Beltrami DFLers to elect new chairman

By Brad Swenson

Pioneer Staff Writer

      Beltrami County DFLers will elect a new chairman when they meet in their “off year” county convention Monday night.

      Beltrami County DFL Chairwoman Lisa LaFrinier Scott, completing her second term, is not seeking re-election and an announced candidate for the post, Steve Nelson, is currently the party’s associate chairman.

      The Beltrami County DFL Convention is slated for 7 p.m. at the Bemidji American Legion basement, with registration starting at 6:30 p.m. All delegates elected at 2004 precinct caucuses, who were then eligible to attend the 2004 convention, are also delegates to Monday’s convention.

      The main business for delegates is the election of party officers, including all five party leaders and five members of the 11 directors. The 11-member board and the five officers make up the 16-member Beltrami County DFL Executive Committee.

      In 1988, the county unit decided to convene in the off-election year to elect party officers, rather than doing it at the same time delegates are crafting a party platform and considering endorsements for elected office.

      “It gives us an opportunity to gear up slowly for the expanded political activity of election years,” said Michael Meuers, the Senate 4 DFL chairman who was the county party chairman at the time of the change. “It also gives us a head start at organizing and taking advantage of the talents and interests of new people elected without the distractions of resolutions, state conventions and political speeches.”

      Beltrami County saw a large voter turnout last fall, which included the DFL recapturing the local state House seat after three terms. DFLer Frank Moe of Bemidji defeated Republican Doug Fuller, also of Bemidji.

      “We are seeing a lot of new people, new young people, in the party,” Meuers said last month at a DFL fund-raiser that featured Democrat Attorney General Mike Hatch. “We appreciate that.”

      Meuers said the local party is planning an April workshop for those new people, to help provide training on DFL history, process and how to participate, as well as small group discussions.

      At Monday’s convention, delegates will decide two-year terms for chairman and associate chairman, secretary, treasurer and affirmative action officer. DFL rules call for a gender mix for the top two spots, so if a man is elected chairman, then a woman must be elected as associate chairwoman.

      Of the lot, only Alan Brew is seeking re-election as treasurer. Nelson is seeking the top spot, and Secretary Onen Markeson, a new Bemidji City Council member, resigned his party post. Stephanie Cobenais has also resigned as affirmative action officer as last month she was elected to the State DFL Executive Committee or Board of Directors.

      “It is my belief that Stephanie is the first Indian woman to serve on this board, and the first Indian to serve from a reservation,” Meuers said of Cobenais, a Red Lake Nation member. “This now means that Stephanie is an automatic delegate to the state and congressional district conventions, and a member of all political entities of smaller order including congressional district, Senate district and county.”

      Announced candidates for the officer posts include Nelson as chairman, Rita Albrecht for associate chairwoman, David DenHartog for secretary and Annette Fremgen for affirmative action officer. Nominations, if any, can be made from the floor.

      Five of the 11 county board of directors will be elected to two-year terms. One who has resigned is Moe, who was elected last fall to the Minnesota House. Another, Fremgen, is seeking the affirmative action post and Cameron McMahon is not seeking re-election.

      Other incumbents are Jackie Ryder and Paul Kief, and announced candidates for the three open seats are Steve Newby, Diana Killian and LaFrinier Scott. Election to higher offices may also open up other director seats, which then would also have to be filled with one-year terms on Monday.

      The party also plans to inaugurate a new Beltrami DFL Hall of Fame honor for long-time service to the DFL and the local party. Nominated as “life members” on Monday will be McMahon, Lorraine Cecil and Olive Eickstadt.