NEWS & NOTES

5/22/2023

            Hello Folks,

• The sun and wind are drying ground so more and more farmers can prepare and plant their crops.  If you are so inclined, your prayers for a successful farming year can be meaningful.  Agriculture is the  strongest industry sector in North Dakota’s economy.
• Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring U.S. Military Personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.  The day has been observed for 155 years and is currently observed on the last Monday in May.
• The topic of turn signals was mentioned the other day.  Utilizing your turn signals properly protects you from other drivers.  To be safe, turn your signal on well in advance of beginning your turn …… and it is a law!
• A big “Thank you” to all our city employees who went the “extra mile” during city clean-up.
• Last Wednesday VCPS held its annual “VCPS Achievement and Excellence Program” recognition.  Congratulations to all who were recognized for contributions and thank you to ALL who are a part of the VCPS educational system.  For detailed stories see: The Times Record and News Dakota.
• Congratulations to all of this year’s high school graduates.  High school graduation is the most special in my memory as many of us classmates were together in grades K through 12!  Your classmates will go in different directions after graduation and it could be the last time you see some.  Take some time to reflect on all the good times and cherish the experience of your high school graduation.
• With the importance of behavioral health,  might you have family, friends or other acquaintances with whom you haven’t communicated in some time?  Maybe your call, e-mail or text could “make the person’s day”.  Make someone’s day, give’m a call.  
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                    

• “We learned about gratitude and humility – that so many people had a hand in our success.”      ~ Michelle Obama                          

                                                                                                                                                                       Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Carlsrud receives Community Leader Award from Missouri River Energy Services

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA – Dave Carlsrud of Valley City, North Dakota, was honored with the Community Leader Award during the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) 58^th Annual Meeting. The awards ceremony was held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on May 10.

MRES established the award in 2003 to recognize individuals who have dedicated many years of service to their communities, locally owned utilities, MRES and public power.

Carlsrud was nominated by Valley City Public Works utility staff in recognition of his outstanding service and leadership as Valley City’s mayor since 2016. During the awards presentation, MRES Board Chair Vernell Roberts noted that Carlsrud is a member of many boards and committees in Valley City and the surrounding area, where he often provides the public-power perspective.

“Dave is also quick to emphasize the critical importance of providing affordable and reliable power supply to support economic development,” Roberts said. “As one example, he resurrected community meetings involving the heads of Valley City State University, Valley City Public Schools, Barnes County, and the city in order to keep everyone informed and working together for the good of all.”

In addition to his role as mayor, Carlsrud joined the MRES Board of Directors in January 2020 and serves as fourth vice chair. He advocates for public power at the state and federal levels, and he also actively promotes public power, Valley City and MRES through a weekly column at NewsDakota.com.

“It’s important to recognize that there are many people like Dave who serve in community leadership positions throughout the MRES membership,” Roberts continued. “They each do it for the benefit of the communities in which they live, and their selfless contributions are very deserving of this award.”

MRES is an organization of 61 member municipalities in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Each member owns and operates a municipal electric utility. MRES provides its members with wholesale electricity and a wide range of energy-related services.

The City of Valley City has an opening on the Planning and Zoning Commission for an extraterritorial seat. This position is a 5-year term.

If you would like to be considered for this position:

Please submit your name, address and phone number, in writing, to the Valley City Auditor’s Office, PO Box 390, Valley City. You may also email your information to bgehlhoff@valleycity.us. All submissions must be turned in by Friday, June 2nd, 2023.

NEWS & NOTES

5/15/2023

            Hi Everybody,

• Hopefully you made opportunities to honor your Mom or for some of us, to honor the memory of our Moms on Mothers’ Day.
• VCSU held commencement for its graduating students last week and VCPS will do the same this week.  Congratulations everyone.  To the VCSU and open enrolled high school students, “Thank you for choosing Valley City”.
• I saw a car “roll through” a stop sign and another driving too fast for conditions ….. a VERY near collision!  Be courteous and be safe,“Courtesy is contagious, catch it”.
• Four of us attended the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Annual Meeting last week which included numerous educational presentations throughout the day-and-a-half event.  That we all like the lights to come on when we flip the switch, presentations on adequate, reliable and affordable energy were especially interesting.  On the financial side, MRES is on budget and is on solid ground.  A Federal Legislative Update was provided by Marty and Samantha of Kanner and Associates, our lobbying firm.
• Tom Heller has been with MRES since 1992 serving as President and CEO.  Over that time he has hired good people and created a culture that attracts and retains quality employees.  Tom presided over his last MRES Annual Meeting as he retired following the meeting.  Matt Schull, our new President and CEO assumed his duties Friday the 12th.  Thank you Tom and welcome Matt.
• Please say a prayer for favorable farming weather.
• With recent memories of snow and ice, it is nice seeing green grass, flowers and trees blossoming.  Our lawn suffered significant winter damage this year so bringing it back to health will be a big challenge.  Thankfully we have a number of businesses in Valley City that have seed, tools and everything we’ll need for our task.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.
• “Be tough on the issues, but easy on the people.”                            

                                                                                               ~ Tom Heller

Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

            Hello Everyone,

• Next Sunday is Mother’s Day!
• Last Thursday, I attended the “Genius Hour Showcase” at Washington Elementary School.  Students chose topics for which they had passions and developed demonstrations on how to fix or invent something to satisfy each student’s passion.  It was amazing and next year I would suggest you consider attending.  “You Fifth Graders and teachers are fantastic, thank you.”
• City Clean-up will begin May 15th.  Please separate your materials.  Separate branches from furniture etc, as different trucks will pickup different materials.  No appliances or metal, if you have questions, please call 845-0314.
• Valley City Public Works and MRES offer  “Energy Smart” programs that save energy and lower your energy costs for the upcoming air conditioning season.  See more at: https://www.brightenergysolutions.com/municipalities-container/nd/valley-city-public-works/?rebatetype=Business
• May 15th is “Peace Officers’ Memorial Day” and “Police Week” which pay  tribute to those who died or were disabled in the line of duty.
• With clean roads and smooth alleys, we may not realize how fast we are driving.  Speeding in the alleys could be the worst as kids and pets are sometimes playing there.  Please drive slower, at times a 15 or 25 MPH speed limit is too fast for safety. 
• “If you are texting, who is driving”?
• May 8-12 Valley City Public Schools will be celebrating Educators Appreciation Week.  Some people who affect our students’ education are administrative assistants, bus drivers, cooks, custodians, directors, paraprofessionals, coaches, principals, substitutes, teachers and superintendents.  The aforementioned people have invested much of their lives providing learning opportunities for students.  Even though I am an older guy, I am thankful  for so many pleasant memories of teachers from my formative years, I hope you do too.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.
• “To teach, is to touch a life forever.”    ~ Anonymous

Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave