Today in History: Governmental turmoil in Park Rapids creates nearly empty City Hall

On this date in 1998, turmoil in Park Rapids City Hall led to mass resignations, including top officials and staff, after a contentious election and conflicts over city management and modernization efforts.

Here's the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

By Karyn Spencer

PARK RAPIDS, Minn. – Employees at Park Rapids City Hall couldn’t miss the signs of change last fall. The Sign of Change was parked in front of the Dixie Drive In on the busiest street in town.

The election sign promoted two City Council candidates and bid farewell to the top two city employees. “Vote Dean Cumber & Jon Smythe. Say goodby Larry & Joan,” it read.

Now, six months after the new council members took office, their dreams of a new city administrator have turned into a nightmarishly empty City