SCHMID - LOOKING BACK FROM THE LEFT COAST: NOVEMBER 14, 2010
Dallas Schmidt stands 6 feet and is a barrel-chested 260 pounds. The Cooperstown cowboy won a top ten finish in a national quarter horse competition in Columbus, Ohio. But that’s not why he’s the subject of a GF Herald news article. Schmidt and his wife stayed in a Columbus hotel after the competition. Around 11 p.m., he put on his boots and went to the parking lot to retrieve a baby bottle from his semi-tractor. As he stood on the running board facing the cab, two black males approached him from behind. One said, “Give me your money.” As he looked for a tool to defend himself, they moved closer. That is when Schmidt instinctively back-kicked one of the assailants. He was astonished to find his boot spur had punctured the assailants chin and tongue lodging in his mouth. After Schmidt removed the spur, the assailants ran. He said, “I’m just a cowboy. I get to make a living on horseback. The spurs are part of the attire.”
Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple can expect to be governor as early as December 7. Since the elections, he has been discussing his priorities with state media. His plans are surprisingly clear and specific . The big priorities are infrastructure, particularly the damaged roads in western oil country, and flooding problems at Devils Lake and Fargo. He has also highlighted issues regarding energy development and higher education. The Republicans have achieved a high level of control in the Legislature -- Dalrymple had a candid warning for his own party -- this is not the time to hoot, holler and overreach.
Drew Wrigley is a good choice for Dalrymple’s lieutenant governor. At least, that seems to be the majority opinion around the state, and GF Herald Editor Mike Jacobs appears to agree -- he believes Wrigley has “impressive qualifications.” But Jacobs also believes Dalrymple had other motives, namely, to put a collar on Wrigley, who might otherwise become a challenge to Dalrymple’s reelection as governor or even to a 2012 run for the U.S. Senate.
The state’s post election environment is pro-business and growth -- Dalrymple said he will continue Hoeven’s focus on “developing, growing and diversifying the state economy.” Mike Jacobs referred to the Democrats as having “a devastated state party ticket” and the Bismarck Tribune said “the party is in the worst political situation it’s seen since statehood.” However, dedicated liberals still abound and are biding their time. Charles Linderman of Carrington (one of the state’s more inveterate letter writers) presents a humanistic view of recent events -- he believes the Democrats have little need for soul searching -- they “have pursued political policies that tend toward empathy for others and that are based on logical political, social and economic principles.”
As for health care, Linderman stated, “There is no such thing as Obamacare,” it’s a “demonized version created by lies of the opponents.” He lauds Earl Pomeroy for voting for the health care act saying “he did something very important and very courageous.” Continuing in the Pomeroy context, Linderman said, “There are indeed worse things than losing an election.” That comment may also have been very close to home -- Linderman’s wife Ellen had just lost her election bid for state representative in ND’s District 29.
“It’s time to move on.” -- With those words, the Williston Herald welcomed newly elected leaders, saying the tough work lies ahead. “The housing situation in Williston isn’t a problem. It’s a crisis.” The economy is busting with jobs, but there is no housing. Oil tax revenues are at all-time highs, but longtime residents fear their rent could double. Business has many new customers, but can’t find employees. The Herald says housing is the key: “When Williston’s housing crisis is fixed, everything else will fall into place.”
Until now the Three Affiliated Tribes at the Ft. Berthold Reservation have determined tribal membership by lineal descent -- a policy that allows someone with any fraction of tribal blood to be eligible for tribal benefits. The policy extended membership to people only slightly related to the tribes. The issue has taken on special significance since the tribes recently began receiving oil revenues. In the November election, the tribes approved an amendment that restricts membership to those having at least one-eighth tribal blood. There is a stricter requirement for elected tribal leaders -- they must have one-fourth tribal blood. Under the new rule, if members do not marry within the tribes, their descendants will eventually be excluded from membership.
The November elections also brought changes at the Turtle Mt. Reservation, ND’s largest tribal population. Voters elected a new chairman and an almost-new tribal council. Turtle Mt. struggles with crime, unemployment and drugs, but has little appetite for self-help. New chairman Merle St. Claire said his economic development plan calls for the state “to come on board” and give us greater help. He said, “It is time for the state of North Dakota to focus on the needs here at Turtle Mountain. They have to help us create some opportunity here.”
The state’s 2009 income tax returns contained a few surprises. First, there was quite a slip in the number of millionaires (those reporting income of over $1 million), dropping roughly from 500 to 400. The reasons are not entirely clear, but Nodaks were probably reporting fewer capital gains because of bad prior investment years. Also, interest rates were near all-time lows, lowering returns on CDs and money market accounts, investments popular with wealthy older ND residents. Average income for all taxpayers slipped about 8 percent. There the explanation is a little clearer -- it is believed the state’s very robust economy created more entry-level positions -- a conclusion reinforced by a jump in the number of returns.
Nodaks take pride in being levelheaded, not precipitous, and letting facts guide them to a reasonable conclusion. That reputation was dented recently. A popular 16-year old girl in Cooperstown committed suicide. Before the tragedy had been investigated, Griggs County Sheriff Bob Hook unfortunately said that bullying may have played a role. The statement triggered statewide bullying hysteria: anti-bullying gatherings and editorials, calls for prosecution and anti-bullying legislation, and sympathetic Facebook groups. Nodaks at all levels seemed to be involved. Hook has revised his remarks, he now says “the blame put on bullying has been out of control” and “it’s not the main driver for the suicide.” Attention has shifted to identifying and treating mental illness.
