Page 2
December 5th 2013
Notices
Valley News
and Views
If you survived the barrage
of "Cyber Week" - a five-day
"weekend" of TV blitz from
Thanksgiving Day to Cyber
Monday -- you'll welcome
the quieter, gentler time
coming up this weekend at
the annual "Old Fashioned
Christmas."
Depending on your
household TV channel
(besides sports), Cyber
Week was a mix of uplifting
stories of goodness in the
world with plenty of down-
spiraling stories of world
troubles and political
controversy (enough to give
the consumer indigestion).
Yet, the core value of Cyber
Week was to call attention to
the reach that technology
takes us to overcome
distance and connect us with
a full menu of opportunities,
heroes and small business e-
commerce.
For Thanksgiving. ]
hooked-up on an iPad screen
with my four children at
three different households in
California - interactively and
together at the same time
- as if we were sitting face-
to-face at a table. I could
watch the preparations in
the kitchen, talk with my
grandchildren and wave
to my great grandchildren
while they played.
On "Black Friday," I
upgraded my ailing cell
phone to the new iPhone 5s,
which becomes essentially
a "story studio" with all the
impressive apps, whereby I
can take photos, a video clip
or two, narrate the story, edit
it, post it on aWebsite, share it
worldwide and connect with
it whenever and wherever I'm
at as documented by GPS.
Each digital application that
I utilize costs pennies.
Drayton for several years
at Old Fashioned Christmas
hasWeb-streamed the festive
activities to the world, along
with homespun stories in
the spirit of coming together
and gift giving. Witnessing
nostalgic conversations,
crafts and good foods are the
appeal to the viewer.
For youth today, tech tools
become intuitive for daily use
in learning, communicating,
and in social media. Only
during Cyber Week did the
final linkages of a proposed
project in Drayton connect
to resources that complete
a method in which students
with smart phones can
capture, preserve and show
local documentary-type
stories of pioneers and
veterans that can end up in
area libraries, a state heritage
center, and the Library of
Congress Folldife Center.
The method starts out with
a 1-min "trailer" or preview
to a larger 3-5 min story.
These stories are sorted and
scaled upward, with more
professional equipment and
mentoring at each growth
stage of development,
leading to a potential 25-
minite TV documentary.
Another Drayton
realization in the use of
the new smart phones
is developing related to
"Blessing ND." This summer
Lauraine Snelling is leading
a tour in June 2014 to
Norway, titled "Discovering
Ingeborg's Roots." In a ten-
day tour, she will retrace the
origin story of her fictitious
central character with a
visit to the ancestral home
farms where the real-life
Ingeborg lived her lifetime in
Hallingdal and Valdres. Plans
are being developed to daily
"blog" Lauraine's experience
on the tour.
I will accompany the,
group to document her daily
reflections and to coach tour
members to use a smart
phone to record their own
visual reflections along
the way to their families.
Following the tour, some
Continued On Page 7
North Dakota farmers
are in limbo with the farm
program trapped in a dispute
between the U. S. Senate and
the House over cuts in the
food stamp budget.
In October, 25,000 North
Dakota households involving
54,000 people received $6.8
million. The average benefit
was $132 per person and
$290 per household.
Over 40 per cent of the
recipients are holding down
minimum wage jobs that
make them eligible for
food assistance. Some are
disabled folks; 44 per cent
are children; the rest are
unemployed.
But the program seems
to have spun out of control.
Nationally, the food stamp
program has doubled from
$27 billion in 2008 to $65
billion at present. While the
cost is predicted to decline
as employment recovers,
the price is high at a time we
are struggling to balance the
federal budget.
With the escalating costs,
it should be no surprise that
the program is a subject to
skepticism and it will become
a chronic bone of contention
unless the criticisms are
confronted.
The U. S. House wants
some assurance that the
program hasn't become a
haven for freeloaders. Even
after discounting those who
are already working, the
children and the disabled,
there are some recipients
who could be doing
something constructive to
earn their keep.
