Performance by Irish/Scottish band enthralls reader
Monday, 03 March 2008
Letter from Paul Stenshoel Valley City, N.D. At the recommendation of a Valley City friend, I went out to Jamestown to catch a Irish/Scottish band called the Boys of the Lough. What a great call by whoever convinced these laddies to take a dodge out of their way to hit a small prairie college town. These guys were worth the ticket. The band of five included a flute/whistles (horn pipes) player, acoustic guitar, fiddle, squeezebox (accordion) and mandolin. Pretty much all leads and intros went to the flute, squeeze and fiddle, with the guitar and mandolin doing the accompanying. Many of the songs were Irish jigs and traditional Irish reels. They were very authentic and very appealing to the ears and heart. The band had a nice mix of youth and aged, heavy ethnic accents made it sometimes difficult to understand the story lines behind the songs but a couple lead-in stories were of the farm laborer who falls in love with the rich mans daughter, and we all know that never works. I was exceptionally impressed with the squeezebox intros and solos, man that guy, Brendan Begley, got to me a couple of times. I’ve never seen anything like that before. The first encore was a song titled “Willow Tree,” and was set to a wonderful Irish rhythm and was said to be about Catholic Mythology . These guys were true Folksters and won my heart. Many times through out the performance they referenced that they have traveled all over the world and this was the first time they had been in North Dakota. When I spoke with them backstage they wanted to know where the Black Hill were, and I had to tell them “wrong state.” Thanks for the early St Paddy˙s day treat Shaun, hats off to you and your dad on a great recommendation.
WSI, prison at tip of unethical iceberg
Friday, 29 February 2008
Letter from Charlie Barber Mandan, N.D. I gotta hand it to greedy Republicans in North Dakota; they can really blow a state surplus. According to the Bismarck Tribune of Feb. 20, they have planned away two-thirds of the current projected surplus of $300 million plus for a new North Dakota State Prison (NDSP). Say what? Yeah. To the tune of $213 million -- or we could try the remodeling job of $168 million, plus overruns, offered by DMJM Design. Did Gov. Hoeven say $42 million in 2007? He’s come a long way, baby, and we can thank his fellow Republicans, just like he can thank Sandy Blunt for pocketing taxpayers’ money he’s done such a lousy job of protecting. Hoeven’s Sgt. Schultz impersonation: “I see nothing, hear nothing, do nothing,” is a far cry from former Gov. Schafer on WSI, who at least had guts to fight to keep WSI out of the hands of greedy Republicans. Compared to NDSP, and a shameful lack of coherent state policy on drug addiction and rehabilitation, WSI is just the tip of an iceberg above water. The larger portion of our fiscal and ethical irresponsibility iceberg, the real killer, lies beneath the surface, and can only be recognized if we ask hard questions about drug addiction, and incarceration therefrom -- something never done by greed Republicans. When Hoeven was presented with clear evidence of malfeasance at the NDSP facility in Bismarck a few years ago, he threw the presenters out of his office. He can’t say he doesn’t know what is going on there,...but he will,...just like he says he didn’t know about Sandy Blunt. Who are these guys pushing baloney about prison building? One identifies himself. Republican Rep. Alon Wieland (West Fargo) was quoted that he didn’t mind the new price tag. You can include Rick Berg (Fargo) and George Kaiser (Bismarck) on the House All-Star Greed Squad. From the Senate you have John (“you can’t tax the air”) Andrist of Crosby and the Senator-who-would-be-PSC Commissioner, Bob Stenehjem, of Bismarck. One could choose more for this greed team, but, unfortunately, it’s not fantasy football. It’s North Dakota governmental reality. The two Democratic/NPL candidates for governor, Merle Boucher and Tim Mathern, don’t accept the eye wash about prison building. Either one of them is a vast improvement on the current do-nothing, although photogenic, governor. Myriad Democratic/NPLers running for the House and Senate are better choices than greedy Republicans. Those whose hands would fall off if they voted Democratic, can reject greedy Republicans for more responsible ones in the June primary. I’m sure one or two are out there somewhere. Then we need to ask tough questions, and try different answers: * Why do we need millions of dollars for a thousand beds at the Bismarck facility, when there is space in prisons and drug rehabilitation centers around the state? Spend money instead on trained personnel to deal with problems that cannot be solved by jail cells. * If the Bismarck prison is so cramped for space, why are we importing prisoners from other states? For the $90,000 in federal dollars per body? Where is that money going? Whose bright idea was this? * Why does the 2003 SRT report complain of too many psychotropic drugs (uppers and downers) being purchased by NDSP? Surely these drugs are not being used to sedate prisoners against their will, are they? * Why are there so few licensed physicians for so many prisoners? Are nurses properly trained and motivated? North Dakotans are, perhaps, one wrongful death lawsuit away from reading about their own northern plains version of a “Tijuana Jail.” Albert Einstein defined insanity as trying the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Insane drug addiction and prison policies must be changed. We need a different political party in charge of the governorship and the legislature, but also, a different way of thinking, -- different approaches to 80 percent of the inmates who are in prison for drug-related offenses -- if not for their sake, then at least for our own.
