Bender files for mayor, Babione for city council

The filing period for city offices in New Prague, Elko New Market and Heidelberg opened Tuesday, Aug. 26, with two candidates filing on the first day in New Prague and one in Elko New Market.

New Prague Mayor W.A. (Bink) Bender has filed for a second two-year term on Tuesday. Meanwhile, former city council member Rob Babione has filed for another term. Babione served four years on the council, but lost a reelection bid in 2006. Incumbent council members Duane Jirik and Jim Kratochvil have said they will not file for another four year-term.

Filings for New Prague city offices can be made at the New Prague City Hall during business hours until Tuesday, Sept. 9. City offices will remain open until 5 p.m. on September 9.

In Elko New Market, city council member Jimmy Friedges has filed to serve the remaining two years of the term he was appointed to earlier this year, when council member Josh Storlie resigned. Friedges served 14 years as mayor of New Market before the merger of Elko and New Market in 2007.

Also on the ballot in Elko New Market are a two-year term as mayor, currently held by Kent Hartzler, and two four-year terms on the city council. Council members up for election are Carolyn Miller and Jason Ponsonby. No one filed for these seats on the first day of filing.

Filings for the Elko New Market city offices can be made at the Elko New Market City Hall during business hours until Tuesday, Sept. 9. City offices will remain open until 5 p.m. on September 9 for those who wish to file. For more information call 952-461-2777.

Elections are also open for the City of Heidelberg. There is a four-year mayoral term and a four-year city council term on the ballot. Filing ends September 9. For more information contact Millie Odenthal at 507-364-7989.