Volume 127, Number
6 Wednesday,
March 17th, 2010
Minnewaukan girds for probable flooding -
Public meeting scheduled March 30
The Minnewaukan City Council met in regular session at the Minnewaukan
Library. The threat of flooding from Devils Lake was the most urgent
topic.
Council members present were Mayor Trish McQuoid, Mark Motis, Steven
Huffman, Rita Staloch and Shane Monda. Also present were City Auditor
Deb Trnka and her husband Don, librarian Cathy Burkhardsmeier, city
maintenance man Ward Christensen; Benson County commissioners Lowell
Haagenson of Leeds and Jason Lee of Maddock; Benson County Sheriff Steve
Rohrer; Benson County Disaster Emergency Manager Dawn Flemmer and her
husband Mark; North Dakota Mitigation Officer Ray Morrell; Mark Lithun;
John Hennager; and Richard Peterson of the Farmers Press.
Infiltration of lake water into the sewer system is occurring in the
north part of town. This was expected to be repaired last fall, but the
contractor engaged to do the job never got to it. The city’s engineer
has been preparing plans to reroute the sewer to three homes and cut off
that portion of the sewer where infiltration has been occurring. Cost is
estimated at about $20,000. About $13,000 would be covered by CDBG funds
from the governor’s office and the city would have to stand the
remaining cost.
The North Central Planning Council has been tasked with coming up with
funding to fight the flood, but there will be a local match, probably
25%. If the cost of fighting the flood this year reaches half a million
dollars, the city would have to come up with $125,000, an almost
impossible task.
Plans are also being made for a temporary dike to protect the school and
the water tower. The city’s engineer is looking into the cost of a dirt
barrier or portable concrete barriers.
It is feared the ground around the water tower is saturated to the point
that the water tower may be unstable. Huffman said the cost of core
samples near the water tower would be $3,500 for the samples and about
$6,000 to analyze the samples. Monda said he thought this would be a
waste of money because it’s almost certain the ground is saturated and
the water tower would have to be relocated.
It was pointed out, however, that without core samples to prove the
ground is saturated, the federal and state governments may not help with
funding in moving or building a new water tower. County Commissioner
Lowell Haagenson apologized because the county’s disaster mitigation
plan is not yet written. "We thought this was being done, but we found
out Tuesday that it wasn’t," he said. Commissioners were assured on
several occasions that this was being worked on, but it turns out that
the last time the plan was submitted was in 2008.
North Dakota Mitigation Officer Ray Morrell said the plan that was
submitted was "grossly incomplete." Commissioners thought they had hired
Nick Of Time to write the plan a couple years ago, but this is disputed
by Nick Of Time. "We were led to believe they were working on it,"
Haagenson said.
The mitigation plan is necessary for a buyout for the town, if one is
needed. The mitigation plan gives a course of action to make all types
of disasters less severe. Morrell said it would take a minimum of three
months to get an acceptable plan written. "Most plans take about a year
to get completed," he said. Public meetings with notices two weeks prior
to the meetings are required for portions of the plan.
Mayor McQuoid said she and Huffman would meet with a representative of
Sen. Byron Dorgan’s office at Devils Lake prior to a meeting conducted
by Morrell the next day.
She also said Supt. Myron Jury was in Washington, DC in an effort to
obtain funds to help in construction of a dike to protect the school.
It was decided to have a public meeting to get input from citizens on
Tuesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. on the stage at the Minnewaukan School.
Mayor McQuoid suggested the council meet weekly because of the flood
emergency. The council also officially declared a disaster emergency in
Minnewaukan.
The next meeting will be the public meeting on March 30. The next
regular meeting will be April 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the city library.
It is feared the ground under Minnewaukan’s water tower is so saturated
from the water of Devils Lake that the tower may be unstable. The lake
is shown in the background less than a block from the water tower. The
city’s options will be discussed at a public meeting on March 30 at the
Minnewaukan School.
Oberon native helps UND students with careers
Editor’s note: The following article concerns Oberon native Mark
Thompson. He is a 1968 graduate of Oberon High School and is the son of
the late Bronald and Inga Thompson. He is a 1972 and 1998 graduate of
UND in Grand Forks.
