Scientist, Dakota Beacon publisher and Burleigh County taxpayer Steven Cates got a cold reception from the Burleigh County Commission this past week.

Cates had a spot on the commission's agenda, but made little information available prior to his appearance at the podium before them. The only information Cates provided was "regarding activities of the Burleigh County State's Attorney Office."

Chairman Marlan Haakenson wanted to know why more information wasn't provided which is usually included with the agenda packet the commissioners can get prior to the meeting. This allows them to research a subject and not come into an issue they know nothing about.

Haakenson also warned Cates that he would not allow the podium to be used to make a political statement. Commissioner Jim Peluso added that he appreciates a heads up on what subjects come before the commission. While commissioner Doug Schonert said he was interested in hearing what Cates had to say.

Cates made his way to the podium with a heavy armload of papers, perhaps a sign to the commissioners they were in for a long session. He began that as a concerned taxpayer a situation that had come to his attention that as a taxpayer he might be helping prosecute a couple of people, when jails were full. Cates also claimed the prosecution was an aggressive misuse of public oversight on behalf of the county's state's attorney's office.

It appeared Cates was referring to State's Attorney Richard Riha's charges again Workforce Safety & Insurance director Sandy Blunt and WSI investigator Romi Leingang. Cates said he put in more than 200 hours of investigation into the case and found quite a number of anomalies.

But before Cates got into his discourse, Haakenson cut him off explaining the commission had no authority over the state's attorney office, which is an elected position. Haakenson suggested he take up the issue with the attorney general's office. Schonert added that the only control the commission had over the state's attorney was the budget.

"He (Riha) does not answer to us and we do not look into his business," Schonert said. "If he sees fit to prosecute he can. If it's inappropriate the state's attorney has to answer to the voters."

Cates was asked if he intended to ask an specific action from the commission, and he admitted he wasn't. He added that he felt the commission meeting was the appropriate venue to bring his concerns and that there was no other venue to do so.

Haakenson wouldn't allow Cates to continue, explaining that he didn't feel it was appropriate and that Cates should have provided more information. Cates responded that he was only asked to provide a few sentences regarding the issue and not extensive information for the agenda.

Haakenson ended the discussion saying Cates needed to provide more information and what action the commission should take if he planned on bringing the issue back to the commission.

A record

More than 105,000 pounds of electronics were dropped off at Bismarck's seventh annual Electronics Recycling Day held in April.

This is a new record and a 47 percent increase over last year, according to city recycling specialist Galen Bren.

The event drew 709 Bismarck residents and nine commercial customers.

Bismarck's Spring Clean Up Week, April 16-21, collected 753 tons of garbage, 97 tons of metal and 1,185 tires.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)