......................... .
PAGE 4 PRESS PERSPECTIVES FEBRUARY 13, 2013
FROM THE
EDITOR S DESK...
BY ALLISON OLIAAB
EDITOR, WALSH COUNTY PRESS
I
I love it when there is a snow day
in a major city. A storm on the coast
equals and entire week of dis-
cussing survival techniques on the
Today show because it is a major
event. We call it a Tuesday.
For those of you out-of-staters
and snowbirds out there, it has been
a very cold winter up in the north-
east comer of North Dakota.
The wind chills have taken what
would have been a nice solidsingle
digit temperature to a 20 below.
Though it has been ridiculously
cold, the morning weatherman
would actually have to remind
viewers to dress properly and wear
mittens.
I credit that to the sheer thick- dodge, because they could handle
skinned nature and stubbornness of driving through a little bit of snow.
your average North Dakotan. In the tradition of "you might be
Over the weekend we had a a redneck": If you can drive 65 mph
storm drop over a foot of snow on
the southem half of the state. The
biggest complaint I heard all Mon-
day long was from the throngs of
North Dakota hockey fans who
went to the outdoor game in Oma-
ha who got trapped somewhere
along the South Dakota border on
their way home. Everyone with a
wifi connection or smartphone had
an opinion that they were not shy to
post.
The majority of the people were
not shy about the fact that they were
ready and willing to get out of
through 2 feet of snow during a rag-
ing blizzard, without flinching, you
might live in North Dakota.
I am pretty sure that if you use a
blizzard as an excuse to get your
housework done and hardly even no-
tice enough to worry about survival,
you are defiantly a North Dakotan
Bring on the blizzards, with or
without the help of the folks of the
Today show.
Like" the Walsh Count), Press on Face-
book and check out our blog at http://walsh-
counO,press, wordpress, corn
Hello,
I made it through another Super
Bowl! I have to admit I didn't
watch it all. I've never watched an
entire football game. Even my
coach in high school decades ago
would attest to this. There are too
many time outs, commercials, chal-
lenges, and so on. That is why
sports bars have TV's all over
every wall. So you can watch a
game, any game, all the time.
I did watch the first quarter with
friends at a local establishment that
serves adult beverages. And it was
potluck. Those that know me,
know that is the reason I look for-
ward to Super Sunday. Wrap up
chores early, shower and shave, and
start with the chips and dip at
12:01. With a drink of course. Then
on to the wings, brats, hamburgers,
venison chili, pheasant white chili,
Hat
hamburger cheese dip, polish
sausages, little smokies with bar-
becue sauce, and gallons of chips
and salsa. I kind of drifted off and
forgot the game was four and a half
hours away.
By the time of the kick-off, I
was looking for the TUMS and
cool, clear, water. I made it through
a quarter and headed home. By half
time I was sure the game was over,
but I was excited to see the half
time show. It was a disappointment
that in a city of wonderful musi-
Tips
cians, this was it. What I would
have given for a Jazz artist from
Bourbon Street. What I would have
given for the Bellamy Brothers or
Johnny Cash or Gene Autry
or .... And another thing. Real peo-
ple don't have that long of legs!
They must have been some kind of
robot girls. Shirley says that is in-
sane for a grown man to watch the
entire half time show with the
sound shut off. She's says I am
sick. I will admit I got a little warm.
Anyway, back to the game. The
kick-off return to start the third
quarter sealed the deal. It was a
blow out. I thought I'd give the
Niners one more chance. AndI did.
Until the power went off. That
eased my sense of guilt as I shut
TV off, grabbed a book, and shut
football out of my mind for the
year. But it was a successful year I
thought, since I had won ten dollars
on the coin toss! Here we go
Heads, Here we go! Here we go
Heads, here we go! We even had a
group chant going.
So I get up this morning to find
out I had missed one of the greatest
comebacks of all time. Stopped
only by a goal line stand. And I
had missed all the ads.
But relax faithful reader; I
caught up on all the stuff this mom-
ing. Glad I'm a farmer.
Later, Dean
It was only a matter of time be-
fore the new chancellor for higher
education would start raising hack-
les in North Dakota. His assign-
ment guaranteed it.
Senator Tony Grindberg of
Fargo already has proposed that the
appropriation bill for higher edu-
cation include money to buy out
Chancellor Hamid Shirvani's 3-
year contract.
The senator claims that the
Chancellor's leadership style is in
question and has created an atmos-
phere of fear. This is a pretty broad
charge against a person who has
been in the state for only nine
months.
