Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Labor commissioner named

Labor commissioner named

Jul 08, 2005 - 23:16:07 CDT

By TOM RAFFERTY, Bismarck Tribune

Gov. John Hoeven appointed Cass County prosecutor Lisa Fair McEvers to head the Labor Department on Friday, making her the second person to hold the position since Mark Bachmeier resigned in August 2004.

Fair McEvers, who has been assistant state's attorney in Cass County since 2001, will replace Leann Bertsch, who recently became the director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Bertsch was assistant state's attorney in Burleigh County before being appointed labor commissioner.

Hoeven said Fair McEvers' skills as a prosecutor and as a private practice attorney will help her lead the office.

"Whether it's handling human rights issues, labor issues, housing issues ... as well as the management skills that it takes in that office, I think she comes very, very well prepared," Hoeven said.

A native of Minto, McEvers, 43, holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota and a law degree from the UND School of Law. She worked as a law clerk to Justice Willam A. Neumann of the North Dakota Supreme Court before entering into private practice in Fargo from 1998 to 2001.

Hoeven met Fair McEvers after she applied for a position as a district judge in Fargo last year. She also had applied for a vacancy on the Supreme Court earlier this year that was eventually given to Daniel J. Crothers.

Fair McEvers wants to be a judge some day, but she said she is happy to continue serving the public.

"Having the opportunity to lead an office and to serve the governor in any capacity is a step up for me," she said.

She cited her new position as a way to continue being on "the people's side," while expanding her career.

"I love being a prosecutor," McEvers said. "But at some point, you have to decide whether you're going to be a career prosecutor, or whether you want to spread your wings and try something new."

Fair McEvers said her first priority will be to get to know the staff and get acquainted with the caseload and issues facing the department. At a news conference on Friday she said she hadn't yet been in the office and wasn't up to speed with the issues facing the office.

The Labor Department is responsible for enforcing wage and hour laws, as well as human rights issues, including allegations of housing and job discrimination.

The Labor Commission has been sued over its handling of discrimination complaints.

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and seven individuals sued the department last year, claiming their disputes were not being handled properly.

A judge ruled later that the Human Rights Coalition, a nonprofit organization, could not be a part of the lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that Bachmeier failed to determine whether a discriminatory practice occurred for the vast majority of discriminatory practice complaints filed with him. They also alleged that he refused to provide administrative hearings for individuals alleging violations of their human rights.

East Central District Judge Herman R. Douglas allowed the case to proceed as a class action lawsuit, but in May the Supreme Court reversed the judge's decision for a class-action suit and sent the case back to him.

Cheryl Bergian, executive director of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, was pleased with Hoeven's pick for labor commissioner.

"She has the knowledge and ability to assess information and hold entities and people accountable for their actions," Bergian said.

Bergian, who is a lawyer, said Fair McEvers has a good reputation in the legal community and that she is confident that Fair McEvers will continue the improvements that Bertsch made while she was in office.

Fair McEvers will begin the job Aug. 25. She will oversee 11 employees and receive an annual salary of $60,000.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

sister wrote on Dec 12, 2007 11:03 PM:

" your missed dearly buddy. "

guess wrote on Feb 13, 2007 12:19 PM:

" Thanks for putting MY efforts into the paper. You rock. No Alyysa, this is my idea. "

Alyssa Roller wrote on Jan 1, 2007 10:27 PM:

" hey . thanks for putting that sweet article in the news paper i just love when people can read about me ! well thanks love : alyssa roller "

Question? wrote on Dec 30, 2006 9:52 AM:

" How come is the school improvement director for DPI not a licensed teacher? Is this a patern the State Superintendent of Public Instruction has been doing for years? I've heard rumors to that effect. It would be nice if someone would check this out - and not only in the school improvment department. I think the State Superintendent should be held to the same standard as public schools are held to in North Dakota. Currently when schools hire teachers who do not have a current North Dakota Teacher's License, someone (the teacher) pays a fine ( I think it is about $ 100. per day.) I think what is good for the goose is good for the gander. DPI should be held to the same standard as teachers and the schools. "

Correction wrote on Dec 30, 2006 9:38 AM:

" The article states that "The plan provides further details to state assessments, which are currently given to fourth-, eighth- and 12th-graders and will eventually be expanded to other grades." This is incorrect. For the past 2 years the state assessments were administered to students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11. Twelfth grade students haven't been assessed for 3 years. "

Let's do it!! wrote on Oct 19, 2006 5:34 PM:

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Kristin wrote on Aug 24, 2006 2:09 AM:

" Well i was searching for my friend Kelly Winn the snow boarder i meant from the max air show at a Carnival in Carbondale IL... i use to work with Harris Exoitics and we were set up right behind him... Kelly and i kept in touch for a while after but i guess i know why the letters stopped now. you know it sucks to have had to find out this was. i still thought of him from time to time hoping one day we'd see eachother again i cant believe i had to find out this way years later what had a happen. RIP Kelly. Im just sorry it took me this long to find out.. "

ummyeah wrote on Aug 16, 2006 10:39 AM:

" These comments aren't even about the article. Wow. "

washingtongirl1 wrote on Aug 3, 2006 3:30 AM:

" Wow! These comments don't even seem to apply...? Far too confusing for those who read, to even try to care. Hmmm, who screens this anyway? "

L33tmaster wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:51 AM:

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hunkpapa wrote on May 24, 2006 9:32 AM:

" The Gaming Division of North Dakota need to furhter investigate this man. He has been given a license to steal just as he did at Standing Rock. Banks accounts and other financial information needs to be collected and examined on how he was able to obtain the funds to purchase the establishment in Fargo. One would believe it was from the money that was obtined from the Standing Rock Tribe. Be where of this individual. "

Shannon wrote on May 16, 2006 11:49 AM:

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berber wrote on May 8, 2006 6:50 PM:

" what is another bird in the pelican family "

kathy toohey wrote on May 4, 2006 12:26 AM:

" I never fully understood the vital lifeline that Greyhound is, or was according to the article. It is somewhat confusing, you don't know if they are going or coming back. All of the stories are everyday stories and these are the ones that should be heard, and considered in such a decision, community, and communities that were all connected by this one bus line, and the jobs that were connected with this company, to rid these individuals of this one required mode of transportation is totally uncalled for and should be rectified immediately. We have to remember what we are dealing with here, humans who by helping them, they help one another, and it continues on,and all concerned will benefit and they will make their money, they have to remember maybe their pockets are to full and might need some individuals to be held accountable for the reasons that this is happening at all. "

Bob Armentrout wrote on Apr 17, 2006 9:21 AM:

" Just a quick note, my wife (who is from the La Crosse, WI area) and I saw about 200 white pelicans on the Mississippi River, just south of Stoddard WI. She told me she had never seen pelicans in this area before. We saw the flock first on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006. Today, April 17, the flock has scattered some, mostly appearing to be in breeding pairs. If we see any nesting, we will post additional comments. "

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