Dakota Beacon

It's a very merry Christmas for the parents of 11-year-old Cierra McMahen of Bismarck.  She passed out and was choking to death from a piece of hard candy stuck in her throat.  Luckily, this happened at school, where teacher Sandy Fuller recalled first aid training 16 years ago.  Fuller calmly applied the Heimlich maneuver -- out popped the candy and up popped Cierra.  Fuller was modest -- the McMahen's were grateful.

The Burgum family has played a major role in revitalizing downtown Fargo.  Doug Burgum has been instrumental in key real estate investments and his family’s philanthropy backed the Plains Art Museum.  The family announced donations near year-end to provide funding for a 27,000 square foot annex to PAM.  The annex will be named for Doug’s mother and called the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity.  The Center will house a joint art education effort between PAM and the Fargo schools.  The Center will add life to downtown, just as the NDSU

 downtown campus has done.  The Forum reported that a PAM director and former school board member was moved to tears by the gifts.

The Census indicates that in 2010, 16 percent of Americans were poor and 48 percent were low income (that is, above the poverty level, but less than double that level).  The numbers for ND were less shocking, 13 percent and 29 percent, respectively.  Poverty rates on ND Indian reservations are easily double the state average, and, unexplainably, one of three people in Grand Forks is classified as low income.  Richard Rathge, director of the State Data Center, says high-paying jobs generated by the oil and gas industry are only in the western half of the state and only available to those with qualifying skills.

The Fargodome looked great on national TV -- a sea of gold shirts against a crisp green field.  The NDSU Bison won 35-7 and are moving on to a national football championship game against Sam Houston State in Frisco (Dallas area), Texas on January 7th.

So, what did you expect?  A police investigator was taking time off, kicking back, getting drunk and in the mood listening to his favorite metal band, Five Finger Death Punch, at a private suite at The Hub in Fargo.  Afterwards, he was arrested for, among other things, punching his girlfriend.  His surprised boss, the W. Fargo police chief, says the incident is under investigation.

The Forum’s SheSays section provides guidance and wisdom for women.  Columnist Michelle Turnberg said “I like people with gumption . . . those who stand firm in their beliefs even when they are condemned by those around them.  I like Tim Tebow.”

Another pressing need is met.  The Jamestown Sun awarded a “Bravo” to a high school senior who created an app for Apple devices which identifies duck species.  In case you want one -- it’s called iDuckID.

Who can blame them for picking such low hanging fruit.  Everyone is congratulating Jamestown on its new $2.4 million air terminal -- Gov. Dalrymple flew in for the opening celebration.  Most of the money came from the FAA, the state chipped in about 12 percent, and all Jamestown had to do was find the remaining 12 percent.  The subsidies don’t end with construction.  Jamestown is eligible for federal Essential Air Service subsidies which means taxpayers pickup a large part of the cost of air travel from Jamestown to the next airport.  Why wouldn’t a city want a new terminal if it pays only 12 cents of each dollar?

The Fargo Forum bristles at any criticism of NDSU.  In September, when questions were raised about the cost of the school’s 8-passenger aircraft, the Forum contended the plane was essential for efficiency at the school.  At the time, I called an air charter service and learned the school’s needs could be met at a fraction of the cost of leasing.  A legislative committee has since determined the plane costs $7,600 for every hour flown -- far beyond reason.

Supporters of the Fighting Sioux nickname are not the only ones raising questions about the NCAA.  A writer for Time Magazine’s website has asked, “Isn’t the organization picking the wrong fight here?”  The author wonders if the NCAA doesn’t have something more important to worry about, like increasingly common college athletic scandals.  The writer concludes the UND nickname is “harmless,” even “a positive for the Sioux nation.”

Many years ago, I spoke before wheat boards in W. Canada -- my subject, trends in U.S. marketing cooperatives.  The wheat boards recently had their teeth pulled.  The boards were powerful monopolies through which Canadian farmers were required to market grain.  The boards equalized transportation costs -- a grower near the Arctic Circle received the same price for a bushel of wheat as a grower on the U.S. border.  The monopoly is no more -- legislation in Ottawa becomes effective August 1, farmers can pursue the open market and Canadian grain can move freely into U.S. markets.

“I believe that if things remain as they are today — including the cost of labor — then the end of American Crystal is certain. And it won’t be the fault of the farmers.”  These are the views of Ralph Kingsbury, GF Herald economiic columnist.  American Crystal is four-months into a labor dispute and lockout with its union sugar workers.  Kingsbury believes past management negotiated unsustainable labor agreements.

Hardly any small city in the country has Williston's growth stress.  The city has considered buying an apartment house to help employees with housing.  The Public Works Director said he hired two employees -- one is living in an RV park and the other in a car.  The city’s schools are screaming “help,” they estimate enrollment could soar 45 percent next year.  Williston's third quarter taxable sales soared 90% and in total exceeded those of Fargo.

What am I missing?  The ND Housing Incentive Fund claims to “incentivize” private investment for affordable housing.  This is accomplished by giving taxpayers (including corporations) a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for targeting contributions to the fund.  What does this accomplish?  No additional money is available -- the only difference is the allocation to housing is made by individual taxpayers rather than the Legislature.

There are Hutterite colonies in both Dakotas.  When a colony reaches a certain population size, it splits and forms a daughter colony.  A colony near Mitchell, SD, will start construction of a new colony in southern Traill County, roughly 30 miles northwest of Fargo.  The new colony will have about 20 families engaged in food production and processing.

DAKTOIDS: The Industrial Commission reports that 30 percent of ND natural gas is flared.  From 2011 to 2013 the industry plans to invest over $3 billion in natural gas gathering and processing infrastructure in the state . . . “Animal House” is closed.  The UND chapter of Phi Delta Theta has been suspended for risky behavior including drug use and distribution.  UND’s oldest fraternity has always been playful . . . Anyone feel crowded?  ND reached a record population of 684,000, exceeding the previous high of 681,000 in 1930.