nWhats happening

in the area. CALENDAR 2

nBuy, sell, trade
your stuff. FREE ADS 15
SCRAPBOOK 16
At left, Valley City High
School cheerleaders Dari-
ann Loibl and KatiAnn Wi-
gen play to the crowd at
the annual Homecoming Parade held
on Central Avenue in Valley City. Photo
by DENNIS STILLINGS.
Should residents nix
administrator role?
$75,000 top boss job discussed inside.
indy pic of the week
GOLDEN
OLDIE...
PAGE 11
nU.S. Postal Service targets rural America. You can fght back. COMMENTARY 6
nRayma Fiegen: Te anatomy of a community heros reputation. NEIGHBORS 7
COMMUNITY NEWS, CULTURE, COMMENTARY uTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 uVOLUME I, ISSUE 1 uFREE
independent
OF BARNES COUNTY
THE
the independent
2
Thursday, Sept. 29
Artwork by Chris
Schanack, artist/designer,
is on exhibit from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. in the Valley City
State University Gallery.
Maple Valley high
school volleyball plays
Enderlin, at Enderlin, start-
ing at 6 p.m.
Valley City high school
volleyball plays Grand
Forks Central at the Hi-
Liner Activity Center in
Valley City at 7 p.m.
Jamestown (Valley
City) swimming and div-
ing competes in a meet at
Jamestown High School
at 5 p.m.
LaMoure/Litchville-
Marion high school vol-
leyball plays Edgeley at
Montpelier at 5 p.m.
A lecture on Rapu
Nui (Easter Island),
Island of Mystery is
presented by Dr. Diana
Skroch of Valley City
State Universitys music
department at 7 p.m.
at the Barnes County
Historical Society Museum
in downtown Valley City.
The evenings lecture will
include information about
the origins of the islands
population; the enormous
stone statues (moais)
which have intrigued and
mystifed the world; the
collapse of Easters cul-
ture; and the conclusions
drawn by todays authors
and scientists. The lecture,
part of a lecture series
sponsored by the Barnes
County Historical Society
Museum and Valley City
State University, is free
and open to the public.
Tops Club of Enderlin
meets every Thursday
morning at the Senior
Center. Weigh in from
8:30 to 9 a.m.; meeting at
9 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 30
Artwork by Chris
Schanack, artist/designer,
is on exhibit from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. in the Valley City
State University Gallery.
Reunion Alumni Social
and Luncheon for Valley
City State Universitys
1970s classes is from
noon to 1:30 p.m. at the
university Student Center.
VCSU Alumni Wel-
come Back Ice Cream
Social hosted by Valley
City State University runs
from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
at the university Student
Center.
Valley City State Uni-
versity reunion attend-
ees are invited to stop out
to the Eagles in Valley City
and socialize with VCSU
Hall of Fame Inductees
from 5 to 6 p.m.
Valley City State
Universitys Hall of Fame
Banquet is from 6 to 7
p.m. at the Eagles, Valley
City.
Last day of Penny
Wars at Barnes County
North.
Story time at the
Enderlin Municipal Library
is every Friday from 10:30
to 11 a.m.
Maple Valley/Ender-
lin high school football
plays Northern Cass High
School at Northern Cass
starting at 7 p.m.
VCSU Viking cross
country competes at the
marauder Invitational from
4 to 8 p.m. at Riverwood
Golf Course in Bismarck.
GBC Titan high school
football plays Grafton at 7
p.m. at Cooperstown.
Valley City high school
football plays Lisbon at
Lisbon High School at 7
p.m.
LaMoure/Litchville-
Marion high school
football plays Wyndmere/
Lidgerwood (away) at 7
p.m.
A free Bone Builders
exercise class - Help-
ing to Fight Osteoporosis,
Improve Balance, Increase
Energy, Bone Density,
Mobility and Lower Blood
Pressure - is Wednes-
days and Fridays at 10
a.m. at the Enderlin Senior
Citizens Center.
Saturday, Oct. 1
Valley City State
University Homecoming
Parade begins at 11 a.m.
on Central Avenue in Val-
ley City.
A baby shower for the
new daughter of Jason
and Peggy Aarseth,
Fingal, starts at 10 a.m. at
Messiah Lutheran Church
in Fingal.
Farmers Market in Val-
ley City at Hinschberger
Park, 6th Ave. and 2nd St.
NE, runs from 10 a.m. to
noon.
Tailgate from noon to
1 p.m. at Lokken Stadium
in Valley City before the
VCSU vs Jamestown Col-
lege game.
A post-VCSU football
game social is from 4 to
6 p.m. at the Eagles, Val-
ley City.
Valley City State Uni-
versity Honors Breakfast
is from 9 to 10 a.m. in the
university Student Center
cafeteria.
Enderlin Volleyball
Tournament begins at
8 a.m. at Enderlin High
School.
Vikings vs. Jame-
stown College football
game starts at 1 p.m. at
VCSU Shelly Ellig Field in
Valley City.
Valley City State
University volleyball vs.
Dakota State University at
4 p.m. at VCSU Graichen
Gym.
Barnes County North
cross country competes
against Rugby at 10 a.m.
at Rugby.
Valley City high school
volleyball plays in the Lis-
bon tournament in Lisbon.
Valley City high school
cross country competes
in the Grand Forks Mul-
tiple Meet at 11 a.m.
LaMoure/Litchville-
Marion high school vol-
leyball plays Maple Valley
at Tower City at 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2
Street Corner Sym-
phony, a VCACA-spon-
sored event, is from 7:30
to 8:30 pm. in Vangstad
C O M M U N I T Y
C
ALENDAR
Whats Going On around the Area
ARTS n COMMUNITY n GROUPS n GOVERNMENT n SCHOOL n SPORTS
F
resh of the Sept. 21 release of
their frst album, the Nashville
group Street Corner Symphony
will bring their complex some-
times soulful, sometimes rockabilly,
sometimes hard-rockin sound
to Valley City in a Valley City Area
Concert Association event set for
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at Vangstad
Auditorium on the campus of Valley
City State University.
Street Corner Symphony is known
world-over for its season two runner-
up fnish in the NBC hit show Te
Sing Of, where the groups all-voice
renditions of such tunes as Down
on the Corner and Creep brought
down the house.
Te vocal group, fronted by Jeremy
Lister, was formed in May of 2010
for the sole purpose of winning the
Sing Of, according to the groups
website.
Te Oct. 2 performance is open
to members of the Valley City Area
Concert Association. Memberships
can be purchased at the door.
Street Corner Symphony
to rock Valley City
Street Corner Symphony, of Nashville,
Tenn., will perform Oct. 2 in Valley City.
Be sure to verify event
details before attending.
The Independent can
not guarantee the com-
pleteness or accuracy of
published events.
List your event
We welcome all sub-
missions for events and
activities that are free or
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public. Send a complete
description of the event
at least fve working days
in advance. Include the
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and other relevent infor-
mation. Please include a
contact name and phone
number and/or email ad-
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Send all submissions to:
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indy-bc.com
the independent
3
CALENDAR: ARTS n COMMUNITY n GROUPS n GOVERNMENT n SCHOOL n SPORTS
auditorium, VCSU. Admis-
sion by season member-
ship, which may be pur-
chased at the door.
Out of the Darkness
suicide awareness and
prevention walk begins at
1 p.m. at Chautauqua Park,
933 12th St. N.E., Val-
ley City. Check-in time for
registered walkers is noon
to 1 p.m., but unregistered
walkers are welcome to join
the walk. Proceeds of the
walk to beneft the Ameri-
can Foundation for Sucide
Prevention. More info: Deb
Anderson, 701-845-6436;
or www.outofthedarkness.
org
St. Marys Annual Fall
Supper runs from 4 to
7 p.m., featuring Norms
turkey, served with all the
trimmings, and St. Marys
homemade sauerkraut with
browned pork, auteed on-
ions and gravy. The annual
event also features a gift
basket sale and quilt raffe.
St. Marys Church is located
six miles east of Dazey.
Valley City State
University volleyball vs.
Dakota Wesleyan University
at 2 p.m. VCSU Graichen
Gym.
The Old School Gift
Shoppe located in the
historic 1916 Buffalo High
School at Buffalo, N.D.,
is open from 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. Sundays, Oct. 2, Oct.
16, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, and
Dec. 4. Proceeds from the
sale of treasures old and
new beneft the 1916 Buf-
falo High School renovation
project. The school is listed
on the National Register of
Historic Places. More info:
701-633-5000.
Buffalo City Council
meets at 6 p.m. and will ap-
prove the citys preliminary
budget. To view the budget,
contact Buffalo City Audi-
tor Melissa Welter-Jahnke,
701-412-3685 or 701-633-
2356.
