ND Secretary of State Jaeger Sets Auditor Risovi Straight

As most of you know, there has been quite a controversy regarding the mismanagement of the absentee ballot process during Foster County's Primary Election. After the election was over, many of us were concerned about two improperly signed absentee ballot applications which the Foster County Canvassing Board accepted after the Primary Election Board rejected them. 

You see, those two extra votes which were counted meant that Donnie Theis (who was close to Paul Straley in votes) could not ask for a recount. It also meant that Kathleen Murray could be on the November ballot, running against State's Attorney Paul Murphy.

The Secretary of State, Al Jaeger, was asked to investigate the decision made by the Canvassing Board. As you can see in the letter from the Secretary of State, the law was violated - as CarringtonNews.com and other concerned citizens have contended all along. 

The law requires that the two signatures be compared and an absentee ballot should be accepted only if the signatures correspond. In the case of these absentee ballots there were not two signatures to compare.

Please call Auditor Risovi (701-652-2441) and ask her the same question that Sec of State Jaeger asked her: "...upon what legal basis did they [you] overturn the proper rejection of the ballots by the Election Board?"

(Personally speaking, I'm positive that Carol Rosenau, Royce Topp and Lanelle Hoppe (Canvassing Board members) were there to do the right and lawful thing... to count the votes properly. I just wonder if Auditor Risovi or Commissioner Paul Straley said something which influenced them in some way to accept those invalid votes.)

4-H Round Robin Showmanship at the Foster County Fair - 2014

Foster County Commissioner Straley Authorized Phone Calls To Be Recorded

Foster County Commissioner Chairman Paul Straley admitted that he set up a device to record phone calls which come in to Sheriff Tufte's office (which also includes Auditor Risovi's office) at the courthouse. According to ND state law, it is legal to record phone calls without telling both parties as long as one party agrees to it. (Many states do not allow this, saying that it is illegal to record phone calls without all parties knowing they are being recorded. Personally, I support this viewpoint. Ethically speaking, I think it is only right to let someone know that he/she is being recorded.)

Nevertheless, whether it is legal, illegal or unethical to record a person's phone calls without telling them, some of the recorded calls at the auditor's office document some interesting facts about Teresa Risovi's performance as auditor of Foster County.

The recorded phone call which Commissioner Jim Carr wanted to be played for the public to hear, was vehemently objected to by Chairman Straley at two different times during the meeting. The phone call in question recorded Auditor Risovi using profanity against State's Attorney Paul Murphy, as well as a very rude, unkind description of his secretary. Also, Risovi threatened Murphy that if he didn't show her some respect, she would immediately go to the sheriff's office (and do what, you might wonder.). 

You might also wonder why Auditor Risovi would say the things she did, knowing that her call was being recorded. Apparently the recording device had a technical aspect to it that Straley and Risovi weren't aware of. You see, after the main phone call message was done, the machine kept quietly recording and minutes later recorded the conversation that was going on in the background - apparently unbeknownst to Risovi and the person who was helping her with the recording device. It should also be noted that in the phone tape Auditor Risovi is angrily complaining about the "mousy little secretary's" husband who has been upstairs recording her; yet she is recording the calls of every single citizen/person who makes a call to her office without telling them. What a hypocrite!!

Phone Calls Recorded at the Auditor's Office without Telling Callers

Foster County Commission Chairman Paul Straley and Auditor Teresa Risovi have been recording phone calls that come into her office at the Foster County Courthouse - without telling callers that they are being recorded. Take a look at what happens when Commissioner Carr wants one of the phone tapes played so State's Attorney Paul Murphy can listen to it at the June 17, 2014 Foster County Commissioners Meeting..

Since Auditor Risovi knew that her conversations were being recorded, you would think that she would be careful of what she said.  However, there was an aspect of the recording device that I don't think she was aware of.  You see, after the main phone call was finished, sometimes there were long minutes of silence; then suddenly the device would activate and record conversations that were going on in the office.

In this video, the recorded phone tape that Straley doesn't want to be played has Auditor Risovi using profanity to describe State's Attorney Paul Murphy and using very unkind words to describe his secretary.  It doesn't paint a very nice image of our Foster County Auditor.

Note:  These recorded phone tapes were acquired by using a public records request.  Any citizen can ask for public records at the Foster County Courthouse, and by law they are required to give them to you.

