Resident tells Pine County board he wants 12-month no-contact order after zoning meeting harassment

During public forum at the Jan. 6 Pine County Board meeting, Les Orvis of Royalton Township described ongoing harassment he says board members have experienced at zoning meetings and related public events and asked the board to pursue legal protections.

Orvis told the board the behavior has continued for “two and a half years,” including an incident where a person he identified as the husband of one critic followed a board member to his car after a meeting. He described repeated harassment, shouting and threats, and asked commissioners, the county administrator and the county attorney to seek a 12-month no-contact order (no emails, texts, letters, in-person contact) that would require communications to go through attorneys until the matter is resolved in court.

“My name is Les Orvis. I don't like saying anymore that I live in Royalton Township,” he said, summarizing his concerns about safety and intimidation at hearings and asking for a response within 48 hours.

Commissioners acknowledged the complaint and the public-comment request; the board did not take an immediate formal action on a restraining order during the meeting, but staff were asked to follow up on next steps and the request to consult the county attorney.

Because this is a public complaint about private conduct, the board differentiated the comment from formal board action; Orvis asked the board to pursue legal remedies through its attorney and administrator.