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Schierer drops mayoral bid
Originally published 05:29 p.m., September 2, 2008
Updated 07:56 p.m., September 2, 2008
Fergus Falls alderman Ben Schierer will not run for mayor in Fergus Falls this year.
Schierer said Tuesday he's realized he already has a lot on his plate: a growing family, multiple jobs and current responsibilities as an alderman. To add a campaign for mayor would simply be too much at this time.
"If I'm going to take on more responsibility right now, somebody's going to suffer," he said. "I don't want to let my family down and I don't want to let my community down."
Schierer announced July 22 that he would seek the seat being vacated by Mayor Russell Anderson.
While Schierer made a public announcement of his candidacy and had campaign signs around the city, he never filed for office at Fergus Falls City Hall.
He has represented the Fourth Ward on the city council the past four years. Though his council term is up this year, Schierer says he will not seek re-election.
Schierer said he made his decision to run for mayor after Anderson told him he would not seek re-election in the fall.
While he says his position as a councilman has been one of his most rewarding roles, “at the same time I feel there’s a lot more to be done.”
Ivan G. "Skip" Mallas, John Strauch and Fergus Falls Alderman Hal Leland are the remaining candidates who have filed for the mayoral seat.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why did he drop out?
Posted by HoldenCaulfield (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is VERY bad news for fergus falls
Posted by jodyfromfergus (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 7:18 p.m.
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Posted by Bev (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
However jodyfromfergus, if you read the "on record' about your friend Skip, I would think twice about that vote..
Posted by BloopTriple (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 8:12 p.m.
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Posted by fergusfallsresident (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We support Skip- aka Ivan Mallas.....we all have done things that we would'nt want to see printed in the Daily Journal! Maybe someone as human as skip is what this town needs. At the vary least, we as a community should support Skip's choice to seek help. May those who cast stones be ashamed of themselves or perhaps they already are.....here's to living in a glass house!
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 8:48 p.m.
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Posted by Bev (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This Skip- aka Ivan Mallas has quite a bit of growing up to do. He should probably just get whatever help he needs because he wants the help (if that's what he is really doing) We need a Mayor who can be responsible from beginning to end. 'Skip' showed a lack of respect. Which looses any vote of mine.
Posted by fergusfallsresident (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
point taken
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good lord...these are our options for Mayor? Lol. I can't wait to leave Fergus Falls
Posted by ckint1975 (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BEN what are you doing!!! we need YOU!!! Please run for mayor
Posted by username (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would give my vote to the peeing man before Leland. Have another round, ol' chap!
Posted by Betle (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is his life, let him make his own choices! He knows what is right for himself and if he feels his plate is too full then he is right! How can he make the right decision on critical issues when his mind is somewhere else. If Fergus Falls needs a change or new administration then the people of Fergus Falls needs to voice their opinion.
Posted by MarcNSuzy (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cooper! Just another reason to get Coop a position within this city's poor, poor leadership.
Like a 90 year old doing 45 on the interstate....LET'S MOVE THIS ALONG!
Posted by MarcNSuzy (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok. I give up. Done.
Fergus Falls is a mid-sized north-western Minnesota community.
There are 13,600 people who call it home. 13,600! And no one cares. I moved here from Fargo, ND 10 months ago, a GREAT city. A city with vision, values and a future.
Can you say this sad sack of a "community" has any one of those three qualities?
Bah! You all suck. Have fun with the geese, police and old people.
Look in the mirror Fergus. Look hard and long. Do a bit of comparative research on cities of this size, I have. And it ain't pretty. Fergus is.....a joke. Silly. Ridiculous even.
I think you all should be thankful you are still on the map.
So funny, if it wasn't so sad.
Posted by wornout (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!!! I cannot believe the candidates for city offices that we are being asked to choose from this year. What is the filing fee? Just curious. Must be a few dollars($5 or $10?). This just seems like a total trainwreck, I'm sorry, just being honest here. Fergus Falls is better than this. Forget being the laughing stock of Minnesota, this is actally becoming the laughing stock of Fergus Falls. I remember growing up when we had REAL people running for office and managing our city and image like Kelly Ferber and Mel Olsen. This is downright embarrasing and I think that whoever is taking the filing fees needs to be given some MAJOR disgression as to who gets to run for a public office, and not just accepting money for a public display of wanton ignorance. There used to be people with integrity and morals who ran this town. It is just sad and depressing.
