Citizen Support
Read what your friends and neighbors have to say about Mary
Choosing Mary Rossing to be mayor of our fine city is just so darn sensible! Resourceful, hard working, fiscally responsible, forward thinking, and don't forget fun, Mary has what's needed to lead our community.
With artistic vision, Mary can see the way to positive solutions in even the most adverse conditions.
Her willingness to serve in this way gives us an opportunity which shouldn't be squandered. Let's get Mary elected.
— Wendy Smith
Northfield is fortunate to have a number of qualified candidates for mayor this year. We believe the strongest, most positive leader for the next four years would be Mary Rossing.
We have known Mary for more than 25 years, and she has consistently shown herself to be thoughtful, creative and energetic, and an unabashed lover and booster of Northfield. As a small business owner and citizen activist (serving the Northfield Historical Society, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield Downtown Development Corporation and Northfield Chamber of Commerce), Mary has walked the talk as a supporter of a vibrant Northfield, preserving and honoring its past while positioning the community to thrive in the future.
Please join us in voting for Mary on Sept. 9!
— Bruce Anderson and Anne Larson
We have known Mary Rossing over the past 20 years. First as a person of creativity, innovation, care and commitment while a teacher at Northfield Day Care for one of our children.
We have watched Mary over the years as she has grown into an innovative leader of a local business, the Northfield Historical Society and the Northfield Downtown Development Corp. She has brought strengths of creative and motivating energy to her leadership.
Vote now in the primary to assure that Northfield will have a mayor who can mediate difficulties, create solutions, motivate, and encourage community while leading Northfield into the future. Vote Mary Rossing for mayor!
— Susan and Mark Quinnell
Ever since Mary Rossing announced she was running for Mayor of Northfield, many of our town’s most entertaining and informed observationalists have remarked upon the seeming inevitability of her candidacy, as well as her remarkable history of achievement. It’s all true. For decades she’s been an admirable example of leadership in Northfield’s civic, cultural and business organizations.
But ultimately, I think, we vote not so much for what our candidates have done, but for who we perceive they are. We support candidates’ potential to do public good represented by what we hope to be their enlightened approach to an often self-serving political process. Mary’s personal qualities deserve a supremely confident leap of faith in the voting booth. Her intelligence and clear-sightedness, her deep understanding of how this town works (and doesn’t), her refreshing habit of meeting people where they are, her rare ability to envision a solution, achieve consensus, and actually get things done — these things are to be prized and rewarded in a politician.
As a working artist, Mary also combines an aesthetic sensibility with an understanding of the economic realities faced by individual artists and art organizations in Northfield. She believes that Northfield’s potential to become one of Minnesota’s leading arts towns should be supported, and she is right.
Mary Rossing’s performance as mayor promises to be outstanding yet unsurprising, since she’ll bring the same character and depth of insight to the job that have made her a success in other endeavors. I urge all voters to support her in the upcoming election.
— Gail Jones Hansen
I’m going to vote for Mary Rossing for mayor because I like her energy, her enthusiasm for what Northfield can accomplish and her good sense. She is just what Northfield needs right now.
Mary, as a long-time resident and business owner, has already demonstrated her leadership and willingness to work in many Northfield organizations, including the presidency of the Northfield Historical Society and the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation(NDDC). I like her values: the need for good communicating within city government as well as with school district and surrounding townships, Dundas and the county. She has the skills to facilitate that communication.
I encourage you to talk to Mary and learn about all the ideas she has for Northfield. I think you will catch her enthusiasm and good ideas and will want to vote for her for mayor in the primary on Sept. 9.
— Molly Woehrlin
We support Mary Rossing for mayor!
Mary Rossing will bring a sense of dignity and trust to the affairs of the city. She will be a mayor of which we can be proud as she represents us here at home and in larger gatherings.
Mary Rossing is a local and savvy business woman. She understands business and how to execute a business-like plan. We expect that she will use our money carefully and wisely.
Mary Rossing is engaged in the life of Northfield. She has been a key person in the governance of the Historical Society. She is a patron of the arts and has worked hard to support downtown development.
We believe that Mary Rossing has the characteristics that would enable her to be successful in serving in the challenging role of mayor of our city.
— Dianne and Charlie Kyte
I believe that Mary Rossing will be a great mayor for Northfield, and I encourage you to join me in voting for her. She has the qualities to be a tremendous ambassador for our town.
