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Mr. Hjelle celebrates epiphany (updated)

Update (1/14 3:30PM) Mr. Nephew responds to Mr. Hjelle's remarks.

Pioneer Press Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:28:40 -0700
Maplewood / Sharp about-face is on agenda

Voters may have wanted to change the turbulent politics of Maplewood when they elected a fresh face to the City Council in the fall. But they should expect fireworks - starting at the new council's first meeting tonight. On the agenda: fire City Manager Greg Copeland, suspend a commissioner and discuss someone's alleged drunken voicemail. And that's just the start. "This will definitely go into Thursday," Council Member Erick Hjelle said. The addition of newcomer John Nephew, who was sworn in last week, is expected to tip the scales of power. The 3-2 voting majority that was in favor of Mayor Diana Longrie and Hjelle ended with the ouster of Council Member Rebecca Cave. Nephew, who has been vocal in his opposition to the previous majority rule, joins Will Rossbach and Kathy Juenemann, who previously were in the minority. With the odds now in his favor, Rossbach is reviving the city manager issue and ruffling some feathers. Greg Copeland's appointment as city manager in November 2006 caused an uproar among some Maplewood residents and a rift in the City Council. Rossbach is requesting Copeland's removal and a search for a new city manager. ... Hjelle, on the other hand, is fed up with the perception that Maplewood politics are "screwed up." He won't be running for re-election when his term ends in two years, he said. "It feels like you're back in high school and you're in 10th grade fighting over a locker," Hjelle said [emphasis added]

[[keywords: Officials;Elections;Maplewood;]]

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