Letters to the Editor

​Buffers and habitats

January 26th, 2018

To the editor:

Meridian Energy Group is doing things the right way with the Davis Refinery. Much has been made about the local impact, and in my opinion the impact is only positive. The much-needed, permanent local job creation in the area will be substantial. This project will create 200 permanent, high paying, competitive jobs. The tax base in the County is expected to double, and will bring in an estimated 2 to 3 million a year.

Meridian has followed the law with every step of the…

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​March, run, serve

January 26th, 2018

To the Editor:

It may be true to say that women are generally patient but persistent. History shows a long and winding road to gain the right to vote, to own property and to hold office.

In 2017 women marched in Washington, D.C. and across the nation, even in Fargo, to show their opposition to our new president and political positions they opposed. During the year, hundreds of women continued to voice opposition to being bullied and sexually abused by men in authority.

The recent 2018…

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​Take your hat off

October 11th, 2017

To the editor:

I recently had the privilege of visiting the traveling State Vietnam Wall Memorial. After viewing the wall and pondering the names of hundreds of servicemen and women from my state who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, a few others stood beside me to view those names of honor.

I reached out and ran my fingers across the name of a young man whom I did not know, but he died in his youth while I have had the privilege to live a full life, so far.

After being affected…

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​We stand united

August 16th, 2017

To the editor:

“The conglomeration of hate that assembled, and murdered, in Charlottesville has no place in our society. Supporters of their cause shall have no allies or sympathizers in our circles. We stand united against all nazis, local and national. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who embrace our collective diversity and continue the fight for equality for all.”

-Julian Dahlquist

Chair, Clay County DFL

-Ben Hanson

Chair, Cass County Dem-NPL

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​Hoeven supporting FDA oversight

August 16th, 2017

To the editor:

Thank you, Senator Hoeven, for your leadership in the United States Senate as Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. During markup of the Fiscal 2018 budget, your subcommittee worked diligently to support our state and, in doing so, did a great service to public health

Advocates like myself are grateful for your continued support in keeping tobacco policy riders out of the budget bill. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently been facing the…

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​Donaldcare vs. Obamacare

June 16th, 2017

To the editor:

I read the article by Jon Godfread, the current North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, in the May 25th issue of the Reader. He used the space allotted to him to to lambast the Affordable Care Act, while giving a more or less positive spin to the recent Republican bill called the American Health Care Act (ACHA), a proposal that was passed by the House of Representatives only, and by a slim majority. His theme was to have “an honest and truthful discussion regarding what…

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​State Sen. Wardner, NDSU budget cuts, and the Legacy Fund

May 3rd, 2017

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter as a follow-up to the one that I co-signed as one of the University Distinguished Professors at North Dakota State University. The letter, published in many regional news outlets a couple of weeks ago, was entitled “Budget Cuts to North Dakota University System Will Have ‘Long-Lasting, Perhaps Irreversible Impacts’ on Quality of Higher Education and Economic Recovery in ND.”

Before I go on, let me emphasize that the views I am expressing…

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Let’s look at the whole impact of New Americans To Our Area

May 3rd, 2017

To the editor:

Verifiable information and tax records that have been available to the city and commissioners for months show Commissioner Piepkorn’s recent assertion’s on a radio program about Lutheran Social Services are simply not true.https://tinyurl.com/zl2ore5

Commissioner Piepkorn was on air saying the following without any verifiable information provided. His on air assertions include:

1. Jessica Thomasson CEO of Lutheran Social Services makes $350,000 a year . Tax records…

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​NDSU Budget cuts

April 19th, 2017

To the editor:

Budget Cuts to North Dakota University System Will Have “Long-Lasting, Perhaps Irreversible Impacts” on Quality of Higher Education and Economic Recovery in ND, say University Distinguished Professors.

Although some concern has been expressed, there should be an outcry of outrage from the citizens and students of North Dakota and the region concerning the deep budget cuts to the University System being proposed by Governor Burgum and the ND State Senate, and endorsed by…

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​Legalize vehicular manslaughter?

February 1st, 2017

To The Editor:

A few years ago, you folks were generous enough to print my satirical commentary on Measure 3 (By the way, I make fun of my own state too). This time I have included an open letter below in response to the current proposal under way to facilitate accidental car-on-human injury or death. Once again, from your perspective within the state, you will know better than me as to whether this is behind the curve or adds to public discourse as much as any attempts at humor about…

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