The job market has been
improving but not for people
with limited skills whose jobs
got exported or terminated
in the economic downturn.
It is unlikely that these jobs
will ever come back.
That being said, it doesn't
allay the feeling that the
unemployed, able-bodied
food stamp recipients ought
to be required to provide
work for their food. However,
implementation of a work
program will require a case-
by-case analysis of potential
for each "freeloader". That
means more funding for job
counselir/g.
No matter the cost, it
should be done to address
the concerns of taxpayers
over loafers on the dole.
Then there is the criticism
that food stamp recipients
are making bad choices.
That is true.
To clear the air, food
stamps cannot be used to
purchase alcohol, tobacco
products, pet food, soaps,
paper products, household
supplies, vitamins, medicine
or other nonfood items. The
real problem is on the food
choices being made - too
much junk food and not
enough fruit and vegetables.
Wisconsin and South
Carolina legislators are
promoting legislation to curb
junk food purchasing with
food stamps. But the U.S.
Department of Agriculture
has refused to grant waivers
to states to crack down on
potato chips, soft drinks and
other obesity-generating
items.
According to the Harvard
School of Public Health,
the United States is already
spending $190 billion yearly
on obesity-related diseases.
So taxpayer money should
not be used to create new
medical costs for society.
The problem with curbing
poor food choices by fiat is
that it would take an army of
administrators to enforce it.
Massive regulations would
be required to define the
specifics of good and bad
purchases.
However, by using
incentives and disincentives,
food stamp recipients
could be pressured to take
advantage of the excellent
training available through the
North Dakota State Extension
Service: The Extension
Service has a contract with
the Department of Human
Services to teach recipients
food budgeting, healthy
choices and food preparation
at local sites.
Last year, the Service
worked with 6,000 adult
recipients - an impressive
number, but still only a
fraction of those who need
training.
If food stamp advocates
expect to maintain public
support for the program,
then they would be. wise
to address the concerns
of critics by supporting
work requirements for the
unemployed able-bodied
and more effective use of the
food stamp dollars.
Regular Meeting November 4th, 2013
Regular Meeting
Drayton City Council
November 4, 2013
Mayor O/son called the meeting to
order at 7pro with Council members
Prigge, Schuster, Van Camp and
Kraft present. Council absent:
Larson and Woinarowicz.
MINUTES:
Prigge moved, Kraft seconded
and motion carried to approve the
minutes of the September 23, 2013
Council meeting. (There was no
October Council meeting because
of lack of quorum.)
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:
Rutherford reported:
...The culvert below the
intersection of Wallace & Windom
has been replaced.
...The 1-ton flatbed truck is
in poor condition. Rutherford
presented information on a 2005
GMC diesel flatbed for $9,000.00.
After inspection of the truck and
discussion, Prigge moved, Schuster
seconded and upon roll call vote, all
present voted in favor of authorizing
purchase of the 2005 GMC flatbed
truck for $9,000.00, with 1/= of the
cost paid from the Flood Control
Fund, ¼ from the General Fund,
and ¼ from the Street Fund. Motion
carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Marlys Boll and Cheryl Gjevre,
representing Oxcart Trails Historical
Society, were present to discuss
the Community Center. Discussion
included the drainage problem
around the Center, which results in
water in the basement. It was agreed
to get elevation readings in the area
around the building before any other
decisions are make.
Mrs. Boll reported that her
group has raised over $50,000.00
from grants and fund-raising for
Community Center improvements.
Their next project is kitchen
improvdments. They have some of
the needed funds already committed
and are working on grants.
The city auditor updated the
Council on the vandalism incident
at the Center. Mrs. Boll and Mrs.
