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May 2008 |
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Letters To The Editor
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City should reconsider paving plans |
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Monday, 24 March 2008 |
Letter from Nancy Bartz
Valley City, N.D.
To the City Commission:
After viewing the city commission meeting last week via replay and the articles in the newspaper, I am extremely concerned with the actions taken by the city commission regarding the paving and improvement of District 85. Why is this area of the city being targeted for the third time in less than five years for construction work? Why doesn't the city commission establish a rotation plan to do projects throughout the city and thus divide the cost throughout Valley City and its residents? I know for a fact that some parts of the city have been able to avoid special assessments for more than 10 years and other areas are hit several times for special assessments? Why are some areas, like the northwest part of town, being hit again in such a short period of time? Do you have some special agenda or reason for doing this? It does seem obvious.
Your actions are putting a hardship on many of the elderly with your actions. If I were still teaching and hadn't retired when I did, my mom would be in the same boat as many citizens in this area of town. Yes, there are many streets in town that need road or street repair. Have you bothered to drive throughout Valley City to examine the street conditions in other areas of town? There are other streets than Third Ave. N.W. that could use road work and we don't need a seal coating on a perfectly good street. We are still paying special assessments for the last street work completed here. Why aren't you getting bids to do the work on the previous street projects that you cancelled previously before this date and do them now before you do District 85 at this time?
I really wish you would listen to all of the people in this district.
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Rick Berg’s WSI position is hypocritical |
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
Letter from Sebald Vetter
N.D. Concerned Advocates
I see that Rick Berg (R-Fargo) is now trying to make himself out as the protector of the injured worker and wants to implement reform at Workforce Safety Insurance. Isn’t that kind of like George W. Bush telling us he wants to help lower gas prices?
Wasn’t it Berg last legislative session who continually said problems at WSI were being exaggerated?
Wasn’t it Berg who helped kill over 40 bills last session which would have helped the situation at WSI?
Wasn’t it Berg and his Republican cohorts in the state House of Representatives who voted to hand the agency a $50,000 slush fund? Every House Republican voted for it except one.
Now, it’s been reported that some WSI executives who have been embroiled in this long-lasting debacle will be receiving raises. Meanwhile, the compensation for injured workers hasn’t gone up, and the agency continues to treat them like criminals.
Are Gov. John Hoeven and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem just going to sit by? It wouldn’t surprise me.
Folks, this shouldn’t be happening in our state.
If people really want a new direction with North Dakota government, people need to cast votes at the ballot box this November while keeping in mind how these Republicans let the situation at WSI get this bad. |
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Police chief weighs in with thanks, comments |
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
Letter from Dean A. Ross
Valley City, N.D.
On behalf of the Valley City Police Department, we would like to commend the Winter Show director, Nancy Allen, the Winter Show board of directors, and everyone else that put the extra effort forth to make this Winter Show a very successful show. The comments that we have heard exemplify the commitment that everyone has channeled into this yearly event. Our congratulations to everyone involved.
As the chief of police of a city that I love, I believe that it is time to offer a few words of thanks to first of all, the citizens of Valley City, along with the peripheral patrons of Valley City and surrounding communities. It has been and continues to be an honor to serve the City of Valley City in this position. I would also like to take the time to offer a special word of thanks to the following group of individuals: police officers, communications specialists, Barnes County Sheriff and all his deputies and staff, highway patrol, clerks of court, judges and all the other individuals that make up our justice system.
In this time of ever-changing events, this group of individuals exemplifies a degree of professionalism that is second to none.
As evidenced by a couple of letters to the editor in the past week, law enforcement has its share of detractors. Sometimes, believe it or not, people don’t like what we (law enforcement) do as a part of our profession. Unfortunately, this is a common phenomena in many parts of the country and therefore is not something unique to our community. The letters offer strong conflicting views of not enough enforcement versus too much enforcement.
As chief of police, I can offer you this, we are here to protect and serve our community. It is a job that each and every one of us involved in law enforcement take very seriously. We will be there, whether it is a medical call, domestic disturbance, traffic violation, educational presentation, police citizen’s academy, or heaven forbid, a more tragic incident.
The range of our job has expanded in nature over the past few years from routine traffic patrol (not “lurking” as some would incorrectly call it) to homicide investigation.
We can only hope and pray that our city has experienced the worst possible sequence of events and that we can continue on with the more routine (if there is such a thing) calls for service. Our community has rallied behind our department, and the support for our staff has been overwhelming and very fulfilling.
We continue to be grateful for your support.
Again, we just want to thank everyone.
If you would like to discuss any certain element of law enforcement (what or why we do it), or just want to stop by and visit, we are there 24/7 for you, our citizens of Valley City. We will continue to be there for you, just as you have been there for us.
Editor’s note: Ross has been Chief of Police of Valley City since 2000. |
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From one doctor to another and another... |
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
Letter from John Thomas
Fargo, N.D.
National Physician’s Day, is a day set aside in March each year to recognize physicians and the care they provide. On behalf of the entire Hospice of the Red River Valley (HRRV) staff, I would like to say thank you to all physicians who have partnered with us. It is our distinct privilege to assist you in caring for your patients.
HRRV has grown dramatically in the past few years; this growth would not be possible without the support and confidence of area physicians. Because of that growth, we are often able to provide your patients with palliative treatments which smaller hospice programs simply cannot afford. Together we are providing compassionate, end-of-life care to more patients than ever before.
