HAPPY TRAILS

In 2003, Tom Kuntz announced he was retiring from his position as general manager of Owatonna Public Utilities.

His retirement plans were short-lived, after he got a call from Lisa Purvis, who led the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce. The mayor was retiring, and the city needed a replacement.

“Lisa asked, how retired do you want to be? Why don’t you consider running for mayor?” Kuntz said.

He thought about it and figured serving in the role would be a good way to give back to the community during retirement.

“I was successful in getting elected that year,” Kuntz said, noting he ran in a three-way race.

But political aspirations weren't something he’d ever thought about. Unlike most mayors, he had never served on the city council or any other elected board for that matter.

“I never ever thought about going into politics until I got the call from Lisa that day,” Kuntz said.

Earlier this year, Kuntz announced he would be retiring from the position he never thought he would hold.

Growing community

Kuntz is a hometown kid, graduating from Owatonna High School in 1963. At that time, the city was about 13,000 residents. Now, over 50 years later, the population is closer to 27,000.

“We’ve over doubled our population since 1963,” Kuntz said.

During the same time, Kuntz said, the city has grown in other ways.

One of the biggest accomplishments he pointed to is Owatonna’s ability to keep businesses and industries in town, even as they’re expanding.

“We continue to see industry add on or grow or bring things back from other states into our community, which has been a real blessing for Owatonna and the workforce,” Kuntz said.

Another accomplishment Kuntz pointed to was bringing Fareway Foods to town. When the old Owatonna Hospital downtown closed, people with connections to Fareway were able to get a conversation started, which led to the grocery store coming to town.

“We were able to convince Fareway it would be a good location for Fareway, and it’s worked out fine ever since,” Kuntz said.

When the hospital closed, the city worked with Alina Health to build the new hospital, convincing them to build it and to attach it to the Owatonna Clinic.

“Alina made the commitment to build the hospital connected to the Owatonna clinic,” Kuntz said.

Then there’s Federated Insurance, which donated $20 million towards the new high school, which Kuntz said, “puts Owatonna on the map.”

“To have local businesses support Owatonna the way they have has been really fantastic, I think,” Kuntz said.

City promoter

Unlike most cities the size of Owatonna, the mayor has virtually no power when it comes to passing policies or ordinances.

“I’m just the guy that promotes the community,” Kuntz said.

Typically, mayors either run the day-to-day operations, or they are a voting member of the city council. In Owatonna, the city council consists of seven council members, and the mayor only has veto power. Overriding a mayor’s veto would require a council supermajority.

Asked if he had any big regrets during his tenure in Owatonna, Kuntz said he didn’t.

“My common statement is fantastic. I always look for the positive,” Kuntz said.

His message for incoming Mayor Matt Jessop?

“Enjoy and be that positive voice for Owatonna.”