ND aeronautics director on leave with pay

BISMARCK, N.D. - The director of North Dakota's Aeronautics Commission is on leave with pay for at least six weeks while he faces a felony theft charge. The five-member commission voted unanimously on Thursday to grant Gary Ness a paid leave, with members saying they wanted to be able to consult him while his criminal case is sorted out. "We just need his expertise, and that's it," said Jay B. Lindquist, of Hettinger, who is the commission's vice chairman. Ness, the agency's director for more than 20 years, is paid $77,406 annually. He has not been back to work since he was arrested July 11, and staffers said he has been taking vacation time. He did not attend Thursday's meeting. The commission named Mark Holzer, an agency aviation planner, as the Aeronautics Commission's interim director. Robert Miller, of Casselton, the... [read full story]