Elected supervisors will serve three-year terms, and treasurers will serve two-year terms.
The Press asked candidates for background information about themselves, and asked the supervisors questions about their priorities. The information was supplied by each candidate.
Some candidates did not submit any information.
Eden Lake
Running for re-election in Eden Lake Township are Jonathan Schaumann, supervisor, and Don Schlangen, treasurer.
Jonathan Schaumann
Jonathan Schaumann, 62, has lived in Eden Lake Township his entire life. He and his wife, Glenice, have five children and nine grandchildren.
After high school, he worked as an over-the-road driver for many years, and has worked as a propane technician and driver at Paynesville Cenex for the past 15 years.
He served for two years on the Eden Lake Zoning and Planning Board before being appointed to a supervisor position six months ago. He also has served on school, church, and cemetery boards.
Why are you running for the township board? Driving the roads of Eden Lake Township about every day for work, knowing road conditions as an over the road truck driver gives me knowledge about the roads. My job has enabled me to meet many people of the township.
What will be your priorities if elected to the board? To do the best I can to improve the township on roads and planning the future of Eden Lake Township, snow removal, tree trimming, mowing, road building and repairs, and being a voice for the taxpayers of Eden Lake Township.
Irving
Running for re-election in Irving Township are Russell Schmidt, supervisor, and Howard Powers, treasurer.
Lake Henry
Running for re-election in Lake Henry Township are Joel Roelike, supervisor, and Ray Loxtercamp, treasurer.
Joel Roelike
Joel Roelike, 39, has farmed southwest of Lake Henry for 16 years. He and his wife, Joyce, have five children.
A graduate of Belgrade High School in 1980, he attended Willmar Technical College in 1982 graduating with a degree in ag-business management.
He has served for three years on the Lake Henry Township Board, including two years as its chairman.
Why are you running for the township board? To try to keep the township running smoothly and to keep it in sound financial shape. Also to continue some of the proj-ects we are currently working on, such as our zoning ordinance.
What will be your priorities if elected to the board? First we need to get our township zoning ordinance in compliance with the county ordinance. We also need to get started on a road building project for this year.
Manannah
Running for re-election in Manannah Township are Steve Kraushaar, supervisor, and Janine Shepersky treasurer.
Munson
Running for re-election in Munson Township are Joe Willenbring, supervisor, and Dick Behnen, treasurer.
Joe Willenbring
Joe Willenbring, 43, lives in Munson Township with his wife, Glenice, and their four children.
After high school, Willenbring attended vocational school, and now he farms.
Willenbring has served as Munson Township supervisor for three years.
Why are you running for the township board? To keep taxes low and still have growth in all areas of the township: agriculture, commercial, and residential.
What will be your priorities if elected to the board? To keep grass-roots government strong, so the people still have a voice in matters that may affect them.
Paynesville
Running for re-election in Paynesville Township are Don Pietsch, supervisor, and Sharon Wendroth, treasurer. Challenger for the supervisor position is Edward McIntee.
Edward J. McIntee
Edward J. McIntee has been a season resident of Lake Koronis for 34 years and a permanent resident since 1995. He was born in Paynesville and raised in Stearns County. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
McIntee graduated from college with a business administration degree.
McIntee has owned M&H Equipment, Minnetonka, for more than 36 years.
His previous government experience includes five years on the planning commission in Deep Haven and 15 years on the Hennepin County Draft Board, serving five years as the board's chairman.
Why are you running for the township board? To establish "ground roots" to our township
What will be your priorities if elected to the board? To listen to the people of the township.
Why do you or why do you not support the township's participation in the current airport plan? A venture of this magnitude needs approval of the people of the township. As an elected official, I will act as a servant to the people and abide by their decision.
What should be the township's relationship with the city of Paynesville? I feel the township of Paynesville should treat the city of Paynesville as a good neighbor. A good neighbor should be treated with respect, kindness, and understanding. A good neighbor will never get involved with his neighbor's arguments, politics, and never get "in-bed" with his neighbor. Following the above rules, you will always have a good neighbor.
What challenges does continued residential growth present to the township? To attract good future residents who are interested in keeping "grassroots" government.
In recent years, the township board has put a premium on providing better services to township residents? Do you support this policy? Why or why not? Improvements to the quality of life is always important. The costs of improvements also must be weighed. My position is to listen to the people.
Don Pietsch
Don Pietsch, 61, has lived on Lake Koronis since 1965 and a township resident since 1989. He and his wife, Elvon, have two sons and six grandchildren.
He did his undergraduate studies at Concordia College, Moorhead, and completed graduate work at St. Cloud State University.
He spent 38 years in the Litchfield school system as a teacher, coach, and for the past 15 years in administration.
Pietsch has served three years on the Paynesville Township Board, this year as chairman. He serves on the Stearns County Township Board of Directors, and served on the Litchfield city council for eight years, he served on Litchfield public utilities, streets, and parks committees.
