TOWER- There are four open seats on the Tower City Council for Tuesday’s election, but only one seat, the open two-year term, has more than one candidate running.
Current Mayor Dave Setterberg, who was appointed to the seat after the resignation of Orlyn Kringstad is the only one who filed for the four-year mayor seat. Setterberg had previously been elected to the city council.
“I am running again because I feel I can help keep moving Tower in a positive direction,” he said. “I am also looking forward to working with the next group of councilors that remain in or are running for office this November. Each one is dedicated and brings a different set of skills to the table and will be a pleasure to work with until the next election.”
Setterberg said the city will be facing some challenges in the upcoming term. These will include keeping up with the rising costs of maintaining the ambulance service, adding personnel to the fire department, and working on water and sewer concerns.
“And as always, making sure our financial position is being managed continuously especially with the drop in the amount of disparity funding for next year’s budget,” he said.
Setterberg said the city’s financial position has improved but it is still tight. And while ambulance funding is a concern, the department is able to staff all the required shifts.
City projects the past couple of years included the upgrade to Pine Street with new utilities and access for growth at the Harbor area. He also noted the city has partnered with other area groups to make improvements, including the construction of new trails, continued work on the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center, the restoration of the old fire hall building.
“We have worked with other committees that have made a positive impact on Tower by means of new trails, businesses, activities taking place at the cultural center and historical society.
“ Many things take place because of these other groups and as a city we are working to support them the best we can,” he said.
Joe Morin and Robert Anderson, both currently members of the council, have filed for the two open four-year seats. Anderson was recently appointed to fill the vacancy from the death of long-time council member Sheldon Majerle.
Joe Morin said he thoroughly enjoyed his first term on the board.
“I was completely engaged on matters both big and small, and thought council members worked extremely well together,” he said. “I chose to run for another term in order to keep serving the citizens of Tower through doing good work with my fellow council members and city employees.  And I want to continue learning about all aspects of city governance to best prepare myself in the likely event I will run for Mayor at some point.”
Morin also sees some challenges ahead.
“I think it’s generally agreed there are a handful of challenges we must get a handle on sooner than later,” he said. “The ambulance service, fire department, housing shortage for singles, families and seniors, and residential blight.”
Bobby Anderson has only served a few months on the board.
“I do want to keep working on the council,” he said. “I am really hoping we can sort things out and make things boring.”
Anderson sees the city’s financial picture as a major challenge for the council. But he also hopes to see the city work on long-range planning.
Tom Suihkonen and Joshua Zika have both filed for the single open two-year seat. Suihkonen was appointed to fill the seat held by Setterberg, when he was appointed as mayor. Neither responded to the Timberjay’s request for a short interview before our deadline.