Blame Paulson for chancellor pay
Friday, 29 February 2008
Letter from Leon L. Mallberg Dickinson, N.D. There are a lot of people in North Dakota that are disappointed and upset about Mr. Robert Potts, the past Chancellor of the Board of Higher Education, receiving $224,750 for doing nothing. For a full year, he received his full salary, all benefits, housing allowance and car. The taxpayers of North Dakota should be and are outraged. But after a little investigation, I have discovered that Mr. Potts is not at fault and was only trying to do the job of Chancellor. He was ultimately qualified and had a firm three-year contract. His goals were to unify the system, assure credits transferred, monitor spending and discourage duplication. The real problem comes from the president of NDSU at Fargo. He would not acknowledge Mr. Potts as his boss. It is rumored that at some resort in Phoenix, Joseph Chapmen of NDSU met with John Q. Paulson, the current President of the Board of Higher Education from Fargo. At that meeting Mr. Chapmen highly recommended that either Mr. Potts leave the North Dakota system or he would leave. Mr. Paulson, being a reported supporter for Mr. Chapmen, took the ball and ran with it. Most of us know the story after that because Mr. Potts was in effect asked to leave. The wasted $224,750 of taxpayer money rests squarely on the shoulders of Mr. John Q. Paulson. Why would we want to reappoint someone like Mr. Paulson to the Board of Higher Education?
God bless our home, North Dakota
Friday, 29 February 2008
Letter from Dale Brown Baton Rouge, La. I have traveled in 90 countries throughout the world and all 50 states, so I have a pretty decent perspective of what is offered around the world. With that in mind, I am really offended by the article in National Geographic which doesn’t even begin to touch on all the many positives of North Dakota. What did we get from this place called North Dakota? We got a sense of dignity, decency, honesty and an appreciation for the truth. We also received a respect for hard work, and it spiritually prepared us to be fighters and to never give up. This blessed state gave us irreplaceable values. Beyond this, we could breath fresh air, did not have to worry about crime, received a top-notch education, had neighbors we could count on during tough times. Wow…what a terrible place to grow up. The rest of the world should be so lucky to call North Dakota their home. We left North Dakota 44 years ago but it will always be our home. My wife, daughter and I love our state and so deeply admire the qualities in North Dakotans. God bless North Dakota.
A modest prairie proposal
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Letter from Paul Stenshoel Valley City, N.D.
