Hunter reflects on eight years as Prescott Mayor

• Hunter

Mike Hunter talking to the Prescott Kiwanis Club Thursday. Hunter is in his final days as Mayor after eight years.

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PRESCOTT – Prescott Police was working out of City Hall. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was at the old Fire Hall. Freedom Park didn’t exist.

Those were three examples of what life was like in Prescott in 2002 when Mike Hunter joined the City Council.

“I’m proud of what we came,” Hunter, who became Mayor two years later, said as he addressed the Kiwanis Club at the Prescott EMS Hall Thursday. “The future of Prescott will depend on groups like you, the Chamber of Commerce and Prescott Daze.”

Hunter isn’t seeking reelection in Tuesday’s spring elections. Mark Huber and Diane House are running to become his replacement.

“I’ve been Mayor for eight years and it’s time for a change,” he said. “Being Mayor is a very time-intensive job.”

Hunter also reflected on many other highlights. For example, in 2011:

• The Bergquist Company expansion. The $10 million expansion created 70 jobs and allowed over 200 jobs to remain in Prescott. “It’s a success for the City because Bergquist was looking at Cannon Falls, Minn., or South Dakota for other options,” Hunter said. “They are a good, clean company.

• A $200,000 upgrade for the wastewater treatment plant. “It will save Prescott money,” Hunter said.

• The renovation on Flora St. Also, as a result of the Bergquist expansion, a roundabout will be installed at the intersection of Dexter and Orrin. Hunter estimates the project starting in the summer and said 68 percent of the cost for the roundabout will come from grants.

• The search for a new City Administrator. Hunter said they are down to about eight candidates with interviews scheduled for April 13-14. A replacement could be named by the first part of May, he added.

• The potential bypass. Hunter said an April 9 Council meeting will be crucial for its future. “There will be a ton of people there,” he said.

He also thanked multiple people for their help during his eight years, including those who assisted in the construction of Freedom Park, the Fire/EMS volunteers, staff at City Hall, especially Jayne Brand, who he called “my right arm.”

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