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ANNCR: Fire hazards. Most are preventable.
ANNCR: But when Rick Berg was in the legislature, he actually tried to block rules that would've forced property managers to improve fire safety.
On Screen: Congressman Rick Berg
On Screen: TRIED TO BLOCK FIRE SAFETY RULES
Citation: HB 1350, VOTE 04/04/05
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FACT: BERG SPENT MORE THAN A QUARTER CENTURY SUPPORTING THE INTERESTS OF THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY, INCLUDING VOTING AGAINST STRICTER FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS
Berg Even Voted Against Stricter Fire Safety Rules While Goldmark Property Management Buildings Were Being Cited For Poor Fire Safety. In September 2012, The Hill reported, ?Buildings managed by Goldmark Property Management were cited in 2000 for missing smoke detector batteries, inoperable kitchen windows and inaccessible fire extinguishers, according to a report from the Fargo Forum. And Berg, during his time in the North Dakota state legislature, attempted to block legislation that would expand fire prevention rules and regulations.? [The Hill, 9/19/12]
Berg Spent 26 Years In The North Dakota Legislature Voting To Advance Goldmark Property Management?s Interests Over Those Of Consumers, Including Against "Mandatory Fire Sprinklers.? In September 2012, Politico reported, ?And during a 26-year career in the North Dakota Legislature, including holding several GOP leadership posts, Berg backed legislation that would buttress landlords? legal and financial positions, according to legislative records from that period ? During Berg?s tenure in the state Legislature, he sponsored or backed legislation that would have given landlords increased authority to evict unruly tenants; required tenants to pay immediate restitution to landlords for losing challenges to eviction notices; called for bigger security deposits by new tenants; opposed rent control and mandatory fire sprinklers; and voted for tax relief for property owners, including landlords. Berg also opposed a bill to set up an independent organization to settle tenant-landlord disputes.? [Politico, 9/20/12]
2005: Berg Voted Against Requiring Landlords To Provide Visual Smoke Detectors For Deaf Tenants. In April 2005, Berg voted against a bill requiring that ?The landlord of a residential dwelling unit shall provide an approved visual smoke detection system or other visual alarm system for fire if requested in writing by a tenant who is deaf.? The bill exempted landlords with only one building having four units or less. [HB 1350, Vote 4/4/05]
Salon: ?Judging By Berg?s Record In The State Legislature, It?s Not Hard To See Why [Goldmark] Invested In Him.? In September 2012, Salon reported, ?Judging by Berg?s record in the state Legislature, it?s not hard to see why they invested in him. According to legislative records, Berg introduced numerous bills as a member of the state House of Representatives and state Senate to give landlords more rights over their tenants in ways that could possibly benefit both Goldmark companies and thus Berg.? [Salon, 9/25/12]
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ANNCR: Why?
On Screen: WHY?
ANNCR: Rick Berg made a fortune in the real estate and property business.
On Screen: Congressman Rick Berg
On Screen: MADE A FORTUNE IN REAL ESTATE
Citation: ROLL CALL, THE 50 RICHEST MEMBERS OF THE 112TH CONGRESS, 2012
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FACT: RICK BERG IS WORTH NEARLY $24 MILLION, HAVING MADE HIS MONEY IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY
2012: Roll Call Said Berg Is The 15th Wealthiest Member Of Congress, But His Net Worth Increased To Nearly $24 Million. In 2012, Roll Call ranked Berg the 15th wealthiest Member of Congress, with a net worth of $23.78 Million. According to the report, ?Much of Berg's growing fortune is real estate. The first-term North Dakotan owns dozens of apartment units and commercial properties that contributed to a minimum net worth of $23.78 million in 2011. Berg's stake in multiple buildings held by Old Abe Capital LLP were together worth more than $8.9 million, according to his most recent filing. Berg also reported as assets multiple outstanding loans that he has made to individuals, businesses and his campaign.? [Roll Call, The 50 Richest Members of the 112th Congress (2012)]
