– News & Notes from Mayor Carlsrud

Valley City – Hi Everybody, Valley City and Barnes County continue being in a “burn ban” as grasses, stubble and bushes are tinder dry. A recent report from the Tioga – Ray area fires indicated 88,934 acres have been burned so far. Please be prudent.

Kudos to the volunteer firefighters and their commitment to serve. Along with Ray, Tioga and area fire departments, ten trucks with volunteer firefighters traveled about seventy-five miles to help battle the fires. Blessings and thank you all.

Are you aware of the “Valley City App”? It is a place to find pertinent information concerning schools and university schedules, parks & recreation activities, job openings, along with church and business news. It is an “informational hub” for everything Valley City and the area. The app is FREE and can be downloaded by searching Valley City in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

If Measure #4 is passed, only another ballot measure could make needed adjustments. Constitutional language can only be changed by another tax ballot measure and election. If Measure #4 is defeated, local control remains and customized Property Tax Reform can be enacted legislatively.

A long time teacher and coach, Darrell Olson, writes a weekly column named “Friday Sports Wrap” (FSW) with a plethora of topics from family, small towns, the region & nation. See an FSW excerpt below and thank you Darrell. “I have come to realize that my sisters and I were driven by a powerful word: The word is “should.” Consider these options:

The Obligatory Should: “I suppose we should go to their open house, they came to ours.”

Doing the Right Thing Should: “Of course we should, they have been our friends for a long time.”

Seeking Agreement Should: “Should we go to Mr. Steak for supper?” The speaker has already made the determination and is looking for agreement.

Feeling Sorry for Someone Should: “I suppose we should invite him.”