Duane Espegard, chairperson of
the Board of Higher Education, has
assured Shirvani and the state that
the'Board intends to stay the
course.
"We're doing exactly what the
Legislature and the people of the
state asked us to do, which is to
move up the quality of higher edu-
cation in North Dakota," the chair-
person Said in response to the sen-
ator's allegations.
Espegard is right. After a few
scandals in the institutions, we
agreed that it was time to get a
chancellor who would increase the
Chancellor Needs More Than
Nine Months
oversight of the institutions and
who would pull the 11 institutions
into a more unified system.
So we invited Shirvani to come
to North Dakota to do that and he
has been proceeding on'the as-
sumption that we meant what we
said.
But the truth is that our political
culture does not tolerate concen-
trations of authority. Our system of
governance says it all. We have
more elected officials, more col-
leges, more boards and commis-
sions, more local governments and
more legislators per capita than al-
most every other state.
So in this decentralized style of
governance we have a chancellor
who must exercise unprecedented
authority to increase oversight and
reduce the autonomy of the institu-
tions of higher leaming in order to
achieve the goals the Board has
outlined.
Speaking for North Dakota's
political culture, Senator Grindberg
apparently sees this assertion of au-
thority as a questionable leadership
style.
If we are serious about improv-
ing the university system, then a
strong style of leadership is re-
quired, even though it goes against
our cultural predisposition to dis-
perse authority.
Chancellor Shirvani hit the
ground running. He was in the
state only a short time when he an-
nounced some far-reachir.g sug-
gestions for our colleges and uni-
versities. Almost everyone
applauded.
But now the balking starts. In-
creased oversight means more staff
to monitor the activities of the 11
institutions under the Board. Not
only do we not want to staff up but
the institutions don't want over-
seers inquiring about matters that
have always been reserved to uni-
versity administrators.
To improve the university sys-
tem, the presidents must be willing
to surrender some administrative
prerogatives to the chancellor.
For the chancellor to make
progress, he must bridge the gulf
between North Dakota's style and
the Board's goals. This will re-
quire negotiation among all players
- and there are many.
In a recent editorial, Publisher
Mike Jacobs of the Grand Forks
Herald enumerated a long list of
those who must be taken into ac-
count - legislators, students, ad-
ministrators, university communi-
ties, alumni, parents and random
ideologues.
To make significant changes
with that many constituencies to
please, progress will be slower than
Chancellor Shirvani expected. A
good deal of time will be required
just to build consensus. It will be
enough to test the patience of Job.
As Chancellor Shervani moves
toward the Board's goals, he will
become more familiar with the re-
alities of the North Dakota style.
Whether we agree with him or not,
he deserves more than nine months
and one legislative cycle to prove
his worth.
A question of investments:
Where will the money go ?
Many dream of winning the lottery, fantasizing about what they would
buy and where they would live. But few big winners think about the pres-
sures of unknown scammers, acquaintances, friends and family members
who all want to share in the wealth.
North Dakota's 63rd Legislative Assembly is similar, in some ways,
to the lottery. The state has big money to spend, which isn't usually the
case. There will be winners and losers. Some seeking financial assistance
will be dignified and principled in trying to acquire large sums of money
for the good of the people; some might be categorized as undignified and
unprincipled money grubbers, seeking and/or protecting funds to only
benefit certain agendas, maybe even just "close friends."
Determining appropriate policy in the distribution of North Dakota's
fortunate wealth is the heavy responsibility of elected representatives.
How do they share with citizens the bounty, which has come largely from
energy sources unearthed from God's green earth? If too much is squir-
reled away in the state coffers for "a rainy day," will govemment be seen
as partisan scrooges - or good stewards?
Case after case for a piece of the pie is being made in Senate and House
committee hearings; a compelling one was presented late last month by
those in favor of liB 1356.
The bill, heard in the House Education Committee, would take
$6,150,000 out of the general fund for the department of human services
to provide grants to state Head Start programs between July 1, 2013 and
June 30, 2015.
Several officials and parents testified in favor of the bill, including emo-
tional words by Lori Schnieberbruns of Minot.
A mother of three children with more negative life experiences that
anyone deserves, said: "The program meets every need and expectation
of a parent when we don't have the abilities ... I may have been a vic-
tim, but Head Start believed enough in me that I believe in myself... I
am better (because of Head Start). I am a survivor.
Schnieberbrtms said she is not only a Head Start parent, but a "grad-
uate" of the program.
