SCHMID: LOOKING BACK FROM THE LEFT COAST - APRIL 4, 2016
ND COUNTIES lead the nation in population growth, despite the slowdown in the Oil Patch. In 2015, according to the Census Bureau, the nation’s four fastest-growing counties were all in western ND: McKenzie (Watford City), Ward (Minot), Stark (Dickinson) and Mountrail (Stanley). Ward County edged out Grand Forks County for the No. 3 spot in ND. In 2015, Fargo-Moorhead was the fastest growing metro area outside the West and South. Since 2010, Bismarck had the 7th-highest growth rate among metro areas in the nation.
THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL metro area reached a population of 3 million in 2015 -- over half of the state population -- and is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the state. The MSP metro area grew about five percent from 2010 to 2015. Moorhead, part of the F-M metro area, is the fastest growing city in Minnesota.
THE UND HOCKEY TEAM is headed for the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida, to play Denver on April 7th. Boston and Quinnipiac will play the other semi-final game. The GF Herald reported the team donned regional champion hats at Cincinnatti in front of a section of UND fans chanting “Let’s Go Sioux.” You can guess what the fans were wearing! UND has made eight trips to the Frozen Four since winning the last title.
TUG OF WAR A number of Williston apartment developments are in danger of going under. The owners want the city to close crew camps to reduce competition. Crew camp owners and their oil company customers are pulling the other way. Many feel apartments are so overbuilt, nothing will save the weaker owners.
BLIND LOYALTY David and Cathy Engstrom of Williston purchased a Lincoln Town Car they use for only one purpose -- trips to Butte, Montana (570 miles one-way) and similar destinations to see their son Paul play basketball for Montana Tech. The Williston Herald reports that in the past two seasons Paul started in 60 games and his parents missed only three. The Lincoln acquired 61,000 miles and they used planes and trains for other trips. Paul has his degree and is preparing for medical school.
RURAL GROCERY STORES in ND face a dilemma. Their operating margins are eroded by competition from chain stores in larger communities -- the small stores can’t compete. A grocery owner in Arthur noticed “that young people, in particular, are willing to drive the 33 miles to Fargo for groceries and often shop locally only during blizzards.” The loss of the only grocery store can mark the beginning of the end for small towns.
A HOPE AND A PRAYER For the third year in a row, farmers of most crops in ND are expected to lose money or, at best, break even. Why bother to plant? Mikkel Pates, an ag reporter for the GF Herald, attempted an explanation. Farmers have fixed costs such as land rentals, insurance and property taxes which must be covered. Operating, even at a loss, provides some cash flow for that purpose. Also, there is optimism that conditions will improve and it’s important to maintain a viable operation. A Wall Street Journal article about the state of agriculture said “a farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.”
DISSENT “This decision to decline charges does not absolve our broken criminal justice system. It does not foreclose federal action or civil action for violation of Jamar Clark’s civil rights. It does not change the persistent, systemic disparities facing the residents of North Minneapolis, some of which are the worst in the nation.” -- The response of U.S. Rep Keith Ellison when the Hennepin County Attorney decided that two Minneapolis police officers acted in self-defense when one shot and killed Jamar Clark (24) who is black. Ellison is black and Muslim.
REBUTTAL A Star Tribune editorial said the two officers “acted in accordance with their training and the circumstances they encountered.” The NAACP challenged the county attorney saying “if the city burns, it’s on your head.” The Star Tribune responded, “No. If the city burns, it will be on the heads of those who do the burning.”
MUSLIM POPULATIONS in Belgium have become a source of terror, while those in Norway and Sweden are relatively peaceful. What’s the difference? The well-managed and prosperous Scandinavian countries devote significant resources to integrating Muslim residents. In Sweden, the cost may be as much as 1.5 percent of gross domestic product. Belgium, less prosperous and less well-managed, has isolated and somewhat neglected its Muslims.
WHAT ABOUT MINNESOTA? How does it manage a large Muslim population? While the subject is not often discussed by Minnesota media, there is occasionally a clue about the size of the issue and the resources being devoted. This week, there was a meeting of local, state and federal law enforcement in Minneapolis to discuss recent terror attacks with local Muslim leaders. Local government dedicates staff to coordinate services for the Somali community and the FBI and other federal agencies have a special presence in the Twin Cities.
HOW ABOUT ND? Fargo and Grand Forks both have meaningful Muslim populations. Both cities have initiatives to integrate “New Americans.” This Sunday, GF will hold an event called “Meet Your Muslim Neighbor,” a public panel on Islam held in a Lutheran church. Organizers consider it particularly appropriate in view of the torching of the Juba Coffee House in Grand Forks and the attacks in Brussels.
