A roomful of people listened as Eymard Orth outlined the evening's agenda at the GOP caucus in Melrose.

Area residents had a chance to participate in the first steps of the 2010 elections Tuesday, Feb. 2 at local caucus.

The majority of area precincts met in caucus in Albany, Melrose or Freeport. Meeting in Albany was the DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) caucus for the communities and townships in western Stearns County. Also meeting in Albany was the GOP caucus for the Albany Area.

The GOP had caucuses in Melrose for Melrose, Melrose Twp., Grove Twp., Meire Grove and Greenwald, and Freeport for Freeport, Millwood Twp., New Munich, Oak Twp. and St. Rosa, as well as in Sauk Centre, Belgrade and Lake Henry for those and adjoining communities and townships).

The Independence Party Caucus for the local area was held in Coon Rapids. The Green Party met in Willmar and the Constitution Party Caucus was held in Long Prairie.

DFL Straw Ballot

In the straw poll for the DFL governor candidates, the local voters favored Margaret Anderson Kelliher. She received 10 votes. That varied, but not by much, from the statewide trend to vote for R.T. Rybak. Rybak, who received three votes and finished third in the Albany DFL caucus, was favored statewide among DFL voters, but not by much. He was barely one percentage point ahead of Anderson Kelliher. Also receiving votes were: Matt Entenza-6, John Marty-2, Steve Kelley-Tom Rukavina, Susan Gaertner and Paul Thissen all received on vote.

There were six uncommitted delegates.

The DFL delegates also passed a number of resolutions related to the education. The included resolutions calling for:

Support of public education funding,

Supporting Minnesota state colleges and universities and academic access for all.

Requiring licensed teachers and professional development of teachers.

Calling for an employee public health insurance pool for teachers.

and Loan forgiveness for teachers not greater than 18 percent per class in public schools.

Other resolutions included:

Opposing the Supreme Court ruling that allows corporate money to filter into the election process.

Supporting SF 70 and HF224 term limits for judges.

Using rank choice in voting and to cancel caucus.

A non-partisan commission to redraw districts.

Minnesotans with the highest income to pay their fair percent of income tax.

Converting motor fuel tax from "per gallon" tax to percent of retail value of fuel.

GOP Straw Ballot

Marty Siefert was the favored choice for the GOP governor candidate among local voters.

At Melrose Seifert received 28 of the 30 votes cast in the straw poll and the remaining votes went to Phil Herwig. Melrose voters also approved resolutions calling for increased funding for roads and bridges, looking to see if there could be a constitutional convention and a resolution to look at the global warming hoax.

About 50 people attended the Melrose convention, a number them students.

The Freeport GOP caucus also saw a number of high school students among the 30 people who attended that caucus. As at other meetings, there were students from high school studies classes. If they were old enough, and a resident of one of the precincts at the caucus, they could participate in the process.

The Freeport GOP caucus also favored Siefert, but did give two votes to Emmer. At that caucus there was discussion on issues related to pro-life and abolishing abortions. The caucus passed a resolution opposing a government health care plan and health care rationing.

The results of the straw polls and the resolutions will be passed on to the parties' district or county caucus for review and vote. Delegates were also elected to the next level.

State Straw poll results

DFL Percent

R.T. Rybak 21.80

Margaret Anderson Kelliher

20.16

John Marty 9.74

Tom Rukavina 7.20

Paul Thissen 7.31

Matt Entenza 6.85

Tom Bakk 6.13

Steve Kelley 4.17

Susan Gaertner 2.09

Felix Montez 0.08

Ole Savior 0.10

Uncommitted 14.46

Republican Percent

Marty Seifert 50.01

Tom Emmer 39.47

Dave Hann 5.17

Bill Haas 1.63

Phil Herwig 1.08

Leslie Davis 0.58

Bob Carney Jr. 0.17

Write-Ins 1.90

Independence Percent

Tom Horner 48.09

Joe Repya 28.24

Rob Hahn 8.02

No Preference 11.83

Write-In 3.82

The Independence Party is holding on on-line caucus; results will be incomplete until Feb. 28.

Green Percent

John Marty 37.62

Pete Roess 1.98

Undecided 16.83

None of the Above 40.59

No candidate 2.97