Telemarketers Ring N.D. Emergency Phone

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The new emergency telephone in Gov. John Hoeven's office rang three times in its first week, but it wasn't news of a disaster or terrorist attack.

One caller had a wrong number. The other two were telemarketers.

"It was a guy trying to sell him two pizzas on special," Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple said. "We're trying to figure out what kind of a disaster is taking place, and it's some guy trying to give the governor a two-for-one."

At the behest of the federal Department of Homeland Security, the nation's governors are having secure telephone links installed in their offices to communicate during emergencies.

Governor's spokesman Don Canton said the phone was installed in Hoeven's office last week. It has since been programmed to block non-emergency calls.

"He shouldn't be getting any more telemarketers," Canton said.