SCHMID: LOOKING BACK FROM THE LEFT COAST - SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
BACK ON TRACK The proposed $3 billion CHS nitrogen fertilizer plant at Spiritwood (Jamestown) will be the largest construction project in ND history. The plant will also be the largest investment in the history of CHS (a marriage of Cenex and Harvest States), which describes itself as the nation’s leading cooperative. After a six-month delay, the board of the Minnesota coop gave the Spiritwood project the green light. Construction may start late this year and the plant is expected to be operational in 2018.
DELIRIOUS To say Jamestown is delighted about the new plant is a considerable understatement. A Jamestown Sun editorial said, “The $3 billion project will bring good-paying jobs and new residents to Jamestown. Those factors could in turn bring more retail opportunities and growth to the city.” Stutsman County is also grinning, in llieu of property taxes, CHS has agreed to give the county $3 million a year for 20 years -- more than double the tax payment on any other property in ND. Taxes determined on the full value of the plant would be about $10 million a year.
BIG THINGS HEADED FOR JAMESTOWN Some major components for the CHS plant will come from Europe. A 500-ton ammonia converter will come by boat, probably to Duluth, then travel by road to Jamestown.
WUNNERFUL, WUNNERFUL! Basin Electric is proposing a $600 million mega-sized power plant in Emmons County (Lawrence Welk Country) to meet electrical power demand in the Bakken and the region. Why Emmons? The county has two transmission lines, a gas pipeline and easy access to Missouri River water.
ESPN “COLLEGE GAME DAY” returns to Fargo tomorrow to feature the NDSU Bison, holder of three straight
national championships in the Football Championship Subdivision. This is the first time the biggest nationally televised sports program has appeared in consecutive years in any city. The Bison currently sit atop FCS polls. The show will originate from downtown Fargo on Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. CST. The Bison opponent will be the fearsome, get ready, University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, Texas).
WHAT’S GOING ON? ND’s economy has never been better -- unemployment is lowest in the nation and personal incomes are rising. Yet, the number of Nodaks requiring food assistance is sharply rising. A study released by the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo said last year 66,700 people sought help from food pantries and meal programs in ND; five years ago 48,200 people received help -- a 38 percent jump.
EASY COME, EASY GO The Standing Rock Sioux have a $6 million deficit, a $11 million balloon loan payment due next year, and owe the federal government $800,000 for misused funds. Chairman David Archambault has a novel idea -- they should balance the budget. Hardship will follow: They must cut benefits and travel money for members of the tribal council and reduce the number of political appointees. They risk federal receivership if they don’t. Lauren Donovan at the Tribune reports that two years ago, before the current chairman, the tribe received a $48 million settlement from the federal government. Did they use it to pay obligations, nope, they paid it to tribal members.
FEDS KILL FINANCIAL BUFFALO “This attack on our economic independence is all too reminiscent of the long-ago eradication of the buffalo.” -- This highly exaggerated analogy comes from Barry Brandon, executive director of the Native American Financial Services Association. Certain Indian tribes have been used as cover for high-interest loans made over the Internet -- the loans would be illegal in most or all states. Questionable lenders use the sovereignty of the tribes to make loans which would otherwise violate usury laws -- the Turtle Mt. Chippewa in ND and a tribe in SD have been enthusiastic participants. The federal government is shutting down their operations by cutting off access to the national banking system -- hence the buffalo analogy.
THERE THEY GO AGAIN Seven years ago about two dozen young Somali men left Minnesota to fight in Somalia with Al-Shabab -- their fates are uncertain, most are believed dead. Last week, I mentioned that another cycle was starting. The feds believe a dozen Somali men and three women from Minnesota have fled the country to fight in Syria. A federal grand jury in St. Paul is investigating. The StarTribune says “the investigation is moving slowly because many of those subpoenaed are refusing to talk and have been instructed to invoke their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.” For years, the Somali relationship with federal authorities in Minnesota has been tenuous, at best. The departures also have heightened fears that some may try to return to carry out attacks in the U.S.
TIME TO GO State Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger should step down. That is the view of GF Herald opinion page editor Tom Dennis. Rauschenberger is being treated for alcoholism, has lost substantial work time and has shown poor personal judgment. He is a candidate for tax commissioner -- his opponent, Fargo attorney Jason Astrup, said he would consider resigning if he were in the same position.
“IT’S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAPPENS.” -- A spokesman for the Williams County (Williston) Sheriff Department. Two department cruisers sped to answer a domestic violence call. One prepared to make a U-turn, the other hurtled into it causing “significant” damage. Barney Fife would love this.
WELCOME TO ND Abby Sletten (20) of Hatton was driving 85 mph while browsing Facebook on her cellphone. She rear-ended a SUV killing an 89-year-old passenger from Minnesota. Abby, who claims no recollection of the crash, is charged with negligent homicide.
DON’T SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT is an old saying meaning you should not make a situation worse for yourself. An assistant professor of chemistry at Idaho State did not heed the warning. A new Idaho law permitted him to have a semiautomatic handgun in an inside pocket while lecturing. To the horror of his students, the weapon discharged shooting the professor in the foot. Perhaps he was lucky it was only his foot!
THAT’S A LOT OF COATS Some elderly ND women want to stay active and in contact with the public. Esther Johnson Sorenson (96) of Jamestown had a lifetime interest in style and fashion. When she finished high school in Woodworth, she left immediately for the New York Hair Dressing Academy in Fargo. From there she embarked on a career selling ladies wear in Jamestown. Her obituary indicates that upon retirement she volunteered as the Elk’s Lodge Coat Check Lady for over 35 years.
DAKTOIDS: His name is apt -- Jesse James Jackson is charged with distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug crime -- Jesse said he moved five pounds of meth from Denver to Dickinson . . . Overall crime in ND increased 5.5 percent in 2013 -- drug arrests rose 19.5 percent. State officials are calling for federal law enforcement agencies to station more permanent staff in the region.
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