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.

Last year, on Jully 30, 2013,  I went on the Carrington Ag Business Tour.  At that time I took the following pictures and wrote a short review of the tour.  I really appreciated the chance to see firsthand four of the most successful ag businesses in our area.

The tour was very informative and successfully pointed out the intense focus/dedication that these business owners have in order to be so successful.

I hope that the Carrington Convention and Visitors Bureau will organize another Ag Business Tour this summer - with a focus on four more businesses.


Carrington Ag Business Tour - July 30, 2013

 

 

     The Carrington Ag Business Tour took place on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, visiting four ag-oriented establishments in our area: Andy Deterding Ag Aviation; NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center; Richard Zink's Wholesale Ag Products; and the Van Bedaf Dairy.

     The four ag businesses on this tour are excellent examples of ag-oriented endeavors at their best. These business owners and the staff at NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center need to be commended for the extreme effort they put into their work... and for the economic opportunities/prestige they bring to our community.

     Special thanks goes to Steve Metzger for hosting the tour and to Farm Credit Services, North Dakota Farmers Union, Arrowwood Prairie Co-op and the Carrington Convention and Visitors Bureau for making this tour possible.

Foster County, ND Auditor Refuses To Let Citizens Speak at Commissioners Meeting

Even though Judge Schmitz dismissed the restraining orders that Foster County Auditor Teresa Risovi filed against my husband (Ted Keller) and me, the restraint against our freedom of speech continues.  I requested to be on the agenda for the Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, but the auditor's assistant, Heather Martin, sent me an email denying my request to speak.   She also denied my husband's request as follows: "I am responding on behalf of Teresa to your email below.  She has consulted with the attorneys and you [mispelled] request has been denied."

Since Auditor Risovi LIED (under oath) in order to get restraining orders against my husband and me, and since she was caught COMMITTING PERJURY in court during the April 25, 2014, hearing, how can I believe that she has "consulted with attorneys" or that these attorneys have told her to deny my request to be on the agenda?

Most likely, Chairman Straley and Auditor Risovi don't want my questions/comments to be televised by way of DakTel, exposing the questionable practices that are taking place.  For instance, I want to know if our tax money went to pay for Risovi's attorney during the court hearing about our restraining orders.  That hearing and attorney's costs wouldn't have been necessary if she hadn't filed the ridiculous restraining orders against us.  

Also, do you realize that Assistant State's Attorney Scott Porsborg has been hired by Foster County to defend Teresa Risovi in a civil law suit which we have filed against her personally? Why do the citizens of Foster County have to pay for Risovi's wreckless actions?  Most importantly, who is authorizing this expense?  Is this something else that Chairman Straley and Auditor Risovi have cooked up between themselves?  (Haven't you heard, as we have, that Straley and Risovi were involved in getting rid of Ex-Auditor Roger Slotmann and in having Commissioner Chairman Jimmy Carr arrested?  Isn't it interesting that Paul Straley then became Commissioner Chairman and Teresa Risovi became Auditor?)

How are they continuing to get away with their questionably suspicious actions?!!  As well, who else is involved in their effort to keep the public in the dark about what is going on at the Foster County Courthouse?  What are they trying to keep hidden from the public?

For those of you who have been following the Foster County Commissioners' meetings, either by attending or by watching the meetings on DakTel, now would be a good time to get involved. When the Foster County Commissioner Chairman and the Auditor won't let community members speak at meetings, and when the Auditor files restraining orders against citizens who protest against her breaking the law, don't you think something needs to be done?  Please get on the Agenda and speak up.

Foster County, ND - Auditor Commits Perjury in an Effort to Stifle Freedom of Speech

On Friday, April 25, 2014, my husband and I appeared in the Foster County Court before Judge Jay Schmitz in a case entitled Teresa L. Risovi vs. Judy Keller and Ted Keller. Teresa Risovi, the Auditor of Foster County, had restraining orders for disorderly conduct filed against us, and we were in court to fight for our first amendment rights and to refute the charges that she had made. If her charges were found to be true, the temporary restraining orders would have been extended. Then, basically if we did anything that the Auditor considered a threat (like talking loudly around her, gesturing with our hands while talking near her, coming into her office and asking for public records, sitting behind her at Foster County Commissioners meetings, taking pictures of her at the meetings, writing critical articles about her on CarringtonNews.com, "watching" her, etc.), we could be arrested without a warrant and put in jail for up to a year and/or fined $2,000.

QUITE A WEAPON to have in the hands of a vindictive government official!

After listening to the testimony in court, Judge Schmitz dismissed both restraining orders, basically saying that he did not find our actions to be disorderly conduct, or conduct that threatened Auditor Risovi's safety. In his opinion our actions were included under constitutionally-protected activities.

After listening to Risovi testify in court that she is "terrified" of me, I truly have a hard time understanding how I've caused that intense fear, and I'm sorry that she feels the way she does. I want to assure her and her friends that my husband and I are no threat to her personal safety. However, because of the lies that she swore to under oath (committing perjury) in the restraining orders, we will most likely continue to be a threat to her job safety as Auditor of Foster County.

In my opinion, any person who is so insecure and terrorized by the above Constitutionally-protected actions, and who is so ignorant of the law, should not be holding a public office. We need people serving in our government offices who conscientiously make an effort to understand our county/state/federal laws and how they apply to their positions and to the communities they serve... people who we can trust to be honest and truthful with us.

The question is.. how do we get qualified people to run for those offices?
.................................

