Being part of the solution: Behiel elected as Humboldt’s mayor

HUMBOLDT — Michael Behiel has been elected as Humboldt’s new mayor with a total of 760 votes.

Following Behiel was Lorne Pratchler with 549 votes and Harley Bentley with 130 votes.

For council, Rob Muench was elected with 1152 votes; Kelly Herperger with 835 votes; Larry Jorgenson with 782 votes; Roger Nordick with 748 votes; Roger Korte with 641 votes; and Amanda Klitch with 633 votes.

The results are unofficial. Official results will be released on Oct. 10.

Behiel said his election was a sign that the people believe he is ready to continue the work that now former mayor Rob Muench and the previous council has started, he said. For him, it was just common sense that he continue his work with the council, and that people have backed him on that.

“It validates that people believe that I can lead them into the next four years in the best manner possible and it's going to be my goal to make sure that that happens.”

Looking towards the next four years, Behiel will hold on to the belief that he will be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, he said.

Behiel would like to thank everyone who has put their faith in his leadership and the “sky's the limit” for what they can accomplish in the next four years.

“We've made massive improvements with the financial situation. So I'm really hopeful that we'll be able to continue keeping the property taxes low while still doing exponential amounts of infrastructure repairs and capital purchases.”

Pratchler said he was pleased with the respectable turnout despite the weather conditions.

“I'm really happy that Michael received the support he did, because I know the city will be in good hands with him leading,” he said.

When asked what advice he’d give Behiel, Pratchler said he should continue what the last council was doing.

“If we can continue on the same path we were in the last four years, we're going to be going in the right direction,” he said, adding that it’s important to continue to get community groups, as well as getting people whose hearts are in the right place and want to see the city move forward, involved.

Pratchler said with the election over,  he’ll focus on his full-time job with Redhead Equipment.

“I did receive a lot of wonderful comments and thanks for the work that we did as a council and as a group, that the community has really seen a lot of progress in the last four years and I agree. I really enjoyed my time and I think people for the support that I did receive.”

When asked for comment, Bentley said he had nothing to say.

“It is what it is. I tried hard,” Bentley added.