After serving 14 years as a Stearns County Commissioner in the Third District, Rose Arnold has announced that she will not be seeking another four-year term.
“Serving as a Stearns County Commissioner has been a tremendous experience,” Arnold said. “I have loved and relished every minute of my public service. I have enjoyed meeting many wonderful people and representing their interests and needs on the county board.”
“I have always spoken out for the constituents in the Third District and county residents as a whole, and voiced my opinion for fair and equitable treatment for those needs and will continue to do so,” Arnold said.
Arnold served as chair of the county board during each of her terms in office. During her years of service, Quarry Park and the Lake Wobegon Trail was established, and recently, the trail received national recognition. She made commitments to sustaining the dairy industry, advocated for diverse agricultural economics, and a host of other rural and transportation initiatives. She has been either a board representative or a chair of each of the county’s Joint Powers Boards and other committees as well. She was also recognized for her leadership by being elected by her peers to serve as President of the Association of Minnesota Counties. Last year, Stearns County was the lowest in per-capita spending in all of Minnesota’s 87 counties.
“Fourteen years ago, I campaigned for this job, committed to doing everything I possibly could to positively affect the lives of all the people whom I’ve represented in the political process. What I will miss the most is my personal contact with many of you, not only through your letters, phone calls and now e-mails, but also the many one-on-one personal contacts. I will also miss those county employees who work so tirelessly, serving the residents of Stearns County. Throughout the years, I have found that people were very caring, kind and respectful.”