I moved to town in 1999 and met Mary Rossing soon thereafter through her store on Division Street. I was so impressed with her and the business that I asked her if I could come and work for her. I can honestly say that I have never had a better boss. Mary appreciated every effort that I put into the store, and trusted my judgment in difficult situations.
Her energy and commitment to the community are incredible. She gave to every cause looking for donations from the store, and has also donated her time and talents to various organizations throughout town. Last year when she found the DJJD horseshoe, she even donated her winnings back to local non-profit organizations!
It is not only that she participates in these community events; that is commendable, but it is the joy that she takes in that participation that is so amazing. She is a great supporter of Northfield. I was always willing to serve on various committees with her when she asked because I knew that the meetings would be efficiently run, productive, and fun. She listened to everyone’s ideas, was open-minded, but also able to synthesize these ideas and keep us moving ahead in a positive direction.
If there is a job to be done, Mary does it. She is not one to waste time by complaining or pointing fingers, and she respects other peoples’ time.
Mary encouraged and supported me when I returned to school and started my nursing career in mid-life. She is a rock of support now in the most difficult time of my life. Earlier this summer I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Many people came forward to offer help my family and me. Mary stepped up and organized people into teams, delegating the burdensome life chores of running a household so that I can concentrate on my recovery. She is one of the busiest people I know, but she always is able to remember what is most important, and always has time for her friends.
Northfield would be wise to elect Mary Rossing for mayor, and we are lucky that she is willing to serve our community in this way!
— Sarah Henson
Mary has a passion for the well-being of Northfield. She works continuously to make it a better place to live.
She has served in so many capacities as a volunteer that I cannot even keep track. I get tired just hearing about it. However it has been to my advantage, since that meant she needed help at the store. And that is how I got to know Mary. She is the perfect boss and friend.
When something needs to get done she pulls people together and gets it moving. Northfield needs her insight, reliability, charisma, honesty and courage.
— Darlene Johnson
A few weeks back I was thrilled to hear that Mary Rossing had officially thrown her hat into the ring and was running for mayor of our great city. As a friend of Mary’s, it has been obvious to me for quite some time that she would be the perfect person for the job.
Over the years I’ve watched Mary take on several different positions of leadership in our community. She always tackled each new challenge with the skill and efficiency of a truly effective leader.
Mary’s leadership qualities were recently demonstrated again when our dear friend Sarah was diagnosed with brain cancer. As the news of Sarah’s illness spread, offers to help immediately came flooding in.
After consulting with Sarah and her family and establishing some clear objectives, Mary earnestly began to rally the troops around our friend. She collected contact information of individuals who wanted to help, organized work crews, and assigned individual “team leaders” to oversee that specific duties were carried out. Throughout it all Mary has been supportive and respectful of all the work that that has been done on behalf of Sarah.
Mary Rossing is a compassionate person and an exceptional leader.
This fall the voters of Northfield will be afforded a wonderful opportunity — to elect Mary Rossing as this town’s next mayor! Please join me as I vote “Mary for Mayor” in the Sept. 9 primary and once again in November’s general election.
— Gretchen Heil
We are registered to vote in another state, but we love Northfield more than any community in which we’ve ever lived, and we care deeply about its future. That’s why we enthusiastically support Mary Rossing’s candidacy for Mayor, even though we are precluded from voting for her.
We believe that Mary is clearly the most qualified candidate for the position. Her lengthy involvement with the community, her knowledge of its heritage, and her business and financial acumen make her highly qualified to serve as Mayor. She will take the lead in establishing priorities for our limited resources and in shepherding those resources for the common good. Most important, perhaps, we believe that the respect in which she is widely held will enable her to bring this community back together again and to restore the feeling of mutual trust and good will that, sadly, has deteriorated of late.
We urge all eligible voters to consider her qualifications, to support her in the upcoming primary, and to vote for her in November.
— David and Val Lavender
Later this year, the residents of the City of Northfield have a decision to make, not unlike a decision the rest of America is poised to make.
New leadership in the Mayor's office should bring a fresh attitude and a spirit of cooperation the community desperately needs.
New mayoral leadership should be experienced in the issues and vibrancy that is Northfield.
New mayoral leadership should reflect a common good that is reasonable, appropriate and sustainable.
Mary Rossing—business owner, St. Olaf graduate, community supporter and activist - is a logical choice to be Northfield's next Mayor. Mary is an engaged problem solver who works to seek consensus and common ground. Mary has worked on the issues that are important to Northfield and Northfielders...she is engaged, cares, brings passion, humility and a sense of humor. She can help bring a new focus and a civility back to City Hall. Support Mary.