Why are you running for the township board? I enjoy living in the Paynesville area and being such a unique community, we need to continue to be progressive. As the population changes, we need to work toward a cooperative effort with the city of Paynesville to reach the tremendous potential we have in this area. In order to manage the growth that is happening in our township, we need to continue to work on ordinance and rezoning to protect the environment and the beauty of our area. Many of the issues are not overly popular, but are important to maintain the quality of life that our families are seeking.
What will be your priorities if elected to the board?I will work for continued progressive, positive leadership, and continue to protect the integrity of zoning and ordinance for future development. I will also encourage good, sound development in our area. I believe that we can have development and growth and still maintain our environment and our rural identity. I want to continue to maintain the five-year maintenance plan for roads, roadside management, snow removal, buildings, etc.
Why do you or why do you not support the township's participation in the current airport plan? I have been a supporter of the airport plan since I became township supervisor. The project was well under way prior to my election to the township board. This is one more piece that fits into the puzzle for a progressive community. The old airport was condemned and decertified. Paynesville is far better off with an airport than without one. Paynesville fits into the air traffic scheme for the state as the Department of Transportation is giving up to 60 percent of the funding. I believe future growth will take place in the township, and we need to support all avenues of growth such as the airport.
What should be the township's relationship with the city of Paynesville? Working closely and jointly with the city, school, hospital district, fire district, and police in our unique area will ensure a more unified effort for the future of our area. We are working jointly with the city on the ice arena and airport, as neither would be able to support these ventures on their own. We also work jointly with the city for police protection, for the community center, fire department, hospital district, etc. We must have a close working relationship with the city for the present and the future.
What challenges does continued residential growth present to the township? With expansion, the plotting of lots, and the addition of buildings, strong zoning becomes very important to protect the environment and create a desirable community to live. Rezoning should be used to protect the environment and create a desirable community to live in. Rezoning should be used to protect the integrity of the area and not be punitive or restrictive beyond reason.
In recent years, the township board has put a premium on providing better services to township residents? Do you support this policy? Why or why not? My past action has to speak for itself. I have been instrumental in obtaining rustic road designation, 911 signs, recycling, initiating the five-year maintenance plan for roads, hiring maintenance personnel, and contracting for snow removal. Many residents tell me the snow removal program we currently have in place has been working out very well compared to previous years.
Sharon Wendroth
Sharon Wendroth, 37, has lived on Northwest Koronis Road for 15 years. She and her husband, Larry, have four children.
A graduate of St. Cloud Business College in accounting, she is the financial secretary at the Paynesville Lutheran Church.
Wendroth has been the township treasurer for seven years.
Roseville
Running for re-election in Roseville Township are Jim Schultz, supervisor, and Terry Schaefer, treasurer.
Jim Schultz
Jim Schultz, 46, has lived in Roseville Township 21 years. He and his wife, Beth, have two children.A graduate of Paynesville Area High School, he works as a driver/laborer for Thermogas.
He has served six years on the Roseville Township Board.
Why are you running for the township board? I like being a part of the decision making in the township.
What will be your priorities if elected to the board?To make sure people's needs in Roseville Township are heard.
St. Martin
Running for re-election in St. Martin Township are Ken Utsch, supervisor, and LeRoy Garding, treasurer.
Ken Utsch
Ken Utsch, 45, has lived in St. Martin Township his entire life. He and his wife, Shirley, have six children.
He graduated from Paynesville Area High School. Now he farms and is a part-time electrician.
He has served for 12 years on the St. Martin Township Board.
Why are you running for the township board?After serving 12 years as supervisor, I believe that township government is the most efficient form of government that we have. I would like to keep it this way. I believe in local control.
What will be your priorities if elected to the board? Keep the roads in good condition, do the best I can to address the concerns of the people, and to keep the township running as efficiently as possible.
Union Grove
Running for re-election in Union Grove Township are Robert Groshens, supervisor, and LeRoy Thomsen, treasurer.
Robert Groshens
Robert Groshens, 46, has lived in Union Grove Township 21 years. He and his wife, Jody, have three sons.
After high school, he attended vocational school in Willmar for one year. He has worked as a Meeker County Highway Department maintenance person for 27 years.
He has worked with the township on road maintenance and improvements over the last 27 years.
Why are you running for the township board? To be more involved with the way the township is run.
What will be your priorities if elected to the board? Road building projects and frost boil repairs.
LeRoy E. Thomsen
LeRoy E. Thomsen, 78, has lived in Union Grove Township for 61 years. He has spent 54 years on his present farm. He and his wife, Verna, have three sons and six grandchildren. He grew up in Nebraska.
Thomsen has served as the township treasurer for eight years.
Zion
Running for re-election in Zion Township are Larry Miller, supervisor, and Carol Wegner, treasurer.