James Kraft, Minot
This past week we were told not to worry because the levels of the three dams above us were slightly lower than normal operating levels. That means to me that if Canada had the same rain event as they did 14 months ago, we would be under water but less than the 21 days or so of 2011. The dams did not prevent the 2011 flood. Could we hear instead what increased flood protection we have? If you can't do better than the post 1969 flood playbook, don't. Too many were suckered into believing the valley was safe to a point where flood insurance was not required. Their suffering lingers on. Minot Area Development Corp. is assisting to overcrowd our beleaguered city. We are taxed too much and do not need MADC working to raise our cost of living beyond what we see from oil impact. I suggest the county take the MADC money for their needs, by vote if necessary.
Flood victims do not want to hear how the Park Board bought a piece of land it had no use for or any other spending extravagance not related to improved flood protection. If you have not been in the valley or helped a flood victim lately, you need to. We all need to remember that flood protection must be our No. 1 priority. We need to hear that Canada can and will honor their agreement to limit water releases to 5,000 cfs. If they can't let's get our $42 million back money from our first 1 percent city sales tax. Ward County needs money. The city needs more money. Why not sell city property such as the ball fields on north and south hill for housing developments and set up new recreation facilities in the flood zone where they should have been?
We have heard too much criticism of FEMA and the Corps. We would be a pathetic city without their assistance. We should thank them for their hard work and assistance. They may not be around next time. Many line their pockets from this flood. Perhaps they should consider judgment day. I expect words like "Sorry, you can try again if a camel passes through the eye of a needle." Homeowners were told to hurry up and rebuild while they hear flood protection will take years. If this sounds negative it is because we need to hear something positive. We have not heard of any additional flood protection in place since the flood. That is what we really need to hear.