Koelpin won't run for mayor

By KEVIN SWEENEY

Journal Editor

NEW ULM -- Mayor Arnold Koelpin announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election to the office.

Koelpin, 71, was appointed to fill the term of Mayor Bert Schapekahm after Schapekahm died in office in May 2000.

Koelpin, a professor at Martin Luther College, cited "personal" reasons Thursday for not seeking a return to office.

His age and the time demands of the job were two factors he mentioned.

"In four more years I'll be 75," said Koelpin.

Koelpin added that not many people realize the demands of the office of mayor and the many activities the mayor participates in.

"There are five levels of government outside the city of New Ulm that we are active in," he said. The mayor is called upon to represent the city and attend meetings involving Region Nine, the state League of Cities, the Brown-Nicollet Mental Health Center, Bridging Brown County and other organizations.

Koelpin said he has enjoyed the opportunity to serve. "It has been an unmerited privilege to have served as Mayor of New Ulm in a transitional period at City Hall," said Koelpin in a statement Wednesday.

"I can't say enough about how city hall is run, and the quality of people who work there," he said Thursday.

There were many highlights in his two years in office, said Koelpin.

"One of the greatest was the signing of a declaration of friendship with the Dakota people," he said, an event that took place last year during a Native American symposium on diabetes and Native American culture.

He also enjoyed meeting people like Gov. Jesse Ventura, who lauded Koelpin during a "Lunch With the Governor" broadcast from New Ulm last year with being able to get into office without actually being elected. Other dignitaries he met through his office included University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof and Rep. Mark Kennedy, "and the many people from abroad," Koelpin said.

He leaves the office with regrets, he said. "It is a great city to represent, the people are marvelous."

Koelpin said that with filings for office closing on July 18, "I trust a number of qualified candidates will step up to the plate."

New Ulm City Councilor Joel Albrecht has already filed for the office.