New city council and mayor installed, Brayden Beaner and Alysha Kientopf appointed to vacancies

by Carrie Moriz, Gazette

            On Monday, Garretson's city council switched over to the 2024-25 council when a new mayor, two prior councilors, and two new councilors were sworn in. Now former Ward 3 council member Bruce Brown has assumed the mayor's position as now former mayor Greg Beaner opted not to run for re-election this past February.

            Brown ran unopposed this past election cycle. He is succeeding Mayor Greg Beaner, who served for six years. Beaner opted not to run for re-election after assuming new responsibilities at work.

            "Before we get started, I just want to take a minute and thank Greg [Beaner] so much for all the guidance that he's given us, all the things he's gotten done and gotten the ball rolling in town," said newly-sworn in mayor Bruce Brown.

            Apathy for city council appears to be high, much to the consternation of city government officials. This past election cycle saw few file for open seats.

            Ward 1 councilor Bill Hoskins and Ward 2 councilor Greg Franka, who had both been appointed in 2023, opted not to run for reelection, and no petitions were filed for either seat. The Ward 2 seat occupied by Dave Bonte saw an election on April 7, in which only 22 votes out of a possible 200 were cast. Jackie Rotert filed unopposed for the open Ward 3 seat, and with Brown resigning to take over the Mayoral position, the other Ward 3 seat had to be appointed.

            This left two Ward 1 seats, one Ward 2 seat, and one Ward 3 seat open and meant the council was without a quorum at the beginning of the new council meeting, as only Tom Godbey of Ward 2 was continuing his council position.

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            The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Monday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Legion. All members of the public are invited to attend.