THIEF RIVER FALLS-Alan Rogalla said it has been a privilege to serve his home county for almost three decades as the Pennington County attorney, and he hopes to take that passion with him to Clearwater County when he moves on to his next venture in the coming weeks.
The Thief River Falls native announced last week he will resign from his position as of Jan. 12. He has served as the county attorney for 28 years and will take his seat as the Clearwater County attorney on Jan. 16, he said Wednesday.
"It has been a privilege to serve the people of Pennington County for 28 years," he said.
Rogalla had plans to retire with his wife to Clearwater County in the coming years, but he said he had intended to continue his service to Pennington County until the Clearwater County job opened up in November. He was offered the job Dec. 19.
"I had no plans on moving out of the Pennington County Attorney's Office," he said. "It's just like some things in life are meant to be."
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He will replace former Clearwater County Attorney David Hanson, who was hired to fill the Beltrami County attorney position vacated by recently appointed District Judge Annie Claesson-Huseby to the Ninth District in northwest Minnesota.
Pennington County has posted Rogalla's position. County attorney positions in Minnesota will be placed on the ballot in November.
Rogalla said he's optimistic he will run for the Clearwater County seat.
Starting his career in 1988 as an attorney in Grand Forks, Rogalla was hired as the Pennington County attorney in 1990.