Monday, Oct. 3
CHILD HEALTH DAY
Artwork by Chris
Schanack, artist/designer,
is on exhibit from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. in the Valley City
State University Gallery.
Valley City Commission
meets every frst and third
Monday of every month at
City Hall, Valley City. The
fnance meeting begins at 4
p.m., followed at 5 p.m. by
the regular board meeting.
Hannaford City Council
meets the frst Monday of
every month at 7 p.m. at
the Hannaford City Hall.
Tuesday, Oct. 4
Special Election on City
Administrator question in
Valley City: Valley City City
Hall, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A Community Flu Clinic
runs from 9-9:45 a.m. at
the Litchville Senior Center.
Cost: $32 regular fu shot;
$50 high dose fu vaccine
(age 65 and older); $43
FluMist (nasal vaccine for
healthy people). More info:
City-County Health, 701-
845-8518.
School Flu Clinics are
set for 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Jef-
ferson Elementary in Valley
City and Litchville School
from 10 to 11 a.m. More
info: City-County Health,
701-845-8518.
Artwork by Chris
Schanack, artist/designer,
is on exhibit from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. in the Valley City
State University Gallery.
Sheyenne Valley MOPS
(Mothers of PreSchool-
ers) meet the frst and third
Tuesdays of each month
from 9 to 11 a.m. at First
Church of the Nazarene
in Valley City. Childcare
is provided through the
MOPPETS program. MOPS
is open to all moms with
children from infancy-
kindergarten. More info:
Karla, 701-845-5138 or
visit www.mops.org
Valley City Rotary
meets every Tuesday at
noon at the Valley City VFW
Club.
Barnes County Com-
mission meets every
frst and third Tuesday of
every month at the Barnes
County Courthouse, Valley
City. The meeting starts at
8 a.m.
Valley City Planning
and Zoning meets every
second Wednesday of the
month at 4 p.m. at City Hall
in Valley City.
Maple Valley high
school volleyball plays
LaMoure/Litchville-Mari-
on at Tower City, beginning
at 6 p.m.
Barnes County North
volleyball plays Central
Prairie at 6 p.m. at Wimble-
don.
Wednesday, Oct. 5
Fingal City Council
Meeting is at 7 p.m. at the
Fingal City Hall.
Community Flu clinics
in Rogers and Wimble-
don run from 9 to 10 a.m.
at North Central school in
Rogers and from 1 to 2
p.m. at the Legion Club in
Wimbledon. Cost: $32 reg-
ular fu shot; $50 high dose
fu vaccine (age 65 and
older); $43 FluMist (nasal
vaccine for healthy people).
More info: City-County
Health, 701-845-8518.
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH & CONSULTING.
We provide information and results.
Bruce Eckre
1300 7th St. N.
Wahpeton, ND 58075
President/CEO
701-899-1560
bruce.eckre@gmail.com
A FULL-SERVICE LOBBYING COMPANY.
SEE CALENDAR, page 3
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A federally inspected facility satisfying customers since 1976!
Rod Haugtvedt
Owner
the independent
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School Flu Clinics are
set for 8 a.m. at the Voca-
tional Center in Valley City
(staff only); 10 a.m. to noon
at Barnes County North
(North Central); and Barnes
County North in Wimble-
don. More info: City-County
Health, 701-845-8518.
Artwork by Chris
Schanack, artist/designer,
is on exhibit from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. in the Valley City
State University Gallery.
A Blessing of the
Animals will be held by
St. Mary & Mark Episcopal
Church, Oakes, in celebra-
tion of this weeks Feast
Day of St. Francis. The spe-
cial 5 p.m. service honors
and recognizes the impor-
tant role animals play in
many peoples lives. Bring
your cat, dog, ferret, snake,
elephant, or other special
friend. More info: Rev. Doyle
Burkhardt, 701-783-4423
or 701-783-4354.
Kiwanis Club of Valley
City meets Wednesdays
at noon at the VFW Club in
Valley City.
Valley City Park Board
meets every frst and third
Wednesday of the month
throughout the end of
October, starting today with
a 6:30 a.m. fnance meet-
ing followed by the 7 a.m.
regular meeting.
A free Bone Builders
exercise class - Help-
ing to Fight Osteoporosis,
Improve Balance, Increase
Energy, Bone Density,
Mobility and Lower Blood
Pressure - is Wednesdays
and Fridays at 10 a.m. at
the Enderlin Senior Citizens
Center.
Make-up picture day
for Maple Valley school
students is from 2:30 to 6
p.m. today and Thursday
at Duttons Valley Gallery,
Valley City.
Thursday, Oct. 6
School Flu Clinics are
set for 7;30 to 9 a.m. at
Valley City High School and
3 to 4 p.m. at St. Catherine
School, Valley City. More
info: City-County Health,
701-845-8518.
Artwork by Chris
Schanack, artist/designer,
is on exhibit from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. in the Valley City
State University Gallery.
Mercy Hospitals Living
Well Seminar, a 6-week
course, begins today, run-
ning from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
More info: email info@mer-
cyhospitalvalleycity.org
Maple Valley Students
Against Destructive Deci-
sions (SADD) meets Thurs-
day mornings at 8 a.m.
Maple Valley high
school volleyball plays
Kindred High School at Kin-
dred, beginning at 6 p.m.
Barnes County North
volleyball plays PBK at 5
p.m. at Wimbledon.
Barnes County North
cross country competes
against Cooperstown at 4
p.m. at Cooperstown Bible
Camp.
LaMoure/Litchville-
Marion high school vol-
leyball plays Ellendale at
Ellendale at 5:30 p.m.
Initial rehearsal for the
Sweet Harmony Christ-
mas Gala Chorus begin at
7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran
Church in Enderlin for
women who like to sing.
More info:Verna Armstrong,
701-437-3729.
Community Flu Clinics
Oct. 4 - Litchville (Senior Center) 9-9:45 AM.
Oct. 5 - Rogers (North Central school) 9-10 AM
Oct. 5 - Wimbledon (Legion Club) 1-2 p.m.
Oct. 11 - Oriska (Oriska School) 8-8:30 AM
School Flu Clinics
Oct. 4 - Jefferson School, 7:30- 9 AM
Oct. 4 - Litchville School, 10-11 AM
Oct. 5 - Vocational Center (staff only) 8 AM
Oct. 5 - Barnes County North (North Central)
10 AM-noon
Oct. 5 - Barnes County North (Wimbledon)
2:15-3 PM
Oct. 6 - Valley City High School, 7:30-9 AM
Oct. 6 - St. Catherine School, 3-4 PM
Oct. 11 - Oriska School, 8:30-9:30 AM
Oct. 14 - Washington School, 7:30-9 AM
CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT
BARNES COUNTY COURTHOUSE - Valley City
Low-Cost:
$32 regular fu shot
$50 high-dose fu vaccine (age 65+)
$43 FluMist (nasal vaccine for
healthy people age 2-49)
Flu vaccine is currently available at
Monday-Friday - 9 AM - 5 PM for all ages 6 months & older
For More Information,
Contact:
City-County Health
at 701-845-8518
CALENDAR: ARTS n COMMUNITY n GROUPS n GOVERNMENT n SCHOOL n SPORTS
9.29.11
THE INDEPENDENT
of Barnes County
A publication of
Smart Media LLC
416 2nd St.
Fingal, ND 58031
Volume 1, Issue 1
All Rights Reserved
vitals
Editor & Publisher
Nikki Laine Zinke
nlzinke@indy-bc.com
Contributing Writers
Brian Mindt
Lee Morris
Mike Morrissey
Dennis Stillings
SUBMISSIONS
submissions@indy-bc.com
ADVERTISING
advertising@indy-bc.com
CLASSIFIEDS
classifeds@indy-bc.com
BILLING
accounting@indy-bc.com
GENERAL INFO
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WEBSITE
www.indy-bc.com
DISTRIBUTION
THE INDEPENDENT is
published weekly from
its Smart Media LLC
home in Fingal, N.D.,
and is available free of
charge at designated
distribution outlets in
the Barnes County
area. No one is per-
mitted more than one
current issue of The
Independent without
permission. Additional
copies and back is-
sues are available for
$5 prepaid. Mailed
subscriptions from our
door to yours are also
available. Send check
or money order for
$52/year to The Inde-
pendent, 416 Second
St., Fingal, ND 58031.
Theft of The Indepen-
dent will be prosecut-
ed.
