The Otter Tail County Commissioners would like to thank those residents who attended the open house community event at Perham City Hall on July 19. The audience was captivated by Chuck Johnson’s performance of his three-act play “The Night Before Gettysburg.”  Many residents took the opportunity to engage with commissioners and learned about Otter Tail County projects in the Perham area.

Chuck Johnson invited the audience to take a journey with Abraham Lincoln to experience the final hours before Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. Johnson, a Perham native, wrote and performed the three-act play at City Hall prior to the Board of Commissioners’ discussion session. The captive audience was enthralled with the historical depiction performed by Johnson and offered a rounding applause at the finale.

Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions of the four County Commissioners present for the event. Commissioner Lee Rogness was unable to attend due to illness. Commissioner Dan Bucholz of District 1 took questions from the audience and remarked, “We regularly meet with the people in our districts. If you have questions, we are going to get you answers.” Bucholz agreed with Commissioner Mortenson, District 3, when he stated, “I sincerely believe we (commissioners) are all working for the citizens of Otter Tail County.”

Employees from several service areas were available to share information and answer questions. Staff from the Solid Waste Department signed up those interested in the new food waste drop-off site in Perham and gave those who registered a countertop bin and compostable bags. If you are interested in the Organics Recycling Pilot Program that collects food waste and would like to use the Perham Drop-Off location, please contact Cedar Walters at cwalters@co.ottertail.mn.us.

Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons visited with several community members and answered their questions. With three days under her belt, attendees welcomed the new Highway Engineer, Krysten Foster, as she met many people from the area.

Board Chair Commissioner Wayne Johnson invites everyone to the next open house community event in Pelican Rapids on Monday, September 18, at 7 p.m., at Lake Region Electric Cooperative at 1401 S Broadway (Highway 59).

If you are interested in speaking with your elected official, please visit ottertailcounty.gov/board/board-of-commissioners/, and if you would like an opportunity to address the County Board regarding a county business item, please use the online form located at ottertailcounty.gov/open-forum-request/