×

Sleepy Eye city races tighten

The Sleepy Eye City Council and mayoral races tightened Tuesday as Rejeana Wick filed for the Ward 2 seat and former Dyckman Free Library Director Andrew Kelton filed for mayor.

SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council and mayoral races tightened Tuesday as Rejeana Wick filed for the Ward 2 seat and former Dyckman Free Library Director Andrew Kelton filed for mayor.

Wick, who retired in 2001, worked as an operating room neurosurgery registered nurse at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital and worked as a nurse at the University of Minnesota Hospital and as a mental health nurse at Fairview, Riverside and Abbott hospitals in Minneapolis.

“I’m fed up with the little boys club and the establishment here,” Wick said. “They don’t represent the entire community. They’re very selective about who they represent.”

“A large portion of our community is disenfranchised. I felt personally, I had to step up and be counted,” Wick said. “It doesn’t matter if I win or lose, but it’s not going to be an easy, free ride for these guys.”

Wick said she couldn’t understand the city council meetings online in June or July, so she went to the council chamber but was not allowed in.

“I’m really concerned about accountability and transparency,” Wick said. “I have no problem with people with life experience, but I am concerned about people here in key positions. I think we need to blend the two.”

Wick is running against challengers Charles Forster and Christina Andres for the Ward 2 seat currently held by Larry Braun.

Kelton, who was terminated as Dyckman Free Library Director in Sleepy Eye effective Aug. 10 on Aug. 5, filed to run against Sleepy Eye Mayor Wayne Pelzel who refiled for election.

Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston told the city council Aug. 5 that his recommendation to terminate Kelton came because he knowingly falsely reported starting work 30 minutes to an hour before he went to work a number of times beginning last September.

“Overall, his conduct erodes the public trust,” Elston said.

Kelton told the city council he should have been given oral and written warnings before he was fired. He admitted to recording 17 hours of work, worth about $470 of his salary, when he wasn’t working.

The city council approved a resolution terminating Kelton by a 4-1 vote. Councilor Larry Braun dissented.

Several city councilors said the decision to terminate Kelton was unfortunate because he did such a good job, creating new library activities and other amenities that were popular with residents.

Dozens of people held signs outside the city building in support of Kelton while the city council meeting took place. About 80 people watched the city council meeting on Zoom or listened to the meeting on phones.

“I’m running for mayor because I worked for the City for six years and saw first-hand what was going on,” Kelton said. “People were not treated fairly, including employees and the general public which doesn’t know what is going on. I’d like to see people more transparent and open with the general public. I don’t want to be in the good old boys club either.”

Kelton said he has a bachelor’s degree in geography and history and a master’s degree in library science.

Sleepy Eye Ward 1 voters also have a voting choice with Scott Krzmarzick challenging incumbent Joann Schmidt.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today