June voting to be done by mail

At its regular meeting on April 7, the Eddy County Commission passed a motion to eliminate the physical polling location for the June 9 election. This was done in response to Gov. Burgum’s executive order allowing counties to conduct their June election by mail-in ballot only. Also per the requirements, a secure drop box for ballots will be placed at the bottom of the courthouse’s front steps during regular business hours.

As of the April 6 filing deadline, the City of New Rockford has a race for mayor (or president of the commission) and a seat with no petitioners. Commissioner Stu Richter petitioned to challenge incumbent president Calvin Packard, who also filed for re-election. Commissioner Kelly McKnight and Justin Ystaas have filed for the two open four-year terms. A two-year unexpired position remains with no candidates. A resident of New Rockford interested in serving on the commission now must campaign as a write-in to be considered for candidacy in the June election.

The New Rockford Park District also has an open seat with no candidate. Incumbent Kristi Swenson filed for re-election to her seat, but Judy Allmaras decided not to seek another term. Again, residents interested in filling the open seat can participate by campaigning as a write-in candidate.

COVID-19 was again on policymakers’ minds during the meeting. The Eddy County Commission adopted a new policy to minimize close contact between and among county employees. All elected officials have been asked to go home when they do not have any official duties to perform at the courthouse. Chairman Dave Gehrtz said he would also encourage Sheriff Lies to implement a policy limiting the number of staff in his office at one time to comply with new guidelines from the CDC.

A close contact is now defined as anyone who has been within 12 feet of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes at a time within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

As Congress considers stimulus funding for infrastructure projects, Eddy County Road Superintendent Todd Weber worked quickly to prepare a short list of road projects that are ready for construction in 2020 or 2021. Weber submitted the documentation on the county’s behalf at the request of the NDDOT.

County nurse Danette Schmid requested to increase Kortney Roscoe’s hours during the pandemic, as the public health office has taken the lead on community response efforts related to COVID-19. The commission approved the request, noting that the additional hours would be documented and submitted for disaster reimbursement.

Correction: The online version of this article was updated on Saturday, April 11 to correct the reference to the open seat to which Justin Ystaas petitioned. Ystaas filed for the second four-year term, not a three-year term. There is no three-year term seat open. We apologize for the error. The correction will also be published in the April 20 print edition.