Former VC police chief Dean Ross to run for mayor
November 17, 2011
Dean Ross stands among the "Dean for Mayor" signs in his front yard. Ross has started a petition to get his name on the ballot for Valley City's Jan. 24 mayoral recall election.
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) — The former longtime Valley City police chief who retired after a months-long dispute with a city administrator who has since left town now plans to take on the mayor, who a group of residents wants forced from office.
Former chief Dean Ross's decision to run for mayor in the Jan. 24 recall election is the latest development in the political turmoil that has plagued the North Dakota city of 6,600 people all year. Ross said he has been encouraged by people to run for the mayor's seat held by Bob Werkhoven, so he is circulating petitions to get his name on the ballot.
"I'm not going to sit here and say that the situation I went through didn't have something, some effect, on my decision to run for mayor. Obviously it did," he said.
Said Werkhoven: "So be it."
Ross was suspended Sept. 9 amid allegations he mishandled public money, an accusation he disputed. The city dropped its allegations when he stepped down later that month, ending a 38-year career with the Police Department, the last 11 years of which he served as chief. Ross also had quarreled for months with City Administrator Jon Cameron over a reprimand for allegedly not following an order from a superior.
Cameron announced in October that he was resigning, a day after residents had voted in a special election to maintain his position. He is taking the city manager job in Perry, Okla. On Nov. 11, his last day on the job in Valley City, he issued a news release critical of Ross, who still is being investigated by the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Ross said he is not out for revenge but wants to change the city he loves and people's perceptions of him. He said he is worried that the months of turmoil might hurt his chances.
"I hope that the negative press doesn't follow this," he said. "I do not want a negative situation for this city. I just want a clean campaign."
The recall election for Werkhoven and City Commissioner Ken Evenson was scheduled after residents who want new leadership submitted petitions with enough signatures to force the public vote.
Werkhoven called the recall election "a disadvantage for those of us who are in office," but said he has supporters.
"The public recognized what was going on, and I think there's a lot of feeling out there that we did the right thing," he said.
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5 days 17 hours ago - He never learns
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2 weeks 6 days ago - Measure 2
3 weeks 3 hours ago - Thank you for keeping us
3 weeks 1 day ago - maybe the county should stop
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Comments
Press Coverage
December 14, 2011 by Dennis Stillings (not verified), 22 weeks 8 hours ago
Comment: 9007
""I hope that the negative press doesn't follow this ..."
What negative press? The press coverage was so balanced I couldn't form an opinion one way or the other based on it alone.
Is there a difference?
December 12, 2011 by bornandraisedinVC, 22 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8978
There is a big difference between Dudley Do-Right and Dudley Do-No-Wrong. Thousands of differences it seems.
WOW
November 29, 2011 by vc_reader, 24 weeks 1 day ago
Comment: 8819
Wow, has the TR gone downhill. You are in the news reporting business, right? Where's the story on the Police Chief being cleared of any wrongdoing? Or is this not, in your opinion, news?
Has anyone else run out of gas on the interstate and had to walk to town lately? Or has another lady pranked some phone scammers? Those stories get posted online but I guess that those are real news stories.
Did someone say arrogance
November 28, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8803
Did someone say arrogance?
Was this not all over a verbal reprimand?
dean ross
November 28, 2011 by allout, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8799
were do i start,i know dean a long time as a cop and a person,he has single handed ran the wintershow to the ground,the city has open beer garden in parking lot after flood fight (which is great)but the police department on the orders of ross wrote countless open container fines to concert goers during wintershow which is funny cause it is private property,which the wintershow contracts the sherrifs departmant for the shows.it will be a miracle if every court case people payed court costs to counteract is not thrown out due to an illegal non profit group(which by the way as tom drake found that anymore than 5,000 dollars of cash is illegal by law)they bring 25,000 cash to a press meeting to prove no wrong doing, they tell us there is no drug problem next day ross relaives boyfreind gets busted for meth and is still out of jail.i know of things from years ago that dean has done as a cop he should be in jail why has there been no charges against him SOMEBODY EITHER CITY OR COUNTY STATES ATTOURNYS ARE NOT DOING THERE JOB,WE NEED TO PUSH THEM TO FIND OUT EVERYTHING AND LET PUBLIC KNOW OF IT,PS HAVE YOU NOTICED LATELY HOW MUCH HAPPIER THE VCPD OFFICERS SEEM. GOT TO GO TO WORK DEAN WITHDRAW YOUR RUN FOR MAYOR ALL YOUR GOING TO DO END UP LOOKING EVEN MORE LIKE A FOOL
Wow. What?
November 29, 2011 by VCresident, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8811
Wow. What?
RE: Dean Ross
November 28, 2011 by faithful, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8809
FYI The shriffs dept contracts some of the VCPD officers to work at the concert. They also have BC correctional officers working there the night of the concert. Please, tell me and the other people how Dean has run the NDWS into the ground?? I am very curious as to why you think this.
confused
November 24, 2011 by crazyvc, 24 weeks 6 days ago
Comment: 8763
so is it just me or did this guy get busted hiding city funds already? im not from valley city but ive been following the story and can someone please tell me how this guy is even being considered for mayor? usually crooks dont run for office, let alone run for office and get supporters
http://www.inforum.com/event/
November 29, 2011 by VCresident, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8812
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/342100/publisher_ID/1/
The Bureau of Criminal
November 25, 2011 by vcsanity, 24 weeks 5 days ago
Comment: 8768
The Bureau of Criminal Investgations has not completed their report, althought there is little doubt in our minds the accusations are true. He guy knew he could tie the city up for years in a legal mess if they fired him, I guess. The city negotiated for him to retire, but he's just like a bad cold you get over and over. What you've heard lately is the SECOND round of funds located [after he retired]. Hope that helps.
