Dakota Beacon

There is a ND economic indicator we might call “the pickup index.”  For small town and rural Nodaks, not having a pickup is almost unthinkable.  When times are good, you buy a pickup; If the economy is slow, you put another year or two on the old pickup.  This year, pickup sales are crashing through the ceiling  -- dealerships reported increases ranging from 45% to 75%, this is on top of a very good 2009.  ND dealers are scrounging pickups around the country.  A dealer in Grand Forks told the Herald, “Unbelievable.  I’ve never seen anything like it.”

What a difference a decade makes.  Tribune columnist Ken Rogers compared the NDs of 2000 and 2010.  In 2003, state oil production dropped to 29 million barrels; this year will probably surpass 100 million.  Today, every sector of the ND economy, except manufacturing, is in a sweet spot and the state is contemplating a two-year surplus of $1 billion.  In 2000, the state envied the growth of its neighbors; today it’s the other way around.  October unemployment in ND was 2.8%, Minnesota was 6.4% and the nation was 9%.  The decade corresponds to the term of Gov. John Hoeven.  At his start, per capita income in ND was 84% of the national average, now, the state is 103%.

ND historians agree that it’s too soon to know how history will remember Gov. John Hoeven, but that didn’t stop them from expressing a view.  Hoeven will be ND’s first governor to voluntarily resign (he’s joining the U.S. Senate); other governors who left before their terms either died or were thrown out.  Hoeven is the second-longest-serving governor and the only one elected to three four-year terms.  The consensus expressed to the Forum by historians and political scientists is Hoeven did a very good job.  Yes, he had the economic wind at his back, but they believe his strong long-range planning helped position the state to grow.  About the only major critic was his unsuccessful election opponent in 2008, who claims Hoeven neglected human services unless they fit an economic development model.

“This is not the result of politically correct liberals telling us good heartland folk what to do” --  Chase Iron Eyes talking about the retirement of the UND Fighting Sioux name.  Iron Eyes is an activist and former UND Indian student leader who concedes there is overwhelming disappointment among ND’s non-Indian population.  He might have added, to the extent they have been allowed to vote, ND’s Sioux Indians are similarly disappointed.  As to politically correct liberals, particularly those on the UND faculty, he couldn’t be more wrong -- there is every indication they fermented the atmosphere that led to the change.  

It may not have mattered much, but we shouldn’t forget the editorial cheerleading of the Fargo Forum against the Fighting Sioux nickname.  Just this month, the Forum gave Prairie Roses to the NCAA for briskly denying the Spirit Lake Tribe's appeal of the nickname retirement.

Is this how you get ahead?  In 1994, Edgar Kranz, an airman at the Minot AFB, was sentenced to two years confinement for use of cocaine, adultery and writing bad checks.  In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of master sergeant, the highest enlisted rank.  Kranz was one of nine people pardoned in December by President Obama.

What are “ND values” and are they different from those of other states?  ND politicians happily answered the first part for the Forum, but said little about the second part of the question.  For Sen. Kent Conrad the values are “hard work, personal responsibility, honesty and integrity.”  State Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle thinks it’s a good work ethic, coupled with honesty and a conscientious attitude.  Representative-elect Rick Berg sees Nodaks as hard workers living within their means and helping each other.  All three agreed NoDaks are helpful and support their communities.  Is this a good summary of ND values and, if so, do they differentiate the state from other states?  What do you think?

The Bismarck Tribune had a three-part series about ND’s largest cities.  The first two instalments were about Bismarck, Fargo and their differences.  Fargo is characterized as the larger, more eclectic and urbane of the two.  Fargo looks east, somewhat indifferent to its smaller neighbor 200 miles to west.  Bismarck is seen as friendlier and more informal, as one Fargoan said, “People in Bismarck go home for lunch.”  Bismarck people see Fargo as having “an inflated sense of importance.”  The relationship may be shifting -- the oil boom is making Bismarck “a hub of the West.”  A history professor at Bismarck State said, “We don’t care about sugar beets.  We have energy.”

The third instalment examined four other cities.  Grand Forks, eased out of the No. 2 spot by Bismarck, is largely defined by UND and the GFAFB.  Minot, once a railroad center, became home to a large AFB and earmarks.  Now the town is becoming a player on the edge of the oil patch, but is also known for two large visitor events, the State Fair and Norsk Hostfest.  Core employers in Jamestown are its eponymous college and the state hospital -- the retail sector suffers from being a little too close to Bismarck and Fargo.  Oh, yes, don’t forget buffalos.  Dickinson has been buffeted by past energy booms, but the current boom may have more staying power -- the city, along with Williston, is growing. 

Smile, you may be on Smartpen.  If you can, follow this carefully: At Minot State a squad of students take class notes to help the disability services program.  They do so using Smartpens which simultaneously photograph the notes and record the instructor’s voice.  The notes are uploaded to a Web site where they can be seen and heard.  The pens were purchased with a federal disability grant and anyone may use the service.  Imagine future classes with only a note taker and instructor in attendance.

The Post Office has awful losses -- something has to give -- the Internet and UPS are closing in.  ND has 320 post offices -- the one in Cathay (50) is closing indefinitely.  It was open two hours a day for 16 customers.  Cathay residents will get their service from Sykeston (150), six miles away.

DAKTOIDS: Somehow, it didn’t come up during the elections, but Rick Berg, ND’s newly elected U.S. Representative, is the richest of all 100 new representatives.  He reported over $20 million in assets.