2020 Vol 14, Issue 3 July Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 Leadership Changes in Gem Lake While previous experience helps, it is certainly not a prerequisite. It is not known at this time, if any incumbents plan to run for their positions again. What do you do if you are interested? There is an easy and standard procedure for running for office. It involves obtaining a filing form, called an “Affidavit of Candidacy,” either on-line from Ramsey County, or from Acting City Clerk Gloria Tessier. To file for office, you fill out the form, pay a $5 fee and file the form before the deadline. The filing period starts July 28 and runs to August 11. These positions are not part of the primary process. Election day is November 3. The voting precinct for all Gem Lake residents is Heritage Hall. What is involved in serving on the council? There are one or two meeting each month. Each requires at least several hours of preparation b y council members. Council members also have a specialty area. For instance, I (Gretchen) do the newsletter, Jim Lindner is in charge of all storm water related issues and serves on the Vadnais Lakes Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO), Len spearheads the Gem Lake response to the Water Gremlin situation, and Faith Kuny serves on several liaison committees. The mayor is in charge of things like leading the budgeting process, setting broad goals and priorities, etc. For their service, council members receive $100 per month. The mayor receives $200. So, you aren’t going to file for office for the money. However, you can have an impact on your community. Please consider running for office. Any current member of the council can answer your questions about what is involved in serving. Memorial Bench Planned in Honor of Late Mayor The Gem Lake City Council is considering purchasing a park bench inscribed with the name of the late mayor, Bob Uzpen. Bob died on May 13 from complications of ALS. The bench would be paid for out of charitable gambling receipts, after most pressing needs are met, such as the funding of this year’s student scholarships. (see story on page 1) The bench might be placed on the short walking trail on County Road E or near Heritage Hall. No decisions have been made as of yet. The planting of a memorial tree is also being considered. Following the death of Mayor Bob Uzpen in May, back-up mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley stepped in temporarily as Acting Mayor of Gem Lake. The appointment became official as of the June 16 City Council meeting when Ms. Artig-Swomley was voted in as Mayor for the remainder of Uzpen’s term. Uzpen’s term was to expire at the end of this year. Directly following this resolution her position on the city council had to be declared vacant to comply with state law. (You can’t hold two positions at the same time.) This creates an opportunity for someone in Gem Lake who is over 21 and a resident for at least the past 30 days. You must also be eligible to vote. If you are interested in serving out the six-month vacancy on the council, all you need to do it fill out a simple form. The form is available by calling Gloria Tessier, Acting City Clerk at 651-747-2790 or email the city at the address listed on page 6. In addition, there will be multiple opportunities to serve on the Gem Lake City Council beginning in January 2021. There are going to be four spots up for election this November. The following will be up for election: City Council Position now occupied by Faith Kuny. This is a four-year term. City Council Position now occupied by Jim Lindner. This is a four-year term. City Council Position just vacated by Gretchen Artig-Swomley, who stepped into the remainder of Mayor Bob Uzpen’s term, which ends at on December 31, 2020. This term was vacated mid-way through, so the position up for election will be a two-year term. The position of Mayor of Gem Lake. This is a four-year term.