FACT: BERG FOUNDED THE COMPANY THAT EVENTUALLY TURNED INTO GOLDMARK PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Associated Press Voter Guide: ?Berg Was An Early Partner In Goldmark Property Management.? According to the Associated Press? Election Guide profile of Rick Berg, ?Berg was an early partner in Goldmark Property Management Inc., a Fargo real estate management and development company, which was founded in 1981. He is a senior vice president of one of the company's subsidiaries, Goldmark Schlossman Commercial Real Estate Services Inc., and specializes in commercial property development.? [Associated Press Election Guide, Rick Berg (Updated 7/11/12)]
Fargo Forum: ?Goldmark Property Management was originally incorporated by Berg and other partners 30 years ago as Midwest Management Company. Berg left in 1987 to pursue commercial real estate ventures. Midwest Management changed its name to Goldmark Property Management in 1994.? [Fargo Forum, 9/13/12]
1982: Berg Founded And Was Listed As A Director Of Company That Became Goldmark Property Management.??In 1982, Berg founded Midwest Management Company with Dale Lian, James Wieland and Ken Regan. In 1985, Midwest Management Company changed its name to MMC, Inc. In 1994, MMC, Inc. changed its name to Goldmark Property Management. [Articles of Incorporation Application,?5/17/82; Certificate Of Incorporation,?5/20/82; Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation,?3/13/85; Articles of Amendment to the Articles Of Incorporation, 11/29/94]
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ANNCR: And now records show that a company he was associated with was cited for numerous fire code violations.
On Screen: The Forum
On Screen: ?CODES HAD BEEN VIOLATED?
Citation: - THE HILL, 9/19/12. POLITICO, 9/19/12. THE FORUM, 1/29/02
ANNCR: More evidence we just can?t trust Rick Berg.
On Screen: Congressman Rick Berg
On Screen: NORTH DAKOTA CAN?T TRUST RICK BERG.
ANNCR: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.
On Screen: PAID FOR BY THE DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, WWW.DSCC.ORG. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE.? THE DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THIS ADVERTISING
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FACT: GOLDMARK PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HAS A HISTORY OF VIOLATING FIRE CODES
Goldmark Buildings Were Cited For Multiple Fire Code Violations. In September 2012, The Hill reported, ?Heitkamp has also gone on the offense over the past week, launching an attack on what it's characterizing as Berg's time with Goldmark Property Management, a company with a history of violating fire codes.? Buildings managed by Goldmark Property Management were cited in 2000 for missing smoke detector batteries, inoperable kitchen windows and inaccessible fire extinguishers, according to a report from the Fargo Forum. And Berg, during his time in the North Dakota state legislature, attempted to block legislation that would expand fire prevention rules and regulations.? [The Hill, 9/19/12]
Politico: ?Republican Rep. Rick Berg, running for Senate in North Dakota, has close ties to a controversial property management company that has been the target of dozens of tenant complaints, been cited for alleged fire safety violations and received a less than stellar grade from the Better Business Bureau.? [Politico, 9/19/12]
Salon: ?The company, Goldmark Property Management, had earned a bad reputation in the state, along with tenant complaints, citations for alleged fire safety violations, and a?C- rating?from the Better business Bureau.? [Salon, 9/25/12]
Goldmark-Managed Building Completely Burned Down After A Candle Fire Started In A Basement Unit. In January 2002, a ?two-alarm fire, started by a candle in a basement apartment? completely burned down a Goldmark-owned building.? Goldmark president Barry Gish said that the building, over 100 years old, was a ?total loss.? According to the Fargo Forum, ?Most of the tenants? belongings were a total loss, too.??[Fargo Forum 1/29/02]
Fargo Forum: ?Codes had been violated.? [Fargo Forum 1/29/02]
Some Fire Extinguishers In The Building Had Not Been Serviced In The Previous Year. In January 2002, Fargo Fire Marshal Norm Scott said that in the apartment complex destroyed by a fire, ?fire extinguishers in some apartments had not been serviced in the previous year.? [Fargo Forum 1/29/02]
Building Did Not Have Fire Stops, Designed To ?Block Off A Structure?s Combustible Spaces.? In January 2002, city inspector Tom Penuel said that the building ?didn?t have fire stops ? constructive devices to block off a structure?s combustible spaces...??[Fargo Forum 1/29/02]
