OTHER VIEWS
Other views: Higher ed finances need more oversight
As the reports of deficits mount and the critical audits multiply at North Dakota State University, here’s something to remember: Former President Joseph Chapman resigned over unrelated matters. What would have happened if he had stayed on? In other words, if Chapman still were in charge, when would North Dakotans have learned of the budget shortfalls that prompted the interim president to order a hiring freeze shortly after taking office?By Grand Forks Herald , March 15, 2010
Other views: Disclose all travel and who pays for it
It’s mind-boggling how our state leaders can sometimes miss the boat so completely when it comes to government transparency. What’s an essential trait of good government too often is characterized as inconvenient — or, worse, unnecessary. As a result, what seems so obvious to most of us apparently never occurs to those in leadership roles.By Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D. , March 10, 2010
Other views: Managing a watershed not likely
After the near-disaster of the flood of 2009, area officials talked seriously about the potential value of a basin-wide authority that would have the power to plan, build and fund elements of a comprehensive Red River Basin flood control program. It would straddle political subdivisions in three states and treat the watershed as, well, a watershed, not a collection of turf-protecting water districts, counties and states.By The Forum , March 08, 2010
Other views: Medical school, UND must court Legislature
The key phrase in the recent story about the University of North Dakota School of Medicine’s expansion plans wasn’t this one, which appeared at the top: “UND is seeking a massive increase in state funding for the medical school so it can train more health care workers to meet the needs of the state’s growing elderly population.” Instead, the key phrase in the story probably was this one, which appeared toward the bottom: “How state lawmakers will react to the massive budget request — just the 2011-2013 request would increase the existing funding by 14 percent — is anyone’s guess.”By Grand Forks Herald , March 03, 2010
Other views: State bank helps N.D., but is not sole cause of fortune
North Dakota has, with few exceptions, been sitting pretty during the national recession. It’s drawn attention to the state as others try to figure their way out of hard times. One of the things unique to North Dakota that gets noticed is the state bank. Debtor states say to themselves, “If we only had a state bank then everything would be copesetic.”By The Bismarck Tribune , March 02, 2010
Other veiws: Stimulus hypocrisy is stunning 
Americans tend to forgive politicians for most transgressions, but hypocrisy is a deal-breaker. When Republican governors rail against the Recovery Act (stimulus) and then jump on the podium to take credit for stimulus-funded projects, the stench of hypocrisy cannot be masked by flowery speeches. The same reek taints Republicans in Congress for playing politics with one hand and taking the stimulus money with the other.
By The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead , March 01, 2010
Other views: New air service at Minot needed
Hard work and vigilance has paid off in the city and state’s efforts to get an airline to provide service between Minot and points west.
Gov. John Hoeven delivered the good word recently in a news release detailing Delta Airlines’ plans to expand air service in Minot, in fact, throughout the state.
By Minot Daily News , February 23, 2010
Other views: ‘Sexting’ creates challenge for laws, leaders
Sexting is a serious topic that’s gaining national attention. A member of the Dakota Wesleyan University faculty is doing his part to raise awareness even more.
Jesse Weins, a Dakota Wesleyan University assistant professor, says state laws are not keeping up with the realities of sexting, which is the act of sending sexually explicit texts, particularly photos or videos, via cell phones.
By The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D. , February 19, 2010
Other views: Basin’s bet on synfuel paid off
When Americans were forced to line up at the gas pumps in the 1970s, manufacture of synthetic gas became one of the national strategies for energy independence. Construction began on a pilot project in 1981 that would turn North Dakota lignite coal into natural gas, and the Great Plains Synfuels Plant began producing gas in the summer of 1984.
By The Bismarck Tribune , February 17, 2010
Other views: N.D., Minn. do well at promoting growth
The Wall Street Journal described North Dakota this way: “A vast swath of parched prairie that is home to needy military air bases, Indian reservations, an aging population of 639,000 and thousands of farmers who, over the last decade, have collectively gobbled up an average of $715 million a year in crop subsidies and disaster payments.”
By Grand Forks Herald , February 16, 2010
Other views: Ruling scores one for public interest
A ruling by North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem that the Ward County Commission violated state open meetings laws wasn’t surprising, but it does validate a feeling that the commission sometimes acts in haste, without enough consideration for following proper, lawful procedures.
By Minot Daily News , February 15, 2010
Other views: Smoking ban just a suggestion
It’s been a while coming, but North Dakota State University has taken a small step to a smoke-free campus. President Richard Hanson signed a new smoking policy that was recommended to him by the University Senate. As of March 1, smoking will be prohibited on all university property, including outdoor areas of the main and downtown campuses.
By The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead , February 12, 2010
Other views: S.D. must fix UI trust fund problem
South Dakota’s unemployment insurance trust fund is being drained dry by high numbers of people drawing unemployment benefits out of it.
Last week, Department of Labor Secretary Pam Roberts said the drop in benefit claims her department had predicted for 2010 might not arrive as hoped. Instead, the first two weeks of 2010 saw some of the biggest claim numbers ever: During a recent week in January, 8,831 unemployed South Dakotans claimed a record $2.7 million in benefits from the fund.
By Rapid City (S.D.) Journal , February 10, 2010
Other views: Oil expo belongs in Minot
Oil expo belongs in Minot
Don’t believe those who say the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference and Expo has grown too big to be hosted by Minot. We simply don’t believe it’s true.
The event, scheduled for May 2-4, will be held at the Bismarck Civic Center. It has rotated between Minot, Bismarck and Regina, Sask., since 1993. It’s the fifth time the event will be held in Bismarck, while the conference has been in Minot four times and in Regina nine times.
By Minot Daily News , February 09, 2010
Other views: Marathon serious about N.D.
Marathon is serious about North Dakota.
A few days ago executives of Marathon Oil Corp. of Houston and representatives of the North Dakota oil industry spent a couple of days in Fargo talking about the industry. In addition to making the rounds of radio programs and a visit with The Forum’s Editorial Board, the delegation conducted an extraordinary, free-wheeling discussion with community leaders at a private dinner.
By The Forum , February 08, 2010
Area Voices is a collection of posts from our community blogging tool www.areavoices.com. If you wish to start a blog sign up here www.areavoices.com. We may choose to feature your posts on http://www.jamestownsun.com.
View your ad here! Cost effective targeted advertising.
Contextual advertising starting as low as $79/month. This includes targeted ad delivery and search results!
Add your business to the Marketplace »
RSS Feeds