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District 12 Senate candidates answer questions 'On the Issues'

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District 12 Senate candidates answer questions 'On the Issues'


Cole Conley and Olivia Schloegel of Jamestown are seeking the District 12 Senate seat in the North Dakota Legislature. The person elected will serve a four-year term. Conley, a Republican, is the incumbent, and Schloegel, a Democrat, is seeking her first four-year term. The candidates were asked eight written questions and were limited to a response of 175 words per question. They also provided requested biographical information. The candidates’ answers to the questions were not changed in any way.

Cole Conley

Contributed / Urban Toad Media

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Cole Conley
Employment or occupation (former if retired): semi-retired farmer/businessman
Education: attended UND
Immediate family (name of spouse; number of children and grandchildren, if applicable): widowed (Colleen); three daughters and 10 grandchildren
Up to 5 memberships/organizations of which you are a member: none provided

Olivia Schloegel.jpg

Olivia Schloegel

Contributed / C Photography

Olivia Schloegel
Employment or occupation (former if retired): Presently a Research Coordinator, working remotely for a multi-institution wetland monitoring program; previously a Biologist for U.S. Geological Survey (Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center), Adjunct Professor (University of Jamestown, Valley City State University).

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Education: DePaul University (B.S., Environmental Science, minor in Philosophy), University of Connecticut (M.S., Natural Resources)

Immediate family (name of spouse; number of children and grandchildren, if applicable): husband, David

Up to 5 memberships/organizations of which you are a member: Meals on Wheel volunteer, Kiwanis member, TRAC yoga instructor, Jamestown Forestry Committee member, District 12 Dem-NPL Chair

1. Why should voters choose you to represent District 12 in the North Dakota Legislature? Explain.
Cole Conley: It is very important that District 12 citizens have a proven, effective voice in Bismarck to represent them. Being a long-time resident myself, I know the community and values of the residents and think that I fairly represent those values with my votes. Being in the majority party gives me a seat at the table with other decision makers. Ultimately, it comes down to relationships I have built with like-minded legislators to get the majority of votes to pass legislation that works for the citizens of District 12. Being a Senator involves much more than sitting in the Senate Chamber and voting on proposed bills. I spend a much larger portion of my time in committee hearings, meetings with leadership, state agency officials and other legislators. Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Dickinson and Grand Forks have multiple Senators representing them. District 12 has only one, so I work closely with Senator Wanzek and other Senators from rural districts to level the playing field while maintaining great relationships with all of my Senate colleagues.

Olivia Schloegel: Neighbors and peers describe me as “dependable, level-headed, and earnest.” My balanced approach to collaborative decision making is a strength I would bring to elected office, as are my skills in communication, analysis, and assessment. I am community-driven; I believe we can celebrate the good and talk honestly about challenges with empathy and determination. As our region and state face unprecedented change, we need a leader who can think on her feet, integrate new perspectives as they enter, and be rooted in addressing practical needs and solutions. I sincerely want a government that works better for more people, and I would be a strong listener, voice, and leader for the different sectors and nuances of our region if elected to represent you in Bismarck.

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2. What do you think are the top three priorities of the state? Explain.
Conley: Energy security. Demand for power keeps rising while generation of power is staying flat or slightly declining. By 2030 and beyond, there will be insufficient generation to meet peak demand. Large areas of ND are in a high risk condition and new shortfalls may exist at normal peak conditions. We need to add more power plants and transmission lines to keep up with growing demand.

Economic Development. It is important to diversify our economy to create additional opportunities to grow our economy and become less dependent on just two industries, energy and agriculture. Tourism is ND’s number three industries and there are ample opportunities to expand.

Water Issues. We have been plagued with too much water since the 90’s. We have spent millions of dollars on raising road grades. It probably would have been wiser to help fund irrigation projects to help drain the problem areas which would reclaim productive farmland as well as making the surrounding land more productive.