Gjevre voiced some concerns
about the repairs made since the
vandalism incident. After discussion,
the Council asked that the insurance
company be. consulted again
about the consequences if the City
proceeds with further repairs.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Kevorkian presented written
reports on September and October
Police Dept. activities: September:
12 citations written into Municipal
Court; 1 citation written into District
Court; 10 verbal warnings; 8 arrests;
86 calls or complaints answered; 4
papers served; 10 assists to other
agencies. October: 11 citations
written into Municipal Court; 2
citations written into District Court;
16 verbal warnings; 3 arrests; 123
calls or complaints answered; 8
papers served; 18 assists to other
agencies.
Kevorkian reported that October
was busier than normal because
of harvest and campgrounds filled
to capacity. Halloween was quiet;
80 trick or treaters visited the city
office for treats. The Expedition
still has some intermittent electrical
problems.
MUNICIPAL COURT REPORT:
Gardner presented written Court
reports, showing that $393.00 in
collected fines was submitted to
the City in Seltember, and $483100
in collected fines submitted in
October.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Schuster moved, Kraft seconded
and motion carried to approve 2
building permits.
ELECTRONIC SIGN UPDATE:
The City is waiting for an Outdoor
Advertising Permit from the ND DOT
for the electronic message board.
The permit should be approved
soon. Once the permit is approved
the sign will be ordered. The sign will
take about 5 to 6 weeks to arrive.
Indigo Signworks tells us that the
sign can be put up during winter
months.
DISPOSAL OF CITY RECORDS:
Prigge moved, Schuster
seconded and motion carried to
authorize disposal of city records
as follows: 1997 paid invoices and
cancelled checks; 2008 & 2007
time cards and daily activity sheets;
January through October, 2009 city
utility billing records.
DONATION:
Lynn & Renae Fredrickson made
a donation to the Community Center
in memory of Lillian Ferguson, Jean
Anderson, Ray Altendorf, Edith
Van Camp and Adeline Papenfuss.
A thank you note was mailed and
printed in the paper.
PLEDGED SECURITIES:
Kraft moved, Van Camp
seconded and upon roll call vote,
all present voted to accept the
pledged securities and FDIC held by
KodaBank as sufficient to cover City
funds. Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Prigge moved, Kraft seconded
and upon roll call vote, all present
voted to approve the September,
2013 financial reports. Motion
carried.
Kraft moved, Schuster seconded
and upon roll call vote, all present
voted to approve the October, 2013
financial reports. Motion carried.
Prigge moved, Kraft seconded
and upon roll call vote, all present
voted to authorize payment of bills
as reviewed by committee. Motion
carried.
CITY WIDE PAVEMENT & UTILITY
EVALUATION:
Roger Grimsely and Jarda Solc
of AE2S presented the City Wide
Pavement & Utility Evaluation and
reviewed highlights with the Council.
The Council will review the report
further and discuss again at a later
date.
BLANKET BOND:
The Council reviewed information
on the Blanket Bond provided at no
cost to the City by the ND Insurance
Department. A Blanket Bond covers
losses arising from embezzlement,
etc., and covers money, securities
and property. 14 city positions are
covered by the bond, including
elected and appointed officials and
city employees. The City's current
bond limit is $388,000.00.
POLICE COMMI'n'EE REPORT:
As one of the department's
portable radios is in poor shape,
Prigge moved, Kraft seconded and
upon roll call vote, all present voted
tc authorize purchase of a new
portable radio. Motion carried.
The Police Committee
recommends that Kevorkian's
probationary period be extended to
January 1,2014, because he has not
established satisfactory residency
within the city.
ADJOURN:
At 9:10pm, Van Camp moved,
Schuster seconded and motion
carried to adjourn the meeting.
