Blaine Mayor Tom Ryan announced that he will seek a sixth term in office. Ryan, 72, has served as mayor for nearly 20 years and was on the City Council for 10 years before that.
"I still enjoy doing it. Physically, I am still in good shape. I feel good," he said.
Anti-growth sentiment first swept Ryan into office three decades ago, but he said he quickly learned that he couldn't stand in the way of progress.
"You can't stop a city the way it's going to go," said Ryan, who ended up shepherding Blaine through years of swift growth. Blaine's population has doubled to 62,000 since the 1980s.
Born in St. Paul into a large family, Ryan and his wife, Dianne, moved to Blaine in 1969 to help with his father's sod farm. Ryan also worked as a truck driver until he retired nine years ago. The couple have four grown daughters.
Ryan did not face a challenger in the past two elections. The mayor's job in Blaine is considered a part-time position and pays an annual salary of $14,000.
Shannon Prather
Roseville
Bilotta leaving for planning job in Oregon
Roseville's community development director has resigned to take a similar job in Oregon, officials announced last week.
Paul Bilotta will assume the same kind of position in Corvallis, Ore. Taking over as interim director in Roseville will be Kari Collins, assistant to the city manager.
Collins has a master's degree in urban studies and worked in that field as zoning administrator for the Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals before moving to Roseville.
Bilotta's last day will be Tuesday. Collins will assume the job that day.
David Peterson
City to offer free boulevard trees
Roseville is giving away up to 50 boulevard trees this spring to residents who ask for them. The trees, about 2 inches in diameter, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The city will select a native tree species based on its own tree distribution plan, ensuring that a variety of species are planted in neighborhoods. Homeowners will need to water them regularly until they're firmly established, a period thought to be about two years.
Roseville received a state grant to replace trees on public land lost to pests, disease, or storms; to establish a more diverse forest, and to remove and replace ash trees.
For more information, Roseville residents may contact forestry coordinator Anita Twaroski at anita.twaroski@cityofroseville.com or call 651-792-7142.
David Peterson
RAMSEY COUNTY
County prepares for seasonal road projects
More than 30 road reconstruction and maintenance projects are planned this year in Ramsey County, with most of them beginning this summer, officials said.
As part of its program, the Public Works Department plans to resurface more than 16 miles of county roads. Resurfacing work will cost $7.4 million, about half of which was raised through the county wheelage tax ($10 per vehicle) passed in 2013 for road maintenance.
Major projects this year include reconstruction of White Bear Avenue (also known as County Road 65) between Interstate 94 and Beech Street in St. Paul; rebuilding of county road interchanges in Arden Hills and Mounds View for better access to the Rice Creek Commons development area (the former TCAAP site); and reconstruction of Randolph Avenue (also known as County Road 38) between Interstate 35E and Syndicate Street in St. Paul.
For more information, go to www.ramseycounty.us/2016roadprojects/.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
Discounted compost bins to be available
Residents of Ramsey County are being offered a $20 discount on compost bins.
The bins can be purchased through the Recycling Association of Minnesota, which will charge $39 instead of the regular price of $59.
Bins will be available for pick up April 22 in Roseville, April 30 in Maplewood and June 11 in St. Paul. For more information or to order, go to RecycleMinnesota.org/ or call 651-641-4589 and say that you're a county resident.
David Peterson
