State reminds homeowners to do homework before hiring a contractor

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) reminds homeowners to do their homework before hiring a building contractor after a storm ... or anytime.

“There are many companies in Minnesota that specialize in repairing roofs, siding and windows damaged by storms. Most of these contractors are reputable and licensed,” said Ken Peterson, DLI commissioner. “However, sometimes unscrupulous operators try to take advantage of storm victims.”

After neighborhoods experience a wind or hail storm, homeowners may find salespeople for these companies going door-to-door soliciting repair work.

Before signing any document, homeowners should call DLI at (651) 284-5069 or go online to DLI'sLicense Lookup search to verify the contractor is licensed and to learn if the contractor has a history of disciplinary action. Homeowners should also check with the Better Business Bureau and check for lawsuits or judgments involving the company or its owners in the state court system.

Homeowners are cautioned not to sign anything presented by a contractor unless the document is read very carefully and the homeowner has made a firm decision to hire that contractor. Generally speaking, if a homeowner signs a piece of paper it is a contract, regardless of what the salesperson says; the homeowner is then obligated to use the contractor for all repairs approved by the homeowner's insurance company.

Contractors cannot offer to pay the homeowner's insurance deductible. State law prohibits contractors from paying deductibles or offering any compensation as an incentive to hire them to perform storm repair services.

Before hiring a contractor, DLI suggests homeowners ask:

• for the contractor's license number and then contact DLI's CCLD Enforcement Unit at (651) 284-5069 or dli.contractor@state.mn.us to verify the contractor is currently licensed and to determine if the contractor has a disciplinary history;
• the contractor how long and where they have been in business;
• for references and check with former customers to see if they were satisfied with the work; and
• for a local phone number and a Minnesota business address other than a post office box.

MN Dept of Revenue names Jenny Starr as Senior Manager for Tax Policy

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced today that Jenny Starr was named Senior Manager for Tax Policy. Starr will lead the department’s tax policy operations and manage the tax policy development process between the department and the legislature beginning Jan. 4, 2014. She will report to the Deputy Commissioner.

“Jenny is a bright, articulate, effective leader who will hit the ground running as a leader of the department’s tax policy functions,” said Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans. “She has great people skills, a pragmatic vision for tax policy, and a passion for making government better for Minnesota taxpayers.”

Starr has been with the department since 2007 and is currently the lead attorney in the areas of corporate franchise, estate, and gift taxes. She is also an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law. Prior to joining the Minnesota Department of Revenue, Starr provided free legal services to indigent residents of Dakota County as a staff attorney and volunteer programs manager at Legal Assistance of Dakota County.

Starr holds a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts. She is married with one child and lives in St. Paul.

In November, Susan Von Mosch announced her retirement from the Department of Revenue after 32 years of dedicated public service to state and local government in Minnesota. Susan has been a recognized, thoughtful leader on tax and budget policy for many years and played an integral role in the enactment of significant tax reforms in 2013.

Stoltenow Named NDSU Extension Assistant Director

Charlie Stoltenow has been appointed the North Dakota State University Extension Service's assistant director and program leader for agriculture and natural resources.

Stoltenow has served as the interim assistant director and program leader for the past 11 months. He assumes the assistant director position Aug. 1.

"Agriculture and our natural resources are vitally important to North Dakota, so we are extremely pleased to have Dr. Stoltenow provide leadership to our Extension efforts in these areas," says NDSU Extension Service Director Chris Boerboom. "Charlie is passionate about the work of Extension and recognizes the importance of the teamwork and partnerships in all that we do."

Stoltenow grew up on a farm near Great Bend. He earned a bachelor of science degree in animal science from NDSU in 1981 and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Iowa State University in 1985. He worked in private practice and for the federal government before joining NDSU in 1996.

He has been the NDSU Extension veterinarian for 17 years and is a professor in NDSU's Animal Sciences Department. He also served as director of the NDSU Veterinary Technology academic program for two years and is a leader of the Extension livestock team.

"Agriculture and natural resources have been and will continue to provide a solid foundation for an economically successful North Dakota," Stoltenow says. "The NDSU Extension Service has been part of that success for close to 100 years, and I am excited to be part of the next 100 years."

DNR announces two new appointments

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently made two high-level appointments.

Steve Colvin is the new deputy director of the Ecological and Water Resources Division, replacing Dave Luethe who retired.

“Steve is a top-notch veteran of the division who has shown an impressive capacity to manage tough issues,” noted Steve Hirsh, Ecological and Water Resources Division director. “He has the unique ability for both high-level strategic thinking, as well as diving into complex details when needed. I’m confident Steve’s talents will serve the division well as we continue to deliver healthy watersheds throughout Minnesota.”

Colvin served at the DNR in various positions since 1983 when he first joined the department as a natural resources specialist in fisheries research, and later as an aquatic biologist coordinating the statewide aquatic nuisance program, among other responsibilities.

He also served as a natural resources programs supervisor for ecological resources and spent the last five years as the department’s state administrative planning director, leading the environmental review unit.

Colvin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Cornell University and a master’s degree in environmental biology from the University of Minnesota.

His first day as deputy director is Jan. 30.

Luke Skinner is the new deputy director for the Parks and Trails Division. Skinner has served as the division’s acting deputy director since May.

Skinner has more than 20 years of experience with the DNR in roles ranging from natural resources specialist to supervisor. Since 2007, he has served as unit supervisor of the invasive species program in the ecological and water resources division.

“Luke brings valuable perspective and experience to the legislative, policy and organizational design challenges we continue to face in parks and trails,” said Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division. “His strong leadership skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders will be a great asset to our division.”

Skinner earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a doctorate in entomology from the University of Minnesota, where he has been an adjunct assistant professor since 2006.

Skinner’s first day as deputy director was Jan. 7.

New district engineer for MnDOT District 4

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Jody Martinson has been selected to serve as district engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 4, which encompasses 12 counties in west central Minnesota.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve MnDOT and the citizens of Minnesota in the role as district engineer for District 4,” Martinson said. “I will continue to work to provide a high quality, dependable transportation system for the citizens of Minnesota. We will continue to hold safety as a high priority for our employees and the people who travel our roadways.” 

Martinson began her career with MnDOT as an engineering intern in 1992. Since then, she has served in a number of key positions, including project engineer, right of way engineer, planning director and program development manager. Martinson recently served as acting transportation district engineer for MnDOT District 3, covering a 13 county area in central Minnesota.  

"Jody knows, and has experience working in, west central Minnesota that will help her excel as the new District 4 district engineer,” said MnDOT Operations Division Director, Mike Barnes. "She has built great working relationships with our west central Minnesota transportation partners, local communities and district employees and will continue to expand and build on those relationships in her new position.”    

Jody Martinson has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. She graduated from Barnesville High School in 1989 and lives in Perham with her husband, Brian, and their two daughters, Jordan and Emily.   

District 4 has two full service offices, located in Detroit Lakes and Morris, and employs approximately 220 people to handle snow and ice control, roadway construction, traffic, land acquisition, business operations, planning, design and other transportation-related duties.