DAKTOIDS: The latest cost estimate for the F-M flood diversion is $2.1 billion. The diversion is a massive flood-protection project that reduces the flow of the Red River in Fargo by routing flood water west of the city . . . The tallest basketball player in ND is a 7-foot junior playing for the Dickinson Midgets.
THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL metro area reached a population of 3 million in 2015 -- over half of the state population -- and is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the state. The MSP metro area grew about five percent from 2010 to 2015. Moorhead, part of the F-M metro area, is the fastest growing city in Minnesota.
THE UND HOCKEY TEAM is headed for the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida, to play Denver on April 7th. Boston and Quinnipiac will play the other semi-final game. The GF Herald reported the team donned regional champion hats at Cincinnatti in front of a section of UND fans chanting “Let’s Go Sioux.” You can guess what the fans were wearing! UND has made eight trips to the Frozen Four since winning the last title.
TUG OF WAR A number of Williston apartment developments are in danger of going under. The owners want the city to close crew camps to reduce competition. Crew camp owners and their oil company customers are pulling the other way. Many feel apartments are so overbuilt, nothing will save the weaker owners.
BLIND LOYALTY David and Cathy Engstrom of Williston purchased a Lincoln Town Car they use for only one purpose -- trips to Butte, Montana (570 miles one-way) and similar destinations to see their son Paul play basketball for Montana Tech. The Williston Herald reports that in the past two seasons Paul started in 60 games and his parents missed only three. The Lincoln acquired 61,000 miles and they used planes and trains for other trips. Paul has his degree and is preparing for medical school.
RURAL GROCERY STORES in ND face a dilemma. Their operating margins are eroded by competition from chain stores in larger communities -- the small stores can’t compete. A grocery owner in Arthur noticed “that young people, in particular, are willing to drive the 33 miles to Fargo for groceries and often shop locally only during blizzards.” The loss of the only grocery store can mark the beginning of the end for small towns.
A HOPE AND A PRAYER For the third year in a row, farmers of most crops in ND are expected to lose money or, at best, break even. Why bother to plant? Mikkel Pates, an ag reporter for the GF Herald, attempted an explanation. Farmers have fixed costs such as land rentals, insurance and property taxes which must be covered. Operating, even at a loss, provides some cash flow for that purpose. Also, there is optimism that conditions will improve and it’s important to maintain a viable operation. A Wall Street Journal article about the state of agriculture said “a farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.”
DISSENT “This decision to decline charges does not absolve our broken criminal justice system. It does not foreclose federal action or civil action for violation of Jamar Clark’s civil rights. It does not change the persistent, systemic disparities facing the residents of North Minneapolis, some of which are the worst in the nation.” -- The response of U.S. Rep Keith Ellison when the Hennepin County Attorney decided that two Minneapolis police officers acted in self-defense when one shot and killed Jamar Clark (24) who is black. Ellison is black and Muslim.
REBUTTAL A Star Tribune editorial said the two officers “acted in accordance with their training and the circumstances they encountered.” The NAACP challenged the county attorney saying “if the city burns, it’s on your head.” The Star Tribune responded, “No. If the city burns, it will be on the heads of those who do the burning.”
MUSLIM POPULATIONS in Belgium have become a source of terror, while those in Norway and Sweden are relatively peaceful. What’s the difference? The well-managed and prosperous Scandinavian countries devote significant resources to integrating Muslim residents. In Sweden, the cost may be as much as 1.5 percent of gross domestic product. Belgium, less prosperous and less well-managed, has isolated and somewhat neglected its Muslims.
WHAT ABOUT MINNESOTA? How does it manage a large Muslim population? While the subject is not often discussed by Minnesota media, there is occasionally a clue about the size of the issue and the resources being devoted. This week, there was a meeting of local, state and federal law enforcement in Minneapolis to discuss recent terror attacks with local Muslim leaders. Local government dedicates staff to coordinate services for the Somali community and the FBI and other federal agencies have a special presence in the Twin Cities.
HOW ABOUT ND? Fargo and Grand Forks both have meaningful Muslim populations. Both cities have initiatives to integrate “New Americans.” This Sunday, GF will hold an event called “Meet Your Muslim Neighbor,” a public panel on Islam held in a Lutheran church. Organizers consider it particularly appropriate in view of the torching of the Juba Coffee House in Grand Forks and the attacks in Brussels.
DAKTOIDS: The latest cost estimate for the F-M flood diversion is $2.1 billion. The diversion is a massive flood-protection project that reduces the flow of the Red River in Fargo by routing flood water west of the city . . . The tallest basketball player in ND is a 7-foot junior playing for the Dickinson Midgets.
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