Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm reflects on his 14-year tenure in the office

Monday night’s Austin City Council meeting was their last for 2020, and it was also the final meeting for Tom Stiehm as Mayor of the city of Austin after a tenure of 14 years.  Mayor Stiehm spoke with John Wright on “Wright Here, Right Now” on KAUS and talked about how the job has changed him in the last 14 years…

Stiehm went on to state that his affinity for the city and its residents has grown considerably in his five terms as Mayor…

Stiehm was first elected Mayor in 2006 and served two 2-year terms.  A 2010 city charter amendment extended the mayoral terms to four years, and Stiehm was reelected to 4-year terms in 2012 and 2016.  Stiehm had previously served in law enforcement as a detective sergeant with the Austin Police Department. He was also a member of the Southeastern Minnesota Drug Task Force.  Stiehm was also recently honored by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) with the Jack Murray Award for his excellence in service to Greater  Minnesota.  

The Jack Murray Award is given to city officials who demonstrate knowledge, leadership,  and active participation in CGMC program areas over their public service career. The award is  named for Jack Murray, former mayor of International Falls, who was instrumental in the  CGMC’s formation.