By Anne Holzman
Eric Meyer, who is on the ballot seeking re-election to his seat on the Falcon Heights City Council, announced to the council at its Oct. 8 meeting that he was ending his candidacy.
Meyer characterized his action as a withdrawal, but the deadline to formally withdraw passed back in August. Ballots were printed and available since mid-September, with Meyer’s name on them, for early and absentee voting.
There are two at-large, open seats on the Falcon Heights City Council. The other candidates for the Nov. 4 election are Jeremy Hallowanger, Georgiana May and Jim Mogen.
Ramsey County spokesman Casper Hill said if Meyer wins, he can decide not to accept the election certificate. In that case, “it’s up to the local jurisdiction to determine how to proceed,” Hill said.
According to Minnesota Secretary of State spokeswoman Cassondra Knudson, Meyer would then be resigning, which would trigger a special election.
Falcon Heights residents who have already cast ballots and wish to change their vote have until Oct. 16 to do so. They should call the Ramsey County Elections Office: 651-266-2171.
In a media statement issued Oct. 9, Meyer explained, “I had a moment of clarity this past weekend. My daughter Sunny is at such a special age, and the work of being on council takes up a lot of evenings and weekends.
“In four years she’ll be starting kindergarten. The bedtime stories, the walks around the neighborhood, seeing her vocabulary grow each day—these are hours I won’t get back, and I want to be there for all of it.
“It’s been an honor to serve Falcon Heights these past four years. I’m proud of what we accomplished—the Garden Avenue sidewalk so kids can walk safely to school, preserving Ruggles Path and making it accessible, and the new community park coming soon.
“Falcon Heights has three strong candidates running for council, and between them and my colleagues not up for re-election, the city will be in good hands.”
Anne Holzman is a Twin Cities freelance writer who covers local government news for the Bugle.
