By Mari Radkte
Every person picks those things most important to himself or herself. When interests compete for attention an individual makes a choice and sets priorities.
For Sherri and Aaron Bootsma, their 5 kids are their priority. During the initial rampage of the COVID-19 pandemic they opted to home school their children. Recently they made a choice to find a school for their family that offers what they consider “fits more.” Sherri Bootsma, serving her second term as an O’Brien County Supervisor for District 1, explained that they had just identified Orange City Christian and the school that met more of the educational desire of the family. They made arrangements for open enrollment and transportation. They were going to commute.
Then about 6 weeks ago a telephone call changed everything. “A friend called with an available acreage. We put in an offer that was accepted,” explained Bootsma. She acknowledged that several offers were submitted that day. She said they closed on it in less than 4 weeks. She and Aaron put their acreage north of Sanborn on the market on a Wednesday and also received several offers quickly. Their property sold in 36 hours!
The new acquisition near Orange City is close to move-in ready. Having it ready is something Bootsma says is a must do. “We redid our kitchen with just 1 child at about 6 months old. I’m not gonna try a whole house with 5 kids,” she said. The family has until October 15 to close.
Between now and mid-October they will be both readying the home the waiting to receive them and readying the home they live in for new residents. All that takes time. So the process of making time begins. Bootsma, also a board member to O’Brien County Conservation tendered her resignation Tuesday to the O’Brien County Board of Supervisors. She served on OCCB separately from her supervisor duties. Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, it will also be the first year in many that she will not be coaching.
Bootsma began working for O’Brien County Conservation in 2010 as a part time Naturalist. In that role she help the Naturalist, then Charlene Elyea and “the guys.” She became a board member in 2012.
Bootsma quickly declared the best accomplishment of the board during her tenure was, “hands down the grain bin cabins. They are unlike any other in the state.” She also noted the Douma (Park) renovation adding, “we continue to offer more to citizens of O’Brien County and northwest Iowa.”
Environmental education is of special interest to Bootsma. She describes that part of OCCB’s directive as “pushing forward” and believes Abbie (Parker, Naturalist) will do a great job with it adding, “you should hear the ideas she has.” She believes firmly that environment education is the best way for people to become vested in state and county parks. “I always wanted to be a park ranger growing up. Conservation is near and dear to my heart,” she said, continuing that she believes Conservation is in good hands referring to “a solid director” and dedicated staff who stayed. “It has been an honor to be part of it all. I hope I helped things move forward.”
About moving, Bootsma describes it as “a ‘God thing.’” She makes the comment while thinking how the whole move came about and all of the commotion going on in her life caused by her role and her dedication to O’Brien County Conservation. She makes sure to recognize her family during the incredible time of replacing nearly the entire Conservation staff just as summer began. She says, “Aaron was so supportive. And the kids were real troopers.”
She plans to continue on the Board of Supervisors until actually relocated which is expected in mid-October. Her replacement can be done in one of two ways: Elected department heads – Auditor, Recorder and Treasurer can appoint. Auditor Barb Rohwer doesn’t think that is likely to happen. While nothing is set in stone at this point, Rohwer anticipates a special election to be held in early December. She currently is thinking that the parties will convene and put a candidate on the ballot. Non-party candidates will have the opportunity to petition to be on the ballot if sufficient and qualified signatures are collected on nomination papers. The papers must be returned 25 days prior to a special election. That would be November 12. Redistricting is currently underway with a deadline of January 15, 2022. Census information has not yet been made available. This replacement has lots of uncertainty.