‘A fantastic life of service’

In typical Tom Kuntz fashion, the longtime mayor of Owatonna kept his welcome comments brief – and about others.

It was, after all, the city’s annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Exchange Club of Owatonna.

Except it wasn’t, really.

The first inkling may have come with the opening remarks from the morning’s keynote speaker, Sen. John Jasinski, R-Faribault.

“I usually just wing it,” he said as he began his speech, “but today is a very important day.”

The title of Jasinski’s presentation was “A Fantastic Life of Service,” and Kuntz likely believed the three-term legislator and former mayor of Faribault would be sharing his own path to leadership.

But it was apparent soon enough that Jasinski’s speech was, in fact, about Kuntz himself – who will retire in December after serving as mayor for five terms.

The event was in his honor.

Jasinski described Kuntz’s stint in the military, his career at Owatonna Public Utilities and his run for public office, then talked about their relationship, which started in 2009.

“Tom reached out to me and said, ‘you just got elected; I’d like to meet with you and a group of other mayors from southern Minnesota.’ I was nervous, but ever since, we’ve been really good friends,” Jasinski said. “He’s someone that I will always remember as the face of Owatonna – which a mayor should be – but he really brought us together, and taught me a lot of things.

“Today we’re here to celebrate Tom’s 20 years of mayoral service in Owatonna,” he said.

The celebration had to be a sneak attack, said Sandra McConn Halla, of the Exchange Club.

“As you can probably guess, Mayor Tom did not know this was going to be about Mayor Tom, or I would not have gotten Mayor Tom here,” she said after Jasinski’s speech.

“A fantastic life of service, indeed,” she said. “If you’ve ever heard Mayor Tom say one word, what is it?”

“Fantastic,” many in the crowd answered.

Before introducing a slide show of photos and accomplishments, McConn Halla spoke directly to Kuntz.

“I just wanted to let you know I kind of have a few things about you,” she said. “I’m not going to tell you how I got them, but I will tell you not to leave your phone, even around your friends. I would also tell you, don’t tell your wife – who’s my friend – things you don’t want me to have.”

Shelby Kuntz and the couple’s family were all in on the surprise, which also included personal messages from members of the community that will be compiled into a book for Kuntz.

Under Kuntz’s leadership, wrote Brad Meier, president of the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce, “the industrial park has expanded and new businesses have located there; Highway 14 was completed and a new high school was built. The downtown got a complete facelift, including a new hotel and streetscape.

“Most importantly, people felt heard when they talked to you, and they knew you were honest in your comments back to them,” Meier wrote.

Jasinski, too, spoke about the “willingness to listen,” as well as empathy, commitment, humanity and humility, as “the traits of good leaders. It’s not about seeking power, it’s about seeking to help, to focus on the needs of the people they serve, above all.

“It’s not just about holding a position,” he said. “It’s about anyone who decides to make a difference … We’re here not only to celebrate one man, but to recognize the lasting impact on service to all of us. When we give our time and energy to something bigger than ourselves, we become part of a legacy that will outlast any one of us.”

To that end, Jasinski applauded Kuntz’s work on the U.S. Highway 14 project between Owatonna and Dodge Center, as well as the Owatonna Hospital relocation.

“In my opinion, there’s no doubt that Tom has been the loudest advocate for growth in Owatonna that we know,” he said, with a “dedication, vision and commitment to public service. Leadership can shape the future of cities for years to come.

“It’s a role that comes with great responsibility, but great rewards in making a positive difference in the community,” Jasinski said, “and Tom is a great example of all of that.”

After a proclamation making Nov. 21, 2024, Thomas A. Kuntz Day in Owatonna, the guest of honor was back at the microphone.

“What an honor,” he said. “What an honor… Public service is all about meeting people and making connections. That’s what Shelby has helped me do, as you could see in all those pictures. It’s been a very, very enjoyable 20 years.

“Matt, I hope you have the same enjoyment as I have had,” Kuntz said, speaking to his successor, mayor-elect Matt Jessop. “Thank you.”

McConn Halla returned to the podium to lead the room in a community prayer, with a reminder:

“This isn’t a prayer breakfast if you don’t pray.”