A handful of years ago it took 23 ballots to elect a Brainerd City Council president. Monday it took a single ballot to elect Kevin Goedker.
Goedker was elected council president for 2009-10 with four votes. To start the nomination process, council member Mary Koep placed a nomination for the four council members who had expressed an interest in the position - Goedker, Kelly Bevans, Ann Nelson Fisher and Bob Olson.
Council members Lucy Nesheim and Koep voted for Goedker and he cast a ballot for himself. Fisher voted for herself and gained a vote from council member Bonnie Cumberland and Bevans cast a vote for himself.
When the vote came to Olson, he said he could create a tie with a vote for Fisher, potentially setting up a night with 20 ballots needed to elect a president.
Kevin Goedker
"I just don't feel I want to stick around that long," Olson said.
Olson said it was a tough decision as both new candidates were good and a change would be beneficial. Bevans previously served as council president. Olson then cast his vote for Goedker.
When Goedker was elected president and changed chairs with Bevans, Steven Wolff, a candidate for council in the recent election, danced a jig at the front of the room.
Fisher was the sole nominee for vice president and was elected to that post.
Goedker said he appreciated the confidence from the council and said he knows the group will accomplish much in the next couple of years.
Monday's meeting was the first session of the new year and council members Nesheim, Goedker, Koep and Olson were sworn into office.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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