Paper, Rock, Scissors?

The Cass County Commission is working one more time to find a way to build a courthouse addition without a vote of the citizenry. We are not surprised. However, we do still admonish them to bring the project to a vote of the people.

Now the cost is approaching $15 million all said and done for the courthouse project. That is roughly half of the $33 million project first brought forward, including a law enforcement addition. That proposal went up and then went down—in both instances with a split commission, waffling over 3-2 votes.

So, back to basics. State law requires counties to vote on courthouse construction projects if that county does not have the money in the budget to pay for the project in one fiscal year. Cass does not have the money on hand to fund the project.

Under Cass County’s home rule charter, the county can circumvent the statutory requirement for a vote of the people by passing an ordinance specifying the construction project to be paid for through a tax levy, in this instance. The reason the County Commission would endorse such an ordinance is to move forward without delay, and to do so without having to ask the people their approval.

So, a basic recap. Initially, Cass County voted 3-2 to build the two projects totaling $33 million under such a home rule ordinance and without a vote of the people. In that instance, Commissioners Vern Bennett, Darrell Vanyo and Scott Wagner said yes, while Robin Sorum and Ken Pawluk said no.

Then, Cass County Commissioners voted 3-2 the other way on Sept. 8, upon second reading of the ordinance, with Bennett switching his vote and opposing the construction project without a public vote. The project then went back to the building committee.

So then, Cass County voted Sept. 21 on first reading, of doing just the Courthouse addition project worth $14.6 million under home rule ordinance and without a vote of the people. This time, Sorum switched and joined the new 3-2 majority, saying yes to building without a vote along with Wagner and Vanyo, opposed by Pawluk and Bennett.

That’s three vote results in three meetings. $33 million up. $33 million down. $15 million up? And, now, upon second reading Oct. 19, which will it be?

The County Commission needs a consensus. Commissioners Bennett and Sorum are waffling for good reason, as they sense the public sentiment asking for a public vote. Bennett is up for re-election in 2010, so it is wise for him to ask for a public vote. Sorum has a few years before running for re-election, so she’s more insulated in that regard. We commend Commissioner Pawluk for his common sense, steadfast commitment to a public vote on this large construction project.

The County Commission needs a unanimous decision if they expect the public to swallow a $15 or a $33 million project without a vote. And even with a consensus, we wish that consensus would ask the public’s approval, which is the spirit and letter of the North Dakota Century Code regarding courthouse construction projects.

We urge the Commission to withdraw their plans to move forward if it is with a changing, flimsy majority of the commission itself. They owe the public a stronger commitment than that.

Paper, rock, scissors. Which is it? Who wins? Who loses? Is it best out of three? Or best out of four? The Cass County Commission votes on second reading on the $14.6 courthouse construction project Monday afternoon, Oct. 19. We want a vote of the people on it. Do you? At a minimum, they should deliver a unanimous vote, or the project needs to be reworked until that consensus exists.

HPR Downtown Student Orientation

As HPR hits the streets today, Thursday, we will be readying to participate in the first ever HPR Downtown Student Orientation. We hope the weather cooperates at least somewhat so as to not discourage the students from embarking downtown to meet the businesses and to win lots of great prizes.

Over 40 businesses are participating. The general event starts at 6 p.m. and wraps up with grand prize drawings at Bertrosa’s in the Black Building. Students have the opportunity to register once at each participating business. Then they need to be at the Black Building during the drawings to win one of the grand prize packages.

There will be food sampling, art demonstrations, special sales, and live music in several locations downtown. The Fillers will culminate the night playing to the crowd gathered at the Black Building. They were the best original band in HPR’s last best bets contest. Michael Pink will be playing at the Plains Art Museum, where there is also free admission Thursday nights. Eden Parker plays live on AM1100. Fancy That will perform at One World Imports. Amanda Standalone will perform at Sammy’s Pizza, The Johnson Family Band at Drunken Noodle, My Dear Beatrice at Teaberry, Cody Conner and Pat Lenertz at Vintner’s, and The Fringe Benefit at Upfront Gallery. What was to be a block party with music by Lava Proof Boots, DJ Stupid Birthday and Greenhand will possibly move into the Red Raven, last we heard, due to the cold weather. Dancers will be at the Kilbourne Building at 300 Broadway.

This notion of bringing students downtown got a great response. We are proud to help bridge college students to downtown Fargo. A good reason to visit as many of the businesses as possible is to register to win big prizes. Just the grand prize alone will be worth about $1,000, we are estimating, including a year’s worth of beauty services at Josef’s School of Hair Design worth $500. So, the smart students will register every place they can and then they will be at the Black Building after 9:30 to claim the grand prize if their name is drawn. 

It’s been a pleasure working with student groups helping organize the first ever HPR Downtown Student Orientation. Thanks to those students, and to the businesses who are going out of their way to make this a memorable night for students in our award-winning, friendly downtown.

Evaluating Zach

It’s approaching the one year anniversary since HPR named Zach Kobrinsky editor-in-chief. It was a good decision and we hope you agree.
Readers comment commonly that they appreciate the new ‘mix’ of content comprising HPR week in and week out. They also appreciate the tighter editing under his supervision. We agree.

Though time flies, we want to take this moment to thank Zach for taking the reins of HPR with such enthusiasm and such vigor. He’s classy, fun, professional and passionate.

This past year has been a foundation-building year for HPR. We’ve shifted gears and put all of our efforts into the Fargo-Moorhead community. At this point, we distribute a whopping 9,500 newspapers each and every week in Fargo-Moorhead. That’s nearly a third more than this time last year. And we have more growth coming our way.

HPR appreciates your input and feedback. Our editor Zach is a pleasure to meet and work with, and we look forward to another positive public evaluation this time next year.

Good job, Zach!

Joe Chapman Resigns

As HPR approached press deadlines yesterday, Wednesday, news spread fast that NDSU President Joe Chapman had tendered his resignation effective early January.

Chapman has been the target of local mainstream media in recent days. Controversies over over-spending at Barry Hall, the new NDSU President’s House, his wife’s stipend, and a seemingly exorbitant spending pattern including private planes transporting his family to the Presidential Inaugural, etc., and etc.

We are certain Chapman’s resignation will rock the boat. Under his leadership, NDSU catapulted forward on many fronts.

We are curious as to how the folks who took him down feel about their tact, pun intended, or lack thereof, no pun intended. Anonymous talk show calls. Anonymous blog postings. That’s the stuff to make almost anyone sick to their stomachs.

Regardless, it’s an unfortunate ending to a great reign.

Sometimes, we need to have the high road pointed out to us. While many may feel it’s President Chapman who strayed from the high road, some of his principal detractors know their way around the low road very well.

We wish it had not come to this. We suspect we are not alone in that sentiment.

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