Her most difficult moments have included an injury to her husband
(limiting income) and a Christmas Eve home burglary. That, however, was
only the beginning - homelessness followed in May after losing her home
to the 2011 storm (flood).
"I turned to the one place I had comfort as a child- Minot Head Start
... It was a safe place to lay my head... Head Start helped my kids and
gave me help so I could get help."
She said circumstances became overwhelming and she suffered from
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from childhood and other mem-
Dries.
"No longer am I afraid of the dark," she said. "Head Start gave me
strength."
Several others echoed Schnieberburns praise for the program that not
only focuses on the needs of children 3- to 5-years-old but also helping
parents.
"State funding of Head Start is the best way to help people who need
it (help) the most," said a young mother of three girls (ages 2, 4 and 6).
Once getting her emotional tears and sobs under control she added: "I
have been intently blessed by Head Start."
Head Start is primarily funded by the United States Department of
Health and Human Services, but receives some supplemental financial as-
sistance from states. "North Dakota is one of(only) 10 states that don't
give any money to Head Start," testified Sen. Nicole Poolman, R-7, Bis-
marck.
Head Start's mission is to "...promote school preparation by enhanc-
ing the social and cognitive development of children through the provi-
sion of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services."
The state has 13 Head Start programs with 120 classrooms serving
more than 2,300; more than 800 children are on waiting lists and HB 1356
would reduce the number.
North Dakota receives about $33 million in federal funds. Eligibility
is generally limited to children in families at or below the poverty line.
From a policy and economic point of view, Paul Ronningen of Bis-
marck, said state funding for Head Start should be a "no-brainer... it will
help dismantle the pipeline to prison."
Ronningen, state coordinator of the Childrten's Defense Fund, testi-
fied that "research shows that participation in a quality early childhood
education program provides children with the necessary social, emotional
and cognitive skills that continue to develop throughout their life."
Ronningen, director of children and family services in the Department
of Human services for 10 years, said: Head Start is life transforming."
Financial requests have been made and failed at least in six other leg-
islative sessions, according to testimony at the hearing by Rep. Kathy
Hawken, D-46, Fargo.
Suggesting it is time to provide state funding, Hawken said: "We can
ignore what we know about early learning and have more people in our
prison programs ... It costs $36,000 per prisoner ... bottom line is this,
how do we help these children?"
Suggesting the reality of the bill is that it won't pass, Hawken added:
"What we need is a comprehensive study on child care and then maybe
we won't have to have each of these bills. Kids deserve the best educa-
tion no matter who their parents are or where they live."
Despite strong favorable testimony, it seemed legislators' questions
could have been posed to indicate the bill very well could fail - again. No
action has been taken by the end of last week.
But in a state with a huge surplus, is there a better place to invest in
the future than with our children?
John Irby decided to retire early in late 2011 as editor of the Bismarck Ttqbune. He is now a free-
lance writer, private investigator and management consultant. He can be reached at johnrober-
tirby@hotmail.com.
Extension Exchange
Supermarket Savings
When budgets are tight and
money needs to be stretched,
there's nothing more frustrating
than needlessly wasting dollars at
the grocery store. It is possible to
save money shopping for gro-
ceries without cooking eveN-
thing from scratch, packing your
purse with coupons, or purchasing
foods in season. With some
thought and preparation about
food shopping, families can save
bucks by either spending less
and/or avoiding losing money
through tossing uneaten foods.
Planning your menus can help
you have healthier meals and it
can help you save money at the
grocery store. By reading your
recipes and planning a menu for
upcoming main meals you can
make a grocery list of all the
items you need, avoiding wasting
gas for an extra trip to the store.
And the less often you shop, the
less likely you'll make an impulse
purchase.
Spend about 30 minutes plan-
ning your weekly menus. Use
the sale ads and write a shopping
list. Clip coupons, but only for
things you normally would eat,
rather than for "extras." Don't
miss out on potential sources of
valuable coupons. Check your
grocery receipt - sometimes there
are great coupons on the back that
help save money. Also, if you have
access to a computer, check online
for coupons.
Keep your grocery list near the
fridge or where it's easily acces-
sible and remember to take it
with you to the store. Sticking with
the items on your list will add up
savings. Remember to stay flexi-
ble if you encounter a sale, espe-
cially on non-perishable food
items you use such as soups and
other canned goods.
Don't forget to check your re-
frigerator and pantry shelves for
items you already have. Cruise
through your fridge daily looking
at expiration dates on packages
and using foods on hand before
they go bad.
