Kandiyohi Co. officials say good-byes to Falk, Beccue

WILLMAR -- Good-byes were said Tuesday to two longtime Kandiyohi County public servants.

Richard Falk presided over his last meeting as chairman of the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners and County Attorney Boyd Beccue attended his last County Board meeting in his official ca-pacity.

Falk, who was first elected to the board in 1999, was defeated in the November election by Jim Butterfield.

Beccue served as county attorney for 20 years and was defeated by Jenna Fischer.

Falk was praised by Family Services Director Jay Kieft for being an advocate for constituents and holding the department accountable to make sure needed services are provided and positive outcomes achieved.

During a light-hearted but heartfelt presentation of a plaque, Kieft said Falk is "one of those guys who pays attention. And he doesn't pay attention to be annoying. He pays attention for the right reasons."

Kieft said Falk has served as an advocate who "has the best interest of the constituents at heart." He thanked Falk for his "dedicated and passionate partnership" with the Family Services Department.

"We so appreciate everything you've done," he said. "We are going to miss you."

The commissioners also thanked Falk and Beccue for their service.

In a brief statement, Beccue said he has enjoyed working with the current and past boards and reminded the commissioners the county has excellent department heads and a "really great bunch of people" working for the county.

Even though he lost the election, Beccue said he is happy that he is leaving the office on his own terms. Throughout his years as county attorney, he said he has always given advice and taken action based on the "strict application" of the rule of law, and not on popularity or public opinion.

Prior to the election Beccue endured public criticism for making an unpopular decision in a celebrated case of a homecoming prank. Beccue said his decision in that case was based on the facts and the law, and not public opinion.

Fischer has said the homecoming case was one of the reasons she ran against Beccue.