BCI inestigation is complete
November 28, 2011 by faithful, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8808
The BCI investigation is complete and shows no illegal activity from Deean Ross. The papers were filed with the SA office and is public record with the courts. You should check your facts before you slander Dean.
see no evil?
December 13, 2011 by bornandraisedinVC, 22 weeks 1 day ago
Comment: 8991
"alleged violations of city policies, federal grant or equipment programs, and federal tax laws, were not reviewed in the investigation. "
...no investigation yields no problems... hmmm...
Kudos to you Walt...to say
November 21, 2011 by KWieland, 25 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8726
Kudos to you Walt...to say something and stand behind what you say...with your name. Green Lantern...if you are so strong in your words of putting down someone, please back it with your name. That is how most cowards work. Put down and hide behind the lies.
Only facts my dear friend
November 22, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 25 weeks 1 day ago
Comment: 8737
Dear KWieland,
The Green Lantern only speaks facts. I apologize dear sir if you feel elsewise. Facts that available to any citizen of Valley City at City Hall. These documents from which I speak are open to the public as any CCI member is aware of. These facts I speak of were documented by the city leaders the citizens of Valley City voted in. Honest, reliable, honorable folks. If you cannot get a copy, I would be happy to see if the Times Record could possibly print them in the paper.
Regards,
The Green Lantern
reply to Green Lantern
November 28, 2011 by vcsanity, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8800
The Green Lantern may like to know that there is a post on facebook Dean Ross for Mayor: "I can't believe people that have forgotten all the good things Dean has done for the city and believe the innuendos printed by our former City Administrator and others that wanted to tear him down because these wonderful city leaders couldn't or wouldn't admit they had screwed up. What arrogance and why can't the "Green Lantern" sign his real name?"
....now they are "innuendos printer by our former City Administrator" and out city leaders "screwed up"? These delusional people need your name so they can go picket your house, write to your boss with untrue accusations and get illegal documents from your previous employer. This, to shut you up if possible.
I say "pray for the release of the BCI Investigation SOON"
You may be over their head???
November 28, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8804
Dear Vcsanity,
I just love your writing. But you may need to bring it down a notch (or two) so others can understand.
The Green Lantern
Nothing Criminal
November 28, 2011 by vc_reader, 24 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 8802
http://www.newsdakota.com/2011/11/28/bci-investigation-clears-ross-from-...
Why is there no update on the TR for this? Why do other news websites have this info days before the TR will even acknowledge this?
Will CCI be used?
November 20, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 25 weeks 3 days ago
Comment: 8720
Sane good folks of Valley City. Do you suppose the new candidate for Mayor will be using CCI in his endeavor?
Really running for Mayor
November 19, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 25 weeks 5 days ago
Comment: 8717
This person running for mayor, did he not threaten his police officers on the radio, did he also say he could not get along with the sheriff? How about getting along with the city administrator, anyone else he intimitdates? Trust worthy with cash also I hear is a strong point. OK he certainly sounds like a candidate to me.
Is City Hall getting supply of safes?
November 18, 2011 by Sane_VC_Person, 25 weeks 5 days ago
Comment: 8713
I wonder if City Hall is ordering a supply of safes in the event Dean Ross wins mayor. That way he can put our taxpayer money in it so it can't be decently tracked like it can be if it's kept in a bank.
Recall Election
November 17, 2011 by vcsanity, 25 weeks 6 days ago
Comment: 8712
...with a BCI Investigation still underway? I say let's have a mayor who knows to keep city funds in a bank, not a safe
Recall Election
November 19, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 25 weeks 5 days ago
Comment: 8716
How about taking a look at the public records at City Hall. Take a look at the other pages and pages of charges against him. Is this who the people want to be mayor. I personally would like an honest, reliable person who has done no wrong.
The Green Lantern
Mayor, really?
November 19, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 25 weeks 5 days ago
Comment: 8714
Oh my. Let's throw out some easy words. Would these words fit the new person running for Mayor? Reliable, honest, integrity? Or would words like, intimidating, vendictive, sly, be more fitting? How many people would fear for their jobs if this person became mayor? Let me just say one more thing and most of you folks will understand this. Would an honorable man do this to the city, or just move on?
The Green Lantern
deanross
November 17, 2011 by gpaw, 25 weeks 6 days ago
Comment: 8710
Good for you Dean. I have been behind you all the way, but quietly.
I am in your corner.
Walt Fadness
Not quietly in corner
November 20, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 25 weeks 3 days ago
Comment: 8719
Well Walt, you may have been quietly in the corner. I expect you will be getting a call from CCI. What good have they done anyway? Can someone answer that question? The new candidate for Mayor will use them for all its worth.
deanross
November 19, 2011 by The Green Lantern, 25 weeks 5 days ago
Comment: 8715
Walt my friend,
An honorable, man would not pull this move on the city. A vendictive man would.
The Green Lantern