WINTHROP — Voters can choose between seven people who filed for two expiring Winthrop City Council seats in the Nov. 5 State General Election.

City councilor Ed Stoll II refiled for election. Challengers filing for two city council seats were Myranda Bauer, Jacki Kruggel, Brandon Nelson, Martha E. Santelman, Christian Tangness and Jason O. Walz. City councilor Kelly Pierson did not refile for office.

Winthrop Mayor Julie Trebelhorn refiled for office. Brent Roiger also filed for mayor.

Nobody filed for a special city council member election.

Winthrop Ambulance Captain Ed Stoll II said he filed for office to continue to serve his community.

“I love living in Winthrop. I think it is the greatest small town in Minnesota,” he said.

“Operating a small business in a small community gives a unique perspective to being on the council. Everyone that has filed for city council has the best interest of the citizens of Winthrop in mind. We each have our own unique qualities that we can bring to the council. I look forward to working with whoever gets elected,” he said.

Stoll said his family moved to Minnesota in 1995.

“Since then, my wife and I have raised seven children to adulthood. We have one child still at home,” he said.

Stoll said he has served on the Winthrop Ambulance crew since 1998 with a small break when he lived in the country.

“I am working diligently to keep our (ambulance) service local. I am a sales manager for a small manufacturing company in Hutchinson. My family owns and operates Ginny’s Cafe in Winthrop.”

He vowed to listen to Winthrop citizens if elected.

Santelman said she filed because her concern is that soon, no one will be able to afford Winthrop.

“Having lived here 22 years and working in two high profile businesses, the pharmacy and the oldest bank in Winthrop, over the years, I have heard many residents openly share their frustration at being ignored, disrespected and not being heard,” Santelman said.

“With great humility and with encouragement from my husband, I thought maybe a New York City girl could give back to a rural Minnesota community that I have come to treasure,” she said.

Santelman said she thinks seven city council candidates filed for office “because of overarching concerns that most people have in city leadership.”

“I’m not surprised in the quantity and quality of the other names on the ballot. Winthrop is a blessed community filled with marvelous and wonderful citizens,” she said.

“Even though I have lived in Winthrop since 2002 and have worked in downtown Winthrop since 2006, I want everyone to know that I am not related nor connected with any council member, city employee or any county employee. In fact, I grew up in New York City, so the only Minnesotans I’m related to are my husband Mark, our children and his siblings,” Santelman said.

“Finally, the citizens of Winthrop will be my first and only priority. I will listen,” she said.

Tangness said he filed for office to better understand small town politics and spending and see if there are ways to decrease property taxes in Winthrop instead of always increasing them.

“I believe everyone who filed for office will try to apply small town principles versus big city thoughts,” he said.

Tangness grew up in New Ulm, graduated in 1989, spent 8 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and moved back to the area after living in the Twin Cities and working in warehouse management and contract negotiations. He works for Nutrien Ag Solutions in Winthrop.

A machinist tool and die maker in New Ulm, Nelson said he’s lived in Winthrop most of his life and thought he’d try to give back to the community and see if there is something he can help make better in the City of Winthrop.

“I have not run of office before. I like anything outdoors including hunting deer, elk, ducks and geese,” he said.

Tangness’ wife Morgan teaches at Immanuel Lutheran Elementary School in Gaylord. They have two children, ages 7 and 2.

Bauer said she filed to get better knowledge of city politics including the budget, city code, and other city functions.

“I would also like to bring new ideas into the City. I feel that others have the same idea and would like to get more involved in politics. It’s important to take pride in your community and keep pushing forward, bringing new ideas in,” she said.

Bauer said she has been a Winthrop resident for more than 30 years, serving for more than 10 years as a Winthrop Ambulance EMT and a Farm City Fun Fest chairperson.

Walz said he filed to make a difference for the community, not only for those here now, but who will be here in the future.

“I grew up in a small community and moved to Winthrop 12 years ago with his wife and children after the school closed in the community we lived in. We love this community and the way people are so nice and welcoming,” he said.

“I filed for the position of mayor because I’ve enjoyed the work on city council since I was first elected in 2014,” said Mayor Trebelhorn.

“I believe that I bring experience and a balanced perspective to issues and projects that come before the council. I make it a goal to talk to many individuals in Winthrop, asking their thoughts and opinions about what our city is doing well and what we can do better,” she said.

“As a city, we’ve made some major improvements to our streets and infrastructure. It is exciting to see the project nearing completion. We have an active economic development group and civic and community organizations that are actively pursuing new projects. If elected mayor, I would like to be a part of the continued progress and growth happening in our community,” Trebelhorn said.

She said she thinks its a good thing that several individuals filed for open council seats and two filed for mayor.

A Martin Luther College music instructor, Trebelhorn said she and her husband Scott have lived in Winthrop for more than 30 years and are proud to have raised their kids there.

She has served on the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, Winthrop Area Foundation Board, Leading Sibley County Together leadership class, Winthrop Library Friends, Sibley County Library Board and the Traverse de Sioux Regional Library Board.

As a city councilor, she was appointed to the economic development authority, RS Fiber Joint Powers Board and nearly every council committee.

“I believe an elected official should be active and involved in their community. They should be strong and principled, but also open to discussion and willing to look at issues with a perspective different from their own. Most of all, they should care deeply about the community and be a tireless advocate for positive change and future growth,” Trebelhorn said.

Roiger said he filed for mayor because it would be good to give citizens a choice on who they would like to be mayor.

“Quite a few asked me to run. My focuses are fiscal responsibility, infrastructure and setting a policy on how council seats are filled going forward,” he said.

“I think many people filed due to the perception, real or imagined, that the current council doesn’t want to deal with anyone who may have a different opinion than they do. I urge people go to the polls informed by what candidates stand for, not by who they’ve know for a long time,” said Roiger.

A South Central College Farm Business Mangement instructor, Roiger said he and his wife Lori have lived in Winthrop for nearly 30 years. He said his service includes president of the Winthrop EDA board, Peace Lutheran Church and GFW Athletic Boosters, to name a few.

“I feel its important to always listen to all sides of an issue, remember we’re entrusted with public tax dollars and be as respectful as we can possibly be.