Jessica Foster
Staff WriterWith less than a week remaining in the cityís filing window, two men have filed for mayor and four men and one woman have filed for city council.
Comprised of those who have been in office in the city and former township and those who are relatively new to the scene, the candidates are on the cusp of a 10 week campaign that culminates with the general election Tuesday, Nov. 2.
John Tom Lynch, who has served on the Forest Lake City Council since 1993óoften as vice mayoróis filing for mayor. He is joined on the ballot by Lloyd Nelson.
Nelson, who has been attending city council meetings lately, was active in Forest Lake Township government, serving as a town board supervisor and chairman for more than a dozen years.
Nelson said his primary reason for running is to help forge cohesiveness in the community.
ìWe became one community four years ago but Iím not necessarily sure weíve been one community,î he said. ìLetís start working as one community. This is my hometown. Stop focusing on the past. Letís just move forward and quit looking back.î
Since Mayor Ray Daninger is campaigning for Washington County Commissioner, District 1, he is unable to file for the Forest Lake post. That seat is now filled by Dennis Hegberg. Daninger has been mayor of Forest Lake since 1995. Also running for Washington County Commissioner is Marc Hugunin of Grant.
Filing for council are Gregory Ochs, who campaigned for the Forest Lake Town Board in the 1980s, former city councilwoman Judy Bull, city government critic Ron Shaffer and relatively new resident Jerome Balsimo, whose public interaction with city government came when he disputed the manner residents are billed for water. Resident Tom Anderson also filed for council.
Although they had not officially filed as of press time, Terry Smith, a former councilman and Bo Bogotty have picked up filing packets from city hall.
There are several signs up in the city reading ìBo Bogotty for Councilî and the owner of Upperdeck and Players Beach Club said he would be filing this week.
ìI know I would be an asset for the community and the businesses,î Bogotty said. ìI have business sense as well as common sense.î
Residents of Forest Lake who are at least 21-years-old, eligible to vote and who have not filed for another office in the same election can file for two-four year seats on the Forest Lake city council or for the two-year position of city mayor.
To file, stop by city hall or call Chantal Doriott at 651-209-9727. There is a $5 filing fee. Filing remains open through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Individuals elected in the Nov. 2 election will be sworn in at the first meeting of 2005.
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