Blomgren reflects on tenure on City Council

Pam Blomgren smiles at the December 19th City Council meeting (photo- K.Allsup)

Oskaloosa, Iowa- With the end of two council members’ terms quickly approaching, I was curious as to what their final thoughts were on their years of service. I had a chance to ask 4^th Ward Council Member Pam Blomgren questions via e-mail.

My first question to Blomgren was what major issues she took a part in. “When serving on the council, I believed – and still believe – every issue is a major issue. Each policy and action item has an impact on every resident within the community in one way or another. The controversial issues get more publicity and residents have a tendency to be more vocal about those issues they feel will impact them negatively, but all in all every issue is important. Over the course of my council tenure I’ve seen the Lacey Recreation Complex go from a dream to a reality, an incredible single elementary school built, historic Grant and Lincoln schools renovated and converted into apartments instead of being abandoned, a storm water utility fee implemented to help address storm sewer improvement projects, Smokey Row established instead of seeing a building in distress torn down and turned into a city parking lot, another phase of the downtown streetscaping project completed, historic Edmundson pool renovated, a new and dynamic city manager hired …. Obviously over the course of ten years, many, many items were addressed and many major issues were being attended to, and that will continue to be the case as new council members take their seats in January,” said Blomgren.

I also asked her about any goals she may have set before the voters and if she was able to meet those. “Those individuals encouraging me to run ten years ago and all the voters during each of my re-elections, expressed an interest in having a council member who could be fair minded and consistent, listen before taking action, who wasn’t interested in political or personal gain or recognition, but someone who made decisions based upon the what was best for the community as a whole. That was what I promised, and that was what I did my best to achieve.”

The next question I posed to Blomgren was what the biggest/most controversial issue that came before her was. “If you are defining “controversial” as the item on which residents were the most vocal or the item which received the most publicity, I’d probably have to respond with the regional airport concept. I am very excited the city of Pella, Oskaloosa, and Mahaska County are working together to see that project through to fruition with the 28E agreement nearly complete and realistic timelines being created and discussed. This was and is a very emotional issue, one where it’s difficult to peel away the emotions and see the heart of the matter. But it is an issue which will positively impact future economic development to the region and one that, I believe, must become a reality.”

I next asked her if there was anything she wished she could do over. “No do-overs; but I do wish I could have learned to relax earlier in my tenure with an understanding that those being judgmental are not personally attacking but merely attempting to be persuasive.”

I also asked Blomgren what her favorite memory from serving on the Council was. “I can’t choose a best memory; but I must say, I am very

Pam Blomgren shakes hands with Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt after Monday's meeting (photo- K. Allsup)

humbled by the many words of thanks and appreciation regarding my time on the council which were expressed during the Dec. 19 city council meeting. That memory will last a lifetime. Being a member of the Oskaloosa City Council is a tough but rewarding experience. I challenge any Oskaloosa resident interested in preserving the incredible quality of life Oskaloosa residents enjoy to consider serving the community by getting involved.”

My next question to Blomgren was what her overall reflection from serving on the council would be. “I hope my legacy is one of consistently deciding upon the issues based upon the benefit of the community and not upon the personalities involved.”

My next to last question for Blomgren was what advice she would give to anyone who had a desire to run for City Council. “I was elected during a special election which included filling the 4^th ward vacancy on the council. Our council representative, David Krutzfeldt, was required to resign due to his moving outside the 4^th ward. Prior to the special election, the existing council went through the appointment process having to choose between two applicants: Brian Woeste and myself. The council selected Mr. Woeste. I decided follow through on my desire to serve and had my name placed on the ballot which, when the votes were tallied, resulted in my victory over the incumbent. That said, my advice to anyone desiring to run for a council seat would be the following: stay true to your convictions; don’t be afraid to step up to the plate; don’t be afraid to ask questions; listen and learn; don’t let personalities or emotions cloud the issues; but one of the most important items to remember is, it’s not about you or any other individual it’s about the community. Keep personal agendas out of the equation and make decisions based upon the good of the whole.”

My last question was if there was anything else she would like to say. “Thank you to 4^th Ward Oskaloosa Residents who had confidence in me and my role which allowed me to represent them and the community’s interests these past ten years. It was a tough decision not to run for a fourth term. But my passion for economic development and marketing the Mahaska Community will not cease because I am no longer on the council. My plan is to stay involved.”