Dallas Schmidt stands 6 feet and is a barrel-chested 260 pounds. The Cooperstown cowboy won a top ten finish in a national quarter horse competition in Columbus, Ohio. But that’s not why he’s the subject of a GF Herald news article. Schmidt and his wife stayed in a Columbus hotel after the competition. Around 11 p.m., he put on his boots and went to the parking lot to retrieve a baby bottle from his semi-tractor. As he stood on the running board facing the cab, two black males approached him from behind. One said, “Give me your money.” As he looked for a tool to defend himself, they moved closer. That is when Schmidt instinctively back-kicked one of the assailants. He was astonished to find his boot spur had punctured the assailants chin and tongue lodging in his mouth. After Schmidt removed the spur, the assailants ran. He said, “I’m just a cowboy. I get to make a living on horseback. The spurs are part of the attire.”
Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple can expect to be governor as early as December 7. Since the elections, he has been discussing his priorities with state media. His plans are surprisingly clear and specific . The big priorities are infrastructure, particularly the damaged roads in western oil country, and flooding problems at Devils Lake and Fargo. He has also highlighted issues regarding energy development and higher education. The Republicans have achieved a high level of control in the Legislature -- Dalrymple had a candid warning for his own party -- this is not the time to hoot, holler and overreach.
Drew Wrigley is a good choice for Dalrymple’s lieutenant governor. At least, that seems to be the majority opinion around the state, and GF Herald Editor Mike Jacobs appears to agree -- he believes Wrigley has “impressive qualifications.” But Jacobs also believes Dalrymple had other motives, namely, to put a collar on Wrigley, who might otherwise become a challenge to Dalrymple’s reelection as governor or even to a 2012 run for the U.S. Senate.
The state’s post election environment is pro-business and growth -- Dalrymple said he will continue Hoeven’s focus on “developing, growing and diversifying the state economy.” Mike Jacobs referred to the Democrats as having “a devastated state party ticket” and the Bismarck Tribune said “the party is in the worst political situation it’s seen since statehood.” However, dedicated liberals still abound and are biding their time. Charles Linderman of Carrington (one of the state’s more inveterate letter writers) presents a humanistic view of recent events -- he believes the Democrats have little need for soul searching -- they “have pursued political policies that tend toward empathy for others and that are based on logical political, social and economic principles.”
As for health care, Linderman stated, “There is no such thing as Obamacare,” it’s a “demonized version created by lies of the opponents.” He lauds Earl Pomeroy for voting for the health care act saying “he did something very important and very courageous.” Continuing in the Pomeroy context, Linderman said, “There are indeed worse things than losing an election.” That comment may also have been very close to home -- Linderman’s wife Ellen had just lost her election bid for state representative in ND’s District 29.
“It’s time to move on.” -- With those words, the Williston Herald welcomed newly elected leaders, saying the tough work lies ahead. “The housing situation in Williston isn’t a problem. It’s a crisis.” The economy is busting with jobs, but there is no housing. Oil tax revenues are at all-time highs, but longtime residents fear their rent could double. Business has many new customers, but can’t find employees. The Herald says housing is the key: “When Williston’s housing crisis is fixed, everything else will fall into place.”
Until now the Three Affiliated Tribes at the Ft. Berthold Reservation have determined tribal membership by lineal descent -- a policy that allows someone with any fraction of tribal blood to be eligible for tribal benefits. The policy extended membership to people only slightly related to the tribes. The issue has taken on special significance since the tribes recently began receiving oil revenues. In the November election, the tribes approved an amendment that restricts membership to those having at least one-eighth tribal blood. There is a stricter requirement for elected tribal leaders -- they must have one-fourth tribal blood. Under the new rule, if members do not marry within the tribes, their descendants will eventually be excluded from membership.
The November elections also brought changes at the Turtle Mt. Reservation, ND’s largest tribal population. Voters elected a new chairman and an almost-new tribal council. Turtle Mt. struggles with crime, unemployment and drugs, but has little appetite for self-help. New chairman Merle St. Claire said his economic development plan calls for the state “to come on board” and give us greater help. He said, “It is time for the state of North Dakota to focus on the needs here at Turtle Mountain. They have to help us create some opportunity here.”
The state’s 2009 income tax returns contained a few surprises. First, there was quite a slip in the number of millionaires (those reporting income of over $1 million), dropping roughly from 500 to 400. The reasons are not entirely clear, but Nodaks were probably reporting fewer capital gains because of bad prior investment years. Also, interest rates were near all-time lows, lowering returns on CDs and money market accounts, investments popular with wealthy older ND residents. Average income for all taxpayers slipped about 8 percent. There the explanation is a little clearer -- it is believed the state’s very robust economy created more entry-level positions -- a conclusion reinforced by a jump in the number of returns.
Nodaks take pride in being levelheaded, not precipitous, and letting facts guide them to a reasonable conclusion. That reputation was dented recently. A popular 16-year old girl in Cooperstown committed suicide. Before the tragedy had been investigated, Griggs County Sheriff Bob Hook unfortunately said that bullying may have played a role. The statement triggered statewide bullying hysteria: anti-bullying gatherings and editorials, calls for prosecution and anti-bullying legislation, and sympathetic Facebook groups. Nodaks at all levels seemed to be involved. Hook has revised his remarks, he now says “the blame put on bullying has been out of control” and “it’s not the main driver for the suicide.” Attention has shifted to identifying and treating mental illness.
DakotaBeacon