Embattled James River district manager resigns

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HURON - The James River water development district's board of directors accepted the resignation of manager Darrell Raschke at a special board meeting this morning.

The board spent approximately 45 minutes in an executive session and emerged briefly to approve the resignation. The board then returned to executive session for approximately one hour to discuss his severance package.

The board agreed that Raschke will get his accumulated vacation and sick leave, eight months of paid health insurance totaling $5,351 until he reaches age 62, and $18,000 in cash. Board member Gary Boomsma of Wolsey said the $18,000 reflects $1,000 for each of the 18 years Raschke has worked as manager.

The resignation took effect immediately. It comes in the wake of a series of conflicts in recent years between Raschke and members of the Legislature, including Sen. Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen.

A financial review conducted last year by the state Department of Legislative Audit found numerous instances of improper practices in Raschke's conduct of the district's business affairs, as well as some irregularities by some board members.

Raschke changed, without the board's authority, a letter of response to the review.

Novstrup has legislation pending that would dissolve the James River water development district. He told members of a House of Representatives committee last week that he would be back seeking the legislation's passage unless Raschke resigned.

Raschke's annual salary was $98,000.

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