Cook County townships prepare for annual meetings, local elections

UPDATE, Wednesday, March 15:

Below are the township election results from 2023.

In Lutsen, incumbent Lollie Cooper won another 3-year term as supervisor and incumbent Ashley VanDoren won another 2-year term as treasurer.

In Tofte, incumbent Craig Horak received 17 votes for supervisor and Alayna Carrier collected all 17 votes to remain as the township treasurer.

In Schroeder, Supervisor Lloyd Chase won 10 votes and Treasurer Carla Menssen received 11 votes.

Original Story:

Citizens in Cook County have an opportunity to get directly involved in local government this week.

Minnesota’s townships, including Lutsen, Tofte, and Schroeder, will hold their annual meetings tonight.

Residents are allowed to attend what’s officially recognized as “Township Day” and typically involves an annual meeting for the 1,780 townships located across the state. At the meetings, township residents are allowed to voice opinions about local issues, including a township’s tax levy and funding for local fire departments, among other topics.

In addition, many of the state’s townships hold their officer elections on Township Day.

Minnesota Association of Townships Executive Director Jeff Krueger said Township Day 2023 will “put grassroots democracy on display.”

The township meetings in Cook County are tonight, check the township websites for what time the annual meetings start in Lutsen, Tofte, and Schroeder.

Joe Friedrichs March 14, 2023