BY JUAN PEDRAZA
UND Alumni Review
Today’s job market isn’t getting any easier. Graduates face tough
global competition, steep tech requirements and fast-paced change. The
US Department of Labor recently figured the average college graduate
will have 14 jobs by age 40.
Not to worry, though. UND career services director
Mark Thompson delivers a positive, can-do message that’s helped
thousands of job seekers get to where they most need to go right after
they collect that UND degree: a job, a career, a place to work.
Thompson, an Oberon native who studied political
science as an undergraduate, started his UND career in 1984 after a
stint in the State Capitol’s print shop and several years with Job
Service North Dakota. He earned a master’s degree in educational
administration, also from UND, and became career services director in
1991.
The job requires a big heart, good listening skills
and a friendly disposition.
"I found early on that I wasn’t a ‘things’ person, I
was a ‘people’
person," said Mark, who’s been working in
career-related work for 35 years. "And I knew early on that I wanted to
work in some aspect of government, more specifically in a human
resources area. Now, I’m really fortunate to be working in a place and
in a career area in which I am really passionate." Mark helps people
find their niche.
"I’ve helped people all across the spectrum, from
unskilled through professional job seekers," he said. "After I came back
to UND, I was mentored by a director who really brought a passion to
career services
-- she really got me fired up for this work."
Good thing, too, because working in career services
means dealing with economic cycles.
"Oh, sure, times were tough when I started in this
field in 1974," he said. "Even though, like today, North Dakota was
experiencing an energy-related boom, job seeking overall was a big
challenge."
Even in good times, finding the right job at the
right time is never just one, two, three.
"There’s nothing easy about finding a job," said
Mark, a friendly and energetic person who’s clearly enthusiastic about
the whole process of working with students. "It’s really all about
helping students connect with relevant opportunities in their academic
area."
And though he’s eager to assist students, Mark points
out that it’s the job seeker who does the heavy lifting.
"In bad times or boom times, I tell students they’re
the ones who have to invest the time and energy into searching for
opportunities that might be out there for them," he said.
"Nowadays, we try to work with students even before
they come here to learn about the career process," he said. "To do this,
we work closely with students as well as our career counseling
colleagues in the UND Counseling Center. It’s all about helping students
go into a field where their passion lies."
That relates to assisting about 3,500 students
annually, plus setting up dozens of career/job fairs and other
recruiting opportunities over the years. Mark also helps students
connect individually with employers, setting up valuable contacts here
on campus and elsewhere. He delivers numerous presentations a year in
classrooms, residence halls, at student organization meetings and other
venues, delivering the message about job-seeking skills such as resume
and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, etc.
"The methods of communications have changed
dramatically," Mark said.
"No more blizzard of postcards. Now career services
has a Facebook page, we now have a Twitter -- it’s all about trying to
reach students where they are."
Bottom line for Mark and his career services’
colleagues: "How can we help a student get to the point where they can
do what it takes to go after the job they want. Our vision is
‘Empowering Students to Realize Their Dreams.’ "
There’s no half way about this commitment, he said.
"To do this job, you really have to enjoy, and be
passionate about working with people, because that’s the biggest thing
we do in this profession," Mark said. "We work with job seekers, we work
with employers, we work with community members, we work with faculty,
staff and administration of the university. It’s not a profession where
you can close the door and do everything on the computer."
UND career services director Mark Thompson helps UND
students land jobs after graduation. A 1968 graduate of Oberon High
School, he was featured in the spring 2010 issue of the UND Alumni
Association’s Alumni Review.
The article is reprinted here with permission. (UND
photo)
Snuggly feet
The Benson County VFW Auxiliary to Post 4251 of Esmond recently made
foot snuggle blankets for veterans. The Auxiliary’s adopted veteran,
Sylvester Hoffner models the blanket he received.
‘Sam Ting’ visits
Leeds Elementary students recently enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment
by "Sam Ting," who, in conjunction with the North Central Soil
Conservation District, demonstrated the importance of conserving
wildlife, water, soil and the earth. Left to right, back row: Gary
Retdezke, Kaylee Lybeck, "Sam Ting," Richelle Darling and Arnikka
Thompson. Middle row: Talayah Brown, Jarrel McGarvey, Ashley Thayne,
Luke Pepple, Hannah Jensen and Rochelle Hansen. Front row: Kaleb
DeMontigny, Carson Tracy, Holdyn Kersten and Izik Burtchell.