Carol Gardner
City Auditor
October expenditures:
AE2S....$8,190.00;
AFLAC...$37.90;
Ameripride Services...$281.78;
Aqua-Pure Inc...$2,098.80;
Big Jim's Tire Up
North...$226.56; :
Blue Cross Blue i,
Shield...$3,676.70;
C & M Ford Sales...$725.11;
Dahlstrom Motors...$230.00;
D.L. Petersen...$500.00;
Grand Forks Fire
Equipment...$22.50;
Halcrow's Inc...$439.99;
Hawkins Inc...$627.28;
Information Technology
Dept...$10.60;
J. Sylskar...$420.00;
Job Service ND...$75.06;
Kelly's Cntry Mrkt...$87.46;
Letter Perfect Sign Co...$300.00;
Marco Inc...$31.36;
ND One Call Inc...$7.70;
ND Sewage Pump & Lift Station
Service Co...$1,465.00;
Otter Tail...$2,682.03;
Pembina Co. Recorder...$13.00;
Pitney Bowes ...$138.00;
POST Board...$45.00;
Refuse Disposal
Services...$350.17; :
Sanford Healthcare...$65.00;
United Systems Technology ..... .......
Inc...$115.00;
Valley Landfill Inc...$5,556.38;
Verizon Wireless...$200.63;
Waste Management...$337.84;
Wilson Sporting
Goods...$520.00;
AE2S...$3,640.00;
Agri-Valley...$663.99;
CumminsNPower...$405.37;
Newman Traffic Signs...$26.64;
Northdale Oil Inc...$357.36;
T. Gozdal...$395.75;
U.S. Postal Service...$680.00;
Unum Life Insurance...$43.20;
Wex Bank...$180.28;
J. Hanson...$18.13;
Valley News...$218.70; .
Aramark Uniform
Services...$288.41;
EFTPS...$2,596.22;
EFTPS...$2,475.78;
KodaBank...$10.00;
KodaBank...$1.00;
Michael's...$16.00;
NDPERS...$2,246.96;
Office State Tax
Commissioner...$933.00;
OfficeMax...$78.98;
Polar
Communications...$425.85;
October payroll....$15,785.77.
November expenditures;
420-Praxair
Distribution...$2,539.38;
AFLAC...$37.90;
ATCO International...$214.00;
Big Jim's Tire Up
North...$340.21;
Blue Cross Blue
Shield...$3,676.70;
Digital Ally...$395.00;
Graymont Capital
Inc...$5,350.05;
Halcrow's Inc...$691.06;
,, Hawkins inc...$500.10;
Kelly's Cntry Mrkt...$59.87;
M. Kevorkian...$29.98;
ND One Call Inc...$18.70;
N. Rutherford...$43.71;
ND League of Cities...$315.00;
ND League of Cities...$120.00;
Otter Tail...$3,111.04;
R. Hagman...$74.81;
Sanitation Products
Inc...$274.68;
Team Laboratory Chemical
Corp...$758.00;
Valley BIdg Cntr...$44.99;
Valley Landfill Inc...$6,087.72;
Verizon Wireless...$198.57;
Waste Management...$673.76;
Crown Motor Co...$9,000.00;
DVAC...$10.00;
AE2S...$1,820.00;
Ameripride Services...$281.78;
Aqua-Pure Inc...$3,960.00;
C. Gardner...$53.19;
Galls/Quartermaster...$397.98;
Information Technology
Dept...$10.60;
Langdon Fire
Equipment...$166.00;
Letter Perfect Sign Co...$250.00;
Marco Inc...$31.36;
ND Dept of Health...$32.00;
Roto Rooter...$580.00;
Unum Life Insurance...$43.20;
USA Bluebook...$259.06;
Valley News & Views...$192.40;
Drayton Post Office...$25.05;
EFTPS...$2,641.27;
EFTPS...$2,666.57;
KodaBank...$10.00;
KodaBank...$1.00;
ND Public Finance
Authority...$7,995.00;
ND Public Finance
Authority...$6,920.00;
NDPERS...$2.237.90;
OfficeMax...$31.99;
Polar Comm...$423.76;
November payroll...$15,150.47.
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To learn more about Online Banking stop in or give us a call.
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