T
hank you for picking up
this issue of Te Inde-
pendent. As you might
imagine, the task of building a
new publication, from scratch,
requires endless days and her-
culean efort. But all the time
and energy invested in getting
this frst issue to print is well-
worthwhile if Ive succeeded
in introducing a new model of
service-oriented newspapering
to the community.
So let me tell you a little bit
about me, and the intended
mission of this new publica-
tion so that, together, we can
truly create something great.
Some of you know me. I
live in Fingal with my daugh-
ter and have claimed Barnes
County as my home for more
than a decade.
Living here is a choice. With
almost 20 years experience in
the newspaper and magazine
industry as a publisher, editor
and reporter, plus a teaching
degree in K-12 Art, I suppose
I could go anywhere. Indeed,
this areas labor portrait prob-
ably dictates that I should go
elsewhere as the need for artis-
tic writers who enjoy teaching
isnt one of the top criteria for
most area employers.
No worries. Ive made my
own opportunities before.
For approximately three
years, I worked as a freelance
news correspondent for the
national publications Ameri-
can Indian Report magazine
and Indian Country Today
newspaper. Te opportunity
sent me all over Indian Coun-
try in three states and I learned
a great deal about working in-
dependently while meeting the
needs of diverse groups whose
viewpoints sometimes difered
dramatically from my own.
I intend to apply the lessons
Ive learned through the years
as this publication develops
from week to week.
For now, you should know
that the mission of Te Inde-
pendent is to provide a forum
for the wide dissemination of
Community News, Commen-
tary and Culture. Te defni-
tions of those focuses will like-
ly grow and shif as you share
with me your opinions, your
news and your needs.
And, as we work it out to-
gether, you can be assured that,
frst and foremost, the focus
of this publication will point-
edly be about you, my Barnes
County neighbors.
Tanks for reading. And
please, send me your news,
photos, calendar items, essays,
and ideas. Reach me via email
at nlzinke@indy-bc.com
BY NIKKI LAINE ZINKE
nlzinke@indy-bc.com
Think big, start somewhere
commentary
5
If you believe the dream you dream when you go there.
Robert Penn Warren, All the Kings Men
V
alley City is a special place, and
not because it sits in a pretty,
green valley or because it has
bridges and a lot of really great parks.
Nope, Valley City all of Barnes
County, for that matter is a special
place because you can learn everything
about the world you need to right here.
Te business world, the natural world
and, of course, the govment world you just sit back
and study it, and youll get quite the education.
None of that is to mention the people world, which is
the most important world of all. For thats what makes all
the other worlds tick.
Now, if all you did was pass through and stop at one
of our fne local establishments for some home-cooked
food, or take a gander at the North Dakota map, you
probably might not distinguish Valley City as all too dif-
ferent from, say, Jamestown or Casselton or Devils Lake.
But we know better. And not just because the place
you call home lodges in your heart muscle, but because
weve lived here. And, well, there just aint no place else
like it.
Nowhere else does the rough edge of rural living blur
so sofly into the shops downtown. Nowhere else do the
blizzards make residents so grumble and grouch in the
winter and then so willingly forget about it until next
year. Not even in Jamestown.
And nowhere else can you fnd people who are so
wonderful once you fgure out how to make them stop
and talk to you.
Which brings me back to my point.
Everything you need to learn about the world you can
learn right here, right where you are, sitting and reading
this in your Barnes County place of reading.
Id wager the folks in Minneapolis and Chicago and
New York and, in this case, its appropriate to lump in
Fargo dont get to feel the sense of community that you
do. Tey dont get to watch their fellow residents deal
with the hassles of a 21st-century existence in a place
where everyone, more or less, still personally knows
everyone else, has met everyone and shook their hands,
goes to church with their friends and co-workers and
third cousins and even, I suppose, their not-so-friends.
Tese things get clouded over in bigger towns. You
dont see either the good or the bad the cliques or the
clubs, the good deeds or the selfess devotion to each
other with such intimacy in places where there are too
many people to readily see whats going on.
Of course, all those aforementioned things go on
everywhere in big towns, medium-sized towns, small
towns, and in Fargo. But folks there just dont notice
them as easily.
But take it from me: Te world is just one big Valley
City.
Since late August, Ive been living up and over in
Grand Forks to do a little schoolin. I miss yall, of course.
I got to live and work in Valley City for more than two
years, and thats a good fortune that Ill get to carry with
me everywhere.
Everywhere, afer all, is just a small town at heart.
The world: One
big small town
BY Lee
MORRIS
Ask yourself: Since the inception
of the city administrator position
in 2005, is the city
better than before it?
Is there more turmoil
than before? Have
we more unity or
division now? Even
with the cost of living
increases, are our
unnecessary expendi-
tures up? Has our city
grown? How are we perceived in the
eyes of our neighboring communi-
ties?
Since 2005, when the frst admin-
istrator took the reins, many citizens
have seen this city go downhill.
Dave Johnson, our frst administra-
tor, brought much shame upon our
city. Many people in neighboring
communities stated they did not
even want to come into Valley City
because of how it has become. He,
along with other city ofcials, cre-
ated a very vicious website portray-
ing three candidates as Klu Klux
Klan, Hitler, Stalin, Slumlords, and
neoNazis. And lets not forget that
this was condoned by the mayor at
the time. He was viciously attacking
people of certain groups and anyone
who may have stated anything about
the city if it was in any manner other
than what the city wanted.
Dave Johnson moved on and Jon
Cameron moved in. Now, Cameron
claims the city administrator brings
many benefts for the city. Amongst
those claimed are all the eforts
involved with food work.
One wonders: How did the city get
through the previous foods, such as
1993 and 1997?
In the most recent food of 2011,
Cameron took the credit of saving
the city money by going up to the
Winter Show building, where we
were receiving sandbags from Fargo,
and assessing the amount of bags
we had and what was going out. He
stated that we had more than enough
and called of the rest of the bags
from Fargo.
Tis claim could not be further
from the truth! He was never there!
My son and I were there from start
to fnish, helping unload the trucks
as they came in. In the evening
Duane Didier, Troy Franklin, Scott
Cole, Cole Mindt and myself were
discussing what we were going to do
with all these bags and almost none
going out? Te decision was made
amongst these fve individuals to
call Kim Franklin, Barnes Countys
Emergency Operations director, to
see if she could stop them from com-
ing in. She did so within minutes.
Te next morning Jon Cameron had
called Kim and asked if she could
stop the citys share of the bags from
coming in. Tis was already done the
night before, but yet Cameron wants
to take credit for it when he was
NEVER there to assess anything at
anytime. Just one in the many of the
web of lies.
Credit goes to Duane Didier,
Troy Franklin, Scott Cole and Kim
Franklin for saving the taxpayers a
further expense. Kudos to them, not
Cameron.
Now, one may conclude that I may
have something against Jon Cam-
eron. On the contrary, I do not. It is
the position of City Administrator
itself that I believe, along with many
hundreds of other people, that is the
problem.
You see, what we have to remem-
ber is it does not matter if it is Dave
Johnson, Jon Cameron or Gary Jones
holding the position, the problem
will repeat.
Te problem is in the unwarranted
position. Tis position has done
nothing but cause the good people
of this city an unwarranted expense,
division where there was unity,
tarnished the citys reputation, and
caused an undeterminable amount
of turmoil. I could go into the recent
events of the so called Ross saga,
but I believe you all have had more
than enough of that. Tat would
require another very lengthy letter,
which may come.
What it all boils down to is this:
Do you believe this city is in better
condition than previous to 2005?
And if you do, I would like to chal-
lenge you to that and hear your side
of it so as I may learn more about
it, something which our commis-
sion never does. Our present mayor
promised that in his campaign, but
like his predecessor, failed terribly.
For these reasons, plus many more
I urge a YES vote on Oct. 4, and
lets begin an end to the turmoil in
this fne city.
CITY WATCH - THE VIEW FROM OUTSIDE CITY HALL
BY Brian
Mindt
City Administrator position divides community
Brian Mindt lives in Valley City.
S
et aside, for the
moment, the image
of a prematurely
aging Vietnam
veteran, tottering precari-
ously upon his good foot
while the shoe attached to
his prosthetic leg suddenly
slides across the ice as he
tries to jam open his new,
but sleeted shut, mailbin
in the outdoor community
clusterbox.
Dont think about the
elderly woman who never
did learn to drive, but has
managed just fne, thank-
you, toodling through
town on her
basketed
bicycle in
fair weather
to pick up
her medi-
cine and
mail bills at
the post of-
fce, and, when absolutely
necessary, hitching rides
to the city for check-ups,
groceries and other needs.
Dismiss the fooded ru-
ral roads in Barnes County
come springtime, or the
Im-late-to-work-again-
today and school-is-again-
postponed-two-hours due
to drifed snow and plows
that make their way to our
rural hamlets last.