Theater at Leeds
The Fargo Moorhead Community Theater recently performed "The Wizard of
Oz" musical for Leeds Elementary School students, as well as "Romeo and
Juliet" to Leeds High School students. The cast is part of a
professional touring company based out of Fargo. Left to right, back
row: Arnikka Thompson, Andrew Follman, "Dorothy," Dani Schwanke, "The
Scarecrow," "The Tin Man," Katelyn Nelsen and Cameron O’Brien. Middle
row: Kimberly Ritterman, Reganne Ritterman and Izik Burtchell. Front
row: Katlyn Bingham, "The Lion," Samara Blegen, Taylee Cavanaugh and
"The Good Witch."
Reading results in bowling
During the month of February Leeds Elementary School students
participated in a program titled "Olympic Golden Hearts," involving the
promotion of reading. Louise Nelson and Jane Brown coordinated
activities with Family and Consumer Sciences students and staff. Student
guidelines were established whereby for every 25 pages of reading
students would receive a bowling pin. Students met their goal and will
be able to go for an afternoon of bowling. The fifth grade class had 250
pins, the most bowling pins. Coming in second was the kindergarten class
with 230 pins. Placing third was the third grade class with 182 pins.
The top individual winners who won a ticket to the "Magic of Jay
Owenhouse Show" are: first place, McKenna Tofsrud with 166 pins; second
place, Danielle Schwanke with 73 pins; third place, Andrew Follman with
63 pins; fourth place, Erin Jorgenson with 56 pins; and fifth place,
Reganne Ritterman with 45 pins. Left to right, front row, are Reganne
Ritterman and McKenna Tofsrud. Back row: Erin Jorgenson, Andrew Follman
and Danielle Schwanke.
Winners at Maddock
science fair announced
Results of the 2010 Maddock Science Fair held March 9 have been
announced by science instructor Sam Gutormson.
Senior high: first, Preston Gilderhus -- Mold Identification and
Analysis of Zea Mays; second, Ben Backstrom -- Taking Sides; third,
Mackenzie Bullinger -- Comparison Test for Finding Sand; Psychology
Award, Ben Backstrom, Taking Sides; Chemistry Award, Nikita Wright and
Samantha Baesler -- Which Affects Do Chemicals Have on Hair?; Biology
Award, Mackenzie Bullinger -- Comparison Test for Finding Sand;
Microbiology Award, Preston Gilderhus -- Mold Identification and
Analysis of Zea Mays and Rachel Olson --Analysis of Bacteria in Soil.
Qualifying for the regional science fair are Preston Gilderhus, Ben
Backstrom, Mackenzie Bullinger, Rachel Olson, Nikita Wright, Samantha
Baesler, Erin Yri, Erik Broten, Trey Benson and Sharisa Yri.
Junior high: first place, Shelby Brandvold -- Is My Cat a Righty or
Lefty?; second, Renae Lauinger -- How Much Bacteria is Under Your
Fingernails?; third, Kaylin Corrington -- Can Dog Saliva Kill
Bacteria?Psychology Award, Shelby Brandvold -- Is My Cat a Righty or
Lefty?; Chemistry Award, Kaleb Westad -- What Effect Does HCl Have on
the pH of an Apple?; Biology Award, Shawn Aabrekke -- What Will Keep
Apples Fresher Longer?; and Alexis Huffman -- Rotten; Microbiogy Award,
Renae Lauinger -- How much Bacteria is Under Your Fingernails? Kaylin
Corrington -- Can Dog Saliva Kill Bacteria? Jamie Buckmier -- What
Cleans Your Table? and Kelsey Smith -- Which Soap Cleans Your Hands
Better?
Regional qualifiers are Shelby Brandvold, Kaylin Corrington, Kelsey
Smith, Renae Lauinger, Jamie Buckmier, Dylan Lauinger, Justin Johnson,
Kaleb Westad, Alexis Huffman, Alecz Hill, Zane Paulson and Shawn
Aabrekke.
