37 vying for empty spot on Minnetonka City Council

An opening on the Minnetonka City Council has attracted a crowd of wannabes: 37 people ranging in age from 34 to 74 are seeking appointment to the post.

Surprises among the field of contenders include former Minnetonka Mayor Karen Anderson, who left office three years ago; two former City Council members, Jane Gordon and Al Thomas; and former Hennepin County Commissioner Mary Tambornino.

Why so much interest in a $9,000-a-year job that requires a lot of night work?

Some candidates say they like the idea of skipping the time and expense of a campaign and landing a council seat by appointment. Others say they joined the list of applicants because they finally have time to serve or because they could use the extra income. Some say they have expertise to help the city weather the poor economy.

Anderson, 68, served 20 years on the City Council and 12 years as mayor. She left office in 2006 because she needed a break but now wants to return to City Hall to make sure there is a woman on the council and to help face the challenges of the weak economy.

If appointed, Anderson said it's not her intention to run for election in the fall. "But I have learned in politics that it's always best not to make any promises."

The appointment is likely to give the officeholder a leg up with voters in the fall elections.

Council members, who are scheduled to fill the seat on Jan. 26, will begin narrowing the field on Monday by rating each candidate on a 1 to 5 scale. Those with top scores will be interviewed at a televised meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12. If a second round of interviews is needed, they would be conducted on Jan. 21 during another televised meeting. The new council member is set to be sworn in on Feb. 9.

The seat is open because the council appointed at-large Council Member Terry Schneider to replace Mayor Jan Callison after she was elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners.

Former Council Member Al Thomas, 54, said he will run for the seat next fall whether he is appointed now or not. He lost his Ward 4 seat this year by just 13 votes to James Hiller.

Thomas said he could hit the ground running. "After 12 years on the City Council, I have served on every board and commission in the city. I think experience counts."

Jane Gordon, 58, is endorsed by retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, a Minnetonka resident, and Erik Paulsen, a Republican from Eden Prairie who was elected to replace Ramstad as 3rd District congressman.

Mary Tambornino, 74, served eight years on the county board and retired in 2002. She has lived in Minnetonka for 40 years.

"This is my city. I just want to do my part. I have a good head. I am an analytical thinker. I am a fair person. I am a coalition builder. And I think those are assets that are useful to the city," she said.