Forget four-dollar gas
And while were at it, forget
the service-frst, every-
one-knows-your-name
smalltown businesses
that, against nearly every
odd, still keep their doors
open cafes, banks, bars,
construction frms.
Dont dwell on these,
because the U.S. Postal
Service is fat-broke and it
intends to help mend its
woes by closing a whole lot
of post ofces.
Post ofces such as those
commentary
6
F
or more than 70 years now,
assuming that I could speak
for myself from day one,
the answer to the question posed
above was easy. Im from Valley
City, I always said, proud to be
from the village in the beauti-
ful Sheyenne River Valley. One
doesnt get asked that question
much until leaving home and
entering new social and cultural
milieus. For me it began when I
departed in the autumn of 1958
to pursue studies at NDSU. What
people couldnt discern from
my quick and easy answer was
the myth that I was perpetuat-
ing. Once started, it seemed that
there was no way back to the
truth. You see, my friends, I was
in fact from Killdeer, N.D., the
place of my nativity, or where
my folks were living when I was
born. When I got a bit older, it
never occurred to me to correct
the error. It was just easier to say,
Valley City...graduated from St.
Kates. And that was that.
So it may come as a shock
that I am giving serious consid-
eration to correcting the myth.
In fact, I can tell you the date of
the potential correction: Oct. 5,
2011. For you see, that is the date
that we will know for certain the
outcome of the referendum on
whether Valley City will em-
ploy an executive ofcer or city
administrator, in other words, a
trained professional to manage
and evaluate the functions of city
government.
Tat is to say, and I will try to
be delicate with
this, as opposed
to having a passel
of elected resi-
dents in charge
of the day-to-day
operation of the
city. Some will
be new, some
will be old, some
will be well-educated, some will
be... well, Ill say it... doorknobs.
I am not imparting this latter
description to anyone currently
serving, but it can happen like a
lightning strike. It is important
to remember this about elec-
tions: if no qualifed candidates
step forward to run for ofce, it
is highly probable that someone
who doesnt know that other
stuf from Shinola will suddenly
be in a position of responsibility,
and capable of afecting other
peoples lives and property val-
ues. Remember, Mother Nature
abhorreth a vacuum.
Te city governance structure
advocated by the Opposed to
Everything gang is ludicrous.
Picture if you will a school dis-
trict without a superintendent, a
university without a president, a
corporation without an execu-
tive ofcer. How about a United
Way campaign without a chair?
A hospital without a CEO? Open
Door without an executive direc-
tor? Enough, I hear you say.
Tere will be those who will
suggest that I should have no
opinion on the matter since I
moved away from the commu-
nity a few months ago. I say Fie
upon them. I lived in the com-
munity for a total of 35 years,
both ends of my life, and longer
than many people who call it
home today. I was formed by
the community, educated there
by the nuns, and chose to retire
back there from the southwest
side of Chicago in 1996. And, as
is so important to the surly hurly
burlies in the community, have
paid a fair amount of taxes there.
I mean, doesnt anyone worth his
credibility lead with, And Im a
BY Liam
Murgheasa
THE VIEW FROM THE ROCK
High Noon on October 4: Valley City vote to determine future for Our Fair City
U.S. Postal Service targets Rural America
SEE MAIL, page 11
BY Nikki
Laine Zinke
This hand-painted sign perches out-
side City Hall in Fingal in protest of the
potential closure of the communitys
post offce. The quirky lettering might serve as a
metaphor for Fingals stated need for continued tra-
ditional postal services: We dont use the computer
to get stamps, says Fingal resident Bonnie Church.
Most of us dont know how and dont even have a
computer.
SEE HIGH NOON, page 14
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Letter from Doug Kiefert
Valley City, N.D.
Last week it was stated
through the media that the
Fraternal Order of Police had do-
nated money to a group seeking
to do away with the City Admin-
istrator position in Valley City.
Tis FOP Lodge No. 4 is based
out of Jamestown.
In the news release, it was
stated that ofcers from Valley
City are also members of this
lodge that donated money. Tere
are both Valley City Police and
Barnes County law enforce-
ment ofcers that belong to FOP
through the lodge in Jamestown.
To me this implied that, as a
group, we supported doing away
with the administrator position.
I had no knowledge of this dona-
tion prior to hearing about it in
the media.
I was told this vote was done
by executive committee and was
not done by members voting. My
personal opinion is that we, as an
organization, should be neutral
in such a matter as this. I would
not have supported the donation.
Apparently I am not the only of-
fcer in Valley City who feels the
same way. I believe that having a
city administrator has been very
benefcial to employees, the city
commission, and the public.
Kiefert is a sergeant with
the Valley City police department.
Letter from Larry Hetland
Valley City, N.D.
Tis letter is in response to Ms.
Jan Kleins letter to the editor of
Sept. 23 (Times-Record). Appar-
ently there is still much misin-
formation being circulated about
the current campaign to abolish
the city administrator position.
Quotes from Ms. Kleins letter
are numbered, followed by a cor-
rection.
1. Klein: According to the
spokesman for the Wipe out
the city administrator position
group...
Correction: Te correct name
of the group is Committee for
Community Involvement (CCI).
2. Klein: ...the state police
union is now involved in Valley
City issues.
Correction: Te Fraternal Or-
der of Police Lodge #4 (FOP) is
a private fraternal organization,
NOT a police union.
3. Klein: ...it means that North
Dakota taxpayer money is being
used...
Correction: Te FOP receives
its funding from dues and private
donations.
4. Klein: ...So, local and state
police from Jamestown, Fargo,
Minot and Bismarck know more
about this issue...
Correction: Tere are police of-
fcers from the Valley City Police
Department that are also mem-
bers of the FOP.
5. Klein: It is a sign of despera-
tion that the group....has to go
outside Valley City to get cam-
paign funds.
Correction: CCI had suf-
cient funds in place to conduct
the campaign to abolish the city
administrator position before the
initiated measure was fled at the
VC Auditors ofce in February of
this year. Any contributions have
all been voluntary. CCI has not
solicited any funds for this cam-
paign.
CCI extends a sincere THANK
YOU for all who have helped and
supported this campaign. Please
vote YES on Oct. 4th!
Hetland is a member of the Committee for
Citizen Involvement (CCI).
neighbors
7
In high school, Rayma devoted herself to debate and
dramatics, to cheerleading and getting good grades, to
dening herself as her own person. But when class-
mates came to her Fourth Avenue Northeast house for
slumber parties, she says, her mothers embarrassing
alcoholism threatened to spill out just like beer from a
bottle.
Raymas activities showed people she was going to
be better than how she grew up, to prove she was OK.
ose were innocent times.
Aer enjoying the bottled
Coca-Cola, 7UP and
grape soda her mother,
Margaret Jones,
brought home from
her job at the
Leal Bar, Rayma
and her friends
walked to nearby
Chautauqua
Park to go skin-
ny-dipping. is
was the height of
their teenage de-
ance. Ten to a dozen girls nude in the Sheyenne River
at midnight, laughing and splashing and feeling daring,
around the same time John F. Kennedy promised to put
a man on the moon.
Oh, here comes somebody! called one teen, stand-
ing guard because she was afraid to undress, and the
girls jumped out covered in bloodsuckers that they
peeled o their skin once they walked back to Raymas
two-story house, which had a wooden two-seat swing
on its front porch.
Years earlier, as a child, Rayma sometimes slept in
her mothers large, four-door car outside saloons. Stop-
ping there for hours, in the winter Jones let the engine
run to provide heat. When the daughter grew tired of
dozing, she honked the horn until her mother emerged
from the bar. Now a teenager, Rayma was determined
that what people saw was the good girl, the accom-
plishments, the honor student.
Today, Rayma Fiegens reputation is sterling in Valley
City. In August, the 66-year-olds works which have
included organizing the Community Christmas Eve
Dinner and co-founding the now-disbanded North
Dakota VFW Band earned her the Alliance Pipeline
Community Hero Award. e statewide honor goes
annually to local volunteers who give their time to
helping others, and Fiegen says shes honored to receive
it. But just as in her childhood, as for much of her life,
Fiegen continues to confront personal loss while mak-
ing a positive dierence in her community.
On Aug. 27, two weeks aer she received the award,
Dick Fiegen died of cardiac arrest aer a ve-year
battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Raymas husband of nearly 30 years taught her so much
about living and community service, she says. It was he
who wanted her to keep up her activities even while his
body declined toward death.
He would always sit in the background and say, I
dont know where in the hell she nds all the energy to
do all this, Rayma recalls of Dick, choking up at the
memory.
