When he was a teenager, Eliot Glassheim knew he wanted to be in public life.
After 30 years on the Grand Forks City Council, Glassheim can safely cross that off his to-do list.
"I wanted to be in a place where public discussion on issues was rational and based on what was good for the community," said Glassheim, 74.
Glassheim's final full day as an active member of the council was Monday, as he sat in on a brief Finance/Development Committee meeting. He announced in February he was not to seek re-election.
Today, the council will meet to bid farewell to Glassheim and fellow outgoing council member Curt Kreun. The brief meeting will be followed by a reception in the main lobby of City Hall.
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Public servant
Glassheim, who represents Ward 3, came to Grand Forks from New York City in 1971. It didn't take him long to become involved in the community. He unsuccessfully ran for the council in 1974.
Hal Gershman, who served for 12 years on the council alongside Glassheim, said passion and people were two of his calling cards.
"Eliot is very passionate about his positions and about things that affected people," he said. "If you looked at his career, it was working for the betterment of the public. It was about the people. He was a great public servant."
Glassheim hopes to continue in that role as public servant.
He is running for reelection as a state representative from District 18, a seat he has held since 1993.
He said he'll miss the personal attention he can give to issues on the council.
"The council is much more local and if people are upset, they'll tell you," Glassheim said. "The issues aren't as broad. Everything you do affects people directly."
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Major achievements
Glassheim is the last remaining members who served on the council during the flood of 1997. He said the decisions made following the flood were some of the most important he helped make in his time on the council.
"Certainly the flood recovery was pretty trying," he said. "We knew what had to be done, we had to reinvest and keep people here. That was an important time. We were doing important work."
He said the construction of the Riverside Pool was another of the projects he is especially proud of.
Glassheim credited much of the council's accomplishments to the city staff.
"We are very important, but the staff, they tell you what is possible and how is the most economical way to do it," he said.
The future
Glassheim said he believes the city is in good hands, but said there is room for improvement and growth.
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"I am concerned," he said. "Relative to the rest of the state, we're not growing as fast as we should be."
He said UND is Grand Forks' Bakken Formation and city leaders should focus on research and development as a growth stimulant.
Glassheim is also working on a book of American history, tentatively titled "Sweet Land of Decency," a take-off on the line from "America."
But today won't necessarily be the last of Glassheim at city council.
"I look forward to coming to the council, and proposing something and going through the frustration of seeing if it goes anywhere," he laughed.
Reach Bieri at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send email to cbieri@gfherald.com .