I was talking to my hunting pal the other day when I brought up an idea I had while I was laying in bed one morning. I said to him, “You know, I’d be willing to rent out the family farm land to an out-of-state hunter in return for money, which would go into a pool for the township to make improvements on a township restoration project. Maybe even create a job or two for one of the local kids in the process.” And he said, “Oh yeah, tell me more and I’ll tell you why it wont work.” And I said, “What if each township in Barnes County designated one section of land which was rented to a hunter/vacationers who wanted the experience of being out on the prairie for a weekend or more, either hunting, viewing wildlife or maybe just hanging out and visiting with the local folk. Maybe a township would be encouraged to restore an old homestead building from it's income. Or maybe do some wetland restoration or natural cover for local habitat. I could even see community pride and a competition thing between townships, when a customer selects which house they want to stay in or which chunk of land they want to pull their trailers onto, in which to enjoy the prairie for a peaceful weekend.” Then I asked him if he would support me if I were to approach the township board with such an idea. And he said “no!” And when I asked him why, we went ‘round and ‘round on the subject for about a half hour before I told him to STICK IT! His final argument was that I would not be able to convince the local old timers, who were set in their old ways of thinking, and change tradition. And I answered him with “well, we wouldn’t have to because I have a section of land to do it with, without them.” And then he said, "I still won’t support you!" It was then I realized he, too, was set in the old way of thinking. What it came right down to was that he wasn’t willing to sacrifice a little of the land that he like to hunt on in return of helping to encourage the long-term thinking that a local land owner could benefit the community by not selling their land to out-of-staters, but keeping it and encourage more in-state jobs for a state that has plenty to share when it comes to great hunting. You know I keep throwing *#@! out there hoping something might stick. I personally can’t see how this idea could hardly put a dent in the local hunting scene around here, but I can see it creating some healthy jobs for the kids and locals. And I could see somebody like Barnes County Wildlife Federation or The Fingal Wildlife group managing it, because I know they'd care enough to protect their local hunters. Barnes County farmers share their local farm crops, wheat, soy bean, corn etc., right? Maybe they could open up your minds and share some of their wonderful hunting -- just enough to where we don't ruin things. A little more money thrown around this area from outsiders and maybe we could keep a few more youth around here, fed, watered, employed and not sniffing out of spray paint cans and mixing up bathtub speed. I am writing this editorial to follow up on an earlier one I wrote. I didn't want to state what I see as a problem without stating what I see as a possible solutions.
Ballot measure can fix Keystone mistake
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Letter from Richard Starke Burlington, N.D. The Public Service Commission made the wrong decision in allowing the Keystone pipeline to cross farmland, wetlands and native prairie near the Sheyenne River rather than putting the pipeline in a safer location on a highway right-of-way. The carbon steel pipes inevitably corrode, and the first symptom is a pinhole leak. A pinhole leak of 2 percent is NOT DETECTABLE; so 2 percent of 435,000 barrels per day will leak for 90 days before coming to the surface and being spotted or smelled by a farmer or motorist. How many barrels of oil will have leaked by then? It will take Keystone three days to get here from Omaha, Neb., to call the center to shut the valves both upstream and downstream from the leak. By then, 410 acres will be flooded with oil, which would reach the Sheyenne River from my farm in less than one hour after breaching the trench. Fargo's 20 hours of emergency water supply will be used, and the city left without water. The oil will enter the Red River just north of Fargo and flow north to Grand Forks and Winnipeg, then Lake Winnipeg! Now, wouldn't it be a good idea to move the pipeline to the Hwy 32 right-of-way as originally planned? This is on the other side of a moraine from the river and lake, so the water supply would be safe. I testified under oath before the PSC with documents which proved these statements, and they ignored my documents and chose the false testimony of keystone "expert" Heidi Tilquist, who said that "the land was flat so no oil would reach the river." In truth, this land drops 200 feet in three miles. Dr. Thomas Scherer, Agricultural Engineer at NDSU Extension Service in Fargo, calculated the data. We can still force Keystone to move the pipeline to a safe location, via an initiative of the people. Our ballot measure is now in preparation, and I ask the help of all North Dakotans concerned about this terrible threat to our state. If you are willing to circulate our initiative petition, please call me at (701) 838-8003 or e-mail my sister in Valley City at:
Editor’s note: Starke owns land east of Valley City.
An appeal to preserve V.C. celebration history
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Letter from Diane Rae Hill Fargo, N.D. Valley City will soon celebrate its 125-year anniversary. It seems only yesterday it was the Centennial. A colorful reminder of that celebration was the historic mural drawn on the wall across from the Elks building. When I see it, I remember the hard work of many citizens. My dear friends, Hermione and Clarence Holm, among others, donated their time that summer heat scraping, priming and painting in hopes of leaving a lasting mark. The Holms have since passed, but the wall remains. (By the way, Hermione was a Times-Record society reporter). Currently the wall is in disrepair. Have efforts been made to maintain it? I hear that it may be replaced with a new drawing for the 125th. Must it be out with the old, in with the new? Could the existing picture be restored? Perhaps it could be enhanced to remember both celebrations. It meant so much to us 25 years ago. Another highlight of that summer was of the Centennial pageant, a play which was composed by the director and actors. My 5-year-old son Mark and I performed that summer as we prepared to move to Fargo. I realized that would be my last summer in a city that I had called home for 20 years. How delightful it would be to see the videotape from 25 years ago! I hope to return to Valley City for the upcoming celebration with some of the last celebration preserved.