Schloegel: The top three priorities facing our state are 1. creating property tax reform and relief, 2. building an economy for short- and long-term success, and 3. taking care of working families, seniors, and young people. Energy and agriculture are economic strengths- I’m excited to see how we can diversify and expand those sectors while also making long-term investments today in other pillars. I think we can leverage and grow our tourism capacity. The wide open space of North Dakota is sometimes something we joke about, but I seriously believe we can offer a place for people to slow down; enjoy our prairies, sloughs and other recreational spaces; and experience the elements of the community we love. North Dakotans have big hearts and work hard, but face un-met needs. Let’s listen to the real needs of residents across generations in order to make sure folks who want to stay here have the opportunity to do so, more residents have a reason to stay, and new people are welcome here to grow a vibrant workforce and community.

3. What issue in North Dakota requires more attention? Explain.

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Conley: Transparency. We need to do a better job communicating the State budgeting process and how the dollars are spent. Measure 4 is the result of citizens not understanding where the money is being spent and thinking the legislature is spending tax dollars on pet projects which I have found not to be the case. In fact, millions have gone to tax relief. Citizens have a right to know where Legacy Fund dollars are being invested and with who.

Schloegel: Two issues we need urgent attention to are childcare and housing. While there was progress last session solving the “family” side of the childcare equation by improving and expanding aid to families, supporting the “provider” side fell short, despite an effort by some legislators to address this issue comprehensively. I’ve talked with multiple childcare providers in town, and I’m excited to pick up where the last session left off and contribute to substantial solutions. Our community deserves well-rounded approaches to address on-the-ground childcare wage and workforce realities. Childcare and early education should be a career path that is both viable and valued, and we need funding and policy to better support caretakers. We have people who work at Cavendish, Collins, the State Hospital and Prison and elsewhere in Jamestown who commute because of lack of affordable housing. Housing is a key people-centered piece to economic development and community livelihood. I want to help our community get better access to state and federal initiatives, and I will collaborate to bring property tax relief to everyday people.

4.  What legislation, if any, that passed in the last session of the North Dakota Legislature did you disagree with? Why?

Conley: There was a Destination Tourism proposal that I would have liked to see turn out differently. The original proposal would have allocated fifty million dollars for tourism projects. The budgeting process cut it down to twenty five million dollars which resulted in worthy projects like Bison World and others being put on hold.

Schloegel: We’re fortunate to have JRMC and OBGYN providers in Stutsman County. All North Dakotans deserve access to adequate care. I disagree with the bill that makes abortion illegal except for within a dangerously short timeframe due to rape or incest (SB 2150). Safe abortion and reproductive care are essential to improving public health outcomes here. Let’s move forward, not backward. I’m grateful for our public school educators and librarians, and they deserve representatives who will solve real problems, not create new ones. I disagree with HB1205, which mandated local libraries go through collections to find “sexually-explicit” materials and remove or relocate them. Our local library already had a mechanism for folks’ to voice concerns and we have trusted stewards of resources who adhere to a code of ethics. I’m disappointed this reactionary bill passed. Of course we need to protect children from harm and make sure material is age-appropriate, that’s why we hire professionals, and we have mechanisms for review and feedback already; this one-time, one-sized fits all approach was wrong and wasteful.

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5. Rising property taxes are of concern to some residents. What, if anything, can the Legislature do to help reduce the property tax burden on residents? Explain.

Conley: I understand that there are a lot of people that are struggling financially and the thought of eliminating property taxes seems like a great idea. However, it does not eliminate property tax, it just shifts the burden to the State to pay the bill. We must keep in mind that local authorities set the budgets and spend the money on necessary expenses. The legislature has recognized that rising property taxes are a burden on all taxpayers and has taken steps to help. In fact, if the state wasn’t helping, our property tax bills would be 40% higher. In the last session, $53.5 million went toward the Homestead Tax Credit and $103.3 million went into the Primary Residence Credit. Additionally, $358 million went toward income tax relief. The state pays about 75% of the per pupil payment to public schools and it wouldn’t surprise me to see proposals to pick up a larger percentage. The largest of your tax bill goes to your local school district. I have also heard of several other proposals.