In addition, HRRV has had the privilege of serving an increasing number of patients living in long-term care and assisted living facilities. Nationally, hospice care is becoming the ‘gold standard’ for end-of-life care. We have worked hard to complement the care provided by the excellent facilities in our region. Unfortunately, much too often, residents of long term care facilities and their families are not aware of the extra services and other benefits they are entitled to through the Medicare Hospice benefit.
On the other hand, we are making progress. In 2007, we served 652 patients in long term care facilities. I have a special thank you for the ongoing support for the medical directors of these facilities.
Last, but certainly not least, HRRV could not have served 1,285 patients in 2007 without the generous service of a very special group of physicians, our volunteer regional medical directors. Each of these physicians generously donates their precious time and expertise in order to improve the care provided to our patients. A special thank you all of you.
In her wonderful book “Final Exam,” Pauline W. Chen, M.D, reminds us that physicians only do two things: 1) cure disease and 2) relieve suffering. If we are unable to accomplish the first, we must do the second really, really well.
Editor’s note: Thomas is medical director of Hospice of the Red River Valley. |
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Winter Show concert complaints amuse |
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008 |
Letter from Ryan Cunningham
Rochester, Minn.
The recent letter from Nichole Mosolf regarding the Winter Show concert certainly was interesting reading. I wasn't there this year, but as a veteran of Winter Show concerts, I found it amusing that Ms. Mosolf has the secret recipe on how to make money at the concert.
Many don't know just how difficult it has been to maintain the concert the past few years. There are several reasons for this, and since I can speak with an unbiased attitude on this, I feel I can now explain.
First, the money being requested by country music artists has shot through the roof in the past decade of Winter Show concerts. Acts that used to be $25,000 are now more than $100,000.
Second, Valley City has developed a reputation for sporting law enforcement that "lurks" for drivers to pull over at night. As much as it pains me to admit, our CCI friends have a point when speaking about the size of both Valley City's law enforcement roster and budget. Unfortunately, I was unable to speak to this during my time there due to ongoing attempts at my firing by a silent business partner of law enforcement.
The end result is that KOVC and the Winter Show board have been presented with a fearful crowd and higher expenses. The fact that they have kept the concert together at all is quite amazing.
In Ms. Mosolf's letter, she mentioned that she took her kids to the stage area. Investing in Bear Stearns this week is a smarter idea. If Ms. Mosolf actually thought she could take her kids on the floor and not encounter a drunk, she should change her Jamestown residence to a hilltop south of the interstate.
And, to answer her suggestion, there is a non-alcohol side to the grandstand already. And entertainment is not all meant to be enjoyed by kids. There are shows that are more adult friendly than others, and there is nothing wrong with that. I wouldn't take kids to the Winter Show concert. It's not the right atmosphere. Concert-goers deserve a chance to enjoy themselves as adults, and babysitters contribute to the ailing economy.
If Ms. Mosolf believes she can make money her way by throwing a Winter Show concert, I'm sure KOVC's management are all ears. Good luck. You're gonna need it.
Editor’s note: Cunningham was a long-time radio host for KOVC. He now works in Rochester, Minn. |
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Reader offers proposal on basketball dilemma |
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Tuesday, 18 March 2008 |
Letter from Sharon Buhr
Valley City, N.D.
Class A high school basketball – who gets to play?
There has been much discussion by the High School Activities Association and schools across North Dakota about this topic. I would invite everyone involved to think creatively in order to come up with the best solution. And to keep in mind one major goal of playing high school basketball—to allow interested students to actually play the game!
One bold suggestion would be to establish multiple teams at schools depending on the number of students. For example, a school having from 325 to 500 students would have one team; if that school’s enrollment reached 1,000 students they would have two teams, etc.
Some might say that, under this plan, fewer people would attend games because students from one school would have to decide which school team/game they would attend. But the opposite outcome is more likely: more people will attend games, because the crowds will gain all the parents, friends and relatives of the students now able to play varsity ball who weren’t playing before.
High school athletics fundamentally differs from college and professional athletics because the primary goal in high school athletics is to provide the experience of playing for students, not entertainment for the attending crowd. This plan would allow more interested students a chance to participate in this great sport.
Editor’s note: Buhr is president of the Valley City School Board. |
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Thanks: Winter Show 2008 was a big success |
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Tuesday, 18 March 2008 |
Letter from Nancy Allen
Valley City, N.D.
The 71st Annual North Dakota Winter Show is now behind us and we are beginning to work on next year’s Winter Show. We are happy with the attendance we had this year and the overall comments from exhibitors, attendees and the community have been good! The weather on Saturday slowed people down a bit but generally, the NDWS went well.
The partnership between the North Dakota Winter Show and The Barnes County Relay for Life for the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” went over great as the community embraced the idea and we were able to raise $12,605 for Relay for Life. We plan to continue the program next year with our PRCA Rodeos. Thanks to all of you who worked hard to make this a success!
The concert, the free stage shows and the PRCA rodeos were well attended and we had many good comments about all of them, including the performances by North Dakota’s own Mylo Hatzenbuhler.
We would like to extend a special “thank you” to all of our sponsors, directors of both the men’s and women’s division, NDWS staff and all of the volunteers who make the North Dakota Winter Show the great event it is!
Editor’s note: Allen is manager of the North Dakota Winter Show. |
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