Races develop for Sleepy Eye, Hanska council seats

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

BROWN COUNTY -- Political races developed in Sleepy Eye and Hanska as the filing deadline passed on Tuesday.

In Sleepy Eye, Brian Schroepfer and Joann Schmidt filed for the First Ward council seat. Schmidt filled the First Ward seat until she resigned. Lori Hirschboeck filled her spot but is running for Sleepy Eye Public school board this fall. Second Ward incumbent Gary Windschitl and Mayor Jim Broich will run unopposed.

Newcomers David Grothem Sr., Paul Lang and David Konakowitz have filed for two city council seats in Hanska. Newcomer William Colebank will run unopposed for mayor.

There is no race in Lafayette. Steve Langhoff will run for mayor unopposed as will Myron Isaacson for a council seat.

In Comfrey, council incumbents Susan Evers and John Schmitt will face challengers Gary Lingbeek and Mark Brummund.

Springfield voters will choose between incumbent Mark Brown and challenge James "Midge" Saffert Sr. in the mayor/councilor at large race. Kay Steffl and Tim Gramentz will run for a Ward Two seat. Lowell Helget is unopposed in Ward One

In Gaylord, councilman Doug Quast will run for mayor against newcomer Don Boeder. Susan Jacobson will challenge incumbent Carl Wetzel for a city council seat.

Four Madelia men filed for two city council seats -- incumbent Brad Haynes and newcomers Doug Fenske, Shawn Amundson and Mark Hoeft. The mayoral post is not open this year.

In Nicollet, newcomer Glenn Thompson will run for a city council seat. Incumbents Bryan Bode and Steve Johnson refiled, as did incumbent mayor Mike Mans.

There is no race in Courtland. Incumbents that refiled are mayor Bob Schabert and councilors Al Poehler and Greg Schwartz.

Fairfax voters will choose between newcomers Kevin Schafer, John Dover and Mike Klatt in the mayoral race. Council incumbent Tanner Haala refiled. Newcomers Scott Waibel and Tim Grunke are running for council seats.

In Franklin, Mike Duck will challenge incumbent mayor Ron Degner. Incumbent councilor Tammy Trotter refiled as well as newcomers John Robinson and Joel Harmoning.

Redwood Falls voters will vote on a Sunday liquor referendum in November. Races include Kurt Thompson and Michael Salmon in Ward Two, Michael Bahl and "Skip" Ebenhoh in Ward Three. Cory Theis in Ward One and councilor-at-large John Buckly Jr. will run unopposed.

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).