Schloegel: The state legislature can write a bill about almost anything it wants. The state legislature oversees state agency priorities and gate keeps a lot of federal dollars around housing. I think the legislature can provide direct relief, via tax credits like the homestead tax credit and primary tax credit that passed last session. I think the legislature can continue and expand support for first time and young homebuyers, through programs implemented by state agencies. I think our local legislators need to be strong advocates for our region to make sure we get access to some federal programs and dollars that pass through the state legislature. Finally, I think we need improved communication about how the current property tax burden is shared across different property owners and zoning classes. Perhaps, the state can provide technical assistance or other guidance for this communication. While property tax and housing requires strong collaboration across different levels of government, the state legislature certainly has a role to play.

6. If Measure 4 is approved by voters, it would abolish property taxes. Do you support Measure 4? Explain. 

Conley: Measure 4 leaves a lot of unanswered questions. It does seek to limit the amount of increase by freezing taxes to 2024 levels it does not address double digit inflation. Major corporations pay about ½ of the taxes and we would need to replace that loss of tax revenue from other sources.

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Schloegel: Frustrations are valid. We’ve had decades of leaders in Bismarck telling residents they will “figure this out,” and they have not. To me that means we need to shake up some things with new leadership. Let’s avoid completely breaking things; let’s say no to eliminating this local revenue stream without a clear plan. There were positive steps last session, i.e., $500 primary residence tax credit. Let’s explore increasing that amount and maybe have it automatically applied to property tax bills, because many people didn’t know about it. Let’s find a targeted way to improve communication and metrics around assessments too. When you talk with your friends, please ask them to consider 1. Who does Measure 4 help (mostly out of state landowners), 2. Who does it not help (no direct relief for renters or most everyday homeowners), and 3. Who does it harm (it hurts our community; our EMS providers who answer the call; public teachers who teach us all; local services that we sure as heck know still need some improvements and investments).

7.  Should the Legislature support Bison World? Explain.

Conley: Tourism is the third largest industry in ND and we need to grow tourism. Bison World would be a great addition. It would bring tourists and their dollars to ND and add significantly to our economy as well as create jobs and opportunities for hospitality focused businesses.

Schloegel: Bison World and other tourism opportunities certainly need support from the state legislature, both through funding and through setting priorities and guidance for state programs and in-state investment mechanisms. I was really happy to host a round table about the Legacy Fund and In-state investment programs this fall. We were able to get questions answered about existing ways the Legacy Fund principal is being geared toward in-state businesses and endeavors such as Bison World. There, we also talked about how to most effectively “sell” Bison World to the state legislature and the people in Jamestown, we need to concurrently address community development realities such as housing, workforce, and local input about land-use. I’d be a strong voice for Jamestown in these discussions in Bismarck. I’d continue to bring different people to the table rather than stubbornly push ahead without changing any original viewpoint. I’m collaborative, practical, empathetic, and good at bridging different perspectives.

8. What is your vision for the state of North Dakota five years from now?

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Conley: My vision for ND is that we would have a vibrant economy comprised of diverse business interests which would provide jobs and services to support our citizens. I would also like to see ND become less dependent on outside sources.

Schloegel: Let’s embrace wide open space and the opportunity it provides, not just for development, but finding new parts of ourselves and our community. Let’s think twice about economic development for the sake of the economy; the economy is a means to an end not an end in it itself. I want to center people, community, and vibrancy. My vision for our region in five years is one that empowers creative businesses, one with clean air and water, one that has safe and accessible streets and parks that don’t require a perpetual loop of spaghetti feeds and raffles to fund, and one in which more people feel welcome. Five years from now, I want the teacher or counselor who working with a student “in-between” being extreme enough for a certain program but still needs intervention; the family “in-between” making enough to not qualify for housing aid but not enough to afford groceries; the young person “in-between” staying with their roots and finding true freedom elsewhere; I want them all to feel better connected and supported here.

9.  What other topics not included in the other questions would you like to address here? Explain.

Conley: Work force and housing are being addressed and the legislature continues to focus on these important issues. In the last session we $66million to expand childcare centers to support parents that wish to join the work force. We invested $68million in Career and Technology centers to develop home grown skilled trade workers. We need to keep working on these things. Housing needs to be the responsibility of local entities but there are many programs that can be accessed through the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota Rural Development.