NOTE: By the way, for the auditor's friends/supporters who thought my husband and I were sending her threatening letters, the letters were simply notifications of legal motions, filings, dates that Auditor Risovi needed to be aware of for the hearing. They were letters with information that would help the auditor prepare for the hearing, a hearing which she, herself, instigated by filing restraining orders against us. Somehow or other... in her and her friends' minds... those official letters turned into "death threats," bullying, and harassment from "crazies." If they're ever in a situation like this again, I hope they make it a point to get some facts before they start spreading the gossip and lies.

Foster County, ND: Auditor Files Restraining Order against Concerned Citizens

Believe it or not, our Foster County Auditor, Teresa Risovi filed a "Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order" against me (and my husband - in two separate orders). According to the petition,"Disorderly Conduct" means intrusive or unwanted acts, words, or gestures that are intended to adversely affect the safety, security or privacy of another person."

I don't think Auditor Risovi understood the following sentence which is also in the petition: "Disorderly conduct does not include consititutionally protected activity," such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to obtain public records, freedom to take pictures of public officials at public meetings, freedom to criticiZe the performance of a public official, and freedom to park in a public parking space, namely the parking lot of Foster County.

The Restraining Order goes on to say that I cannot:1. Engage in any disorderly conduct toward the petitioner 2. Cannot "come within 50 feet of petitioner when petitioner is outside Foster County Courthouse building or come within 25 feet of petitioner's vehicle or residence."

"Violation of this order is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2000. Any peace officer may arrest you with or without a warrant and take you into custody if the peace officer has probable cause to believe you have violated this order."

Well, Auditor Risovi, you are not going to take away my 1st Amendment rights by threatening me with a frivolous restraining order that is filled with paranoid statements and lies. Anyone who has been following CarringtonNews.com knows that I have not threatened you in any way. I have mostly been stating facts about the illegal/abusive way that Chairman Paul Straley has been running the Foster County Commissioners meetings and not allowing community members to speak. The fact that you were hired during an illegal meeting is a matter for the courts to decide.

Could you be more obvious about the fact that your restraining orders were purely retaliatory and meant to quash my civil rights and the rights of my husband? Why didn't you just come out and say that you filed frivolus restraining orders because my husband filed a complaint to remove you from office!

The courts will decide whether or not you are holding your office legally. As well, the courts will decide if you can restrict constitutionally-protected speech and activities here in Foster County, the way you are trying to do with your restraining orders.

Lastly, I think it's pitiful that you can pretend to fear for your safety around a 68-year-old, overweight, arthritic grandma who taught for over 35 years about our constitutional rights... rights which I dearly value and will not give up because of threats from a government official like you.

Beware the Auditor of Foster County, ND

Auditor Teresa Risovi and Commissioner Chairman Paul Straley

One must be careful nowadays when you enter the Foster County Auditor's office... especially if you're there to request public records. Foster County Sheriff's deputies are close at hand, seemingly ready to escort you out, if the auditor, Teresa Risovi, doesn't like you or your "tone." As well, have you heard that your phonecalls are being recorded without your consent? Not a very welcoming or citizen-friendly situation....

I truly think everyone in our community should BE AWARE OF and BEWARE of what's going on at our Foster County Courthouse. 

I personally experienced being told by Teresa Risovi to leave her office and was "walked out" of the auditor's office by two Foster County Sheriff's deputies... along with my husband, Ted Keller. I was there to request the log of the people who had requested public records in the last month because during the last commissioner's meeting, in her report Risovi only mentioned and emphasized names of people who think she was not legally appointed auditor. 

Ted was there to request a copy of Risovi's "Oath of Office" to make sure that she had been sworn in as Auditor legally. Risovi's response to Ted's request was that she didn't know where the Foster County oaths of office were located in her office, and that she had three days to provide him with her Oath of Office or any record that was requested. She raised her voice to tell us to leave her office, and that's when two deputies showed up behind us and walked us out the door. They were nice about it actually, but I felt rather uncomfortable and intimidated by their escort. 

Commissioner Straley Invites Law Suits - April 1, 2014

The Foster County Commissioners Meeting took place at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at the Foster County Courthouse in Carrington. At the meeting, Chairman Paul Straley continued to invite lawsuits to be filed against Foster County. Ted Keller explained to him that he shouldn't have to file a lawsuit against the county in order to get Straley to listen to concerned citizens and follow the law. On March 18th, at the last Commissioners Meeting, Chairman Straley told Keller that if he had a complaint about the way the commission was being run that he should file a lawsuit against them. At that time, Keller explained that if they admitted their errors, they could correct them without a lawsuit. He even explained how to do it. 

Sadly, it seems like the only way to be heard by Chairman Straley is to file a lawsuit against the commission's actions. Ted Keller and Leo Straley did just that. They filed a complaint alledging that Paul Straley and the Foster County Commission violated the North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-20 by acting beyond what was stated in the notice and agenda for their "special" meeting on March 3, 2014. That notice stated that the meeting would only involve the application process for the vacated position of Auditor, not actually appointing a person to be Auditor. Chairman Straley and Commissioner Greger voted to appoint Teresa Risovi as Auditor, against Commissioner Carr's objection to their actions. 

In their Complaint, Keller and Leo Straley asked the Court to rule that the March 3rd "Special" meeting was in violation of North Dakota law and that the appointment of Teresa Risovi should be void. It is their contention that Chairman Straley and Commissioner Greger knowingly violated the law, intentionally depriving the public of any input or comments... thereby "getting their way" without questions or objections from the community.