Third candidate files for mayoral seat
Published 3:06 pm Thursday, May 24, 2012
A former Albert Lea mayoral candidate and former member of the Albert Lea City Council has filed for the mayoral seat again.
John Severtson, 63, filed for the position Thursday at City Hall. He joins candidates Keith Porter Sr. and incumbent Mayor Vern Rasmussen, who filed Tuesday for the seat.
Severtson said this will be his third run for mayor. He served as the 5th Ward councilor from 1985 to 1989 and from 2005 to 2009.
“I think the mayor and council should be more involved with what goes on,” he said, noting he does not think the mayor and council are as informed as they need to be prior to making decisions.
Retired from Enderes Tools, he said he has time to be an active mayor.
“I’ve sat up there twice now, and unless you know about an issue or have gone up and talked to these people personally, you have to rely on what staff are saying.”
He noted he thinks it would be beneficial for the mayor to attend staff meetings regularly and be involved in the day-to-day business of the city.
He said he also has problems with how the Port Authority is operated and thinks its role should come back to the council.
During the last year, Severtson has been the chairman of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign and has played a large role in helping Albert Lea become a Yellow Ribbon Community.
Through this process, he said he has developed relationships with local officials, along with state Rep. Rich Murray and state Sen. Dan Sparks.
“I really feel comfortable that I can spend the time to get the job done,” Severtson said.
He noted he also hopes these efforts show his attitude of hard work and accomplishing a goal.
He has also served on the Albert Lea Planning Commission.
Because there are now three candidates for the mayoral position, there will be a primary election Aug. 14 to narrow the field down to two.
Filing continues through June 5.