Schloegel: I’m worried about transparency and accountability in Bismarck, so proactive communication in general would be a core tenet of my leadership in the state senate. I think any call for transparency in the Legacy Fund needs to be matched with actions around better accountability and accessibility to decisions getting made elsewhere. To me, this means having better partisan balance, yes, but also electing leaders who know how to actively balance lived experiences and expert opinion. From the repeal of the anti-corporate farming law to school voucher discussions that happened in private before someone spoke up, we have seen evidence of our elected leaders losing touch with their commitment to the people of our region. We can all be a part of positive change, we need to keep showing up in all levels of government and participate where we can. But we also need leaders who meet us where we’re at and don’t forget us. I’d be honored to represent this region for the next four years in this capacity.

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North Dakota

ND Agriculture offering free remote session for produce growers

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ND Agriculture offering free remote session for produce growers


MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) — Produce growers in North Dakota can gain free training thanks to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

The session is free and will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, remotely.

Registration is open to anyone in the U.S., however non-produce growers will be invoiced for course materials.

Produce safety, worker health, soil amendments, and more will be topics covered in the session.

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The session will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m.

To register, follow this link: https://forms.office.com/g/Ct33hhgg5z.

To ask questions about either the session or the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, please contact Katrina Hanenberg at 701-328-2307 or kmhanenberg@nd.gov.



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Judge denies Greenpeace request to investigate mailer critical of DAPL protests • North Dakota Monitor

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Judge denies Greenpeace request to investigate mailer critical of DAPL protests • North Dakota Monitor


A judge has denied a request by environmental group Greenpeace to gather evidence on a right-wing, pro-fossil fuel mailer that may have targeted potential jurors in its legal battle with Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Some Morton County residents in October reported receiving a 12-page direct mailer called “Central ND News” containing material complimentary of Energy Transfer as well as stories that highlighted criminal activity by anti-Dakota Access Pipeline protesters. 

Greenpeace is one of many activist groups that backed the demonstrations in 2016 and 2017. Protesters camped in rural south-central North Dakota for months in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which says the pipeline is a tribal sovereignty and environmental threat.

Energy Transfer filed suit against Greenpeace in Morton County District Court in 2019, accusing the group of coordinating a misinformation campaign against the company and of engaging in criminal acts during the demonstrations.

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Greenpeace seeks court permission to research mailer critical of DAPL protests

The pipeline developer seeks tens of millions of dollars in damages from Greenpeace.

Greenpeace says its role in the protests was limited, that it did not spread misinformation about Energy Transfer and that it never participated in or endorsed criminal activity. The case is scheduled for trial before a nine-person jury beginning in February.

In court documents, Greenpeace expressed concerns that the direct mailer was written specifically to give Energy Transfer the upper hand when the suit goes to trial. It requested permission from Southwest Judicial District Court Judge James Gion to conduct discovery into a Texas company that printed and distributed the Central ND News.

“We should have the right to figure out who sent it, when they did and why,” Everett Jack, an attorney representing Greenpeace, said in a hearing in December.

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Energy Transfer has disputed this claim, arguing there’s no meaningful evidence the mailer was intended to prejudice the jury. Trey Cox, representing the pipeline developer, last month called Greenpeace’s motion a “thinly veiled attempt” to delay the trial and move the case to a different court.

In a Dec. 17 order, Gion seemed to agree with Greenpeace that the mailer may have been an effort to sway jurors.

“The Court takes an extremely dim view of attempts to influence a jury panel before the trial,” he wrote.

Still, the judge found it would not be appropriate to approve the discovery request without further evidence the mailer has had a measurable impact on the jury pool.

“There is only one way to determine if such an attempt is successful, and unfortunately the Court agrees with Energy Transfer that way is through the jury questionnaires and jury selection,” he wrote in the order. “If the Court cannot empanel a jury in Morton County, there will obviously be a delay in the trial and the Court can revisit this issue at that time.”

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The direct mailer resembles a print newspaper. Its distribution in Morton County residents was first reported in a joint article by the North Dakota News Cooperative and climate news publication Floodlight. The article identifies the owner of the publication as Metric Media, which has launched hundreds of conservative-leaning local news outlets that rely heavily on algorithmically generated content.

