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Township elections will be held on Tuesday, March 12, in conjunction with the annual meeting for each township.

Elected supervisors will serve three-year terms, and clerks will serve two-year terms. (Zion Township has two supervisor positions up for election: one for three years and the other for two.)

Candidates for township office are listed below with brief biographical information as well as reasons why they are running for office and what their priorities would be if elected. This information was supplied by each candidate; some candidates did not submit any information.

Eden Lake
Candidates who filed for the election in Eden Lake Township are incumbent Conrad Blomker for supervisor, and Barb Bishof and Gerri Kadlec for clerk. Incumbent clerk Anne Meyer did not file.

Supervisor
Conrad Blomker, 68, has lived in Eden Lake Township for 27 years. He and his wife, Donna, have three adult children.

He is a retired over-the-road trucker and has served as a township supervisor for three years.

Why are you running for the township board?
I want to promote fair and open government for all of our citizens.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
Good roads are a must, keeping safety as a high priority. I would like to initiate a cleanup campaign for our township that would involve the removal of unsightly as well as unsafe items.

Clerk
Barb Bishof, 43, has lived in Eden Lake Township her entire life. She and her husband, Greg, have five children and two grandchildren.

She and her husband farm in Eden Lake Township and she also works as a clerk at the Country Inn and Suites.

Why are you running for the township board?
Because I am interested in learning more about the working of the township board and how they deal with issues in our community and surrounding areas.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
Learn about being the best clerk I can be and getting involved in issues. And getting to know the other members of the board and community and how they handle all issues.

Gerri Kadlec, 48, has lived in Eden Lake Township for 28 years. She and her husband, Bob, have three children. She works as a computer operator for Poultry Intelli-metrics, a poultry consulting firm.

Why are you running for the township board?
I am interested in this position and since I have recently obtained part-time employment, I feel I have the time necessary to devote to this position. My past employment for the last 30 years has been in the secretarial/administrative field, and I feel I have the work experience and organizational skills necessary to perform this job.

Irving
Candidates who filed for the election in Irving Township are incumbent Dan Olson for supervisor, and Donel Williamson for clerk. Incumbent clerk Joyce Strootman did not file.

Lake Henry
Candidates who filed for the election in Lake Henry Township are incumbent Celestine Fischbach for supervisor, and Jacqueline Dahl and incumbent Ralph Klassen for clerk.

Supervisor
Celestine Fischbach, 73, has lived in Lake Henry Township for 42 years. He and his wife, Bernice, have one son. He has been a township supervisor for nine years, including five years as chairman.

Why are you running for the township board?
Try to keep as much local control at the township level as possible.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
Keep the budget at a reasonable amount and still keep the same good services.

Clerk
Jackie Dahl, 37, has lived in Lake Henry Township for seven years. She and her husband, Jeff, have four sons. She works at Ted's RV Land.

Why are you running for the township board?
I want to make a difference in the area I live. Lake Henry Township is a good place to make a living and raise a family. Even though some people may see township government as less important, government at all levels can and should make people's lives better. In a small way, I think I can help do that.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
I would hope to provide a different outlook on things. I hope I could help make the township more efficient and more responsive. A lot of previously elected people helped build what we sometimes take for granted today. I want to provide an even better place for my children to grow up in, to live in, and work in.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?
I'm younger, have a more varied business experience background, and can relate to a lot of different people better. Jeff and I are raising our family here and plan to stay here for all of our lives. So, I will be able to offer a fresh perspective on our township issues. People will be able to more easily talk to me about what they feel about our township and its future.

Ralph Klassen, 62, has lived in Lake Henry Township for his entire life. He and his wife, Marcella, have six children. He farms and sells fertilizer. He has served as the clerk in Lake Henry Township for eight years.

Why are you running for the township board?
Service to the community.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
To provide excellent service without raising taxes.

Manannah
Candidates who filed for the election in Manannah Township are George Friederichs and incumbent Harold Kelm for supervisor, and incumbent Aggie Schmitz for clerk.

Supervisor
George Friederichs, 42, has lived in Manannah Township for his entire life, except for three years while in the Marine Corps. He is single. He is presently laid off, but just finished a three-and-a-half year stint at Aspen Trailer in Litchfield. He has served as president of the Eden Valley Sportsmen's Club.

Why are you running for the township board?
To bring a new and different view into government. To be open and try to help our township grow.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
To listen to the views of the voters. Be open minded and try to serve the voters and township to the best of my ability.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?
A willingness to listen, to bring new and fresh ideas, and to take into consideration what will be best for the township.

Harold Kelm, 57, has lived in Manannah Township for 56 years. He and his wife have three children and three grandchildren. He farms, and has served as a township supervisor for 18 years. He also has served as a Meeker County representative to the Legislative and Research Committee for 12 years.

Why are you running for the township board?
I would like to preserve the local control of grassroots government. I will work to keep the Legislature from eliminating township government.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
If elected, I will prioritize several issues. I will work to keep some control on tax increases. Maintenance of roads and bridges through local control is also a priority of mine, as proven throughout my 18 years as a supervisor.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?
I am distinguished from my opponent because I have more experience in township government. If a resident of our township asks a question, I know the places to go and the people to see to get an answer.

Clerk
Aggie Schmitz, 57, has lived in Manannah Township for 33 years. She and her husband, Bernard, have two sons and four grandchildren. She and her husband farmed until 1996, and for the past five years she has worked at BI in Eden Valley.

Why are you running for the township board?
I have been acting clerk since May 2001. I have found the work interesting and a challenge.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
To do the best job I can. A township clerk keeps the records. I will try to do a good job of keeping all the records in order.

