Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - WSI chair won't seek another term

WSI chair won't seek another term

Dec 02, 2008 - 04:05:26 CST

By CRYSTALR. REID
Bismarck Tribune

Workforce Safety and Insurance board chair Mark Gjovig will not serve another term, the agency says.

Gjovig became the head of the agency's board of directors after chair Bob Indvik resigned in January. Gjovig was appointed as an employer representative to a six-year term in 2003; his term expires Dec. 31 of this year.

"I am proud of the WSI accomplishments during my tenure at the agency," Gjovig said in a news release. "The dedicated employees at the agency are committed to achieving high standards that make the agency the benchmark for quality in the nation."

He went on to say he believes the agency must continue to remain a quiet and positive work environment to keep the focus on the betterment of the injured worker.

Gjovig had initially intended to apply for another term on the board, but told the Tribune that he had reevaluated his priorities.

"I think the big thing was I just felt like with the economy, I just needed to focus on our business,"Gjovig said. Gjovig is a businessman in Williston and works at Penkota Wireline.

Six spots on the WSI board are up for grabs as six members' terms expire Dec. 31: Gjovig, Michael Gallagher, J.P. Wiest, John Eickhof, Terry Curl and Ed Grossbauer.

A seven-person committee drafted from the heads of several statewide business associations is charged with finding three candidates for each of the four employer representative positions, currently held by Gjovig, Gallagher, Weist and Eickhof. The committee recently extended its deadline for applications to Dec. 12, as it only received six applications, including applications from incumbents, by its Nov. 14 deadline.

The committee must submit three names to the governor for each of the four employer representative positions. Current applicants are: Wiest with Wiest Truck Line Inc., Jamestown; Gallagher with Curtis Construction Company, Fargo; Jill Berg with Spherion Staffing, Fargo; E. Lloyd Bushong with Industrial Contractors, Bismarck; Dwaine Heinrich from Heinrich and Company Insurance Adjusters, Jamestown; and Rod Mayer from Mayer Electric in Minot.

According to statute, a similar process is in place for Curl's board seat as the organized labor representative: a statewide labor organization must submit a list of three potential candidates for the governor to choose from.

Grossbauer's position is appointed by the governor, not selected from a list of recommendations submitted by a committee.

(Reach reporter Crystal R. Reid at 250-8261 or at crystal.reid@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

Just the facts wrote on Dec 3, 2008 8:51 PM:

" "Get Real" is just like everyone on the 4th floor and their supporters. Quite selective with their so called facts. Time to get real. "

leo wrote on Dec 3, 2008 7:21 PM:

" WSI's board of director's members admitted months before the vote in November that the measure would probably pass. They began planning their strategy of how they would handle each portion of the measure well before November. If WSI and its board were thinking the measure would pass, you can be assured the politicians were well aware of it as well. No argument there. "

Facts wrote on Dec 3, 2008 6:07 PM:

" To Get Real: wasn't there a survey done by the Chamber/Republicans earlier in the year indicating if the measure were voted on at that time, it would pass by 70%? This survey allegedly was conducted way before the one you cite. "

Get Real wrote on Dec 3, 2008 12:47 PM:

" Hey Victor then explain to me how Rick Berg's choice "not to seek re-election also had to do with the passing of the measure" when he announced in his intention not to run in September, two months before the measure was to be voted on. And don't give me that he knew it was going to pass because other than MSU-Moorhead study a month before the election there was no polling on this issue.

I love the I know better than you attitude y'all have and then when someone calls you on it you go to well I didn't mean that I ment this. "

Victor wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:04 PM:

" In regards to Rick Berg, I was thinking of his political future as a rep from Fargo, not in the House. He narrowly won last time and he knew his behind kissing of WSI was not going to do him any favors in the future, so rather than lose face he chose not to run.

I love the attack the other side mentality of the WSI supporters as they try to defuse the real issues. Good Try "

Funny Get Real. wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:27 PM:

" "makes things worse by making this agency political again" ya, sending legislators on vacations was very apolitical. Frank wanted to give them a $50,000 party fund because they weren't political. Measure 4 just made it officially political where politicians can be held accountable. That my friend, is how it should be. "

Just have to say wrote on Dec 2, 2008 4:10 PM:

" Just weeks ago Gjovig said he wanted to stay on the board at WSI, saying there was still work to be done. Now he is leaving, seems be more to this then meets the eye. Tunnel vision without taking into account all the other things going on at WSI, and a trial coming up it seems that there might be more out there to be brought to light in the news soon. Gjovig is might be seeing more of a train wreck coming then he wants to say here.

Victor and Leo know more then most about what is going on with WSI, as I try to keep up with their posts here, and at the Northdecoder.com, I have also been watching to see if they show up at the iwofndadvocates.com/blog website too. They are a book of knowledge. "

Get Real wrote on Dec 2, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Victor you have no idea what you are talking about. Rick Berg didn't run for majority leader because Al Carlson had the votes to beat him. Second, Gjovik is not seeking another term because he sold his business and has taken a different role. Measure 4 only makes things worse by making this agency political again, but you keep thinking it will do good things. "

Victor wrote on Dec 2, 2008 9:51 AM:

" How hypocritical that now that Gjovik is leaving he now gives accolades to employees when he didn't care one bit about employees other than Blunt and the "Maddogs" during his tenure.

Also isn't it interesting now that things have changed in regards to the initiated measure and an accountable elected official is in charge, the dominos are falling. I believe that the choice of Rick Berg to not seek re-election also had to do with the passing of the measure.

Measure 4 may not be the savior but it sure got the attention of the inept board members and inept legislators "

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