots were received.
“We had an 89-percent voter turnout this year,” she said. “That is awesome.”
City ballot canvassing by the city council was set to take place on Thursday, Nov.12.
Velcheff said election day in Ely was very quiet this year.
“We had a small number of people who attempted to enter the precinct with political clothing or items,” she said. She added that just one local voter argued with poll workers over the state law that prohibits any political materials within 100 feet of a polling place.