Apotheosis

Words will not do justice to what’s on my mind. This will not be a traditional editorial. Rather, it’s a personal communication to HPR’s readers and others in our community.

I’ve had many titles over the years, here at HPR and elsewhere. There is nothing I’m more proud of than being part of The Little Newspaper That Could’s storied journey for two-plus decades. The bond with thousands of readers is not easily explained, yet it is real and heartfelt.

This week something big happened. Very big. I was elected to serve the people as a Fargo City Commissioner.

I’m humbled. I’m honored. I’m ready to hit the ground running.

Very similar, however, to the last eight years where I’ve worn the hat of member of the Fargo Board of Education, when I don the hat of a public official it changes my role at the High Plains Reader.

Long story short, you will not be seeing me write about city issues -- much like you’ve not seen me write about Fargo schools since 2008. If HPR writers address city-related topics, their efforts will not be influenced by me and neither will they be directed or squelched by me.

That said, I hardly know where to start except with a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have been such a big part of my life and still are. Through the Reader, I’ve bonded with so many and in so many ways. Together we’ve truly affected elements of public discourse and necessary change.

My business partner Raul Gomez is a co-owner and publisher of the highest esteem. Our writing team, our sales team, our distribution team, our advertisers – all of you are top shelf and part of this success story.

I will still be here and I’ll still write for HPR. It just won’t be about the public business I’m part of as a city commissioner.

Which brings me to laying the groundwork for what’s to come in that capacity. I’m not sworn in yet so there’s a moment to think out loud, so to speak, with all of you and the people of this fine community.

Of course you’ll see my fingerprints on things like assuring flood protection for the long term, managing growth so it’s what they call “smart,” and protecting the character of core neighborhoods; enhancing transit options on many fronts, be that public busing or enabling our bicycle access culture; working to keep taxes as low as possible so as to not unfairly burden ordinary people; contributing to workforce development.

Those are givens for a city commissioner.

But there are other tasks on my to-do list. And I’d like to share them briefly with you. Perhaps later in time this can be a checklist whereby my performance can be measured.

The most pressing issue facing us at the moment is the opioid crisis. It’s urgent. It’s daunting. It’s calling me to action. You will see this topic front and center at the city level. This I will do.

So many lives are at risk. So many families are struggling especially, with heroin and fentanyl use by people of all ages, all walks of life. I commit to doing my best to moving all of us forward in a fashion that is compassionate. This will be a many-faceted process, yet I hereby pledge to do everything within my power to help those affected by this challenging life circumstance that has landed here and touches so very many so tragically. You have my word on this.

Additionally, and this ties to workforce development in many regards, you will see my efforts unfold to build bridges between the thousands of new Americans and the community at large. We have a beautiful opportunity to do this right and to do it with heart.

Similarly, having been on the Native American Commission the past two years, you’ll understand my efforts to restore dignity and respect for the indigenous people here and elsewhere,, who walked these lands long before anyone else and who have suffered so much for so long.

So many people I know live in apartments. Please work with me as we make affordable rents and affordable housing a top priority, and as we enhance protections for tenants and bolster incentives for homeowners to fix up, spruce up their houses, while also not being taxed out of their own homes. We all can affect such change as this.

Thanks to everyone out there for everything. Please know you are part of this new chapter in Fargo’s history and that we stand together in hope of the best tomorrows possible and for the greater public good.