The always-volatile political situation in Maplewood will be in the spotlight again this fall, with a large slate of candidates running for mayor and city council.

Former Mayor Bob Cardinal is trying to get his job back and tells the Minnesota Independent that he wants to restore credibility to the East Metro suburb's political reputation.

“I’ve had to apologize for Maplewood for four years,” he says. “It’s very unfortunate.”

He's one of six challengers hoping to knock off Mayor Diana Longrie, who is seeking a second term.

Eleven folks filed for the two council seats on the ballot. Incumbent Kathleen Juenemann is seeking re-election, while Council Member Erik Hjelle is not.

Longrie isn't suprised at the interest.

“This is indeed the Maplewood tradition,” she said. “People would be disappointed if there wasn’t a lot of interest and excitement about what is going on.”

Notes MinnIndy:

In recent years Maplewood has become notorious for its combustible politics, protracted city council meetings and personnel upheavals. The city is on its fourth city manager since the last mayoral election in 2005. In that span the burgeoning suburb of nearly 40,000 residents has also lost its human resources director, city attorney, finance director, assistant city manager, deputy police chief, deputy fire chief, and parks and recreation director. It’s also been sued at least five times, primarily over personnel disputes.

Much of the turbulence can be credited to a schism on the city council. In 2005 Longrie narrowly won the mayor’s race and quickly established a 3-2 voting bloc with council members Eric Hjelle and Rebecca Cave. The opposition was represented by Will Rossbach and Kathleen Juenemann. That dynamic changed, however, in 2007 when John Nephew replaced Cave on the city council. Since then the Mayor has often found herself on the short-end of 3-2 votes.