Twelve years older than his wife and suering from
the breathing issues, He said, Rayma, you need to
continue to be who you are.
Before she met Dick in the late 1970s, Rayma was
ever-reluctant to get involved in the community. A re
in 1976 served as the punctuation mark to a 13-year
marriage that she says was plagued by domestic abuse
and her rst husbands alcoholism. Separated from her
spouse at the time of the blaze, Rayma was running
the tavern the couple had started on the south side of
town. Christened the Peanut Bar, it remains a popular
establishment now called e Ram to this day.
A heros
REPUTATION
Local woman
builds bridge from
past to present
C
onsidering her mothers tendency to
drink, Rayma Fiegen worried whenever
she invited friends to her Valley City home.
Photo of Hi-Line Bridge by STEVE COLLINS
Inset photo of Rayma Fiegen, age 5, courtesy of RAYMA FIEGEN
SEE FIEGEN, page 10
Rayma Fiegen, left, is the recipient of the 2011 Alliance Pipeline Community
Hero Award. She was nominated by Alliance Pipeline employee Scott Dieterle,
who cited her volunteer work with The Salvation Army and Community Christ-
mas Eve Dinner.
STORY BY LEE MORRIS
the independent
8
ABOLISH
VOTE YES
Paid for by Committee for Community Involvement
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WE BELIEVE...
...that the Barnes County Emergency Management
Coordinator is trained and qualied, since the
positions inception in 1991, to handle natural
disasters including any real or perceived oods.
....that Valley City cannot further endure the
humiliation and the turmoil that has come since the
city administrator position was instituted in 2005.
...that we do not need to increase the size of city
government when our citys population is in decline.
...that a city administrator cannot have sufcient
expertise to run, manage or direct
all the city departments.
disasters including any real or perceived oods. disasters including any real or perceived oods. disasters including any real or perceived oods.
...that the Barnes County Emergency Management
Coordinator is trained and qualied, since the
humiliation and the turmoil that has come since the humiliation and the turmoil that has come since the humiliation and the turmoil that has come since the
city administrator position was instituted in 2005.
humiliation and the turmoil that has come since the
city administrator position was instituted in 2005.
disasters including any real or perceived oods.
humiliation and the turmoil that has come since the
city administrator position was instituted in 2005.
...that a city administrator cannot have sufcient ...that a city administrator cannot have sufcient
...that we do not need to increase the size of city ...that we do not need to increase the size of city
government when our citys population is in decline. government when our citys population is in decline. government when our citys population is in decline.
...that we do not need to increase the size of city
government when our citys population is in decline.
...that a city administrator cannot have sufcient
city administrator position was instituted in 2005.
...that we do not need to increase the size of city
government when our citys population is in decline.
...that a city administrator cannot have sufcient ...that a city administrator cannot have sufcient
North Dakota Horseshoe Pitchers Asso-
ciation held its state tournaments over two
weekends and Valley Citys Gabel clan brought
home more titles.
In state horseshoe doubles action held in
Jamestown, Wilbur Gabel and his partner,
Carol Peterson from Bismarck, won frst place
in Class A doubles, defending their state title
from a year ago. Wilburs grandson, Cameron
Gabel (age 12) and his partner, Marty Iwen
from McLeod, won frst place in Class B dou-
bles.
In state singles action held in Fargo, Cam-
erons brother, Noah (age 8) won the State
Cadet championship for the second time in
three years in record setting fashion. His 36.67
percent ringer average eclipsed the previous
State Cadet record of 29 percent. Cameron
took second place in the Junior competition,
being narrowly defeated in a playof for the
title. Wilbur placed third in the elder class.
Story and photo by Rory Gabel
Gabels capture state horseshoe titles
Perry Kapaun of Barnes County Wildlife Federartion is caught in a candid
moment as he dishes up a plate before the groups September meeting and
feed, held at the Valley City VFW. Photo by NIKKI LAINE ZINKE.
8
9
0
neighbors
10
SEE DANE, page 11
theres a hell of a good universe
next door: lets go.
e.e.cummings
M
arch 31st was Danes
last day. His age and
advanced hip dysplasia had
come together to take this
great dog down.
Dane had long been a
feature of the Peak Road
landscape, ruling over his
seven acres and brooking
no nonsense from cat or
rabbit. Otherwise, he was quiet and meditative; in
suitable weather, he could
be found sitting on the
patio gazing east over the
descending Grand Prairie
landscape and of into the
lands far beyond. Virtually
the only time Dane barked
was when I took the mail
out to the mailbox. He
would rush ahead, barking
ferociously to warn what-
ever was out there (and
sometimes there was a coy-
ote) that we were coming
and would tolerate no in-
truders, man or beast.
Dane came to us along
with the farmstead we had
purchased from Brian and
Paula Fogarty in 2007. Bri-
an felt strongly that Dane
was meant for the coun-
try, and was not a dog to
be taken to the city. Dane
did, however, miss the kids
badly. On the few occasions
when he accompanied us to
town, he tried with all the
force of his 120 pounds to
run over and check out any
children he saw. Dane tried
to get me to behave like the
Fogarty children. When
I went out to work in the
yard, or when I was return-
ing to the house, he would
run just ahead of me, look-
ing back over his shoulder
as if to say, Cmon, last one
there is an old dog!
Tis small farmstead in
Grand Prairie was his king-
dom to which he had re-
tired afer a long career as
a heroic service dog. Te
range and derring-do of
his earlier career was de-
tailed to us by the youngest
of the Fogartys, Shanley.
Dane had, indeed, come
to the Fogartys by way of a
family in Edgeley that had
acquired him from a com-
panion dog training school
in Judd.
Dane began to develop
serious difculties a year
before the end. Walking be-
came very difcult for him.
Only a few weeks before
the symptoms appeared,
Dane would break up our
quarreling cats by vault-
ing out of the patio doors,
easily handling a three-foot
drop to the ground. Now a
four-inch step from our of-
fces into the living room
was nearly insurmount-
able. Smooth foors terror-
ized him.
During his last week on
earth Dane was scarcely
able to manage walking
more than a hundred feet
or so without lying down
to rest. I believe that he
was ashamed of this, so he
began not to lie down, but
to pretend that something
in the vicinity had caught
his attention, so he would
just stand there, looking at
nothing special, trying to
look like he was ok.
We had consulted with
the vet, and a number of
treatments were attempted,
but, sadly, to no efect. His
panting and drooling, even
when just lying down, be-
trayed the pain he was in.
It was agreed that Dane
should be put down. Te
date and time were set.
On that fateful last day in
March when he could no
longer make his legs work,
we called the Fogartys to
tell them what was hap-
pening. We had arranged
for the vet to come to our
house to bring his life gen-
tly to a close, and asked
them if they would like to
show up beforehand to bid
Dane farewell. Of course
they wanted to come. Kyle
Fogarty was contacted by
the family, and lef imme-
diately from Fargo in order
to be present.
Te better part of an hour
was spent telling stories of
Dane, Noble Dog of Grand
Prairiehow he would
rush like the wind, crash-
ing through the shelterbelt
deadfall afer rabbits, fre-
quently returning with a
hard-won lunch; how he
would run at full gallop
from the house to the pole
barn to break up cat fghts
Obituary: Dane, Noble Dog of Grand Prairie
BY DENNIS STILLINGS
stillings@gmail.com
editors note: The Independent of Barnes County
will gladly publish traditional obituaries and death
notices, with or without photos of the deceased, at no
charge, provided they meet our editorial guidelines. We
also welcome literary obituaries and memoirs, such as
this one by Dennis Stillings. More info: send email to
submissions@indy-bc.com
FROM 7
FIEGEN: Past put away to give a little back
As she worked in the bar on a winters day, a male
patron came in to say her nearby trailer house was on
fre.
Where are the kids? she thought to herself, rush-
ing outside in the cold February air to look for Lori
Ann and Wendy Jo.
Raymas school-aged girls were all right, but the
trailer home, which sat just to the east of the bar
along with two cats and everything else Rayma and her
daughters owned was lost.
In the following days, exasperated, she lef the bar
for good, walking away from the business without
bothering to sell it. Later that year, as the marriage
ended in divorce, Raymas mother died.
On her deathbed, Margaret Jones daughter told her,
Mom, now I fnally know what was going on, Rayma
recalls. She adds: All this stuf that I went through
growing up, it was a disease that was doing it. She
was a loving and caring mom until the disease took
over. Despite the alcoholism, Rayma says, her mother
had a heart of gold.
