Testy exchange at Moorhead City Council over the mayor’s choice for mayor pro tem

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — A simple motion to appoint Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson to several area boards including Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was derailed by a dispute over the mayor pro tem.

Carlson announced that she was appointing Council Member Lisa Borgen to the role.

The appointment was mistakenly added to the agenda but a vote was not required according to city charter.

Council Member Deb White spoke out in opposition to Borgen’s appointment and threatened to uphold city business if Borgen didn’t agree to step down if she runs for mayor.

“With Council Member White’s saying that the council is more divided then ever, I think the reason we maybe divided is because we have motions like this that pit each other against each other which does not have to happen. I just find it to be very petty and I don’t understand it, ” said Borgen who also said she was offended by Council Member White.

“Plenty of other people with greater seniority. Plenty of other people that aren’t considering a run for mayor. Plenty of other people that aren’t the best friend of the mayor. And if you can’t see that and you can’t see what people in the community, in the community are saying about us,” said White.

Borgen responded, “I think they’re saying that you’re very petty but other than that I don’t think anyone in the community really cares who is the mayor pro tem.”

The issue was resolved when Mayor Carlson pulled her appointment of Borgen and instead endorsed Council Member Chuck Hendrickson who has served as mayor pro tem in the past.

The council then gave unanimous consent for Carlson’s appointment to the area boards.

Carlson is in her final year as mayor and is running as a Democrat for Minnesota House.

Borgen says she is considering a run for mayor.