Two Candidates Announce Run for Minnetonka City Council

Election Day is over, but at least two candidates are running for office in Minnetonka.

Joe Bodell and Peggy Kvam are both seeking the at-large seat, left vacant by . Filing for on Dec. 7 and concludes on Dec. 19 at . The special election is slated for Feb. 14.

Peggy Kvam

“I am energized by this opportunity to further serve my community on City Council,” said Peggy Kvam. "This fall I ran a strong campaign for the Ward 1 Seat and will build on that support."

Kvam and her husband Bruce have lived in Minnetonka for 26 years. She holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.

After over 20 years working in the semiconductor industry, Kvam started a small software business with her husband where they have worked for the past nine years.

Kvam says she has applied her professional skills and energy to community service for many organizations, including the League of Women Voters, Minnetonka Natural Resources Restoration, the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, We Can Ride and the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society.

Kvam is a Minnetonka Precinct Lead Election Judge, served as an election judge in the Senate Recount and participated in pilot programs for electronic pollbook and voter registration.

"Through my years of various community activities I have built relationships with leaders and citizens in Minnetonka," said Kvam.

Joe Bodell

“Today I stand ready to represent Minnetonka's families and small businesses," said Joe Bodell, a Fourth Ward homeowner. "Minnetonka has weathered the economic downturn fairly well up to this point. Going forward, we need to work hard to make Minnetonka an even better place for young families to grow. That’s the key to strong neighborhoods, strong schools, and a strong and growing economy."

Bodell works as a software developer for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Minneapolis. He and his wife, Liz, settled in Minnetonka in 2007 with their two sons, ages 3 and 1. They are members of .

For Bodell, the major challenges facing Minnetonka are:
● Making sure small businesses can continue their successes. "Getting consumer spending moving once more is the key to business success at all levels, but we need to make sure that the city is as friendly as possible to small businesses."

● Solving the demographic crunch. If current trends continue, there will soon be thousands more citizens in Minnetonka over the age of 55, and thousands fewer under age 20. "This is a problem we need to solve immediately. We need to make sure Minnetonka is a top choice for first-time homebuyers. Our city needs to be a magnet community for young families, who bring great commitment to our neighborhoods and schools."

●Ensuring effective, responsive government: "Cities thrive when residents, businesses and government work together. Achieving that takes clear communication of values and goals and a strong commitment to always listen closely to constituents’ concerns."