Dakota Beacon

Sen. Bill Langer was one of ND’s most controversial politicians -- he acted on the belief that bad publicity was better than none.  Fargo seems to have gone the same way after being chosen “America’s Toughest Weather City.”  The Weather Channel found “the combination of the city’s infamous blizzards, extreme cold and spring floods proved too much” for the competition.  The F-M Convention and Visitors Bureau happily accepted the award and bragged “We deserve it” and “it also speaks to the resolve of residents.”  A F-M economic development executive said the designation “boosted recognition for a metro area in a part of the country that’s often overlooked.”

“We’ll solve it ourselves.” -- The reponse of Cass County (Fargo) Sheriff Paul Laney to the news that the county would not receive federal help with spring flooding.  This was a refreshing response from a local government -- a contrast to the squealing and self-pity often brought on by local emergencies.

Fargo sits astride the crossroads of two interstate highways and two transcontinental rail lines.  BNSF Railway moves an average of 70 trains daily through the city, and a daily average of 8,100 trucks ply its interstates.  That makes toxic spills one of the city’s greatest risks. 

The GF Herald ran an article describing conflict between longtime American Indian residents and recent Somali refugees in Minneapolis.  The 2010 census indicates Minnesota’s black population (mostly in the Twin Cities) increased 60 percent in the preceding decade and constitutes 5 percent of that state’s population.  This is the result of Somali immigration and U.S. blacks attracted to the Twin Cities by earlier employment opportunities and, some say, generous social benefits.  The number of Minnesota whites (non Hispanic) declined during the decade.  Minnesota social/economic trends are instructional and may even be leading indicators for the Dakotas.  

The Minneapolis StarTribune had two articles related to black residents: “Twin Cities jobless gap worst in nation (March 25)” and “Governor holds a long overdue talk with blacks (March 30).”  The first reported a Minnesota black jobless rate of 22 percent compared to 6 percent for whites.  The disparity was linked to education and criminal records.  The second article described a “Black Economic Summit” where Gov. Mark Dayton met with 400 members of the black community.  The tone of the meeting was characterized by a U. of St. Thomas professor who said, “There seems to be two Minnesotas, one black, one white, both separate and unequal.”  Dayton’s role was mostly listening, after which he promised to report in nine days with a list of recommendations from his administration.

Each of the two articles attracted nearly 200 online responses.  If the responses are anywhere near representative, Dayton must tread carefully.  There were distinctly anti-immigrant notes in many responses (the state also has large and relatively recent Hmong and Hispanic populations) and even more frequent references to a dysfunctional welfare system, suggesting there will be strong opposition to targeted benefits for the Minnesota black community.

Tom Dennis of the Herald contends ND has three political parties: Conservative Republicans, moderate Republicans and Democrats.  Depending on the issue, moderate Republicans slide right or left to achieve a majority.  Dennis sees former Gov. John Hoeven as representative of the moderate Republicans.

The Forum’s Amy Dalrymple discussed a proposal before the Legislature to repeal part of the state constitution listing higher ed campuses and their missions.  An entirely logical idea, but one which strikes paranoia in the minds of legislators representing districts where some small colleges are located.  One is Rep. Richard Holman of Mayville -- home to a 4-year university with less than 1,000 students.  He says there is a vocal minority in the Legislature who say ND doesn’t need 11 higher ed institutions -- this creates anxiety with people like myself.  The proposal was defeated. 

JoAnn Coon of Fargo may be a perfectly balanced person warning us of unexpected danger.  Coon believes the peregrine falcons admired in Fargo are fierce predators ready to steal pets and babies.  She believes her small dog was almost taken by a falcon and wondered “How many more small pets have disappeared without any knowledge to what happened?”  She asked Forum readers to consider the horror felt by pet owners whose beloved pets were torn apart by falcons.  As for babies, “You certainly wouldn’t want to put a baby on a blanket on the grass in your own yard and leave it for even a moment.”

“Kid rich, property poor.” --  Kevin Klassen, superintendent of Surrey School, urging Ward County Commissioners to limit the property tax exemption for a new grain terminal.  His district has only 385 kids and is one of the state’s smallest.

The National Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, California, has the Chevrolet pickup camper used by John Steinbeck while writing “Travels With Charley” published in 1962.  I’ve examined the camper -- it’s a snug little vehicle.  Details of the trip have always been suspect, but a writer for the magazine “Reason” now contends much of the book is fiction.  None more so than a reported encounter with a Shakespearean actor in Alice, ND.  The writer believes, at the time of the imagined encounter, Steinbeck was actually across the state in Beach, ND.  Great artists often paint what they see -- a distortion of reality.  Steinbeck was apparently no different.

Tribune writer Lauren Donovan delves into business life west of the Missouri.  Her recent subject was the grain business along I-94 between Dickinson and Bismarck.  Giant CHS Inc. already has a 2.6 million bushel terminal (the biggest in western ND) at Taylor, ADM is planning a 1.8 million bushel facility in Hebron, and the New Salem Farmers Union Elevator may merge with CHS and build a 1 million bushel plus facility to stay in the game.  Donovan’s article is about how small grain elevators, some nearly 100 years old, adapt to avoid being crushed by giants.

Former Sen. Byron Dorgan visited UND and proved that, while he is no longer in Congress, he is still very much a politician.  He managed to straddle the Fighting Sioux issue stating he supports the name (doesn’t consider it disrespectful), had no comment on the Legislature’s involvement, and doesn’t blame the Board of Higher Education and UND Pres. Robert Kelley for their actions.

DAKTOIDS: State and UND officials will meet with the president of the NCAA on April 22 in Bismarck to discuss the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo . . .  Herald sports editor Wayne Nelson said the April Frozen Four was the most anticipated event in the history of Sioux sports . . . CBSMoneyWatch reported  “Why North Dakota May Be the Best State in the Country to Live In.”  The article said ND was the best in these areas: Employment, GDP growth (ranked third), job growth, stable housing market, low crime, and low credit card defaults . . . The Kirkwood Mall in Bismarck, ND’s second largest, has been sold to Radiant Partners by Met Life.