GaryOsberg.com

In January of 1971 I went to my city council meeting in Coon Rapids to complain about snowmobiles running up and down the streets in my neighborhood. I came home and told Marcia that I was sure that I could do better than those who were representing us. I had met Pat Cleath at a caucus meeting, so I called him and told him that I had the five dollar filing fee, but that was it. They would have to raise the rest. My next door neighbor, Mary Jo Hecht, was a co-chair along with a local doctor, Dr. Moriarity who helped mostly with his contacts in the community. I was 27 years old. 

 

The incumbent was going for his third three year term of office. He was a vice president with a large insurance firm and what seemed to cost him the election was his decision to publish a legal size flyer that listed all of his many qualifications on one side and my very short list of qualifications on the opposite side.  Stuff like “Attended St. Cloud State University”. The voting public thought that this was just not “Minnesota Nice.” When he and his wife came to my door on election night to congratulate me, I stood in the doorway hiding my bottle of beer behind my back. I am not sure why I was embarrassed.

 

I represented Ward 3 from 1972 until 1974. It was fun to participate in the process but I never even considered running for re-election. It was hard work. Every five years, four of us that served in 1974 get together to share stories.  Ironically, we all ended up working for non-profit organizations.

 

Tuesday is election day.  Be sure to get out and vote.   The Live From Here show this week is a rebroadcast.  I was not able to find out the details.

Tomorrow night I will be working the table at The Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud.  The Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud will perform with Tapestry Vocal Ensemble honoring the 100^th anniversary of Armistice Day. I hope to see you there.

 

“Always vote for a principal, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost.”  John Quincy Adams