Reception held  for retiring and incoming executive secretary

A double reception at the Drainage District office in Osceola on Thursday, March 18, was held recognizing retiring executive secretary Randy Ferguson and incoming executive secretary Jeremy Bennett.

It was a surprise reception for Ferguson who has served in the Osceola Drainage District office for 10 years. This is Mr. Ferguson’s second retirement. He retired from the NRCS office before coming to Osceola.

Bob Ramey, drainage commissioner, presented Mr. Ferguson with a gift certificate thanking him for his years of service to the district.

Bennett is looking forward to working with the drainage commissioners and contractors. He served as Big Lake Wildlife manager for 10 years and worked in the private sector for the last five years. He assumed the position with the Drainage District in January and said he is glad to be working for Mississippi County again. Contractors and drainage commissioners were on hand to thank Ferguson for a decade of service and to welcome Bennett.

Also in the Osceola drainage office is Rita Koch, secretary.

Ferguson started in the Osceola office on Sept. 6, 2011, following Ed Allbritton.

“Jeremy has the background and I think he will do great and continue to move forward on the progress we have made over the last 10 years,” Ferguson said. “There is always room for improvement. I have enjoyed my years in Mississippi County. I have met great people here.”

Richard Miller, a beaver trapper in the country for the last 33 years, presented Ferguson with a custom made knife as a farewell gift.

“Randy has been a wonderful person to work for and I am looking forward to working with Jeremy,” Miller said.

The drainage district oversees 635 miles of drainage ditches. Bennett said they work with the county and local officials and landowners to address drainage issues and work to correct problems.

Districts include Grassy Lake and Tyronza Drainage District No. 9 and Sub District No. 3 and 4; Carson Lake Drainage District No. 8; Golden Lake Drainage District No. 11; Osceola Drainage District No. 12; Dead Timber Drainage District No. 13; Joiner Road Maintenance, District No. 1, Wardell Whitton Road, District No. 2; and Carson Lake Road Improvement, District No. 6.

Bennett said the Drainage District has an interesting history in turning a wilderness into the productive farms of today.