by Dennis Ozment
State Representative - District 37B

When people have asked me how long I was going to continue running for office, I have always answered, "For as long as I am making a positive difference and excited about serving." Well, I guess I should have included "until I believe it is time to move on" because I have decided to move on and make room for others to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives and will not be seeking re-election to House District 37B in November 2008.

Over the past 24 years I have been in the Minnesota House of Representatives representing the southern half of Dakota County. In those 12 terms I have served Rosemount, Hastings, Cannon Falls, Farmington, Apple Valley and all the small cities and townships in between and a few beyond.

Over the years in the Minnesota House, I have been allowed to serve on almost all of the policy committees and many of the finance committees and several of the commissions in the Legislature. It was my honor to serve as the chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committees for eight years, chairman of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources for two years and also nationally, I am the immediate past chairman of the National Conference of State Legislators' Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

I am proud to report that my legislative successes have been many. We stopped the relocation of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Dakota County, helped prevent the building of a garbage incinerator in Dakota County, and authored the Clean Water Legacy Act and this year's Electronic Waste Management Act. Those are examples of what I consider some of my best work.

However, in a democracy no one accomplishes anything on their own.

Successful and meaningful governance is all about teamwork, and I have had so many colleagues, staff, citizens and friends over the years that have helped me succeed that I cannot begin to thank them all.

I have often said there is no such thing as a powerful politician in a democracy. The people elect, so the people decide who has the power -- therefore, "The Power is in the People." But it is also true that the politician is the one ultimately responsible to make decisions and provide new direction, even when he is enjoying the status quo.

Thank you my friends, for allowing me to represent you in the Minnesota House of Representatives. To each member of my family, especially my wife, Gayle, thank you for your sacrifice and tolerance of my service. To the Ozment volunteers, above all Gloria Pinke my faithful manager for the past 17 years, thank you very much. And, I thank each of you – for your votes, confidence, past support and allowing me to be your state representative.

I can honestly say; I will miss the challenges and opportunities of a state legislator's life. Hopefully opportunities, challenges and success will continue to be in whatever the future brings my way.

It is my prayer that God will continue to bless Minnesota and each and every one of you.

Dennis Ozment is state representative in District 37B, which includes Rosemount and an eastern portion of Apple Valley. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.