Draft:Roelof Scholten

Roelof Scholten is a Canadian politician who served as Picture Butte municipal councilor from 2001 to 2004. Following this, he served as president of the Picture Butte and District Agricultural Society from 2005 to 2014.

Prior to his election, Scholten was a member of the Alberta Health Executive Committee (South Zone) in 1980 and previously owned and operated a farm.

Career
In 1984, as a member of the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce, Scholten sponsored the Water Crisis Meeting. Subsequently, Scholten was elected as the President of the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce from February 1985 until February 1986. As President of the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce, Scholten planned speakers for events, and advocated for business interests on behalf of Picture Butte.

Scholten first ran for Picture Butte Municipal Council in 1989. During his term, Scholten organized the World War II Veterans’ Appreciation Day and planned the 1986 annual banquet. Scholten replaced Tom Caruso as President of the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce in February 1985 and in February 1986, Scholten was replaced as President by Gus Buytels. In 1986, Scholten awarded Leonard Haney with the Agricultural Award.

Notably, Scholten was an advocate for the Oldman River Dam when the dam faced risk of demolition in 1992. That same year, Scholten sought farmer support for an additional 50-cent increase for 1993 so farmers and the district could plan ahead "with known expense and income." In 1993, Scholten ran to become Director of the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District; however, he was defeated by John Vandenberg.

Scholten was elected as a Picture Butte City Council and subsequently served from 2001 to 2004 as Division Six Councilor. Near the end of his term in 2004, the Lethbridge Herald credited Scholten for spreading optimism regarding the Albertan economy, agriculture, and social morale following the 2003 Mad Cow Disease Crisis in Canada. In 2011, it was reported that Scholten was chairing a forum for conservative candidate Jim Hillyer; however, Hillyer's lack of attendance at the forum was criticized "even among fellow party members." Scholten served as president of the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce, the Picture Butte and District Transportation Society in 2013, the Picture Butte and District Agricultural Society,    Picture Butte Jamboree Days, and Picture Butte Auctions Ltd.

Personal life
Scholten was raised on a farm in the Netherlands during World War II and immigrated to Canada in 1949. In 2016, Scholten was named Picture Butte "Citizen of the Year," a title that has been awarded by the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce since 1984.