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Otter Tail County, Minnesota,
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Join us for the next Board Meeting: Thursday, May 21, 7-9 p.m.
Shoreline Restaurant
505 Lake Ave N, Battle Lake, MN 56515
(218) 864-5265

All Democrats are Welcome!

  
 

 

SPECIAL NOTICE

There will be an Otter Tail County DFL Central Committee Meeting to fill an empty Associate Chair position and to discuss other issues. Maryjane Westra recently resigned as chair of Otter Tail Co. DFL and the Associate Chair, Manley Nichols, automatically became the new chair. We need to elect a new Associate Chair who must be opposite gender as that of the Chair. Anyone interested in the position should notify Manley Nichols (218-583-2124).

The date for the Central Committee Meeting will be June 18 at 7:00 PM at the Ottertail Community Center in Ottertail. The location is one block south of Betty's Pantry or the Williams Company Store. Delegates include members of the Otter Tail DFL Executive Committee (Officers & Directors), Precinct Chairs (or one of the two Alternates: Precinct Vice-Chair according to rank), members of the 7th CD & State Central Committee who live in OTC. An agenda will be mailed.

Have you made your refundable political contribution for 2009?

If not, please give serious consideration to doing so soon! This is the main source of contributions for Otter Tail County DFL, and our local and state candidates. Your total contributions of up to $50/individual or $100/couple are fully refundable. You can make a contribution to OTC DFL at our Obama's 100 Days Celebration ~ complete all of the paper work, file for your refund, and receive your refund in about four weeks!

  
 

 

Look for the Otter Tail DFL and our candidates
at events around the area! See Events tab

Offices and directors were selected at the Otter Tail County DFL Convention on March 15, 2008. The names are posted on the Contact page.

NEWS BRIEFS

Jan. 16, 2009

One hundred seventy guests had a great time at the Inaugural Ball at Thumper Pond on Jan. 16. Everyone had a good time. The event didn't raise much money. It basically paid for itself. We were there mainly to have a good time, and that we did.

There have been comments about having a fundraiser early this summer with a cruise on Otter Tail Lake followed by a dinner. We would invite several elected officials and Gaonou Xiong, the designer of the Obama's picture above. She has a very interesting story to tell about how she came to America. You can read some of her bio on her blog at www.laughingatpolitics.blogspot.com . You can also order some of her political artwork from that site.  Check it out.

Republicans put new obstacles in the path of Eric H. Holder Jr.'s quest to become attorney general. U.S. Senator Arlen Spector (R) wants to put a hold on the appointment of Eric Holder. Call Mr. Spector and tell him that there should be an up or down vote for Holder just like they wanted up or down votes on U.S. Supreme Justice candidates John Roberts and Sam Alito. Spector's phone number is 202-224-4254. His phone line has been very busy, but call him and let him know your feelings, even if you have to wait until next week. Advocate for changes you wish to see. Tag, you're it.  Speak up!

Aug. 21, 2008

Otter Tail County DFL presented Fergus Falls high school student Jordan Rasmusson with a check to help with his cost while attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Shown Left to Right: Senator Dan Skogen, OTC DFL board members Allison Myhre and Jessica Sundheim, Jordan Rasmusson, DFL House 10B Candidate Tim Nieminen, OTC DFL Treasurer Terry Jellison, and OTC DFL Chair Maryjane Westa.

June 6-9 DFL State Convention
Endorses Franken

Al Franken was endorsed by acclamation at the DFL State Convention in Rochester.

May 10 DFL Senate District 10 Convention
Endorses Stumbo and Nieminen

The rescheduled Senate District 10 Convention was held in Henning on Saturday, May 10. The convention began with the election of Bert Nelson of New York Mills as the convention chair. New officers and directors were elected with Tom Schulz from Sebeka as chair and Kris Warhol as associate chair.

The convention delegates endorsed Greg Stumbo and Tim Nieminen for the 10A and 10B House seats respectively. As the only 10A candidate, Stumbo was endorsed unanimously. Nieminen was challenged by Janine Hudson from Wadena who did exceedingly well as a first time candidate. Nieminen won endorsement on the first ballot with 60 percent of the vote.

Greg Stumbo and his wife Jenny have four children and live in Fergus Falls. He is a member of the city council and owns and operates his coffee business, Stumbeano's Coffee, which is known at least as far away as Kentucky.

Before the vote Stumbo commented, “My experiences of being a parent, a business owner and a city council member for Fergus Falls have prepared me well for the challenges I'll face if elected to serve. I've done a good deal of listening and have gained perspective for the common ground that will make me a successful leader for the communities I'll serve.”