Foster County Auditor Risovi Includes Invalid Absentee Votes in the Primary Election

This video is of a typical Foster County Commissioners Meeting with Paul Straley and Auditor Teresa Risovi running the show... and ignoring/rebuffing Jim Carr's requests. Carr was concerned that Donnie Theis be acknowledged and be allowed to have a recount of the Primary Election absentee ballot votes which were so mismanaged by Risovi. The vote was so close between Straley and Theis that a recount might place Theis on the ballot for the November general election instead of PaulStraley. It is reported that the members of the canvassing board had requested Risovi's legal opinion regarding some unsigned absentee ballots whereupon she had no problem informing the board to allow these invalid votes to be counted for Straley. Interestingly, the new votes for Straley meant that Theis would not be allowed to ask for a recount.

On Tuesday, shortly after the commissioners' meeting, State's Attorney Paul Murphy said he contacted the Secretary of State regarding these unsigned absentee ballots. From what we've been told, the Secretary of State's office immediately instructed Risovi to disallow these pro-Straley ballots. UPDATE 6/20/14 Correction & Explanation: The Secretary of State's office did NOT say to disallow the ballots. They said that unsigned absentee ballots are invalid and that they SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED - according to the ND Century Code. However, the Sec of State HAS TO accept the canvassing board's report. Therefore, since the canvassing board listened to Risovi and accepted the two unsigned absentee ballots - contrary to the clear requirements of the ND Century Code - they count toward the election. So, the only way Donnie Theis can get a recount is to sue Foster County, saying that the canvassing board should have rejected the two unsigned ballots. At this date, we don't know if Theis has decided to sue the county or not.]

If Donnie Theis follows through on his request for a recount, it will be extremely interesting to see what other invalid votes might appear. Many of us are definitely suspicious of Risovi's attempt to deny Theis' request for a recount of the absentee ballots. We are wondering... is there something about the ballots that Risovi and Straley are trying to hide?

2014 FOSTER COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS:

Congratulations to everyone who participated in our local election. Whether you received the most votes or not, you should all be commended for making an effort to serve our community. Best wishes to you all!

Commissioners:
Bill Bauer: 696
Jim Carr: 686
Pat Copenhaver: 417
Paul Straley: 353
Donnie Theis: 340
Joshua Dreher: 160
Write-in: 32

Auditor:
Casey Cables: 908
Teresa Risovi: 459
Write-in: 27

State's Attorney:
Paul Murphy: 968
Write-in: 129

Recorder:
Lynelle Hoppe: 1,199
Cheryl Fettig: 189
Write-in: 1

Treasurer:
Noreen Barton: 1,263
Write-in: 14

Sheriff:
Michael Tufte: 1,070
Danielle Rosewaren: 302
Write-in: 12

Newspaper:
Foster County Independent: 1,297

CARRINGTON ELECTION RESULTS:
Carrington:
Mayor: Neil Fandrich 688
Write-in: 45

Council Member:
Al Trader: 757
Write-in: 3

Municipal Judge:
Leah Trosen: 685
Write-in: 4

Carrington Ward 1:
Council Member:
Richard Engel: 317
Write-in: 2

Council Member:
Trygg Olson: 325
Write-in: 2

Carrington Ward 2
Josh Hoffman: 253
John Schnase: 95
Write-in: 5

Carrington Park:
Jerome Zink: 704
Tonia Erickson: 669
Randy Hooey: 647
Randy Leadbetter: 293
Write-in: 6

GLENFIELD ELECTION RESULTS

Council Member
Josh Johnson: 22
Holly Utke: 20
Write-in: 2

MCHENRY ELECTION RESULTS
LuVerne Hoyt: 35
Richard Aasand: 3
Write-in: 10

GRACE CITY ELECTION RESULTS
Write-in: 24

Grace City Council
Ron Brakke-1 vote
John Cunningham-7 votes
Craig Ellingson-2 votes
Leon Meehan-2 votes
Loren Larson-4 votes
Rayette Lyman-1 vote
Darrel Sandvol-1 vote
Katie Larson-1 vote

Grace City Park Board
Sheri Ellingson-3 votes
Rayette Lyman-5 votes
Leon Meehan-1 vote
Cindy Meehan-1 vote
Lynelle Lyman-Hoppe-1 vote
Amanda Topp-1 vote

Constitutional Measure 1 
Yes: 630 votes
No: 558 votes
-------------------------------------------------

