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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

CITY OF TOWER

Clerk resigns to pursue new business

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 6/2/21

TOWER— City officials here will be looking for a new chief of operations after Clerk-Treasurer Victoria Ranua announced her resignation on Tuesday. Ranua will remain on the city’s fire …

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CITY OF TOWER

Clerk resigns to pursue new business

Posted

TOWER— City officials here will be looking for a new chief of operations after Clerk-Treasurer Victoria Ranua announced her resignation on Tuesday.
Ranua will remain on the city’s fire department and ambulance service, where she was recently hired as an emergency medical responder. In her letter of resignation, she said she will remain in her position as clerk-treasurer as long as needed to ensure a smooth transition. Her resignation is expected to be on the agenda at the next city council meeting, set for June 14.
Ranua is leaving to pursue a business venture— a nature-based manufacturing company known as Natural Variations— that she has been planning for some time. “For over a decade, I have had a dream I have left lying dormant while I have tended duties and obligations,” wrote Ranua in her resignation letter.  “My dream, which is with me daily, will remain in that dormant state until I dedicate time toward its manifestation.  I am ready to bring this vision to life.”
Ranua has served in the city’s top administrative position for the past 20 months, having taken over following the dismissal of former Clerk-Treasurer Linda Keith in June 2019. Former Clerk-Treasurer Ann Lamppa had served as interim clerk-treasurer for just over three months, until the city hired Ranua.
Ranua took the helm at city hall at a time of crisis, with the city’s financial reserves, even some dedicated accounts, all but drained by the previous clerk-treasurer. Ranua imposed stricter spending controls and more realistic city budgeting, which has helped the city regain a more stable financial footing. At the same time, she sometimes labored under the personnel challenges that managing the city often entails.
The city’s elected officials lauded Ranua’s efforts in the wake of her announcement. “Having been one of Victoria Ranua’s early cheerleaders for the position and pleased that someone with her skillset was stepping into what was still a very unstable city government at the time, I am grateful that she entered into Tower city management when she did,” said Mayor Orlyn Kringstad.
Council member Dave Setterberg noted that Ranua had helped the city improve its financial structure, grants management and helped update job descriptions, and modernize city ordinances. “I will miss Victoria’s detailed agenda items, job knowledge, and commitment to maintaining ethical values,” said Setterberg. Both officials wished Ranua well in her new venture.
“Being an entrepreneur at heart myself I fully understand Victoria’s desire to follow her dream, and move on to the creative business fulfilment that she seeks,” said Kringstad.
Ranua plans to remain in Tower, where she hopes to establish her new business.