Resident urges Pine County to seek 12‑month no‑contact order after alleged harassment at zoning meeting

Les Orvis, a Royalton Township resident, used the public forum at the Jan. 6 Pine County Board meeting to accuse a small group of residents of harassing and intimidating board members and their families at recent zoning meetings, and to ask the county to take legal steps to stop the behavior.

"They were relentless...harassing, bullying, slandering, but more or less threatening all the time," Orvis said, describing conduct he said had continued for roughly two and a half years and citing a recent incident where he said a board member was followed to his car. He told the board he had discussed the issue with Commissioner Moore and others and asked county leaders to "get an attorney, knock this kind of bullcrap off" and to pursue a 12-month no-contact order covering emails, texts, letters and in-person contact.

Orvis asked that the county attorney or the county’s hired counsel handle communications with any opposing parties and requested a response within 48 hours. Commissioners acknowledged the comment but did not take an immediate formal vote on a legal remedy during the meeting.

The request raises potential next steps for county attorneys and administrators; County Administrator Schroeder and County Attorney Frederickson were present and acknowledged the request during the public forum exchange. No formal legal action was recorded on the meeting minutes at the time of adjournment.