OFFICIAL WRITE-IN VOTES 

Mayor Carrington
Joni Lund-1 vote
Jordan Koll-1 vote
Al Metzger-10 votes
Erick Zink-1 vote
Paul Murphy-3 votes
Don Frye-6 votes
Tom Erdmann-2 votes
Douglas E. Doak-1 vote
Gerald Paulson-2 votes
Neil Veen-1 vote
Kent Hewitt-1 vote
Al Trader-2 votes
Tonia Erickson-1 vote
Robert Scott-1 vote
Paul Straley-1 vote
Doug Schroeder-1 vote

Council Ward 2 Carrington
Randy Hooey-1 vote
Brian Carr-1 vote
Douglas Doak-1 vote

Foster County Auditor
Noreen Barton-1 vote
Sarah Aberle-13 votes
Lisa Scanson-1 Vote
Heather Martin-2 votes
Roger Schlotman-4 votes

Foster County States Attorney
Kathleen Murray-48 votes
Marina Spahr-23 votes
Leo Ryan-2 votes
Thomas Aljets-9 votes
Ashley Lies-1 vote
Mike Miller-1 vote
Kathleen Trosen-1 vote

Foster County Commissioner
Douglas Doak-1 vote
Vern Anderson-3 votes
Dennise Hoffman-3 votes
John Murphy Sr. -2 votes
Alan Scanson-3 votes
Darlene Carr-2 votes
Jerry Becker-1 vote
Al Trader-1 vote
Tim Zink-1 vote
Noreen Barton-1 vote
Mike Larson-1 vote
Rich Short-1 vote

Municipal Judge
Paul Murphy-1 vote
Jamie Dunn-1 vote

Foster County Sheriff
Randy Saint-1 vote
Randy Munkeby-2 votes
Justin Johnson-5 votes
Douglas E. Doak-1 vote

Council Ward 1 Carrington
Al Trader-1 vote
Paul Messmer-1 vote
John Pederson-1 vote
Josh Hoffman-1 vote

City Park Carrington
Susan Bickett-1 vote
Josh Kerbauch-1 vote
Dennis Freeman-1 vote
Gus Lange-1 vote
John Gallagher-1 vote

Foster County Treasurer
Sarah Aberle-8 votes
Tracy Perhus-1 vote
Lynelle Hoppe-1 vote
Dottie Doak-1 vote
Gerald Paulson-1 vote

Council at Large Carrington
John Odstracil-1 vote
Douglas E. Doak-1 vote
Roger Rindy-1 vote

McHenry City Council
Darlis Short-2 votes
Margory Moya-1 vote
Pat Kraemer-1 vote
David Jones-1 vote
Rick Short-1 vote

Glenfield Council
Eric Johnson-1 vote

Grace City Council
Ron Brakke-1 vote
John Cunningham-7 votes
Craig Ellingson-2 votes
Leon Meehan-2 votes
Loren Larson-4 votes
Rayette Lyman-1 vote
Darrel Sandvol-1 vote
Katie Larson-1 vote

Grace City Park Board
Sheri Ellingson-3 votes
Rayette Lyman-5 votes
Leon Meehan-1 vote
Cindy Meehan-1 vote
Lynelle Lyman-Hoppe-1 vote
Amanda Topp-1 vote

Things To Consider about Our Foster County Government before Voting in the Primary on June 10, 2014

Most of you know that I (Judy Keller) am the creator and administrator of CarringtonNews.com as well as an interactive site on Facebook. Earlier this year, after watching DakTel's airing of a Foster County Commissioners' meeting, I was appalled at the way Chairman Paul Straley treated community members who wanted to speak. He yelled at people, told them to stop talking and had them escorted from the meeting by the sheriff and/or deputies. It was at that point that I started attending Foster County Commissioners' meetings, writing articles about the meetings, and making comments on Facebook about Straley's ignorant, unlawful actions.

My husband, Ted Keller, other concerned citizens, and I started investigating and confronting Chairman Straley about his questionable actions. As time and the commissioners' meetings progressed, we also started to focus on Teresa Risovi, the Auditor. Facts came to light that made us distrust her ethics, as well as become aware of her incompetent actions in office. Not liking our focus on her, Risovi filed restraining orders against us, wherein she lied (under oath) committing perjury in order to get a judge to sign them. She also lied during the court hearing, with the result that Judge Schmitz completely dismissed the restraining orders without Ted or me even having to testify. 