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In appeal, man tied to former Sen. Ray Holmberg says search warrant in his own case was unconstitutional

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In appeal, man tied to former Sen. Ray Holmberg says search warrant in his own case was unconstitutional


FARGO — A Grand Forks man connected to a former North Dakota senator who traveled abroad with plans to sexually abuse children is appealing

his own federal child sex abuse conviction,

arguing a search warrant in the case was unconstitutional.

Nicholas James Morgan-Derosier, 37, argued evidence showing he possessed child sex abuse material should have been thrown out due to what his defense team called an “overbroad” search warrant. The warrant was used to search Morgan-Derosier’s home in September 2020 for evidence that he violated a judicial order that banned him from doing business as Team Lawn, his landscaping business.

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The search turned up a thumb drive that contained child sex abuse materials, according to court documents. Police applied for a search warrant once they found images of children being sexually abused, court documents said.

The evidence likely would have been used in a trial in North Dakota U.S. District Court, but Morgan-Derosier pleaded guilty in September 2023 to charges that said he received, distributed and possessed child sex abuse materials. The plea came after U.S. District Judge Peter Welte denied Morgan-Derosier’s motion to suppress.

Prosecutors also said the defendant sexually abused multiple children over the years, including some he met online and lured to a physical location. Morgan-Derosier and another man sexually abused a boy in 2020 together in a tent near Park Rapids, Minnesota, court documents said.

Morgan-Derosier did not have to admit to the sexual abuse, but he is serving a 40-year sentence for possessing thousands of child sex abuse materials and sharing some of the images online.

Morgan-Derosier reserved the right to appeal his conviction based on the search warrant.

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He filed a notice to appeal

last year in the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In an appeals brief that was recently unsealed, Morgan-Derosier’s attorney argued that the search warrant was unconstitutional, overbroad and lacking particularity. His team also argued that the warrant led to evidence of a crime that was unrelated to the investigation of his business dealings, the brief said.

“The warrant essentially authorized the police to seize all computers and electronic devices for any crime that was committed at any time,” the brief said. “It is difficult to conceive a less particular or more broad case.”

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Ray Holmberg.

Contributed / Sherburne County Jail

Morgan-Derosier has been connected to former Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks.

The Forum reported on phone records

that showed Holmberg and Morgan-Derosier exchanged dozens of text messages while Morgan-Derosier was jailed in August 2021.

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During Morgan-Derosier’s

January 2022 detention hearing,

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl said a “77-year-old man from Grand Forks” texted Morgan-Derosier on Aug. 23, 2021, about bringing Morgan-Derosier’s 19- or 20-year-old boyfriend “over for a massage.” Puhl did not identify the 77-year-old, but the age matched Holmberg’s at the time.

In an interview with The Forum, Holmberg denied asking Morgan-Derosier about a massage but acknowledged he texted Morgan-Derosier about patio work and “a variety of things.”

Other documents and audio recordings revealed Holmberg gave Morgan-Derosier a

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ride to Bismarck

shortly after police searched Morgan-Derosier’s home. Once there, Morgan-Derosier spoke with North Dakota consumer protection officials about his business, according to a transcript from the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Holmberg attended a legislative energy development and transmission committee meeting that day.

Holmberg was

charged in October 2023

in federal court, with prosecutors saying he

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traveled to Prague

multiple times in the 2010s with plans to sexually abuse children. He pleaded guilty to the charge in August.

During that plea hearing,

prosecutors said Holmberg and Morgan-Derosier watched child sex abuse material together.

Holmberg has been

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jailed in Minnesota

after

a judge

determined he

violated presentence release conditions.

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A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled in his case.

Holmberg served in the North Dakota Senate from 1976 to 2022, when he

resigned shortly after The Forum

broke the story about his connection to Morgan-Derosier.

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April Baumgarten

April Baumgarten has been a journalist in North Dakota since 2011. She joined The Forum in February 2019 as an investigative reporter. Readers can reach her at 701-241-5417 or abaumgarten@forumcomm.com.





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