Munson
Candidates who filed for the election in Munson Township are incumbent Tom Gertken and Mary Wiese for supervisor, and Michelle Hemmesch for clerk. Incumbent clerk Kathleen Hemmesch did not file.

Supervisor
Tom Gertken, 47, has lived in Munson Township his entire life. He and his wife, Carol, have three children. He works as a production manager at Precision Optics in St. Cloud. He has served as a township supervisor for three years and also has six years of experience on the school board at Sts. Peter and Paul School.

Why are you running for the township board?
I have learned a lot and found it interesting work this past three years as township supervisor. I am concerned of where local government is going, especially with the county's involvement the last few years. I enjoy working with people.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
Work on keeping local taxes as low as possible. Continue to work closely with neighboring townships and cities. Continue to work with the zoning of our area to meet the people's needs.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?
Three years of experience as a township supervisor. Six years of experience on a local school board. Good listener skills. My leadership skills.

Mary Wiese has lived in Stearns County for 20 years and Munson Township for four. She and her husband, Tom, have one son. She has 15 years experience as a customer service representative with AT&T and five years experience as a senior career planner at SBETC. She has experience working with government agencies on a professional and personal level.

Why are you running for the township board?
I am concerned about the future of Munson Township. Tough decisions regarding land use, preserving natural resources, and maintaining a fiscally responsible budget face us. The time has come for the township to develop policies and procedures that will preserve our heritage and prepare us for the future. I want to insure Munson Township remains a viable place to live, work, and play.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
When elected I will work hard to develop a sense of community between Munson Township residents and the board. I will advocate for a more responsive board. Finally, I would establish clear policies and procedures to reduce litigation opportunities against the township.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?
My positive attitude, patient manner and ability to develop cooperative dialogue gets results. I will listen to concerns, ask questions, and research situations prior to making difficult decisions. When elected, I will keep the best interest of the township in mind and be responsive to citizens feelings when faced with decisions.

Paynesville
Candidates who filed for the election in Paynesville Township are Edward J. McIntee, Patrick Meagher, and incumbent Warren Nehring for supervisor, and incumbent Don Wiese for clerk.

Supervisor
(See separate profiles on the news page.)

Clerk
Don Wiese, 64, has lived in Paynesville Township for 27 years. He and his wife have six children and ten grandchildren. He is self-employed at H&R Block and at Stone Gate Lodge Resort. He has served as township clerk for 20 years.

Why are you running for the township board?
I have 20 years experience, and I feel like I'm the best qualified person for the job.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
To do the best possible job for the residents of Paynesville Township as it grows and prospers.

Roseville
Candidates who filed for the election in Roseville Township are incumbent Bill Ryan for supervisor, and incumbent Pat Fenske for clerk.

St. Martin
Candidates who filed for the election in St. Martin Township are incumbent John Feldewerd for supervisor, and incumbent Don Rausch for clerk.

Union Grove
Candidates who filed for the election in Union Grove Township are incumbent Rick Thompson for supervisor, and incumbent Loren Pearson for clerk.

Supervisor
Rick Thompson, 44, has lived in Union Grove Township his entire life. He and his wife, Gail, have four children. He farms and works at Paynesville Excavating and Koronis Fabrication. He has served for ten years on the township board.

Why are you running for the township board?
To try to work with the township and state to help serve the people that I represent.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
To continue to work with the other board members with the duties of the township.

Clerk
Loren Pearson, 41, has lived in Union Grove Township his entire life. He and his wife, Vicki, have two sons. He works at Paynesville Farmers Union Co-op and has served as the clerk for nearly 20 years.

Why are you running for the township board?
Being a longtime resident of Union Grove Township and having been clerk for a number of years, I enjoy being an active part of grassroots government.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
As clerk, it is my duty to keep records, receive mail, publish notices, and inform other board members of upcoming meetings.

Zion
Candidates who filed for the election in Zion Township are incumbent Richard Leyendecker for a three-year supervisor term, incumbent Tim Wegner for a two-year supervisor term, incumbent Carolyn Reeck for clerk.

Supervisor
Tim Wegner, 42, has lived in Zion Township for 40 years. He and his wife, Sheri, have two daughters. He farms and was appointed to the board as a supervisor in July 2001 to fill the unexpired term of Larry Miller.

Why are you running for the township board?
No one else filed, and I felt someone should do it.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
To maintain good local government.

Clerk
Carolyn Reeck has lived in Zion Township for 55 years. She has five children and 11 grandchildren. She has worked at farm and home management and a lot of other unpaid jobs. She has served as township clerk since the death of her husband in 1990.

Why are you running for the township board?
Township government is the purest form of democracy known. It dates back to colonial days. Frankly, there's not a lot of interest in serving in this area. I'm available. I'm still here. It's much more complicated now than 10-15 years ago. It's been a learning process, such as risk management, for instance. Keeping the board informed, by anticipating potential problems, is a big help to the supervisors. I try to be proactive, making sure people's voices are heard. Agendas can always be modified. It's a job. I can do it.

What would be your priorities if elected to the board?
It has been my goal to be as efficient as possible to keep the township running smoothly and with relative calm. Zion Township is getting a computer installed so we're going high-tech. Mainly, it will be used for e-mail between Zion and county staff regarding land-use issues. Training will be a personal priority. Otherwise, soon there will be a need for another clerk. I hope the younger generation will realize that history brings responsibility, and I believe something enduring comes from serving in a local government capacity. Township government will be important to Minnesota's future, and rural pride will continue and flourish.