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COMMUNITY, 4

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OPINION, 6

Letters: Opinions plently just before general election

Local ballot measure draws ire Voters hold county weather mod fate in hands

By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor

One of the most controversial topics, weather modification, has been cast into the limelight since a Scranton farmer and rancher successfully submitted a ballot measure for the Nov. 8 election asking voters whether or not the cloud seeding program in Bowman County should be ended. Since then, the public discourse has shifted to routinely include dis-

cussion on weather modification, which began in the 1960s in Bowman by residents. “After months of research and conversation, I am certain we can survive without weather modification,” said John Palczewski, who amassed the required amount of signatures and submitted the measure for the general election ballot. Palczewski said he’s gotten into some heated discussion since then. He has been met with some stiff opposition, including from fellow

farmers and ranchers who want to see the program continue. But his main goal has already been achieved, he said, as it was to provide the opportunity for residents to decide the issue on the ballot. “Regardless of how the vote goes, we have already won. (But) I have found numerous facts to debunk many of their claims.” The difference in opinions on the program were heard during a special information meeting held late October in Bowman. Darin Langerud, director of the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board, told The Pioneer on Wednesday that he believes the meeting was beneficial. Which way he believes the vot-

ers are leaning, however, Langerud couldn’t say. “A lot of people asked questions, good questions, which seemed like they were already well informed about weather modification,” Langerud said. If voters opt to disband the weather modification program, Langerud said operations would not continue for 2017, though no immediate action would be taken regarding the Bowman weather radar, which has served as a major factor according to some voters who claim the radar would immediately shut down. While that could be true depending on the question of future funding, a time line for that would be unknown.

ELECTION 2016

BEFORE YOU VOTE HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY: The Pioneer sits down with the 6 Bowman County Commission candidates

WEEKLY FORECAST, 5 TODAY High: 67 Low: 37 Sunshine and pleasantly warm

State clears BowmanHaley of toxic algae advisory By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor

By BRYCE MARTIN It’s not often that an election in Bowman County is widely contested. That changed when 10 people stepped up and submitted their name onto the ballot for this year’s primary election. But now the margin has been narrowed to six, with only three spots open — two candidates are running for re-election. So the commission will see at least one new face if the incumbents get to keep their chair. With multiple issues facing the county, including higher taxes, lower revenues and decreased oil activity, to name a few, the race for county commissioner has been tight and watched by many. Hear from the six candidates as The Pioneer held a round table discussion Oct. 8 with the six candidates, Chris Johnson, Jerry Jeffers, Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, and Dave Anderson, offering talking points on many pivotal issues affecting the county. Pioneer: The first series of

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‘All clear’ comes too late as temps drop, activity slows

(Editor’s Note: The Pioneer has selected to print only a few questions and answers due to space constraints. The entire transcript of the round table can be found on our website, bowmanextra. com.)

Pioneer Editor

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Pioneer Editor Bryce Martin, center, held a round table discussion Oct. 8 with the six candidates, Chris Johnson, Jerry Jeffers, Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, and Dave Anderson, offering talking points on many pivotal issues affecting the county. questions relates to policy as one of the main roles of a county commissioner is to create and implement policy. What one part of county government would receive more attention if you were elected? Bruce McLaughlin: I think you need to give your attention to all departments. Jerry Jeffers: That’s an interesting question because I really think that — and I said this at the forum we had — that the county commissioners have done an excellent job. I think if there was anything that may need to be looked at is, as we develop policies for Bowman County, we probably need to go back and revisit them from time to time, see what is on the books and see if some of them need to be taken off. That’s what I would like to do. And get rid of things that aren’t pertinent anymore. Pioneer: So you would like to go, item by item, and perhaps change existing

policies? Jeffers: There have been some standing policies that have been in force for 40 years that haven’t been looked at or haven’t been used and they have taken some of the dollars in the past, that could be spent somewhere else. Pioneer: Such as? Jeffers: There’s a fund that has been set aside for taking care of roads that the county takes care of, the side roads on the county roads. That hasn’t been used a lot. It’s been moved out of that and put back in and things like that. Pine Abrahamson: A couple of years ago, we had sent questionnaires out to people that are in unorganized townships. We had asked if they wanted their road graded. We set up a policy because there was a lot of money being built up in the unorganized fund to grade roads. There aren’t a lot of roads that are county roads so we went into the farmyards, also, if they sent

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the questionnaire back stating that they would like to have it done. That’s where Jerry’s coming from. Jeffers: And part of that is left to the discretionary of the road supervisor. Pioneer: [To Johnson] So we’ll go back to you with the original question: What one thing would receive more attention if you’re elected into office? Johnson: For Bowman County, I think ag is still the backbone. Ag would have to be looked at first then move down the line. I think with oil coming down, I think police are going to deserve a lot of attention, support and help. Pioneer: What specifically in ag? Johnson: Roads. Infrastructure. It brings your crops and livestock to market. It’s the most important in ag. Dave Anderson: I agree. You have to get it from the farm and into town. Abrahamson: Now, we’ve got a process going on right

OPINION, 6

now, where Slope County and Bowman County have shared roads. It’s been that way for years. It’s over a handshake. There’s no document out there. It’s part of our job to go in and meet with Slope County and we’re going to have to get it ironed out and down on paper for the new people that come in when we’re not here anymore. Pioneer: Do you think there are a lot of things in the county that are just based on a handshake? Abrahamson: In the 12 years I’ve been here, yes. Pioneer: Is that a good thing? Abrahamson: In the day that they started that, it was plumb fine, they remembered. Today, it seems like things get slipped. Johnson: So it sounds to me that organization is going to be key. We’re in the day and age that it has to be on paper. Pioneer: Are county land

CANDIDATES Pages 2-3

SOLA: Keeping a tight lip on controversial topics

Bowman-Haley Dam has been cleared of its bluegreen algae advisory from the North Dakota Department of Health. The news comes, however, as the weather gets colder and activity is very limited at Bowman-Haley. Summer fun at the dam was cut short just after Fourth of July when the department issued its advisory. The North Dakota Department of Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Division, rescinded the remaining blue-green algae advisories issued this year around the state. A total of 15 lakes and reservoirs and one river, Des Lacs River, were the subject of advisories. Last year the NDDoH and NDDA issued one advisory which was for Homme Dam. All advisories were issued following monitoring that showed the presence of blue-green algae and very high levels of microcystin in the water. Microcystin is a cyanotoxin caused by blue-green algae. When present in water, cyanotoxins are dangerous for both people and animals, according to the Department of Health. While advisories have been rescinded for all remaining lakes and reservoirs in the state, the department reminds the public that bluegreen algae blooms may still occur on lakes and wetlands in the state.