PLAN COMMISSION HEAD CHOSEN FROM NINE CANDIDATE FIELD AFTER THREE ROUND VOTE

The Cottage Grove City Council has a new face and his name is Tony Khambata. Mr. Khambata was chosen from a nine-candidate field that saw three rounds of voting by Council members November 10 as to just who it would be that was appointed, following the resignation of Council member LaRae Mills, due to a move outside the city.

Khambata brings with him leadership on the City’s Plan Commission and is also a real estate professional for Remax. Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey made the announcement of Khambata’s appointment to the council and exhorted area residents to become involved in the community.

“Some of you may not have been aware, but Cottage Grove City Council member LaRae Mills resigned from the City Council as she ended up moving out of our city,” Mayor Bailey shared November 10. “Because of this vacant seat, we advertised for all interested parties to apply for the opportunity to serve our community! We had 9 citizens who stepped up and said they wanted to be a part of our City Council and to continue to see our community grow and prosper. We had the opportunity to hear from all 9 candidates this evening. I can say I was very proud and excited to see the drive and passion of each of these individuals who want to be a part of something special! We had candidates that were 3rd and 4th generation family members to those who have only been residents of Cottage Grove for a few years. It was a very tough choice to make!”

The Mayor further announced that Khambata had been chosen after three rounds of voting and thanked the others for their interest, while asking people to get involved.

“Tony will do a fantastic job representing our city!” Mayor Bailey said of the one-year term Khambata will fill until the next election. “His leadership of the Planning Commission proves he is the right choice for this position! I want to thank Thomas Axtell, Greg Ball, Nicholas Cauthen, Samantha Crabtree, Stacy Ekholm, Joseph Krohn, Amanda Rudolph, and Jerret Wright for wanting to be involved in city government! If you are not already involved in a commission, task force, or city type group – please get involved!” The Mayor shared. “We need your involvement, and your passion to move Cottage Grove into a great future!”

Having been appointed to the Council and with his first regular meeting this November 17, Khambata will face the voters for a general election on Tuesday, November 8 of next year to fill the remaining two years of the seat following his one-year appointment by the Council, per City Clerk Joe Fischbach.

“The seat will be up for election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 to fill the remaining two years of the seat,” Fischbach related of the seat formerly held by Mills to which Khambata was appointed.