Posted by ginger_ale1 (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ben sounds like a great man to make a decision that places family first! Kudos to Ben... GO HAL!!!
Posted by MarcNSuzy (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 11:31 p.m.
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Posted by Norse (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 1:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe that guy can get the Drunk and Disorderly statute removed from the books.
Censored for What?
Someone was reported to have been drunk, swearing, and urinating in public....That same fool thinks he can be mayor of this fine city.
I'll Skip voting for him.
Posted by mn10klakes (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry, but is "Skip_Mallas_Campaign_HeadQuart" for real? Eeks. I hope FF's future mayor has better writing skills than this.
Skip - find a new spokesperson.
As for 'Skip_Mallas_Campaign_HeadQuart' - think about downloading firefox. It can at least help you with your spelling.
Posted by cascade (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is too bad- I was looking forward to voting for him - only he knows what is best for him and his family.
Onward the status quo-
Posted by MustBeNice (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is truly a shame Ben has decided to drop out of the running for Mayor. I thought he would have won this hands down!! From what I've seen of him, he had my vote. And from what I see for other candidates.... I'll just give Ben my "write-in" vote!
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Skip needs to find a new campaign manager. If being caught peeing in the street wasn't enough of a hit to your campaign, you have a second grader posting messages on your behalf.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt the poster "Skip_Mallas_Campaign_HeadQuart" has any affiliation with the actual candidate.
I've experienced a few posters impersonating me also.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by fergusmnmom (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ha Ha The_Nick, you hit the nail on the head there! Obviously Skip_Mallas_Campaign_HeadQuart doesn't realize s/he's only making him/herself and Skip look like like idiots!
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't understand the aversion some have toward Hal Leland?
perhaps someone could explain it to me?
http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2...
I just read this article and found it interesting that he voted against his own pay raise while some others who are running, voted in favor of raising their own pay while being city council members.
I hope voters remember issues like these!
Jamie Cooper
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
on September 6, 2006, Merlyn Shelstad, Rick Wilson, Ron Burt, Jim Fish and Ben Schierer all voted in favor of raising their own city council pay by $100.00 a month.
Hal Leland openly voiced opposition.
Posted by FFWoman (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's time for JoEllen Thacker to change her filing to Mayor. She has the skills, knowledge and commitment to the city that we need. She has children and grandchildren living here so she is concerned about the needs of young families. After over 20 years at almost every council meeting, who else has the experience that she has?
Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
'Skip_Mallas_Campaign_HeadQuart'----if you really support this Skip guy then stop posting. You are making him look bad. Grammar actually is your friend, learn it, because can only help. If you are close friends with this guy, it scares the blank out of me.
I remember the good 'ol days of FF, and things have really gone downhill of late. FF needs a plan for growth in a positive way. Look to your neighbor of Alexandria and learn.
Posted by sadie (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so sad to see Ben drop out of the race, he is young and has fresh ideas, I agree that JoEllen would be a good choice for mayor, we need some positives in this community, lets grow FF....Ben maybe next time???
Posted by for_reals (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How long before we are a Saturday Night Live skit? Does anyone know the mayor's salary? Maybe it needs to be increased to attract qualified applicants.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
for_reals,
in the paperwork I got from the city after I registered it says "Mayor salary is $1,075 per month and council members $650 per month. council members who participate as members of the city's board of equalization shall be paid $10.00 per hour also."
Posted by for_reals (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Any idea how many hours Anderson was dedicating to the job?
Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another let-down for the city of Fergus Falls. Thank goodness we have Hal Leland.
Posted by duke12 (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ben, God bless you for making the right decision. Your growing family comes first and the rest of this is in far away 2nd position. JoEllen Thacker should now run for Mayor as Leland needs some competition.
Posted by bigkahunaburger (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would guess there was a certain group in Fergus Falls, the members who, for some unfounded reason, were scared to death that Ben would be elected. I would venture to guess that they were willing to stoop to pathetic, yet surprisingly not unimaginable lows, to keep that from happening. More often than not, I disagree with his viewpoints. However, I respect him 100% and find him to be an upstanding civic leader. It's a shame it came to this, and even more of a shame that some people are so wrong about the future of their souls.
Posted by MustBeNice (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Quote: "Mayor salary is $1,075 per month and council members $650 per month."
Wow, that's sad... at least for mayor's wages, the councils wages on the other hand....not so much!!
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