Granite Falls, Minnesota, loses long-time mayor, advocate

Sep. 25—GRANITE FALLS

— A small western Minnesota community has lost its mayor and tireless advocate who led it through three major, natural disasters.

Granite Falls Mayor Dave Smiglewski, 70, died Friday evening in Washington, D.C., of an asphycxiation event, family members reported on Monday. He had been diagnosed about three years earlier with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. He was in the nation's capital attending events as part of the Southwest Corridor Coalition seeking highway funding for his community and region.

"The community couldn't be the way it is without him," said former Granite Falls city manager Bill Lavin on learning of Smiglewski's death. Lavin, who worked with Smiglewski through his 31-year tenure as city manager, described him as "articulate, kind, knowledgeable, wonderful to work with, and with a great sense of humor. A wonderful leader."

Smiglewski has served in city government since 1979, when he was appointed at age 26 to a vacancy on the city council. He took on the duties of mayor in 1996 with the death of Mayor Roy Lenzen, and has served continuously in that role since. He led the community through major floods in 1997 and 2001, and a devastating tornado in 2000 that destroyed more than 100 homes.

"Mr. Granite Falls," is how Tim Douglass, publisher of the Pope County Tribune, and former Granite Falls Advocate-Tribune publisher and long-time friend of Smiglewski described him. He said he has yet to meet anyone who had the same passion for his hometown.

Smiglewski, a high school Eagle Scout, had returned to his hometown after leaving college. He co-founded and played in a local band, Good Time Railroad, and worked for 30 years as a maintenance foreman and track inspector with the

BNSF Railway

. He followed that up by taking on the role of publisher for the Granite Falls Advocate-Tribune newspaper from December of 2004 to April 2016.

"He was a good friend through thick and thin," said Dick Jepson, who has been a friend to Smiglewski since they were in third grade. They started a classroom newspaper at that time, and later served as co-editors for the sports page of their high school newspaper, The Midget.

Jepson said his friend was one to push the envelope, never afraid to ask questions. He also described him as an avid reader and the go-to source for information on local history. "People would ask me about local stuff and I'd tell them, 'ask Smig, he'll know.'"

Smiglewski's lifelong passion for both learning and civic engagement led to his being named a Bush Leadership Fellow in 2016. He used the opportunity to return to school and earn his bachelor's degree from Metro State University in 2017.

True to form, both his degree and Fellowship were focused on encouraging more civic involvement, especially by young people.

He was also an avid Twins and Minnesota sports fan, cheerleader for his hometown teams, and music enthusiast. He and his wife, Cindy, had attended the Eric Clapton concert in St. Paul just two weeks before his sudden death.

Smiglewski was also very much involved in regional and statewide issues. He served on the board of directors for the League of Minnesota Cities, and was serving as a board member for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. The League of Minnesota Cities awarded its C.C. Ludwig award to him in 2020 in recognition of his civic involvement.

In his hometown, he was involved in Kiwanis, and on the boards of directors for

Project Turnabout

and the local food shelf, along with his city government duties.

"You stop and think who the mover and shaker in Granite has been the last 30 years, it's been Dave," said Jepson. "If there is something that has gone on that's been good for the community, he's usually had his fingers in it."

As mayor, he was instrumental in leading the community to develop the

Kilowatt Community Center,

a recreational and community center. He helped spearhead an effort to develop the

Granite Falls Energy Ethanol

plant in response to the community's challenges following the 2000 tornado.

Perhaps his most important role was the statewide network of contacts he made, and his ability to put his small community of 2,700 on a much larger stage. "Everyone knew about Granite Falls, from the governor on down, because they knew Smig," Jepson said.

Despite a diagnosis about three years ago with a slowly progressing form of ALS, Smiglewski maintained his active pace and involvement until his death. He had received his diagnosis after his close friend and former railroad co-worker, Jerry Ostensoe, had also been diagnosed with the disease.

Ostensoe died as a result of the disease Aug. 29, 2022, and Smiglewski had been among those helping provide care.

Current City Manager Crystal Johnson said city council vice-mayor Steve Nordaune will be taking on the duties of mayor. Smiglewski had just over one year remaining in his term as mayor. He had told friends he was not planning to run again.

The City of Granite Falls issued a statement citing Smiglewski for his "exceptional leadership" and devotion to bettering his community. "His impact on the community will continue to be seen for many years to come and he will be deeply missed by all."

Funeral arrangements are pending. Survivors includes his wife of 40 years, Cindy, and three children, Cody, Seth and Laurel Christianson.