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A new mayor in Kiester

Hope Bauman is selected as the mayor, council now looking for her replacement

By Chuck Hunt - Editor | Aug 13, 2023

Hope Bauman is the new mayor of the city of Kiester.

The city of Kiester has a new mayor, and she is neither a newcomer to the City Council nor a new resident of Kiester.

Kiester Council member Hope Bauman was elected by the council to be the new mayor for the next year and a half, to fill out the mayoral term of Doug Trytten, who passed away recently.

Bauman has been on the Kiester Council for just over four years, since April of 2019.

“I was originally on the council to fill out someone’s term who resigned,” she says. “And now I will fill out Doug’s term as mayor.”

At the beginning of this year Bauman was selected by the council to serve as the vice mayor. At the council meeting last month she was asked to move up to the mayor’s position and agreed to do it.

Now the city is advertising for applicants to fill Bauman’s seat on the council, for the next year and a half, as well.

Persons interested can fill out a questionnaire at City Hall. Applications need to be in by Aug. 25, and applicants need to be over 21 years old and a resident in the city limits of Kiester for at least the past 30 days.

Bauman has been a resident of the city for more than 30 days – actually for 39 years.

“Prior to moving here I was a Bricelyn girl, lived in Bricelyn, and graduated from high school there,” she says. “So I haven’t moved very far.”

Bauman is married to her husband, Al, and they have three children and eight grandkids.

She works part time at the Blue House Boutique in Blue Earth, and she also manages the Urstad House Bed and Breakfast in Kiester.

Bauman also has served on the Kiester Ambulance Service for 35 years, is on the Kee Theatre Board, and is one of the founding members of the historical society in Kiester.

After the City Council officially voted on her being the mayor, Bauman says she humbly accepted the role.

“I realize there will be challenges,” she says. “I trust God to give me the wisdom and discernment needed in this position.”

She also says she works with a great council.

“We all communicate well, respect each other’s opinions and suggestions,” the new mayor says. “That is huge for our council and our city.”