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Monday, August 31, 2015

SCHMID: LOOKING BACK FROM THE LEFT COAST - AUGUST 31, 2015

GOV. JACK DALRYMPLE announced this week he is not running for re-election in 2016 -- members of both parties are lining up. The most intense speculation surrounds the intentions of U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp. Democrats nationally will urge her to stay put -- the reason, her seat in the Senate could go to a Republican if she runs for governor.

SORRY ABOUT THAT The Washington Post published a rating of all 3,111 counties in the U.S. based on a combination of climate and scenery -- a type of livability index or, if you like, a beauty contest. The criteria were developed by the USDA in 1999. The ten most beautiful counties, those with “extremely high natural amenities,” were all found on the California coast. The uglies (excuse the term), those with “extremely low natural amenities,” were mostly found in the Red River Valley of ND and Minnesota. Seven of the ten worst counties were in the RRV -- Cass County escaped that distinction by being No. 3,099, the 13th worst. Red Lake County, Minnesota, was No. 3,111, the worst in the nation.

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF . . . Nodaks took the WP report in stride -- they are used to derision. But Minnesotans, that was a different story, the WP said they reacted with “fast and furious” outrage. A hashtag, #ShowMeYourUglyCounties, was established to counter the rankings and showcase Minnesota beauty.

“THE WATERMELON KING” is a novel by Bismarck-Mandan native Daniel Royse. The novel is partly about his grandfather, Homer Royse, who founded a Mandan produce business known today as Royse’s Twin City Produce. Daniel is the editor of online travel publication “This Boundless World” and a relative of several readers of this newsletter. The novel is available through Amazon and other online vendors.

CAN YOU TOP THIS? The average cost per pupil in ND public schools for the 2014-15 school year was $11,000. When enrollments decline, small towns are often unwilling to close schools and join another district. Two examples are found in the lightly populated central part of the state: Goodrich has 18 students and an average annual cost of $33,700 per pupil, the highest cost in the state for a high school district. The elementary district in Robinson, which has 4 students, tops that with an average cost of $47,700 per pupil.

STATE OF EMERGENCY “The use, abuse, sale trade and transport of illegal narcotics and substances has reached an epidemic proportion on the Spirit Lake Tribe reservation." -- A quote from a resolution by the Tribe to declare a state of emergency and potentially permit outside law enforcement to serve warrants on the reservation. A state judge said that, on occasion, criminals hide on the reservation because the state doesn’t have authority to go on the reservation and make arrests. Spirit Lake is taking these measures "to combat drug trafficking . . . for the purpose of restoring peace and safety of the Tribe.”

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES reports that it is resettling about 400 refugees a year in the Fargo area and another 100 in Grand Forks. This results in two conflicting narratives: One emphasizes the beneficial effect of refugees. A representative of the Somali Community of Grand Forks, which is assisting 1,200 refugees, said, “Each month, Somalis arrive in the community seeking to work and contribute.” He said they work at retail stores, factories and hotels and sometimes make up 50 to 60 percent of employees at a work location. Other supporters stress the cultural benefits of the refugees.

AN OPPOSING ARGUMENT claims the refugees burden social and health services, law enforcement and schools. A petition in Fargo asking LSS to suspend resettlements has over 3,000 signatures. Refugees are disproportionately involved in the juvenile justice system. In response, LSS has a Restorative Justice Program in Fargo to assist refugee families with the court system.

DID HE OVERLOOK ANYTHING? Victor Garcia crashed his car after fleeing Moorhead and Fargo police. The Forum reported the pursuit was not Garcia's first run in with law enforcement. ND court records show Garcia has faced more than a dozen charges in Cass County since 2001. He has been arrested for DUI at least three times and has also been arrested in the past on robbery, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, theft, harassment and numerous other offenses. He has also faced numerous charges in Minnesota, including DWI, urinating in public and failure to pay child support, according to court records. Garcia needs court supervision.

MORE FIGHTING SIOUX The Bismarck Tribune had this to say about recent developments: “Many of us thought that, when North Dakota dropped its lawsuit against the NCAA, the end might be near and the controversy behind us. How wrong we were: The fight goes on, and the end is still not in sight.” Dave St. Peter is president of the Minnesota Twins baseball club and was a member of the UND nickname committee. The Bismarck native said, “I represented on that committee the alumni, and I had a pretty good sense that the alumni base felt strongly that 'North Dakota' should be included (on the short list of nickname choices)."

BEARS VS. BISON Tomorrow afternoon, the NDSU Bison football team faces the Montana Grizzlies. ESPN features the game with announcer Brent Musburger, who does not usually do FCS games. NDSU, last year’s repeat FCS champion, is again highly ranked, but playing in Missoula against a traditionally strong home team. Will Musburger be even-handed? After all, he grew up in Billings and maintains a home near Missoula. Musburger said he will not become a “homer” and said tell Bison fans “that my father was born in North Dakota (Bismarck). Tell them they will get a fair shake.”

WHEE! To paraphrase historians: “Mandan is where the West begins.” Mandan was ready to prove it last Saturday when 17 vandalisms and thefts were reported to police. Wild West episodes ranged from shooting up a business vehicle to slashing an above-ground pool.

“WELCOME TO LEITH” is a new documentary about the efforts of white supremacist Craig Cobb to take over the Grant County town of Leith. Amidst great hysteria, Cobb was ousted and jailed. He is on probation in Sherwood, ND. Cobb’s chief antagonist is not in much better shape -- the mayor of Leith is scheduled for trial after burning Cobb’s house.

DAKTOIDS: The host of the “Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC praised the New Rockford Transcript and its community for going to print within 48 hours of a fire that destroyed the newspaper’s offices . . . The NDSU president says he’s “confident College Game Day” will return to Fargo this fall . . . The Jamestown Sun passed out a wild variety of “Bravos” last week -- one to UND students for forming a club called Students Caring For Underserved Regions Everywhere (CURE) -- they have a big job!

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