Fountain Lake Sportsman Club President Larry Anderson announced Friday he is running for the Albert Lea City Council Ward 5 seat, currently held by John Severtson, during the upcoming November election.

Severtson recently announced he is running as a Freeborn County commissioner.

Anderson, a 52-year-old Albert Lea native, said he has thought about running for council more than once in the past, but recently after three different people asked him if he’d run, he agreed it was time to make it official.

“I feel it’s important to do this, and I just feel that in my life it’s time to do this,” he said. “I want to get things done the correct way and for the best of everybody.”

As a 17-year employee of the Minnesota Department of Transportation — right now as an information technology specialist responsible for the computer systems at the Mn/DOT Owatonna District 6B Office — Anderson said he thinks his experience with a government entity will be a big plus.

He also worked 11 years at Wilson Foods.

“I’ve never been afraid to roll up my sleeves and get the jobs done,” he said.

Until July 1, when he can officially file his candidacy, he plans to make up brochures and signs and then will begin going door to door to the people in his ward.

“I just want to let them know I care.”

He has been active in the Fountain Lake Sportsman Club for more than 20 years, and as an extension of the group, he was also named as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Shellrock River Watershed District four years ago.

“It is great to see Larry step forward and run for Council,” said Brett Behnke, administrator of the Shellrock River Watershed. “His background with the Sportsman’s Club and his work with the Watershed will position him to have an immediate impact on the City Council.”

Anderson said Albert Lea is a community that is “near and dear” to his heart. He worked in the metro area for seven years commuting to work and turned down other job opportunities out of the area because he loves the city.

“I think it’s a community that’s filled with very good-hearted people and people that want to get things done right,” he said. “We have the potential to be one of the key spots in Minnesota.”

Albert Lea Economic Development Agency Executive Director Dan Dorman said Anderson has the ability to talk and communicate well with the average person.

Anderson and his wife, Lynne, of 31 years, have made their home in Ward 5 for over 25 years. They raised their two children here and are proud grandparents of two.

They reside on Jefferson Avenue and are members of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.