Bootsma resigns D1 supervisors seat

Eastern O'Brien County is without a supervisor.

District 1 Supervisor Sherri Bootsma on Tuesday resigned her position effective Oct. 13. She had served on the board for five years, but an impending move outside of the county forced her resignation.

"Living in and serving O'Brien County has been something that I love. Working with our staff and residents has given me invaluable knowledge and I am grateful for the years I was entrusted with serving," she wrote in her letter of resignation. "While it has and will always be a role that I appreciate, moving for the betterment of my family must take priority."

The board of supervisors unanimously accepted Bootsma's resignation; however, the path to finding her successor is somewhat up in the air.

According to Auditor Barb Rohwer, a county committee composed of herself, the treasurer and recorder will convene. She was tentatively hoping the meeting would take place this Friday, but an official date and time wasn't set as of press deadline. Once gathered, the group will decide whether to attempt to appoint someone to fill the vacancy or call for an election.

"If we should decide to appoint, a notice will be published of our intent and the voters are notified that they can petition this to a vote if they want," Rohwer explained. "If we decide to go to an election, I will notify the Democrat and Republican party chairs of the vacancy, and then they will need to hold a special convention of their party delegates and choose a candidate to be placed on the ballot."

If a special election is called, people can also circulate petitions as "no party" to be placed on the ballot. Rohwer tentatively hoped the vote would take place Dec. 7.

District 1 includes the City of Hartley and the townships of Lincoln, Hartley, Center, Omega, Grant and Highland. Six sections of Franklin Township are also included in its boundaries.