Through asking for public records, we discovered facts that we think the community may not know, but should know. It has been a difficult process, because Risovi is in charge of public records and has many times stalled the process and unlawfully overcharged us, charges which she had to pay back once Scott Porsborg took over as Assistant State's Attorney. In the meantime, Risovi let her friends/supporters believe that we were sending her threatening letters (which were actually legal notices which we lawfully had to send to her). She has appealed to them to help her stop our "bullying" her. (In this case, "bullying" in our opinion means "investigating and confronting" her.) 

Not knowing the true facts (or not caring about the truth) a few of Risovi's supporters have based their opinions on untruths and have spread all kinds of rumors which have no basis in fact.  Some of them are very good at taking a fact and twisting it into a lie that actually sounds like it might be true.

As for facts that we've discovered (with documented proof), I've put together a lengthy list for everyone to read. Many of these facts are obvious to everyone, just by observing Commissioner Straley and Auditor Risovi at the commissioners' meetings. Other facts were discovered by asking for public records which are available at the Auditor's office. Lastly, many of the following facts are contained in legal documents, court hearing transcripts, and legal depositions of Straley, Risovi and Greger. (I've highlighted some facts that are particularly interesting.)   I'll be happy to share proof of any of the following  statements.

 COMMISSIONER STRALEY:
 - only allows certain people to speak at commissioners' meetings
 - yells at people with opposing views 
 - talks loudly over constituents' attempts to speak 
 - often hits the panic button to have Sheriff/deputies oust his critics 
 - constantly votes with Greger against Commissioner Carr's wishes 
 - unlawfully voted to hire Teresa Risovi as Emergency Manager during an executive meeting on December 6, 2011 before telling the community  
- invites citizens to file law suits against the county instead of admitting errors and fixing them 
- voted to hire Risovi as "interim" auditor during unclearly-noticed meeting before telling the community. Later changed the commissioners' notes to "appointed" giving her full official capacity as Auditor 
 - voted to give Auditor/Emergency Manager Risovi a $50,000 salary and two aides - against Commissioner Carr's objection (ND Century Code says that an auditor cannot be paid for another government job.) 
 - voted to eliminate voting machines anywhere other than Carrington - against Commissioner Carr's objection 

 AUDITOR RISOVI: 
 - denies requests of certain community members who are critical of her to be on the agenda at the Foster County Commissioners' Meetings 
 - filed frivolous restraining orders against Ted & Judy Keller, community members who were/are critical of her job as Auditor. Her suits were dismissed by Judge Schmitz. 
 - lied under oath in her petitions and committed perjury numerous times in court 
 - unethically put untrue words in commission meeting notes to support her frivolous restraining petitions. Later commissioners voted to take them out as untrue. 
 - angrily mean-mouths - uses foul language - against community members 
 - used "the bird" to express herself in the Foster County courtroom 
 - recorded phone calls to her office without telling callers 
 - told friends on Facebook (Nov. 21, 2011) that "I accepted the Emergency Manager of Foster County (Carrington) ... I start Dec 1st." That was weeks before applicants were even interviewed by the commissioners on December 6, 2011. You should hear Straley on the tape insisting on hiring Teresa as "the best person for the job." 
 - was hired as interim auditor in an unclearly, perhaps unlawfully, noticed commissioners' meeting on March 3, 2014, before telling the public - against Commissioner Carr's objection.
 - was given a $50,000 salary by Straley and Greger for 2 jobs (Auditor & Emergency Manager) with 2 assistants - against Carr's objection 
 - fired Assistant Auditor Sarah Aberle without notice and hired an aide without auditor's experience to replace her 
 - mismanaged and messed up the absentee ballot system, engendering distrust from many community members 
 - leads her friends and the community to believe that certain concerned citizens are bullying her, when, in fact, they are investigating and legally attempting to expose her unlawful and incompetent actions as Foster County Auditor 

THESE FACTS ARE ALL DOCUMENTED BY VIDEO TAPES, LEGAL DOCUMENTS, PHONE RECORDS, IN-COURT CAMERA, TRANSCRIPTS FROM COURT HEARING, LEGAL DEPOSITIONS OF STRALEY, RISOVI AND GREGER, FOSTER COUNTY COMMISSION NOTES, NEWS ARTICLES FROM THE FOSTER COUNTY INDEPENDENT, DAKTEL TV/TAPES, AUDIO TAPES AND MORE.