Around the same time in 1976, Rayma, jobless and
without a toothbrush to her name, found work at the
North Dakota Security Bureau in Valley City. It was
known to many then simply as the unemployment
ofce. Te agency became North Dakota Job Service,
and over a 30-year career Rayma became a mainstay,
working in a variety of roles including counselor as she
helped the out-of-work navigate resources available to
them.
She learned of the needs people have, and how
programs can help. Trough Job Service, she received
education, including courses in family development.
Most importantly, though, the job gave Rayma stabil-
ity.
But starting as only a statistical clerk, keeping track
of fles and helping with government reports, Rayma
had to pick up a gig on the side to earn enough to live
on. Having learned her work ethic from her grand-
parents, who came to Valley City in 1918 and owned
a dray business, a taxi service and later Hamms Beer
Distributing Co., Rayma found a part-time job at the
VFW Club in Valley City. She worked as a bartender
and served food, becoming a familiar face to custom-
ers.
It was when she was working in the second job
that a friend suggested to Dick Fiegen that he, a U.S.
Department of Agriculture meat inspector, should get
to know her.
Dick called her up, persistent and sure, and took
her to downtown Fargo to see Williams and Ree, the
comedic duo known as the Indian and the White Guy.
Tat was the start of their relationship and, in part
because of it, the start of Raymas tireless involvement
with the town that shes helped shape over the past
three decades.
In the process of all this, I loved Valley City, but I
didnt want to get involved too much because of my
past, she says, noting she was afraid of how she would
be perceived. I have always been a caring person be-
cause I know what I have gone through and, therefore,
I wanted to give back because of what I have learned.
So Rayma did give back - in big ways...
Editors note: Be sure to pick up next weeks edition of
THE INDEPENDENT for part two of this story.
Rayma and Dick Fiegen pose with their pet dogs for
a fnal Christmas portrait together in 2010. Dick Fiegen
has since died. Photo courtesy of RAYMA FIEGEN.
the independent
11
Stop paying outrageous prices
to place your advertising.
The Independent delivers
the countys readers for less.
We know that the photo above shows
a country school at Rogers. If you have
any further information about this
image, or have your own golden oldy photo
featuring people or places from Barnes Countys
past, please share: Email to submissions@indy-bc.
com This weeks Golden Oldy Photo is provided
courtesy of Dennis Stillings.
THOSE GOLDEN OLDEN DAYS
in Fingal, or Kathryn, or Nome,
among numerous others targeted in
the area and across the nation, appar-
ently, dont bring in enough revenue
to remain operational.
And the Constitutional mandate
that the federal government must
provide post ofces can, it seems, be
satisfed easily enough by setting up
an outdoor clusterbox mail station
and sending rural folks down the
road to far-fung places like Valley
City, or Enderlin, if theres need to
weigh and mail a package or ship
something overseas or arrange a
certifed mail delivery.
While city-dwellers can continue
to count on access to full-service
postal facilities just minutes from
any urban home either by foot,
by car, by cab, or in most places, by
public transport and city-dwellers
can continue to count on door-to-
door service come rain, sleet or snow,
a whole lot of rural folks are being
asked to bear both the
costs and the burden
of accessing postal
services.
Remember that four-
dollar gas?
Te woman who
doesnt drive?
Or all of those small-
town businesses, which
rely every day upon traditional postal
services?
What of those?
Mary Ellen Schlagel, manager of
the Embassy Cafe in Fingal, has a
prediction:
It would really hurt (if the Fingal
post ofce closed), because a lot of
people come to the post ofce, and
then they come to the cafe, and if the
post ofce is closed, nobodys going
to come.
And then, as a matter of course,
the cafe would close and Schlagel
would lose her job.
Two jobs lost in one fell swoop
- community postmaster and cafe
manager.
Loss of the rural post ofce is a
concern that Walt Bruns, CEO of
Quality Bank of Fingal and Page,
shares.
We need an option, said Bruns,
noting that Quality Bank receives
its currency via mail service from
the Bank of North Dakota, along
with time-sensitive legal documents
mailed from, and delivered by, again,
the U.S. Postal Service.
Of course, Schlagel and Bruns are
both right: Te targeted closure of
rural post ofces would fundamen-
tally cripple the quality of life for
those folks who populate Americas
rural routes, while efectively screw-
ing closed the vise on the already
struggling economies of small-town
America.
But there may be hope: Loud
grassroots voices sometimes make
change. You know, squeaky wheels
and all that.
Let the squeaking begin... Contact
your Congressman and Senators
today.
Email Zinke at nlzinke@indy-bc.com
Mary Ellen
Schlegel
FROM 6
MAIL: Closures to cripple small town economies
(Dane never actually at-
tacked the cats, but appar-
ently felt responsible for
keeping the peace); how he
would be lying on the patio
and, when we started up
the driveway, would rush
down the hill toward the
pole barns barking his head
of at nothing at all, dem-
onstrating to us how he had
been a dutiful guard dog
while we were away. He
would then come back up
to the car to greet us. Tis
sad event was thoughtfully
catered by Eric and Tanya
Bennett from Another
Time restaurantnot for
us, but for Dane, who was
fed a last meal of lots of
cooked chicken, of which
he was particularly fond.
Afer the story telling, all
our guests lef. Dane was
put down at home by two
lovely women from the vet
clinic. Tey spent consider-
able time, like angels taking
Dane home, stroking and
cooing to him. A sedative
was administered and, afer
a few minutes, the fatal in-
jection.
In my minds eye, I saw
Dane rise up, move hesi-
tatingly toward the door
and, looking back over his
shoulder at us, say, Teres
a hell of a world out there,
lets go!
* * *
Te Final Journey,
for Dane, from the
Mahabharata
So the Pandavas went on
their last journey, north,
into the great mountains. It
was a small troup this time
just Draupadi, the fve
brothers, and Yudhishtiras
faithful dog. One by one
they fell, victims of time
and their own distinctive
frailties. Draupadi went
frst, then Sahadeva and
Nakula, then Arjuna, and
fnally mighty Bhima. Yu-
dhishtira and his dog con-
tinued through the high
mountain passes against
the vicious wind and swirl-
ing snow.
And suddenly, there was
Indra, in his chariot, ofer-
ing Yudhishtira a hand up.
Welcome, Yudhishtira,
hero. You have won to my
heaven. Come aboard and I
will take you there.
Yudhishtira whistled for
his dog.
Hold on. Indra smiled
fondly at Yudhishtira and
wagged his fnger. No dogs
in heaven.
He is a faithful and
true companion, said Yu-
dhishtira.
Sorry, old chap. Just
gods and human heroes in
my heaven.
If he cannot come with
me, then I will stay with
him. And Yudhishtira
stepped down from Indras
chariot.
But, Yudhishtira, old
warrior, great king. You
are the great hero of a great
story. Your place is in my
heaven.
My place is where dhar-
ma is constant. Tis dog
has been companion, pro-
tector, friend. I will stay
near him.
Yudhishtira, said the
dog as he transformed into
the embodied form of god
Dharma. My son, I have
been with you through
your long sad journey, and
I am well pleased with your
devotion. Draupadi and
your brothers await you in
Indras heaven; they have
all lef their bodies behind.
You alone, great king, alone
in all the ages, will enter In-
dras heaven in this body.
Dennis Stillings lives in Valley City.
FROM 10
DANE: Fatal sedative coaxes last dogs last breath
WANTED: THE INDEPENDENT is
seeking contributing writers and area
correspondents. Contact Nikki Laine
Zinke for details or send manuscript.
