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A bold vision – then and now

Dear Minot Community and the Region-at-Large: Welcome to the first in a series of columns designed to share the story of our new healthcare campus and medical district. For Trinity Health, this project represents our once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the delivery of healthcare in northwest North Dakota just as our founders did over 100 years ago. Today’s column addresses the founding document that set us on a course for growth and modernization. In October 2009, The Trinity Health Board of Directors and senior leadership dedicated time to envisioning the future ...

Saga of Dem-NPL light brigade

In 1854, when the United Kingdom was engaged in the Crimean War, Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote the “Charge of the Light Brigade” to describe the slaughter in the Battle of Baraclava against the Russians. It is somewhat descriptive of the recent Democratic-NPL state convention in Minot where a maximum of 200 people attended in person and online and failed to nominate candidates for all of the offices on the November ballot. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime historic event. If you live long enough, history will flaunt its facts for you. History Repeated A similar situation ...

In local government, change is constant

One of the most challenging aspects of participating in municipal government is adapting to perhaps the most constant issue facing elected officials: Change. In recent years, the City of Minot has faced a multitude of instances when changes have been necessary regarding City Council decisions or those made by City of Minot staff. As we all know, sometimes information changes, and our municipal government must be flexible enough to respond accordingly. The ongoing discussion of creating and implementing a curbside recycling program in Minot is a great example. Anyone remember how ...

The truth about North Dakota

So you thought Prof. Elwyn Robinson told the whole truth when he wrote his 599-page “History of North Dakota” printed at the University of Nebraska because the boat carrying the UND Press missed a turn in Montana and sank near Williston. That’s the varnished truth. Because he planned to stay in the state for a few more years, he thought it unwise to talk about the state’s warts. He knew that four NDSU professors had been fired for being truthful. They all went to better jobs but Elwyn loved North Dakota winters too much to leave. It would have helped our image immensely if ...

The tombstone market becomes personal

Just when I was planning to get one, the tombstone market turned to dust and everyone has to wait for memorial stones because the supply line died before we did. All we can say to bereaved friends, if any, is “be patient.” I am not sure if the Scriptural suggestion to “be content” applies or not. How can one rest in peace when the supply of tombstones won’t be ready for 20 years? Will there be any real closure until that stone is put in place? If family is dispersed, who will take charge? All kinds of bothersome unanswered questions. The only rational thing to do is ...

Supporting Minot AFB through stressful times

As the world watches the events unfolding daily in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, there are undoubtedly countless eyes at Minot Air Force Base focused on what’s happening more than 5,000 miles away. It’s a horrific reminder that the men and women who call Minot Air Force Base home are impacted by events taking place far from Minot, N.D. It’s also a reminder that Minot AFB continues to play a critical and crucial role in the United States’ defense plan both at home and around the world. The Air Force personnel stationed at Minot AFB have repeatedly proven that they ...