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Saturday, August 7, 2004
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Roelofs to stress water quality in bid for Baxter mayor
Associate Editor Jim Roelofs, a 20-year Baxter resident, Friday announced his candidacy for the post of Baxter mayor.
A radiologist and medical doctor at St. Joseph's Medical Center for 25 years, Roelofs now works part time teaching University of Minnesota medical students and radiology residents.
Water quality issues are among his priorities. He described himself as a proponent of responsible growth that limits environmental impact. Roelofs said, in a statement, the recent efforts by the city of Baxter to "circumvent" the Minnesota Shoreland Management Act by considering allowing paving up to 75 percent of land within 1,000 feet of a lake were misguided.
"The water table in many parts of Baxter is quite shallow so it's really easy to contaminate the water table," he said in a phone interview Friday.
Roelofs, 59, said in a statement he wants Baxter to have a better understanding of storm water runoff to preserve water quality in the lakes and ground water. He also called for the preservation of Pine Meadows as a golf course, an expanded trail system and support for the Northland Arboretum. Cooperation with Brainerd for shared services, as well as promotion of commercial development in appropriate locations through zoning and ordinances, also are important issues, he said.
"The reasons my friends and family give for living in Baxter include its 'green' setting, recreational opportunities, clean air, pure water, quality education and neighborhood developments," he said in a statement. "The state renowned 'Baxterization' must be replaced by planned growth and progress that does not harm our quality of life."
He said change keeps the city council, the mayoral position and the committee structure fresh and open to ideas from the Baxter citizenry.
Roelofs is a past president of the medical staff at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. He formerly was president of the Minnesota Radiological Society. He has taken mediation training and attended the Blandin Community Leadership Program.
He is a member of the Brainerd Rotary Club, the Crossing Arts Alliance, Crow Wing County Soil and Water Board and serves on Bremer Bank's board of directors.
Roelofs and his wife of 36 years, Merry Lynn, raised three children in Baxter.
Filings for city offices open Aug. 24. Two other Baxter residents have announced they will seek the position of mayor. They are Mary Marana, former Baxter council member and former Baxter mayor, and Darrel Olson, current Baxter City Council member.
MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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