People’s Press Project Report

By Duke Schempp
PPP Organizer

The People’s Press Project (PPP) is proud to lead the resurgence in coverage of local governmental meetings. This coverage has not gone unnoticed. For the past month the Fargo Forum has assigned a reporter to also cover County Commission meetings. Previously, no other press has been present. This week, the Cass County Board off Commissioners met with a simple agenda in an empty room. The PPP encourages community participation in government by attendance and participation in local governmental meetings, media creation, and viewing government meetings online or on public access.

The PPP currenty films Fargo Board of Education meetings and the Cass County Board of Commissioners. These governmental meetings are now airing on Fargo Cable Access channel 12 twice a week with new meetings added as they are filmed.

Full uncut meetings can be accessed on the web at http://www.vimeo.com/peoplespressproject. To get involved in filming or reporting on local government, contact the PPP at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Flood News

Sheriff Paul Laney announced the demobilization of flood protection for rural residents. County Commissioner Ken Pawluk expressed concern over prematurely of demobilization reiterating the deterioration of dikes from high waters and winds. Sheriff Laney is counting on citizen response for any emergency assistance needs. Meanwhile the National Guard is going home.

County Auditor, Mike Montplaisir, quoted flood expenditures at over 2 million dollars. County Commissioners are still hoping for the federal government to make an emergency declaration so they can be reimbursed for the flood expenses.

Side Notes

North Dakota Public Employees Association (NDPEA) approached the commission requesting a free lunch for all county employees. After 30 minutes of debate centering on weather the NDPEA is classified as a union, the County Commission unanimously voted to provide a free lunch to all county employees at the Annex.

Questions and comments: Contact Duke Schempp at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)