Born in Detroit Lakes, Tim Nieminen moved with his family to Warroad when he was 13 and graduated from high school there. Shortly after graduation he moved to Wadena and attended Wadena Tech School where he received degrees in Electronics Technology and Computer Systems Electronics. He now runs the computer sales and repair business, The Computer Guy, in Wadena.

This is Nieminen's second time running. In the 2006 election he gathered 40 percent of the vote as a first time candidate. This time around he intends the outcome to be reversed. He said, “I ran two years ago with a strong showing against an incumbent. I learned a lot. I listened a lot. And now it is time for a Democrat to represent district 10B in the Minnesota House. We have families forced from their homes, moms and dads without jobs, children hungry and lacking health care, and cuts in basic education – the building block for a better future. Enough is enough.”

Senator Dan Skogen participated as a delegate and commented about progress at the Capitol. “We passed a comprehensive transportation package ... the result is 28 DOT projects have been accelerated creating thousand of jobs. We passed a bonding package that will create more jobs. ... I really think we can work our way out of this recession, by strategically investing in roads, bridges and university infrastructure ... putting people to work preserving and taking care of what is important to Minnesotans."

Senator Skogen concluded, “To our new House candidates: I would encourage them to get organized, stay focused work hard, and then work a little harder. We need six new DFL House members, so for the next two years our Governor will be forced to listen to reasonable requests that will move this state forward. Good politics takes courage. This is an opportunity to win both House seats. We need the candidates to do everything needed to win. We need the Senate District 10 DFLers to do what they can to support these candidates.”

March 15 OTC County Convention Notes

Twenty-two resolutions were approved at the Convention which have were sent to the State DFL for consideration at the State DFL Convention. The resolutions are posed on the Resolutions page

The Otter Tail County Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) convention was held at the Royal Broberg Auditorium at Battle Lake on Saturday, March 15. One big addition to the convention this year was the performance by the local musician Tony Miltich from Fergus Falls who entertained us before the convention and during the lunch break.

The convention was called to order at 10 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcome.

There were nearly double the number of delegates at the convention this year compared to the 2006 convention — a sure sign that after seven long years, the people in Otter Tail County are ready for change. Although there are 397 seats in the auditorium, it didn't look like there were too many empty seats after the delegates, alternates, guests and visitors were seated.

This year's county convention featured several speakers, including: Minnesota State Senator Dan Skogen (District 10); representatives from U.S. Senate candidate campaigns for Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer and Al Franken; Minnesota House District 10A candidate Greg Stumbo; and Minnesota House District 10B candidates Tim Nieminen and Janine Hudson.

Sen. Skogen spoke about having the courage to do the right thing. “A public servant needs courage, as a legislature we showed courage on the transportation bill. We will need to have courage to deal with health care reform, property taxes, nursing home payments and education.” He also talked about current farm issues in Minnesota.

Nelson-Pallmeyer's message, delivered by Nora French and Dan Skogen, was that Jack had advised Paul Wellstone that we were being lied to about Iraq and to vote against going to war. Jack's position is that withdrawing our troops is the essential first step to reconciliation within Iraq.

Franken was represented by former Rep. Gene Wenstrom of Elbow Lake and Al's daughter Thomasin. Al has stated, “The Bush administration led us into war under false pretenses and dug us a deep hole in Iraq. We should put more thought into how we get out than we did into how we got in and we should start now. The best way to convince the Iraqi government that we're leaving is to actually start leaving.”

Greg Stumbo, candidate for the 10A house seat, asked the delegates for their support as he entered the political process. Greg and his family live in Fergus Falls where he is a member of the city council. Among his concerns is restoration of local government aid to cities and towns and sufficient and stable financing for schools.

Tim Nieminen announced his intentions of seeking the 10B house seat again. Tim has been the “Computer Guy” in Wadena for several years.

Janine Hudson is entering the race for the 10B house seat for the first time. Janine has worked in social services for many years in Wadena County.

Along with the regular business of electing officers, board directors and delegates to the State Convention, the county delegates voted on more than 60 resolutions, several of which were debated and voted up or down by a voice vote or show of hands. Twenty-two resolutions will be sent to the State DFL to be presented to the state convention.

Many delegates and guests commented on the great site for the convention, the organization, and the smooth manner in which the convention chair, Randy Clarksean, conducted the convention. The convention was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

Thank you for visiting our Web site. We want to make this site a great tool for the Democrats in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Comments and suggestions can be sent to the webmaster.