VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Southeast Judicial District Judgeship No.2 will be staying in Valley City.
In March, Judge Mark T. Blumer had announced he would not be seeking reelection when his term expires. He is chambered in Valley City and his term will expire December 31st, 2022.
Jamestown City Councilman Dan Buchanan says there was “good response” from officials in the region to retain the judgeship, but there was also response to move the judgeship to Fargo.
Comments were submitted from different entities and agencies including Foster County State’s Attorney, Representative Dwight Kiefert, Dickey County State’s Attorney, among many more to retain the judgeship.
In their order, the State Supreme Court states “the elimination or transfer of Judgeship No. 2 would present challenges to scheduling and require the remaining judges in the Southeast Judicial District to assume an increased caseload and increase travel time in the district.”
“Although the growing population and caseload in the East Central Judicial District demonstrates a clear need for additional judicial officers, moving this judgeship would create a shortage and make it difficult to provide effective judicial services to residents in that district.”
The Southeast Judicial District is comprised of fourteen counties including Barnes, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Stutsman, and Wells.
The district has seven judges: one judge chambered in Ellendale, one in New Rockford, one in Wahpeton, two in Jamestown, and two in Valley City.