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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Kringstad to step down as Tower’s mayor

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 9/22/21

TOWER— Tower Mayor Orlyn Kringstad has announced that he intends to step down as the city’s mayor, effective Sept. 30, due to personal reasons. Kringstad, in a Sept. 15 letter to Acting …

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Kringstad to step down as Tower’s mayor

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TOWER— Tower Mayor Orlyn Kringstad has announced that he intends to step down as the city’s mayor, effective Sept. 30, due to personal reasons. Kringstad, in a Sept. 15 letter to Acting Mayor Dave Setterberg, characterizes his departure as a “retirement” and says he won’t be able to preside over any future council meetings, nor continue to serve on any city committees or commissions.
Kringstad indicated on Wednesday, however, that he may still preside over the city council’s next meeting, set for Monday, Sept. 27.
Kringstad did not comply with a request for his letter from the Timberjay, but city officials did provide it on Wednesday based on a data request from the newspaper.
“I am both proud of and pleased with the progress that the City of Tower has made over the past two and 3/4 years,” wrote Kringstad in his letter. “I am extremely pleased that I had the opportunity to work with you and the other city council members, especially the team that was elected this past November. You all have special skillsets that are vital to smooth, efficient, operation of the City of Tower.”
In leaving, Kringstad urged the council to continue to pursue cooperation with Breitung Township to achieve “economies of scale.” He also urged the council to consider appointing a woman to fill the vacancy his decision leaves on the council.
Kringstad was elected as mayor in November 2018 at a time of developing financial crisis for the city. Kringstad presided over the removal of former clerk-treasurer Linda Keith and former ambulance director Steve Altenburg. He also clashed with current clerk-treasurer Victoria Ranua, who announced her own resignation back in June.
Under the city’s current ordinance, the city council will have the obligation to appoint a replacement for Kringstad, who would serve until the next city election. Kringstad’s four-year term was set to expire at the end of 2022.