Low turnout for township elections, annual meetings

All of the townships in the state of Minnesota meet second Tuesday in March – all 87 townships, including Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder. Township citizens took part in township annual meetings and elections on Tuesday, March 13.

Turnout at the polls was low this year, likely because there were no challengers to the incumbents.

In Lutsen, the incumbent supervisor is Christine Ordemann and clerk is Sharon Hexum-Platzer and they were both re-elected.

Lutsen citizens in attendance discussed a request for $7,000 in financial support for the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte. Townships learned last year that state statute does not allow contributions to schools, so the money cannot go to Birch Grove Community School. Citizens voiced support for the request, contingent on the Tofte township providing information on how those funds would be used. Supervisors make the ultimate decision on contributions, but seek citizen input.

Lutsen also endorsed a donation of $1,000 to the Lutsen Junior Alpine Team and a contribution of $1,500 for the West End 4th of July celebration at the Tofte Park.

In Tofte, there were about 20 votes with Supervisor Sam Crowley and Clerk Barb Gervais re-elected. There were a few random votes, including one vote for Bill Huggins for supervisor and several votes for treasurer.

Clerk Barb Gervais said another reason for the low turnout was because there were no major community issues.

In Schroeder, Supervisor Bruce Martinson was re-elected with 16 of 17 votes and Clerk Doug Schwecke was re-elected with 19 of 19 votes.

At the Schroeder Annual Meeting, the township selects a “Citizen of the Year” who is then honored at the Tofte 4th of July celebration. The 2018 citizen of the year is Bud Buckman, who is recognized for his many years of plowing the Gitchi Gami Bike Trail.

All of the townships continue their annual meetings until August, when the 2019 levy will be set.