Letter to the editor: Stutsman County voters should support Measure 1

Community. Our Stutsman County Extension Service is about community, which is why I ask Stutsman County voters to vote yes on County Measure 1. While the extension program serves all adults and youth, rural and urban residents alike through a number of programs, my family’s experience is through 4-H. Both my children grew up through this program and have life skills to contribute back as a result. The 4-H program is a unique opportunity that has boys and girls, of all ages, skills and abilities involved, mixing Jamestown members with several rural areas of our county. Older members help younger families help families. Our family has gotten to know other Stutsman County 4-H families, strengthening the strong bond of community that benefits our area.

Stutsman County Measure 1 is a funding fix of the county mill levy support for the extension program. Currently funded at the minimum of 2 mills, in recent years the county has had to add additional general fund resources to the program to maintain the same level of service. A half-mill increase for extension represents about $2.25 a year on a $100,000 home, and a $1.25 per quarter of land. Given the average farm size in our county of two sections of land, a 0.5 mill levy increase represents $10 a year — a bargain for having services available locally. Please vote yes on Stutsman County Measure 1. For your community.

June Herman

Ypsilanti, N.D.

Tags: county agent, opinion, letters