Duane Brekke, Minot
From 1962 to 2001, nearly 40 years, I traveled North Dakota while I was in the school supply business. I stayed in Watford City, Williston, Crosby, and I traveled the roads during two earlier oil booms in the '60s and late '70s. I have driven 10 miles per hour behind a semi hauling drilling equipment from Alexander to Arnegard and at times, passed these trucks when I should have been more cautious. I watched these small towns dwindle in size and close their schools, my customers.
I am reading a lot about studies predicting the future for our state, including how much population will grow. This is good information for our decision-makers to have so they have a better sense of what might be needed. I think good, sound decisions have been a hallmark of North Dakota's leadership, as evidenced by the way our current governor, Jack Dalrymple, has used research and firsthand information to make the right choices within our state. I'm glad to see appropriate, measured responses to our needs, based on the quality information collected from our communities, rather than knee-jerk reactions based on political wrangling. This is the way government should operate on every level, and I hope it continues.