There's the mayor who just left and the mayor who was just elected, and now there's Mayor Mike Polehna.

The three-term Stillwater City Council member inherited the job Nov. 7 when Mayor Ken Harycki resigned abruptly. Polehna will be sworn in Tuesday to lead the city until early January, when mayor-elect Ted Kozlowski takes over.

"I know I only have 60 days. I want everybody to know I'm involved in the community, I'm approachable, trying to do what's best for the residents of Stillwater," Polehna said. "I'll keep an open mind for what people want and what they need."

However temporary his role as mayor, Polehna has a much-established reputation as a fundraiser and leader for community causes. For example, he participated in recent years in organizing Yellow Ribbon hunts for military families, which he said have since 2010 "raised $140,000 and put on hunts for 700 troops."

Polehna's volunteer endeavors include helping to raise $4 million for Stillwater's ice arena, another $400,000 for the Jaycee ball fields, converting an unused rail bed into the Gateway State Trail, and working to help launch the new Brown's Creek State Trail. He is currently parks manager for Washington County.

He talks about all of the achievements — and these are just a few — as collaborations involving many people.

Ted Kozlowski

"The idea was giving back to the community and making things better for everybody," said Polehna, who began the work on the ball field to give his two sons a place to play. "The big thing is always my kids. My kids always come first."

He also has four grandchildren.

As mayor, Polehna's priorities are guiding the city's 2015 budget to completion and hiring a new city administrator to replace Larry Hansen, who is retiring.

Last week, he and Kozlowski teamed up to find a 40-foot Christmas tree for downtown on the new pedestrian plaza. "We're working with the downtown merchants to light it up," he said. "It would be the focal point of our community for Christmas. That's what I'm talking about, making Stillwater a nice place to live."

Kevin Giles • 651-925-5037