BlaineMN.gov
CityConnect November/December 2020
What’s Inside
Introducing Blaine iMS A New Way to Conduct City Business............3
Blaine Wetland Santuary Trail Grand Opening, August 2017
CARES Act Spending Information....................4
Tom Ryan Retires as Mayor After 34 years on the Blaine City Council
New Interpretive Signs at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary.....................8
After his last election win in 2016 Ryan knew it would be his last. The longest serving public official in Blaine history is putting the gavel down but he is not leaving the city that he loves. Mayor Ryan will continue to live in Blaine and be involved in causes that are important to him, such as the Veterans Memorial that is under construction. POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL
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Mayor Tom Ryan was first sworn in on the Blaine City Council in 1987. He had served on the Blaine Planning Commission for a year and decided to run for the the city council. He won that election and has never lost an election since. He served 10 years as a councilmember and then in 1996 he ran for Mayor. Ryan took over as Mayor at the beginning of 1997 and has served ever since.
Mayor Ryan also wants residents to know that his phone will still work and he still wants to hear from residents and continue helping when he can. In October the Blaine City Council took action to recognize Mayor Ryan’s years of service to the community by renaming Town Square Park as Tom Ryan Park. Tom Ryan Park is located next to Blaine City Hall and is the home to the summer concert series, Blaine World Fest, and many other community events throughout the year. The park is also home to the Veterans Memorial that Mayor Ryan has worked diligently with others to bring to the community. Congratulations to Mayor Ryan and thank you for your unwavering commitment to Blaine and its people. A farewell celebration is planned for Monday, December 21. Learn more on page 5.
Coucilmember Swanson Leaves Office Blaine’s Longest Serving Councilmember
While Mayor Ryan holds the distinction for the longest serving member on the Blaine City Council, Councilmember Dick Swanson holds the record for longest serving in the role of councilmember. Swanson will retire at the end of his term this year after first being elected in 1994. Swanson was instrumental in adding an additional lane to Interstate 35W, a project now under construction after years of work. Another proud accomplishment for Swanson was the creation of Blaine’s first dog park. The dog park at Aquatore Park has been renamed by the city council as Swanson Dog Park. Congratulations Councilmember Swanson and thank you for your service to the people of Blaine.