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Erickson relies on township experience

Published 12:00 p.m., January 6, 2009

Everett Erickson, who farms northeast of Pelican Rapids, is beginning his third year as a member of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners.

Photo by Tom Hintgen

Everett Erickson, who farms northeast of Pelican Rapids, is beginning his third year as a member of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners.

Serving on a commission that oversees operations of a county with more square miles than the state of Rhode Island can be a daunting task. Everett Erickson, however, said his seven years of experience on the Pelican Township board gives him the confidence to serve as a member of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners.

“My years on the township board, from 1999 to 2006, serve me well,” said Erickson, commission vice chairman who was elected to the county board in November 2006. “I had some big shoes to fill by following in the footsteps of the late Malcolm Lee. Malcolm was a great commissioner.”

A little over two years ago Erickson narrowly won the county board District 2 election over Mary Ryan.

District 2 includes the cities of Pelican Rapids, Erhard, Elizabeth and Vergas. Townships in the district include Aurdal, Candor, Dora, Dunn, Elizabeth, Erhards Grove, Friberg, Lida, Maplewood, Norwegian Grove, Pelican, Scambler and Star Lake.

“I’m proud to represent residents of the Pelican Rapids area and those from throughout District 2,” Erickson said. “No doubt about it, the job of county commissioner includes a lot of responsibility. At the same time, I work hard to stay in tune with the interests of people in my area of Otter Tail County.”

Erickson and his wife, Shannon, reside on the home farm where Erickson grew up. He’s a 1974 graduate of Pelican Rapids High School who took over farm operations from his late father, Edwin Erickson, in 1980.

He grows wheat and soybeans on the family farm. When he’s not busy with commission duties or farming, Erickson enjoys fishing at nearby Prairie Lake and spending time in the renovated shop at his farm site. Over the years, in addition to township duties, he’s been active with 4-H and the Farm Bureau.

“It’s a long list when you talk about key issues facing Otter Tail County and the county board in the upcoming months of 2009,” Erickson said. “The county is involved with many services for residents. Maintaining a strict budget, in light of the current economy, will be difficult — but necessary.”

Erickson and Roger Froemming, of Parkers Prairie, are the two remaining board members from 2008 who will serve as part of the five-person board of commissioners for 2009. New members are John Lindquist, Dalton, Doug Huebsch, Perham, and Lee Rogness, Fergus Falls.


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