puzzles plus+
12
This Weeks Crossword Challenge
ACROSS
1. Disorganized
6. Move stealthily
11. A bone in the chest
14. Garden bulb
15. Welsh dog
16. Blvd.
17. Testimony
19. Tree in Roman
numerals
20. Weighty books
21. Units of heredity
23. Sweetener
26. A city in the
Ukraine
27. Uprising
31. Intimidate
32. Misgiving
33. Bother
36. Historical periods
37. Turbid
38. Self-satisfed
39. Each and every one
40. Bing, bang or boom
41. Rock
42. Coincidence
44. Surgical stitch
47. Big
48. Wedding helper
49. Expect
53. Average for a hole
54. A group of many
islands
59. Bigheadedness
60. A cancerous growth
61. Licit
62. Confederate soldier,
for short
63. Foe
64. Bakery supply

DOWN
1. Remain
2. Cashew or pecan
3. Computer key
4. Cry of disgust
5. Smart aleck
6. Con game
7. Memo
8. Goddess of discord
(Greek mythology)
9. Back then
10. Realm
11. Sometimes it's "pen
nies from heaven"
12. Climbing vines
13. East African oryx
18. A unit of pressure
22. Poetic time of day
23. A vicious angry
growl
24. Normal
25. Firearms
26. Greasy
27. Bright thought
28. Provide
29. An evil spell
30. Spoken for
33. In the midst of
34. Numbskull
35. Arch type
37. Brood
38. Te Sun
40. Relate
41. Baronial
42. Color
43. Slide
44. Ultra
45. Practice
46. Pulse
49. Highest point
50. "For ____ the Bell
Tolls"
51. Well-ventilated
52. Shock
55. Hurry on foot
56. Away from the wind
57. Ottoman ofcer
58. Petrol
S
O
L
U
T
I
O
N
D U N C E S N E T R I C K
E T I S B E W E A N G R Y
K M N R O O S T F E S O D
L I A R E D R F E F C L U
R A R S U C C E S S E I T
S L E S A G A I N V R C S
K C P E N G I N E W M A T
N B A C E N I L F F O E P
I M C O N S I D E R N S O
L I N R E C O R D H E R I
B L S P E C I A L X Y O S
Q C E Z S D E R D N U H E
R E T O R T A N G E N T Q
Find-a-Word Week of Sept. 29, 2011
again
angry
blinks
bore
caper
claim
climb
consider
derail
dire
does
dose
dunces
effect
engine
horse
hundreds
level
lice
money
offine
owner
parse
poise
process
record
retort
rinse
roost
same
seen
special
study
success
suds
tangent
tense
ties
trick
website
woes
THIS WEEKS FIND-A-WORD BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
VFW Post 2764 - Valley City VFW Post 2764 - Valley City
Burgers, Cheeseburgers
Pork or Beef Sandwiches
Saturdays from 11 AM - 1:30 PM
SUBMIT NEWS: submissions@indy-bc.com
Contact The Independent
for low-cost, high-impact
advertising options:
advertising@indy-bc.com
puzzles plus+
13
2009 Hometown Content
Sudoku Puzzle #2305-M
Medium
1 2
3 4 5 6
2 6 7
1 6 5 4
8 5 9 3 2 1
2 1 4 3
6 3 2
9 1 2 8
7 5
2009 Hometown Content
Sudoku Puzzle #2305-D
Difficult
1
2 3 4 5
5 6 7
8 4 5 1
3 1 5 9
5 7 4 3
9 5 1
6 8 4 7
2
SUDOKU DUO
Each puzzle is divided into nine sections, and each section has nine blank squares. Fill in all 81 squares on the puzzle with numbers
1 to 9. You may not repeat any numbers in any one of the nine sections that you've already used elsewhere in that section. Also, you
can use each number 1-9 only once in each horizontal line of nine squares, and in each vertical column of nine squares. The puzzle
is completed when you correctly fill every square. SOLUTIONS on PAGE 14
COLD BEER
POOL - DARTS
OPEN
Mon-Sat: 10AM-1AM
Sun: Noon-?
A great place for
working folks.
A BIKER-FRIENDLY BAR
taxpayer....
No single issue that has
come before the residents
of Valley City in recent
years could be more im-
portant than the matter of
whether the community
goes forward with a highly
trained and experienced
professional at the tiller or
be guided by the luck of
the draw.
It is important for those
of you who are undecided
as to how to vote to exam-
ine closely the motives of
those seeking the change.
Are they persons who have
maintained acrimonious
relationships with city hall?
Have they been delinquent
in compliance with city in-
spections and codes? Were
the taxes of some extraor-
dinarily low because they
lived in the same home
for years and were never
reassessed at a point of a
sale like newcomers to the
community? And when
all Valley City properties
were reassessed in 2005,
and they were required to
pay a fair share, were they
outraged? Is one peti-
tion carrier a former city
supervisor who was paid
to leave his employ? How
about $50,000, some insur-
ance, and cashed in unused
vacation to go away? Were
his evaluations negative at
the time of his departure?
Was this person delinquent
in property taxes, and
did he allow his derelict
properties to revert to the
city requiring that your
tax dollars be spent to raze
them and haul them away?
A bit of research yields the
following answer on all the
above countsyes.
I listened to a recent
city commission meeting
on KOVCs web transmis-
sion and was appalled at
the lack of decorum by
the audience. For those of
you who didnt attend, it
was a bit like an hour-long
shouting match. Guess
who the shouters were.
Several were members of
the gang who, assembling
at city hall, proceeded to
the city administrators
home where his wife was
recovering from serious
surgery. Picketing and
shouting like jackboots.
Tese folks have nothing, if
not class!
If you think that persons
who are characterized by
the above paragraph show
the leadership qualities
that you would have
HIGH NOON, from
page 6
determine the future of
the community, then by all
means, theyre your guys.
Valley City is not favored
by geographical location.
It has to compete with the
largest population center
in the state for retail sales,
and if thats not enough
there is a community just
to the west that has more
dining and big box op-
portunities. To say that its
future is golden is a bit of
a reach. Te hospital and
university, absolutely es-
sential to its survival, ofen
fend of attacks from leg-
islators and corporations
alike. Valley Citys future
seems perpetually on a
rotting balance beam. And
now high noon is upon
us; local residents must
take matters into their own
hands on October 4th. It is
imperative that all able-
bodied individuals turn
out to vote, and having
done that, fetch someone
who is not able to get to
the polls and ferry them.
Te future of our commu-
nity depends on it. Repudi-
ate the whiners and all that
they stand for, once and for
all times, by voting No
on the issue. Tell them
resoundingly that sign-car-
rying jackboots will never
lead Our Fair City.
And, with any luck, I can
continue to perpetuate the
myth...
Where ya from, Mor-
rissey?
Valley City...a neat little
village nestled over in the
Sheyenne River Valley...
you know, where the Hi-
Line bridge is...home of
the Hi-Liners. And the St.
Kates Cards...and Baby
Vikings, too.
Muirgheasa, a scribbler of sorts, and
formerly known as Mike Morrissey
until Medicare changed his name,
writes about things or people that
amuse or annoy him. Reach him at
muirgheasa@aol.com
the independent
14
FROM 6
HIGH NOON: With any luck, Morrissey origins myth will perpetuate
Valley City Public Schools & St. Catherine School
students will be able to participate in a
WALK TO SCHOOL EVENT
on Wednesday, October 5th
A
Barnes
ON THE MOVE
ACHIEVE
Project

If you are interested in walking or helping
organize Walk to School, call Mercy
Hospitals Young Peoples Healthy Heart
Program at 701-845-6456. Please leave a
message with your name & phone number.
WANTED TO BUY
Older Ford Pickup - from the
50s or 60s. Prefer running.
Ask for Mark Boom, 845-
3723.
buy, sell, trade
15
INTRODUCTORY
CLASSIFIEDS SPECIAL
Your private-party ad (30 words or less) is FREE!
First-come, first-serve on space
available basis. Private-party
only. FREE ADS must be received
by noon, Monday, Oct. 3rd.
Email ad copy, with name and
phone number, to
classifieds@indy-bc.com
MEET & GREET ADOPTION CENTER
These lovable animals are all up for adoption and hoping youll give them a happy new home!
SPARKY
SPARKY is an adorable 3-year-
oldneuteredmale. Well trained
and eager to please, he loves
to be the center of attention,
and is best suited for a home
without other pets. For more
information, call 000-000-
0000.
Name Sponsor
TOOTSIE
TOOTSIE is a 3-month-old
female. She would be a good
pet for a home with other
cats. Shes very affectionate
andextremelyplayful. Agreat
playmatefor a child. For more
info, call 000-000-0000.
Name Sponsor
ROVER
DAISY
ROVERisa2-year-oldneutered
male. Hes well trained and
eager to please. He also likes
to be the center of attention,
so is best suited for a home
that does not have other pets.
For additional information, call
000-000-0000.
Name Sponsor
DAISY is a very friendly and
affectionate4-year-oldspayed
female. Shes sweet andcraves
affection. Daisy gets along
well with dogs and other cats,
and she loves children. For
more information, call 000-
000-0000.
Name Sponsor
BANDIT
BANDITis a4-year-oldspayed
female. Shes sweet and
craves affection. Bandit gets
along well with other dogs
and cats, and she absolutely
loves children. Well trained.
For additional information,
call 000-000-0000.
Name Sponsor
LULU
LULU is a 4-year-old spayed
female. Shes sweet and
craves affection. Lulu gets
along well with dogs and
other cats, andsheabsolutely
adoreschildren.Foradditional
information, call 000-000-
0000.
Name Sponsor
PENELOPE
PENELOPE is a cute 5-year-
old spayed female looking
for a quiet home without
childrenor other pets. Agreat
senior companion, she loves
sunning and snuggling. For
additional information, call
000-000-0000.