Do not shop on an empty stom-
ach. If you go to the supermarket
hungry you will most likely pur-
chase more food than you need,
including expensive items as well.
If you're shopping with your kids,
feed them too! Grocery shopping
when you're tired can also add
costs to your final bill. If you're
tired, you may be likely to grab
convenience foods, which cost
more and are often less nutri-
tious.
Be familiar with the store lay-
out. Only go down the aisles that
include items on your list. For
quick shopping trips, shop the
perimeter of the store. Most sta-
ples, such as milk, fresh produce
and bread, are around the perime-
ter.
Look up and look down. Items
on the upper and lower shelves are
often cheaper. Big brands often
pay big bucks to have their prod-
ucts at eye level. Generic or store
brands are generally better buys.
Basic commodities such as sugar,
flour, tomato sauce an paper tow-
els are often indistinguishable
when the label is removed. Some
store brands are different from
their national-brand equivalents,
however, so buy small amounts
first to test quality and flavor.
Don't be deceived by the size
of the packaging. Compare price
using "unit prices." The unit pric-
ing on the front edge of shelving
helps you know quickly whether
the regular-priced super-sized
package is a better deal than the
sale-priced regular-sized pack-
age. But sometimes unit pricing
can be tricky. Some brands have
a number for the cost per ounce
and the cost per pound for the
same thing on a smaller or larger
size. Bringing along a calculator
can help add up the savings on a
shopper's choices.
If you are prepared to try some-
thing new, buy the smallest size of
package. If your family doesn't
like the food you're not stuck with
a big box. Check preparation
methods for unfamiliar foods.
You don't want to risk a foQd flop
and toss out good food.
The more of these tips you use
and the more foods you use them
with the more you can save!
Resources: NDSU Extension bulletin FN-
1384 "Grocery Shopping Tips, Menus and
Recipes, "August 2011,"
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
Supermarket SavingS by Alice Henneman,
MS, RD
Around the County
Walsh County Extension Office
Park River - 284-6624
This Is Not Your
Grandfather's Oats
There used to be a time in the
not so distance past that many pro-
ducers in Western and Central
Walsh County grew 40 acres of
oats to fill creep feeders with or to
start calves on grain. It worked
well back in the day and now oats
is becoming hard to find in the area
in any large quantity. Is it time to
give oats another look?
We have Newburg, Hifi and
Legett that have 3 year averages of
over 180 bushels per acre in Lang-
don trials. For those of use old
enough to remember the good
old days I just referred to 100
bushels was a heck of an oats crop
back then. If the yield trials are any
indication we can push some se-
rious bushels on oats. Before se-
lecting a variety also check out the
test weight, protein, lodging score
and disease package and see what
trade-offs you may be making
from one variety to another. High
9rotein oats would go a long way
in bringing up some of our protein
deficiencies along with some en-
ergy. I really would try and get
some strong strawed varieties.
Swathing oats one way made for
a long summer for me years ago.
Oats is quite possibly one of the
easiest grains to feed and some of
us have experience feeding it.
We want to be planting before
May 15th in our area to take full
advantage of the tillering capaci-
ty of the oats variety so in many
years this would put you in the gap
between wheat and beans from a
workload standpoint. Optimum
seeding depth is 1.5 to 2 inches.
Seeding rates are approximately 60
to 90 pounds of seed per acre and
the heavier rates should be used if
seeding deep or trying to compete
with wild oats. Excessive seeding
rates will reduce your test weight.
The role of thumb on fertility is 1.3
X yield potential minus soil nitrate
test-previous minus crop credit.
Medium level of phosphorus is go-
ing to take around 28 pounds per
acre of phosphorus. Get your soils
tested and look up the levels at the
NDSU Extension website or call
me and I will do it for you. Also
check out your potassium levels
and look it up at the same place.
The disease I see most often in
oats in rust. We have come a long
way since the old varieties. Pick a
variety with some resistance would
be my recommendation. Barley
yellow dwarf can also be a prob-
lem.
Is it time to start looking at
growing some oats to feed or for
horses? If my phone calls are any
indication there may even be a lo-
cal market for oats and if you mar-
ket it I have even heard of premi-
ums being offered, particularly
by the horse people.
2-10
2-27
Dates to Remember:
Walsh County Crops Judging Workout, Extension Office
Park River lpm beginners and 2 pm advanced
Walsh County Livestock Association Directors meeting,
Alexander House 6:30 meeting
r • ),
