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Staff writer

The Oak Grove City Council will have a vacant seat at the start of the new year.

Councilmember Kristen Anderson submitted her letter of resignation and the council officially declared a vacancy Monday night (Dec. 14).

Anderson, who has served nine years on the council, had announced her intention to leave the council effective Dec. 31 at the conclusion of the Nov. 30 city council meeting.

“The citizens deserve a council member with a fresh perspective,” Anderson read from a prepared statement Monday.

It has got frustrating for her to be on the council, she said.

Anderson said that she can appreciate the need to be mindful of taxpayers’ dollars, but she does not believe the city of Oak Grove is in a financial crisis.

She said that the series of resolutions calling for the termination of positions, including the building inspector and finance director, raised red flags for her.

“Unemployment in the country is at a crisis and we have just added to that crisis (by eliminating the building inspector position),” Anderson said.

“The community needs to pay attention and stay involved.”

In addition to declaring the council vacancy, the council also approved a process for appointing someone to finish out the remaining year of Anderson’s council term.

Applications will be accepted from interested residents through noon on Dec. 31.

The council is scheduled to interview candidates at a special meeting Jan. 4 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The appointment and oath of office are expected to be made at the first regularly scheduled council meeting of the year, Jan. 11.

For more information on the application process, visit the city’s Web site at www.ci.oak-grove.mn.us.

Kelly Johnson is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it