Executive Committee Present: Staff: Chair Dale V. Sandstrom called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. He announced that appointments would be the first items on the agenda. The first appointment considered was for the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. Ten people have expressed an interest in being appointed. There is one vacancy. The ten individuals who have applied for appointments are Sonna M. Anderson, Bismarck; Krista L. Andrews, Assistant Attorney General; Douglas A. Bahr, Solicitor General; Leonard Bucklin, formerly of Bismarck, currently in Texas; Parrell D. Grossman, Assistant Attorney General, Chief of Consumer Protection and Antitrust; David Huey, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal and Regulatory; William Kirschner, Fargo; Robert W. Martin, Bismarck; Calvin Rolfson, Bismarck; and Jeff Rotering, Hettinger. Chair Sandstrom indicated an inclination to appoint Cal Rolfson. After discussion, Judge Kirk Smith moved that the committee support Cal Rolfson's appointment. Judge Robert O. Wefald seconded the motion. Carried. Chair Sandstrom announced that the next appointments were for three members on the Continuing Judicial Education Commission. These appointments are made by the Executive Committee. Judge Donald Jorgensen, Chair of the Commission, nominated three individuals for the vacancies. Judge M. Richard Geiger has served one term and wishes to be reappointed; Judge William Severin, Municipal Judge from Bismarck, would replace Judge Robert Keogh who has completed two full terms; and the president of the Juvenile Court Association, Dennis Johnson, requested that James Fish be appointed to a three-year term. Judge James M. Bekken moved that all three be selected. Judge Wefald seconded the motion. Carried. Chair Sandstrom next announced that Judge Robert Holte, Chair of the Jury Standards Committee, has requested that Ted Gladden be appointed to the Committee. After discussion and consultation, Judge Bekken moved that the chair consider Ted Gladden for appointment. Judge Wefald seconded the motion. Carried. Chair Sandstrom announced that in recent years the practice has developed that the Executive Committee has served as the Program Committee. Judge Wefald moved that the Executive Committee continue to serve as the Program Committee. Justice Mary Muehlen Maring second the motion. Carried. Chair Sandstrom announced that at the last meeting of the Judicial Conference, the Judicial Conference passed a motion to terminate the Judicial Education Commission and establish it as a committee under the Judicial Conference. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Executive Committee that a rule be developed and sent to the Supreme Court. Chair Sandstrom announced that the Judicial Compensation Committee has been very active and working hard. Judge Ralph Erickson has been very active in this endeavor. A meeting has been scheduled with the Governor to ask for his support. Judge Bekken moved that the Executive Committee go on record supporting the plan and action of the Judicial Compensation Committee. Judge Wefald seconded the motion. Carried. The program for the SBAND Annual Meeting was discussed. There is one topic on evidence that will be presented on Friday morning and should be of interest to judges. It was agreed by all that judicial education courses should not be scheduled for that day. It was also agreed that the Judicial Conference should start on Thursday, the 15th of June. Education courses then would run on Thursday morning, with the afternoon on Thursday, after the Law School luncheon and before the general assembly, devoted to the business meeting. A number of possible presentations were discussed, and the meeting concluded with directions to Keithe Nelson to contact Dr. Isaiah Zimmerman who has a presentation on Judicial Stress and see if he would be able to make a presentation. The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Justice Dale V. Sandstrom, Chair
Justice Mary Muehlen Maring
Judge Kirk Smith
Judge Robert O. Wefald
Judge James M. Bekken
Judge Ronald E. Goodman
Keithe E. Nelson