West End election filing period ends with need for treasurer candidates

The official filing period to run for office on the local township boards closed on January 15. There are still some seats on the township boards that need to be filled.

In Lutsen, there is a two-way race for the supervisor seat. Incumbent Rae Piepho has filed for reelection and Carl Friesner has also filed.

Treasurer John Groth has announced that he will not be running for reelection. Groth has served as Lutsen treasurer for over 10 years and town clerk Sharon Hexum-Platzer said he will be terribly missed.

In Tofte, incumbent Sarah Somnis is running for reelection. No one filed for the treasurer position, currently held by Dan Shirley. Shirley hopes someone else will come forward to serve as treasurer, but said he will accept an appointment if there are no other citizens willing to take on the role.

Schroeder has no new applicants for office, but the incumbents Supervisor Tina McKeever and Treasurer Carla Menssen have filed to run again.

Anyone who has interest in filling one of the treasurer vacancies could still do so – they could announce a write-in candidacy and/or the town board could make an appointment after the March election.

Interested citizens are encouraged to contact the respective town clerks. In Lutsen, that is Sharon Hexum-Platzer in Lutsen at 218-663-7002 or email [email protected]. Barb Quade is the Tofte town clerk and she can be reached at 218-370-0763.

To hear interviews with each of the township representatives after the latest town meetings, click below.