On December 12, 2017, a month after the 2017 municipal election, the former New Brighton City Council (Mary Burg, Paul Jacobsen, Brian Strub and Val Johnson) passed an ordinance by a 4-1 vote (Gina Bauman being the dissenter) changing the election for city officials to even years. The ordinance cancelled the 2019 city election which results in an extra year being added to each of the current members’ terms. Since the change was made after the November election, voters did not have the opportunity to know they were voting for a 3-year term for Mayor or a 5-year term for each Council Member. The addition to each of their terms three years prior to the election is dishonest and self-serving and voters once again must protect their rights.
The ordinance cited Minnesota Statutes 205.07 which allows the Council to make the election year change by Ordinance. However, the Statute also indicates the need to hold an initial election to provide for an orderly transition to the even year election plan. The Statute does not address cancelling a scheduled election so thus the reason for the ballot question Petition.
Gina Bauman and Susan Erickson have prepared a Ballot Question Petition which you may sign that will put the question on the 2018 ballot. Voters will then be able to decide whether the city should be required to hold the 2019 election. This would allow voters to be informed of the election year change and the shortening or lengthening of terms prior to the 2019 city election. That way voters know who and what terms they are voting for and candidates will have a year to campaign before the 2019 election.
If you wish to sign the petition or want to help circulate the petition for signature by your friends or neighbors, please contact Gina Bauman or Susan Erickson via the contacts page above and we will deliver to you.
Concerned Citizens of New Brighton MN 