City council president indicates possible run for mayor, straw poll vote on lake dredging angers residents

Feb. 23—MITCHELL — In a heated exchange with the mayor during Tuesday's Mitchell City Council meeting, Council President Kevin McCardle made an unexpected announcement that he's considering a run for mayor.

"Maybe that's why I should run for mayor," McCardle said as he and Mayor Bob Everson were in disagreement with another over reducing the city's loan amount to fund the proposed Lake Mitchell dredging project.

McCardle's statement about running for mayor was met with a short and simple response from Everson, who said "get a petition."

McCardle replied by saying, "I will get a petition."

On Friday, McCardle had yet to make an official decision whether he is entering the mayoral race.

If McCardle decides to run for the mayoral office, he would be challenging Mayor Everson, who is nearing the end of his second term as Mitchell's top-elected official.. Following Tuesday's council meeting, Everson confirmed he is seeking a mayoral third term.

Mitchell resident Jordan Hanson recently informed the Mitchell Republic that he is entering the 2024 mayoral race.

If McCardle, Hanson and Everson file petitions with enough signatures by the end of March, it would set the stage for a three-way mayoral race. McCardle and Hanson would be first-time mayoral candidates challenging an incumbent.

McCardle's council seat is also up for election on June 4. A run for mayor would eliminate McCardle from seeking another three-year term on the council. McCardle has represented ward 2 on the council since 2017.

Petitions for the mayoral race and city council seats on the June 4 election ballot can begin circulating on Mar. 1. All petitions must be filed at City Hall by March 31.

The mixed support the eight-person city council has shown for the proposed Lake Mitchell dredging project that voters will decide on in June has a Lake Mitchell resident concerned if the council will honor voters' decision pending the outcome of the election results.

Lake Mitchell resident Mike Vehle aimed to find out if the council would approve the proposed dredging project if voters approve the $16.8 million loan the city is seeking to apply for to finance the project. Vehle performed a non-binding straw vote from the council and asked each council member whether they would approve a dredging project if the voters approved the $16.8 million loan in June?

Vehle's straw vote sparked anger among a pair of Mitchell residents who felt Vehle's question was inappropriate. As Vehle was at the podium, Mitchell resident Kelly Pfaff said, "Quite frankly, I'd tell him to go to h---."

"That's your business," Pfaff said, motioning to the council members.

Pfaff asked whether the council was required to respond to Vehle's straw poll on the lake dredging project? Mayor Everson said each council member may choose not to respond.

While several council members agreed with Pfaff's sentiment on Vehle's straw poll, all seven council members responded to the question by saying yes, to some degree.

Vehle is a leader of a local nonprofit organization that is setting out to raise $3 million for the dredging project. Raising money amid the uncertainty of the dredging project and the council's mixed support for dredging has made for a challenging process, Vehle said.

He said the straw vote will provide Friends of Firesteel, the organization Vehle is part of, a better path forward to begin raising funds more aggressively.

"In order to clear the air, we decided that citizenry needs to know if their vote really counts, and if it passes that their council person will support the Lake Mitchell project?" Vehle said. "This straw vote will hopefully help us be able to help you raise the funds for the project."

The fate of the proposed Lake Mitchell dredging project that's estimated to cost $25 million rests in the hands of the voters on June 4 when they will decide whether the city can apply for a $16.8 million state loan for the project.