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.