— Howard M. Merriam
I have watched Mary from a distance for several years and admired her proactive attitude, her enterprenurial spirit, her love of this community and the people in it. I have worked with her on a couple of committees over the past 2 years and gotten to know her personally. Mary stays calm under pressure. She is always willing to listen and truly acknowledges others’ views, concerns and opinions. She is willing to help in any way that is needed. It is obvious to all who know her that she is a genuinely sincere person. She embraces challenges and sees projects to completion.
Mary will make a purposeful and energetic mayor. She will take the time to learn procedure and already knows what will be expected of her as mayor. She is a forward thinking person. Northfield will benefit greatly with Mary as the mayor.
— Julie Bixby
I served on the Board of the Northfield Historical Society while Mary Rossing was the Chair. She ran meetings with efficiency and clarity, was truly gifted at articulating a vision and motivating people, and was fiscally astute and responsible. In short, she demonstrated strong, effective and positive leadership ability. Northfield needs her right now!
— Mary Titus
I had the privelege of meeting Mary Rossing when we both attended the Blandin Leadership program in 2004. I have watched Mary run a successful business plus give whole hearted support and time to several organizations within the Northfield community.
She operates from an asset building perspective, listens to others share their ideas and opinions and thinks through both sides of issues. She has an abundance of creative ideas which can be used to build a better, stronger Northfield. Mary Rossing for Mayor! It is just what this community needs to move forward!
— Pat Vincent
Mary’s experience with multiple layers of Northfield, combined with her compassion and intelligence, position her to lead Northfield in ways that are incredibly exciting. I am especially enthusiastic about her ideas for conservation-minded development, resource sharing, and sustainable systems (good for the environment, good for the pocketbook).
Of course, exciting ideas are one thing, but making them happen is another, and I believe that Mary is fully capable of both. She is a big-picture thinker who is willing to do what needs to be done—more interested in achieving for the greater good than nitpicking over trivialities. She’s shown this consistently in her many roles.
Let’s give her the opportunity to apply her insight, creativity and skills to moving Northfield ahead.
— Paula Schanilec
Northfield needs a leader, and Mary Rossing is just the person to lead Northfield forward. She has the integrity, vision, and the ability to work with all citizens to make that vision a reality.
I have known Mary for years. Mary has represented the people in various civic organizations over the years. She is fiscally responsible but forward thinking. She can work across the various groups and ideological lines in Northfield, and honestly represent all their concerns.
Join me in helping to elect our next Mayor, Mary Rossing.
— Noah A. Cashman
I have watched Mary grow her business in Northfield since I moved to town some 13 years ago. I have always been impressed with Mary’s ability to meet the public and anticipate their demands in her work. She is very creative. As a neighbor now as well, as we share an association together, I am happy with Mary’s “can-do” attitude and grasp of complicated situations.
Many people have remarked over the past few years that women’s leadership is clearly lacking with the City Council. This is an opportunity to help change perspective. Men and women think differently—thank goodness. I like the way Mary thinks and works her business.
— Jean Wakely
Northfield is about to elect a mayor. We need integrity, openness, straight talk, a team builder and a tested community leader. Mary Rossing has all of those qualities. She owns a successful small business. As a community volunteer she has led and now leads major local organizations. I’ve worked with her. She always focuses on translating the big picture into real, financially responsible accomplishments.
Please join me in voting for Mary Rossing on September 9 and November 4.
— Keith Covey
I had the privilege of serving on the Northfield Historical Society Board of Directors when Mary served as the organization’s president. I observed first-hand Mary’s ability to: help people think creatively, maintain a positive attitude amid challenges, inspire individuals to move forward with difficult decisions, and remain objective when the opinions of others differed from her own. I believe she will demonstrate these same qualities as our mayor.
Over many years, Mary has demonstrated an authentic commitment to enriching our community through her leadership across a wide range of organizations.
Please join me in voting for Mary Rossing in the September primary election so that we can again vote for her in the general election in November!
— Bonnie Jean Flom
I have witnessed Mary “in action” over the last six years. Whether it be for the historical society, the arts guild, the community action center, the NDDC, or simply rallying people together to help someone in need,
Mary’s passion for others and the Northfield community is an inspiration. She also has a gift for listening to other opinions and staying objective when dealing with those expressing differing views. A sure cure for what ails Northfield!
— Jessica Paxton