Son follows in dad's footsteps as Minn. mayor

NORTH MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - The new mayor of North Mankato is

carrying on a family tradition.

Forty-nine-year-old Mark Dehen was sworn in as mayor

of the south-central Minnesota city Monday night - 30 years after

his late father, Dave Dehen, did the same.

Mark Dehen is a North Mankato chiropractor who defeated Mayor

Gary Zellmer in November. His dad, known as "Doc," also was a

chiropractor who was first elected mayor of North Mankato in 1980

and served 14 years.

The Free Press of Mankato reports Mark Dehen said he was

thinking of his father during the City Council meeting and

appreciated "his setting the example of public service."

Dave Dehen started as mayor of Eagle Lake 40 years ago. After

serving as North Mankato mayor, he served on the Nicollet County

Board.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Tags: mankato, mayor, minnesota, government