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Letters to the Editor

Property tax measure needed to end state overspending

Connie Samuelson, Minot Over the past 4 years North Dakotans’ struggled through inflation while our ND State Legislative Assembly (NDSLA) increased their spending from $14.3B to $19.5B. Their general fund spending has increased from $4.9 billion to $6.1 billion. Factoring in population growth and inflation, this is $2 billion more spending per year than should be spent. The Legacy Fund has ballooned to $10.55 billion and the Common School Trust Fund is holding more than $6.8 billion. Currently a homeowner pays $4,500 in property tax for a $250,000 home. Under the current system ...

Be wary of Riverview Dairy

Karen Anderson, Warwick There is a history of Confined Animal Feeding Operations ruining the environment in many states. The new Riverview Dairy operations set to enter the Eastern part of ND near Hillsboro and Wahpeton should be looked at through the eyes of how we want our livestock industry to expand. Twenty-five thousand confined dairy cows is huge. Yes, they have state of the art waste disposal systems – or do they? What about flooding? Not unheard of in the Red River Valley. Additionally, the water required for these animals may seem fine but what about in a drought? Do you ...

Protect essential services by voting ‘no’

Ken Wangen, Carrington I’m urging you to vote ‘no’ this November on the ballot measure proposing the elimination of property taxes. My impetus for writing? A recent incident that clearly outlines the necessity for maintaining local control with property taxes. In the early hours of July 5, 2024, 29 rail cars carrying hazardous materials derailed and caught fire about nine miles southeast of Carrington, where I serve as fire chief. The hazardous materials, including anhydrous ammonia, posed a significant risk to people in and around Carrington and Bordulac, but our rapid ...

Look for ways to reduce plastic use

Kathy Martin, Valley City This month is Plastics-Free July, an event initiated in western Australia in 2011. The aim is to find creative and effective ways to drastically cut back our dependence on plastic. As we prepare to vote for local, state and federal offices in November we need to suggest ideas that candidates can pursue to curb plastic pollution. Locally, we can urge merchants to substantially reduce plastic carry-out bags and ask their shoppers to come with reusable bags or boxes. Ask libraries to promote materials encouraging ideas to cut plastic waste. Find ...

Grateful for community response

Wendy Weiss Voeller, Minot My name is Wendy K. Weiss Voeller, living in the Artspace Building downtown Minot. I felt moved to write this following our removal from the Artspace building on Monday June 24. There was evidence found by our Building Manager, Rose Hystad, and the Fire Dept that the structural integrity of our building was compromised, and Fire Chief Kelli Kronschnabel made the tough decision to remove all the Artspace tenants immediately for our own safety. And all this happened 24 hours after the recent downtown shooting. We were reeling and scared, and didn’t ...

Community needs affordable housing

Gary Schell, Minot All new houses in Minot, Burlington and Surrey are 3,000 sq. ft. and priced well above $250,000. Some people are looking for affordable housing. Like 1,000 to 1,300 sq ft. Two bedrooms, two baths and two car garage. Or some new condos with an elevator, 3 or 4 stories tall. (Some 1980 condos are built on North Hill and by the mall). Older people like single stories and again all new houses are two story with bathroom and bedrooms on the second floor. Current housing in Minot that is affordable is listed in the flood plain for only $160k and has never been updated ...