Beltrami County officials take oath of office

Beltrami County elected officials took their oaths of office before District Judge Paul Benshoof on Jan. 2, the first business day of 2007. Sworn in were incumbent County Commissioners Joe Vene and Jim Heltzer, newly elected County Recorder Charlene Sturk and Sheriff Phil Hodapp and incumbents County Auditor Kay Mack and County Attorney Tim Faver. On an especially happy note, Phil Hodapp the elder pinned the badge on his son, the new sheriff, while elder Hodapp’s grandson, Deputy Jake Hodapp, stood by to congratulate his father, Phil Hodapp Jr. Friday’s farewell party for outgoing Sheriff Keith Winger added to the celebration.