Hello Folks,

• While we were walking over the weekend, we needed a little warmer clothing than we have needed for a while and the ice is much harder and more slippery! Be aware, be safe.
• Last Saturday Sue (How’s that Jim?) and I attended a robotics meet at The HAC.  There were eleven teams competing from Grand Forks to Groton, SD and points in between.  The engineering skills these young people possess and utilize are remarkable.  They designed machines for this competition that can pick up discs and throw them like Frisbees into baskets ….. really!  Watch for next year’s meet in Valley City and take a little time to attend, I think you’ll be amazed.  For further information contact Annette Beattie: annette.beattie@k12.nd.us
• Our electric power provider, Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) originated in 1965 and Valley City became a member in 1979.  The Municipal Joint Action Agency has been providing us with reliable electric power, good rates and management services ever since.  Thank you to the folks in 1979 who voted to become a member of the MRES family.
• Behavioral Health is a growing issue in our society.  There are any number of things in life nowadays that can stress one’s emotional wellbeing, from cyberbullying to addictions.  That I am in recovery, I know situations can feel overwhelming, but there is help.  Talk with a friend, a clergy person, a doctor or call City County Health (701-845-8518) to begin.
• Will you perform some acts of kindness this week?
• Remember our State Legislature is in session now.  To track bills, hearings and the like, see https://www.ndlegis.gov/assembly/68-2023/regular – there’s lots of “stuff” there.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.
• “Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits.”                   ~ ShutterStock

Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Hi Everybody,

• Thank you to all of you folks who have remained patient while incurring inconveniences resulting from our winter weather.  Please know the Valley City Street Department, the Barnes County Highway Department and the North Dakota Department of Transportation have all been making great efforts to make your streets & roads safe.  Winds, snow, freezing fog and a lack of sunshine work against them as they work to break through & remove the ice on roads.
• Have you seen this year’s Valley City Fire Department Calendar?  The picture shows the nearly $30,000.00 overhead doors donated by our Volunteer Fire Fighters.  Really nice, thank you.
• Thursday some of us testified at the Legislature in support of SB2020 which is funding for “everything water”.  In turn, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) provides cost shares for our Permanent Flood Protection (PFP) and other North Dakota water projects.
• Frost has found a few of our water lines causing a few breaks.  While we are grateful temperatures have been moderate, it is still cold for our water and street crews who are battling to restore your water services.  Kudos and thank you to all who are working on our citizens behalf.
• Our Fire & Rescue Teams have been called out to numerous injury motor vehicle crashes.  An all-wheel drive vehicle can accelerate faster than a two-wheel drive, but it takes just as long to stop!  Please slow down.
• I am told there is or will be a legislative bill to make “Failure to Wear a Seatbelt” a primary offense with a $20 fine.  Please think about it as “Seatbelts save lives”.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.
• “If you do something nice and get caught, it doesn’t count.”                                                          ~ Anonymous

Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Hello Folks,

• While driving the other day I was on my “pity-pot” about all the snow we have and some of its challenges.  Then, as the sun set lower in the sky, I began noticing the magnificent artwork created by the snow, wind and shadows.  The beauty ranged from the largest snow banks to the barely definable snow drifts in ditches, in fence lines, in the sloughs and on the tilled fields.  Go for a drive & and enjoy the views.
• Last Saturday morning our District 24 Representatives Dwight Kiefert & Cole Christensen along with Senator Mike Wobbema held a Legislative Forum in Valley City.  That the Legislative Session is just underway, there weren’t many bills to date, but they are expecting over 1200 by the deadline!  January 28th there will be two forums, 8:30 AM in Litchville and 11:00 AM in Lisbon.  Thank you guys for meeting with us and for serving District 24.
• Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) says an alarming fact about home fires today is the flammability of the synthetic materials. Thirty years ago one had on average 14 to 17 minutes to escape.  Today, with the synthetic materials present, one has only 2 to 3 minutes to escape as homes can be engulfed in about 4-minutes!  One more thing, close windows and doors in all rooms; “Close before you doze”.
• With the Legislature in session, sometimes our city representatives will be traveling to the capitol to testify on bills for the good of Valley City, Barnes County and North Dakota.  It gets to be pretty busy at times, but very worthwhile.
• Will you please pick up your pet’s poop?  Now that it freezes, it is easier ….. please?
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.
• “Success is falling nine times and GETTING UP TEN.”                                                                   

                                                                                          ~ Shutterstock

Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Hi Everyone,

• Some of the LED streetlights are emitting a purple color.  It is caused by a faulty covering on the bulb and the vendor will be replacing them.  In the meantime, enjoy the uniqueness.
• “Vision Zero” is the NDDOT program to achieve zero fatalities from motor vehicle crashes.  Please be careful for your family, friends, animals and yourself.  Slow down, streets and alleys are very slippery.
• Valley City is a Municipal Power Community which provides us very good rates, excellent reliability and in 2022 our power was “on” 99.994% of the time.  Thank you to our electrical team and those who had the foresight to facilitate Valley City Municipal Power.
• Our ND State Legislature is now in session.  If I remember correctly, the last biennium had about 800 bills for legislators to address ……. It is mind boggling.  Please thank the people who stepped forward and ran for office.  To all of you out there, think about running for an office or serving on a committee as it can be very gratifying.
• A number of walkers continue walking “with traffic”.  It is dangerous, please face oncoming traffic so you have a chance to avoid a distracted driver.  Please “don’t text and drive”.
• Thank you recyclers.  The more we recycle, the less our cost for hauling to the landfill will be.  The landfill is nearing a time when cardboard will NOT be accepted so please recycle your cardboard as it will help greatly.
• Our Street Dept. is still working with fervor clearing ice from streets and removing piles of snow from intersections.  Please be patient as they are doing a fine job.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.
• “When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.”                                                                   

                                                                             ~ Kristen Armstrong

Blessings, Pray and Be Grateful,

Dave

Hi Folks,

• May you and yours have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
• Jobs, jobs, jobs, so many businesses are looking for help.  There are primary jobs, secondary jobs and part-time jobs available.  Students, perhaps you could use a little “walk’n around money”? Retirees, perhaps a part-time job would be gratifying and the sociability may be very enjoyable.  Think about it?
• Do you remember New Year’s Eve Day, it was overcast with  snow, frosty trees everywhere and NO wind?  We were Blessed with another day of beauty.                                    
• Monday, January 9, is National Law Enforcement Day.  To show gratitude for our law enforcement entities, wear blue, send cards of support, and share gratitude face-to-face.  “Thank you to all our area law enforcement people”.
• That we have gobs of snow and pretty nice weather for this time of the year, kids have been out playing on the huge snow piles and are having a “blast”!  When you are driving around, please be cognizant of kids playing and people moving snow, be safe.
• Many of you have gone the “extra mile” removing snow from your sidewalks and clearing paths to your garbage cans.  Thank you, it is a big job and your efforts are greatly appreciated.
• The #1 contributor in motor vehicle crash deaths is failure to wear seatbelts.  Did you know, more people die in motor vehicle crashes from being UNBELTED than drunk driving, distracted driving or speeding?  Wear a seatbelt properly.  ~NDDOT
• Congratulations to Kerry Johnson, Barnes County Highway Superintendent who will be retiring March 8, after 45-plus years.  Thank you Kerry & Jennifer for investing in Barnes County and the surrounding area.  Enjoy your retirement.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.
• “Young people need models, not critics.”                                                                   

                                                                             ~ John Wooden

Blessings, Pray and Be Grateful,

Dave