Preston Gilderhus took first place at the Maddock Science Fair with his
project "Mold Identification and Analysis of Zea Mays." He will head the
Maddock contingent to the regional science fair in Devils Lake.
Hippology teams busy
The Benson County 4-H hippology team traveled to Minot February 6 to
compete at the state fairgrounds. In the beginner division Will Rice,
Jacob Arnold, Emily Nolden and Kevin Johnson earned first place. The
junior division team of Hannah Pierson, Ethin Johnson and Becca Johnson
placed fifth. Both teams are coached by Janna Rice.
Pictured, left to right, are Ethin Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Becca
Johnson, Emily Nolden (front), Hannah Pierson, Jacob Arnold and Will
Rice.
Competing at the Little I hippology contest at NDSU in Fargo February
12, the Benson County senior team earned fifth place and Katie Rice was
high individual. Left to right are Jesse Johnson, Katie Johnson and
Kelly Fragodt.
For the junior team members the Little I contest consisted of a written
test, five stations testing their knowledge of horses, four horse
judging classes and one team problem to solve. Team members, left to
right, Ethin Johson, Becca Johnson, Hannah Pierson and Will Rice, placed
ninth.
On February 27 there was a hippology contest held at the Benson County
Events Center. Left to right are Becca Johnson, Hannah Pierson and Ethin
Johnson who were in the 11 and over beginner division. In the individual
events, Ethin, Becca and Hannah placed third, second and first,
respectively. The team placed first.
Left to right are Kevin Johnson, Jacob Arnold, Emily Nolden and Will
Rice. They were in the 10 and under beginner contest. In the individual
ratings Will Rice placed first and Kevin Johnson placed third. The team
placed first. The Benson County Senior Team was composed of Katie Rice,
Kelly Fragodt and Jesse Johnson. Their team placed third high and Katie
Rice placed second individually.
Pool gets donation
Kent Neppl of the Maddock Park Board accepts a check for $230 from Karen
Smith of the Active Women of Maddock. The money represents the proceeds
from the sale of beads, masks and hats (throws) from the Mardi Gras Ball
held in Maddock earlier this month. This donation will help pay to
replace the pump at the Maddock Swimming Pool.
Spelling bee winners told
The Benson County Spelling Bee was held February 27 in Minnewaukan under
the direction of Jean Olson, county superintendent of schools.
The 2010 champion is Shelby Jorgenson, an eighth grader from Leeds
School and the daughter of Eric and Chris Jorgenson.
Runner-up is Justin Johnson, an eighth grader from Maddock School and
the son of Jeff and Coreen Johnson.
Both students will compete at the state spelling bee on March 26 in
Bismarck. They are holding trophies donated by Richard Peterson, editor
of the Benson County Farmers Press.
Grocery winners
In observance of North Dakota Farm Bureau Week, March 7-18, the Benson
County Farm Bureau held contests in three grocery stores in the county.
Grocery carts were filled with grocery items and participants were
invited to guess the value of the groceries. The person whose guess came
the closest to the actual value won all of the groceries in that cart.
The winner at Tracy’s Market at Leeds was Traci Hansen, whose guess was
within 34c of the groceries in the cart.
The winner at Tracy’s Market at Maddock was Francis Hellerud whose guess
was within 58c of the groceries in the cart.
The winner at McQuoid’s Grocery in Minnewaukan was Cathy Nord, whose
guess was within $2.52 of the groceries in the cart.
Head Start visits bank
Children from Maddock Head Start received a tour of the Ramsey National
Bank from Judy Kallenbach in February. The tour showed children what a
bank in the community provides. They learned about how to save money for
a want or need and that a bank also loans money. They discovered that
banks have safety deposit boxes and many different kinds of machines.
They already knew that the bank had a water cooler and that the
employees of the bank give treats! Back in the classroom, children set
up a bank to support the trucking business they were establishing in
their centers. Left to right, back row, are Aiden Huffman, Wyatt
Hakanson, Shawn Foss, Lane Benson, Grant Hagen, McKenzie Melaas, Paige
Jones and Judy Kallenbach. Front row: Rakel Follman, Paxton Neppl,
Andrew Brown, Kaylee Knatterud and Hannah Abrahamson.
