One of two Fargo mayoral candidates who dropped out of sight for awhile says he's back in town and campaigning, while a second has been tracked down in an Arizona mobile home community, but city officials are still awaiting word on whether he plans to return.
Ahmed Haji says he was out of town for business, and has been campaigning door-to-door and at businesses around the city since returning.
"I was still running. I was out," he said.
When asked why he hadn't returned phone calls or e-mails to The Forum, he said he was at a conference of Somali groups in the Twin Cities. He said he's trying for a $160,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation to run his agency, Somali Community Development of North Dakota.
That agency is listed as "not in good standing" with the North Dakota Secretary of State's office, but he said that was due to a misunderstanding over a missed payment.
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He also insists he lives at 2610 15th St. S., despite the resident caretaker saying the lease was broken because he didn't pay rent and he was evicted.
He emphasizes that he is not just running to represent Somalis in Fargo, but all Fargoans.
Robert Gates called The Forum and left a voicemail complaining about the story on his candidacy.
"I'm getting some type of refund," Gates said. "With this mayor's thing, I don't think you people treated me right at all. Actually discriminated against me."
He said he'll sell his mobile home in Mesa, Ariz., and move to New York.
"I tell you what, you don't have to give me the refund," Gates said, then he hung up.
City Auditor Steve Sprague said a third letter sent to Gates after The Forum confirmed his location has not been returned.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