Name Sponsor
RUFUS
RUFUS is a sweet 6-month-
oldneuteredmale. Heis feisty
and energetic with lots of
love to share. Rufus loves
playing with children and
other pets! Well trained,
healthy and lovable! For
information, call 000-000-
0000.
SMILEY
SMILEY is a 2-year -old
neuteredmale. Heis feistyand
energetic with lots of love to
share. He needs training, but
is eager toplease. Smiley loves
kids and other pets! For more
information, call 000-000-
0000.
Name Sponsor
THE BEST VET FOR YOUR PET
Here are some general guidelines to help you begin training your dog. For a better understanding
of your dogs training needs, consider enrolling him in a local training school.
Doing research will help you choose the best breed for your familys lifestyle.
Never strike a dog to correct behavior! This will only lead to more problems.
Stick to the rules you set. For instance, if you dont want your dog to jump on other people, dont let him jump on
you.
Remember, dogs arepack animals, so establish yourself as your dogs leader.
Let the tone of your voice guide your pets behavior: Use a low pitch to indicate correction. Use a normal tone when
giving
a command. Use a high pitch to communicate praise.
MakeNO your correction word, and praise your dog as soon as he stops an unwanted behavior. Remember, dogs
Committed to providing comprehensive veterinary care with a personal touch. From routine wellness visits to
surgery, we provide a range of services to meet your pets healthcare needs.
24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
TIPS FOR A WELL-TRAINED DOG
Sponsored by:
THE K-9
CAPTAIN
Complete training services
for puppies and adult dogs
Private Instruction Group
Classes Boarding Service
Call us today for more info:
658 Union Road Hailey
000-000-0000
EVERYTHING TO
PAMPER YOUR PET!
See us for great prices on all of
your pet care needs!
Play Toys Food Supplements
Treats Training Aids
THIS WEEKS SPECIALS
Brand Dog Treats
$
0.00 box
Brand Canned Cat Food
00

0 Oz. Can
PET PARLOR
598 Hudson Road Willard
000-000-0000
Well make sure your dog gets
plenty of attention, exercise and love!
FULL- OR PART-TIME DAY CARE
OVERNIGHT STAYS EXTENDED VISITS
Indoor & Outdoor Runs Caring, Professional Staff
THE DOG HOUSE
581 Keller Avenue Smithville 000-000-0000
Purrfectly Groomed.
Fetchingly Styled.
Primp your pet with our professional grooming
services.
Full-Service Cat & Dog Grooming FleaTreatments
Specialty Baths Nail Clipping
ALL BREEDS AREWELCOME!
Critters Grooming
Salon
PAWS & CLAWS
VE T E RI NARY CL I NI C
56 Taylor Avenue Anderson
000-000-0000
Fall in Love with a Furry Friend Today
Compliments of Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals
CALLIE
3-year-old
female
Yellow Lab
CRICKETT
1-year-old
male
Black Lab
LAILAH
1-year-old
female
Boxer/Lab
mix.
PEACHES
6 to 10-year-
old female
Lhasa Apso
HARDIE
2-year-old
male Rat/
Jack Terrier
Russell mix
ALL SVFA pets are fxed,
have current shots
and have been
microchipped.
For more
information,
please call
701-840-5047.
SUDOKU
SOLUTIONS
2009 Hometown Content
Sudoku Solution #2305-D
7 4 6 5 9 1 3 2 8
2 3 8 4 6 7 1 9 5
9 5 1 8 2 3 6 7 4
8 7 4 3 5 9 2 6 1
3 1 2 6 8 4 7 5 9
5 6 9 1 7 2 4 8 3
4 9 5 7 3 6 8 1 2
6 2 3 9 1 8 5 4 7
1 8 7 2 4 5 9 3 6
Sudoku Solution - MEDIUM PUZZLE
2009 Hometown Content
Sudoku Solution #2305-M
7 6 1 2 8 9 4 5 3
3 8 9 7 4 5 1 6 2
5 4 2 3 6 1 7 8 9
9 1 3 6 5 2 8 4 7
8 5 4 9 7 3 6 2 1
6 2 7 8 1 4 9 3 5
1 7 6 5 3 8 2 9 4
4 9 5 1 2 6 3 7 8
2 3 8 4 9 7 5 1 6
Sudoku Solution - DIFFICULT PUZZLE
WANTED TO BUY
Older Ford pickup from
the 50s or 60s. Prefer
running. Call 701-845-
3723, ask for Boomer.
MISC. FOR SALE
A nice, antique (1930s)
Clarion Tube Radio in
Cabinet with Phono/
Record player on top
with opening lid, Model
C105AA. This is a nice,
rare unit. Measures: 33
3/4 tall x 17.5 deep x
20 wide. Have receipt
of repairs made. Price:
$75. Also selling 1939
Franklin Deluxe Ro-
tary Sewing machine
(pedal style) in cabinet -
$50, and 3-pc speaker
set ($20). Clearing out
house - our loss, your
gain. Call Jerry, 701-
663-4631. Maybe de-
liver to VC area.
WANTED TO BUY
Gun collector wants to
buy old Winchesters
and other antique guns.
Fair prices paid. Call
605-352-7078.
LAND FOR SALE
50 acres located 3 miels
west of Valley City in SW
1/4-26-140-59 south of
I-94. Call 701-845-4303
after 10 AM.
Submit your free clas-
sifed ad today. First-
come, frst-served.
NOTICES:
THE INDEPENDENT
is distributed at
designated loca-
tions throughout the
Barnes County area.
If you would like to
be a distribution site,
please send an email
to nlzinke@indy-bc.
com
THE INDEPENDENT
is seeking contribut-
ing writers and area
correspondents. Send
manuscripts or inqui-
ries to submissions@
indy-bc.com
THE INDEPENDENT
will publish timely
local obituaries, wed-
ding and engagement
announcements, as
well as birth and
milestone birthday
announcements at no
charge. Send submis-
sions, or inquiries, to
submissions@indy-bc.
com
THE INDEPENDENT
welcomes letters to
the editor, as well as
essays on issues of
the day by local writ-
ers. To be considered
for publication, focus
on your point, avoid
rude and crude lan-
guage, and above all,
be fair. All submis-
sions of opinion must
contain the authors
name, city and phone
number for verfication
purposes. Addresses
and phone numbers
will NOT be pub-
lished. Send letters to
submissions@indy-bc.
com
scrapbook
16
VOTE LIKE YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT
IT DOES!
VOTE NO ON OCTOBER 4
KEEP VALLEY CITY ON THE MOVE.
SAY
NO
TO BITTERNESS & DIVISION
VOTE NO ON OCTOBER 4
WHY WE NEED TO KEEP CITY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION.
N Professionally run cities attract more business.
N City Administrator position saves taxpayer money.
The City Administrator position has saved the taxpayers of Val-
ley City more than $300,000 in the past six years. Two positions
in the Public Works Department, the Director and the Business
Manager, have not been replaced. Since 2006, both duties have
been performed by the City Administrator. The City Administrator
makes $75,000 a year. The two offcials who have not been re-
placed would have a combined salary and benefts of more than
$158,000 a year. That equals a savings of more than $61,000 a
year. That savings goes away if we wipe out the City Administrator
position.
N City Administrator is responsible for 11 Departments, plus
the two positions noted above.
N City Administrator had planning and operations lead in
the past two foods.
He has been the one responsible for the planning, liaison work
with county, state, and federal food offcials, and the operations
side of the past food battles.
N City Administrator has the planning for possible 2012
food underway.
N Federal, state, and county offcials need one local offcial
they can interact with, on a frequent basis.
During an emergency, such as a major food, when time is of the
essence, having one offcial to deal with makes it easier to get
needed funds and manpower and material. The City Administrator
has been the go-to Valley City offcial. It has worked very well.
N It makes no sense to wipe out a position that has proven
itself to be cost effcient, effective, and has saved the taxpay-
ers of Valley City more than $300,000 over the past six years.
N Common sense tells us that a strong and effective city
government structure should not be destroyed because of
one persons animus towards a city employee.
Above and below, scenes from the annual Valley City High School Homecoming
Parade held on Central Avenue in Valley City. Photos by DENNIS STILLINGS.
Send us your
best shots of
life around
Barnes
County. Each
week, well
select our
favorite
SCRAPBOOK
photo to
feature on
our cover.
Email your
photos to
submissions@
indy-bc.com
Matt Guertin performs Sunday, Sept. 19, in the din-
ing room of Vickys Viking Room, downtown Valley
City. The Sunday noon performance is one of several
new initiatives begun at Vickys Viking Room. Photo
by DAVID SERHIENKO.