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Retiring Rep.Paul Novotny recognized on Minnesota House floor, at Otsego Council meeting.Paul Novotny (R-Elk River) was recently honored both on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives and during public comments at a recent Otsego City Council meeting ahead of his retirement from the Legislature for his seven years of service and tireless efforts.Novotny announced on March 13 he will not be seeking reelection this year.Wright County Commissioner Jeanne Holland, who represents Otsego, made a point of honoring Novotny during the Otsego City Council meeting on Monday.“I wanted to let all of you know how much we have appreciated him in Wright County...(He) comes to everything we ask of him,” Holland said.She credits Novotny with helping to get critical state statutes changed during Wright County’s dispute with the Minnesota Department of Correction over who should pay PTO for employees after the county’s transition to local control of felony probation.“Behind the scenes, Paul did amazing work for us.We’re so grateful for all the hard work,” Holland said.She concluded her comments by joking she brought him 100 grand, pulling out the same-named candy bar from her pocket in the process.Novotny himself gave his own public comments next during the meeting.“I just want to say “Thank you!” It’s been a honor to represent Otsego.As someone who grew up in the area, it has been interesting to see to see how Otsego has changed from dairy farms to what is now, to see it thriving,” Novotny said, noting his looks to focusing his family and the pending birth of his grandchild.Otsego Mayor Jessica Stockamp and the council members also thanked Novotny for his service.“Thank you for all you have done for our community.Also, congratulations on this next step of being a grandpa,” Stockamp said.Farewell speech Novotny was also honored at the Minnesota Legislature last month.Novotny started getting choked up while delivering his May 18 farewell speech on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives.He compared the job to his over 30 years with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office.“You get called at all hours of the night, you have to deal with stressful situations and you get blamed for things you didn’t do and have no control over,” Novotny said.“You run on caffeine and emotions and junk food...I’ll spend the next 10 months losing my traditional end-of-session 20 pounds.” He joked his farewell is a relief because he doesn’t have to fear “being gaveled down” or being asked a point of order.Novotny thanked his constituents for having faith in him and sending him the Minnesota Legislature.He also thanked his fellow lawmakers, putting particular emphasis on the “Cop Caucus,” and went out of his way to thank all of the clerks that provide invaluable help the lawmakers each session.He thanked former Rep.Nick Zerwas, whose district Novotny won after Zerwas retired, and joked that Zerwas had lied to him when he said being a lawmaker would be fun.He gave specific thanks to Rep.Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview), his co-chair on the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee who is also not seeking reelection this year, and Mary McNamara, his long-time legislative assistant.“You have been a fair opponent at times, always a fair opponent, and a patient Co-Chair.You made me a better legislator,” Novotny said.He also thanked House Speaker Rep.Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) for giving him the honor of chairing a committee.He put a particular heartfelt thank to his wife and his family, including thanking his daughter Emily Novotny Chase for helping him with his campaigns.“It has been rewarding.It has been an honor to be here.I’m happy I answered the call, and I’m more than happy to be handing it off to somebody else,” Novotny said, his voice getting choked up again as he concluded his speech.“I hope I made a difference.”