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Legislative Report: Vets home wins funds |
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Tuesday, 16 October 2007 |
Would you believe it? Not all news is bad news, in fact things are really beginning to look up. In the past couple weeks, Mark Johnson, the administrator of the Veteran’s Home in Lisbon, informed me that the federal government has approved funds for the replacement of the old home. You know that we have been making plans with that thought in mind and it is a relief to know the money will definitely be coming, so now we are ready to proceed full steam ahead.
Congratulations to the governing board and staff from the home. They have worked long and hard to get to this point and have been rewarded with a guaranteed payment from the federal government of 65 percent of the total cost, including room furnishings and special equipment needed for serving our disabled veterans. The state of North Dakota will be paying the balance and this has already been included in the current budget. You will be hearing more on this project as we progress forward. This is a great day for all of North Dakota.
How many times have you said to yourself "the whole world is crazy except for you and me and sometimes I wonder about you." The more you think about it the more you realize the significance of this statement. I believe that is it absolutely fantastic that just because we were born and raised in a local community we still do not have the same thoughts on major items currently being considered.
For instance, we definitely do not have the same thoughts concerning taxes, work, health care, wages and a whole myriad of significant matters that affects each and every one of our lives. Yes, probably all will agree that we should have fewer taxes but don’t reduce expenditures for local, city, school, safety and my personal needs. By the way, as a special note, do some serious thinking if you get asked to sign a petition to refer some of our taxes. What services are you willing to give up? I will write more about this later. In the mean time, THINK ABOUT IT.
For the most part, the state legislature feels that something must be done for our prison system if for no other reason but to increase safety for our correction officers. As you probably know, from that point on we have had numerous disagreements. Should we remodel? Should we build new at the current prison site? Should we build at a different location? Should we include more rehabilitation training? Should we close the Missouri Correctional Center and add it to the prison? Should we consolidate special treatment programs at one site, either Bismarck or Jamestown? Should we do nothing? About the only things we can agree on totally is that the prison in Jamestown will continue at its current location and if a new prison is constructed it will be in the vicinity of Bismarck.
To get these questions answered, we have contracted with Criminal Justice Institute (CJI) of Middleton, Conn., to conduct a study and provide recommendations and detailed construction proposals for the three major questions: remodel, build new on the grounds or build at a different location.
My committee on Correctional Facilities has scheduled six meetings in the next five months and I will keep you informed. Trust me or call 845-2615. E-mail:
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Editor’s Note: Ralph Metcalf (D-24) is a senator in the North Dakota Legislature. He lives in Valley City.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 December 2007 )
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