In 2000, The Same Apartment Complex Was Cited For Not Servicing Its Smoke Detectors. In January 2002, the Fargo Forum reported, ?In 2000, this same apartment complex was cited for not having smoke detectors serviced. By last year's inspection date, however, the detectors had been serviced.??[Fargo Forum 1/29/02]
Routine Inspection In 2000 Showed ?Several Violations? Including ?Missing Smoke Detector Batteries, Inoperable Kitchen Windows And Inaccessible Fire Extinguishers.? In January 2002, the Fargo Forum reported, ?Records on file with Fargo's Building Inspections Department show several violations during a rental housing inspection Aug. 15, 2000. ... Missing smoke detector batteries, inoperable kitchen windows and inaccessible fire extinguishers in stairwells were listed among the violations at the building. Department records also show all violations were fixed.??[Fargo Forum 1/29/02]
Unit In Goldmark-Managed Building in Fargo Caught On Fire, Killing A Tenant. In January 2012, the Fargo Forum reported that a unit in Fargo?s Ashbury Apartments caught on fire, leaving 31-year-old James Peyton dead. According to the Forum, the building?s manager ?directed questions to Goldmark Property Management, Inc., but no one was in the office? to take the call.?[Fargo Forum, 1/29/12]
Fargo Forum: ?Man dies in south Fargo apartment fire; smoke alarms in building reportedly didn't go off.? [Fargo Forum, 1/29/12]
Fargo Fire Department: ?Only A Limited Number Of Smoke Detectors Were In Place, Which May Have Contributed To Delayed Fire Discovery.? In a press release, the Fargo Fire Department stated that ?only a limited number of smoke detectors were in place, which may have contributed to delayed fire discovery.??[Fargo Forum, 1/29/12]
FACT: GOLDMARK PROPERTY MANAGEMENT WAS LISTED AS RICK BERG?S EMPLOYER AT LEAST TWICE WHEN MAKING FEDERAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND APPEARED ON HIS REAL-ESTATE LICENSE
Politico: ?A 1995 real-estate license issued to Berg identifies him as an employee of Goldmark Property Management.?[Politico, 9/20/12]
1992: Berg Signed Real Estate License Application Listing Midwest Management ?Firm Or Broker With Whom You Are Associated? Midwest Management, The Company That Later Became Goldmark Property Management & Was Issued License Stating Midwest Management Was Berg?s Employer. In May 1992, Rick Berg signed an application to transfer his real estate license from Regan Wieland Investment Company to ?Miwest Management ? MMC. INC.? (typo in original). The same day, Berg was issued a real estate license stating he was ?Employed by MMC, INC. ? MIDWEST MANAGEMENT.? [North Dakota Real Estate Commission, Application to Transfer Real Estate License,?5/14/92; Real Estate License,?5/14/92]
1994: Berg Signed Real Estate License Application That Listed His ?Firm Or Broker With Whom You Are Associated? As Goldmark Property Management.?In December of 1994, Berg submitted his real estate license application for the year of 1995 as a broker for Goldmark Property Management. Berg signed the legally binding document acknowledging that says: ?I certify that I have read this application and the above information is true and correct, and I have completed with all license requirements. I am also aware that any material or false statement made on this application is grounds for suspension or revocation of my license.? [North Dakota Real Estate Commission, Real Estate License Application,?12/28/94; Real Estate License,?1/10/95]
Fargo Forum: ?In 2000, when Berg gave $500 to Al Carlson?s U.S. Senate campaign, he listed Goldmark Property Management as his employer.? [Fargo Forum, 9/13/12]
??Goldmark Property Management? Was Listed As Berg?s Employer On A Federal Campaign Contribution Form In 2000, And ?Goldmark Properties? Was Listed On Another Contribution Form In 2007.?In 2000, Berg made a $500 campaign contribution to Al Carlson?s U.S. Senate campaign and ?Goldmark Property Management? was listed as his employer on an FEC disclosure form. Again, in November 2007, Berg donated $250 to Rudy Giuliani?s presidential campaign and ?Goldmark Properties? was listed as his employer on those FEC forms. [Federal Election Commission, Filed?1/8/01;?Federal Election Commission, Filed?1/31/08]
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Source: http://www.dscc.org/news?type=press_release&press_release_KEY=2357
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