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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Gem Lake Salutes Tom Rasmussen (continued from pg. 1) <br /> "Over eight years all those who have served on the <br />council and planning commission have, for the most <br />part, reached consensus on decisions stemming <br />from issues faced by the city. It's not always easy to <br />work together and agree on the common good. <br />Consensus means we might not all agree, but we <br />can accept the decision. I always feel good about <br />decisions when we have general consensus and <br />strive to reach that." <br /> <br />Over the years, the myriad of small decisions <br />required for Gem Lake City government to fulfill its <br />obligations as a city is something that Tom finds <br />staggering and also growing yearly. "Keeping things <br />running smoothly is a challenge for Gem Lake," says <br />Tom. This is partly due to the many mandates that <br />come from federal, state and county regulations and <br />trickle down to cities, no matter what their size. <br />Meaning the days of small towns with few <br />regulations, are for the most part behind us. <br /> <br />"There are so many people who step up to insure <br />that we can maintain our independence and quality <br />of life. It takes some sacrifice and commitment and I <br />am pleased to have given what I could to the city, <br />although I wish I could have committed more time. " <br /> <br />When asked about his biggest challenges and his <br />achievements in the past eight years, Tom felt "Our <br />biggest challenges became our biggest <br />achievements." <br /> <br />"I came on board at the early stages of leadership <br />transition from the group that served the city so well <br />for many years, to the group that took on the new <br />complexities of running a city in the current era. I was <br />fortunate to learn from those with experience and try <br />to help with new leadership." <br /> <br />Tom calls the city's recent comprehensive plan, <br />which is required every ten years by the Metropolitan <br />Council, "an exhaustive project that was a complete <br />re-write. It had to fit our vision as a city, but also <br />match the Metropolitan Council's vision and <br />requirements--not an easy task. Enlisting the entire <br />city at the workshops in the old White Bear Township <br />town hall was tremendously valuable and a large <br />undertaking." <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Another big challenge for Tom that turned out well <br />in his view was the city's work on its somewhat <br />outdated zoning ordinances. <br /> <br />"The Gateway zoning was a challenge and a <br />departure from our normal code based <br />zoning.(Often called Euclidian zoning) It brought <br />us into territory with which we were quite <br />unfamiliar. It forced us to conceptualize growth in a <br />manner that could satisfy the needs of the city and <br />surrounding communities, and yet also keep Gem <br />Lake 'special.' The Gateway district zoning, while <br />costly at the beginning, may hold up and translate <br />better than our traditional code based zoning as we <br />move through changing economic times." <br /> <br />According to Tom, there will be much to miss about <br />serving on the council, even though it can be <br />challenging. <br /> <br />"I will certainly miss meeting other city residents, <br />hearing their desires for the preservation of the <br />quality of life that brought them initially to Gem <br />Lake, and trying to assist with problems and <br />threats to that quality of life." <br /> <br />"How lucky are we to share our vision and desire <br />for our 'rural feel' so widely within the city. I will <br />miss the opportunity to work to preserve that on the <br />council. I will continue to promote our values within <br />the city however, just from the public seats at <br />Heritage Hall!" <br /> <br />On the ballot this November for the spot opened up <br />by Tom's departure will be Faith Kuny, who <br />currently serves on the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Our thanks and appreciation to Tom Rasmussen!