Cavalier County
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Republican
Single Copy Volume 135
cavaliercountyextra.com
In this issue:
Our office will be closed Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day. COVID-19 test results are now available through new Citizen Portal, read more on Page 7.
Index
OPINION CHURCH COMMUNITY SPORTS AG PROF DIR PN CLASSIFIED
PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8-9 PAGE 10 PAGE 11 PAGE 12 PAGE 13
Copyright © Langdon, North Dakota
Official Newspaper of Cavalier County Published since 1889
Monday, July 5, 2021
Number 27
Shopping local helps everyone in your community When you make a purchase at a store, do you ever stop to think about where your money goes? When you look at the receipt, are you ever curious to find out where and how your tax dollars are spent, or do you chalk it up to the government using your funds on agendas you have no control over? While it’s easy to become frustrated when seeing a portion of your money go into taxes, shopping locally ensures that your contribution stays in the community. That’s why it’s so important to show your support to local business by being a consistent customer for them. Rather than buying online and having items delivered, get some fresh air by personally visiting the store and making your money work toward your neighborhood’s growth. Check out how your area’s tax flow is positively enhanced simply by buying from locally owned businesses. BUILD LOCAL COMMUNITIES In most cases, areas that charge sales taxes divide the earnings between the state and local communities. Regions that are positively impacted include counties, cities, and special districts. According to the Tax County Policy, sales taxes
account for about 10% of all gained revenue. Most of the expendable income is used toward improving roadways by repairing potholes or other defects. Citizens also gain safety and recreational benefits due to the development of bicycle paths and public park maintenance. BENEFIT INSTITUTIONS
sales tax collections like police and fire departments. They receive funding to purchase new safety equipment, K-9 units, and updated vehicles. HELP A NEIGHBOR One of the most significant contributions from collecting sales taxes is programs that benefit community members who struggle financially. With the
Many of your local institutions rely on your dollars being spent in the area. Collected taxes are often used to fund state education for grades K-12 and higher education. The revenue collects supplies for classes, making building upgrades, and training programs to increase teacher awareness. Some emergency services also benefit from local
support of the federal government, states often fund health insurance for families. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, tax-driven programs aid about 74 million low-income children, parents, older adults, and those with disabilities every month. Business and the Community Through hiring employees to
by some attendees with these questions being asked: How is the city losing money? Isn’t this double dipping? Where’s this money going to come from when businesses leave? Board member Jim Rademacher spoke saying he’s been hearing from people that shared space has been getting charged twice or more and shared space vs. two different entities should be different. If multiple businesses share a front door, bathroom, and dumpster that maybe it should be one bill. Examples like Keystone Chiropractic and Park River Dental sharing space should be charged once, but businesses like TR Waind and Ottertail Power Co. are in one building but two different entities. Conversation started concerning the sanitation department and how they could potentially lower the garbage bill. Possible garbage weighing may be a study that needs to be done to provide fair cost. The city agreed that they would brainstorm and revisit garbage options. Several businesses were upset they’ve been paying $33.50 for garbage with no dumpster to dump, and they need to receive these services if they are paying for them. Lawrence Henry suggested that new construction be metered accordingly as Lance Schill had requested 6 meters and was denied.
Nowatzki said that the city needs to recoup money somewhere, and they would have to add $3-$4.00 on to residents' bills by not charging businesses like this. He continued to explain to the attendees that because the businesses are upset about their costs, if the city doesn't follow the ordinancehundreds of people will come to the meeting and be upset. An attendee suggested if it’s a budget issue with the city, then it should be a community problem, not soul reliance on businesses and maybe come to an agreement to lower these multiple bills and potentially revamp city billing. After all the discussion and concerns, the 2nd reading did not occur, and options will be looked into with input from community and commission members. Moving on with the meeting the departments presented their reports. The street department is doing normal business for this time of year. Fire Department is waiting on a bid for concrete outside the bay. Water and Sewer said the usage is down now that we’ve received some rain. Rural water was asked to attend but were unable to come. Spruce Valley is done with work underground, and Strata will be doing the concrete work. Langdon Activity Center is finishing nailing in cont. on page 3
giving back to their communities, local business owners play a formative role in shaping the region around them. Many local small businesses are operated by people who grew up in the community and decided to open their shop or service in their hometown. This instantly gives residents a personal connection with the owner and employees and creates a trusting relationship when offering knowledge about their product. When you spend your money within their doors, think of it as neighbors helping neighbors. Small businesses are often considered the backbones of their communities. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, when $100 is spent locally, $58 remains in the area to boost the economy. In contrast, if the same amount of money is paid at a chain store, the local area typically only keeps about $33. Find out other ways that local business owners help the region in which they operate. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Since many small business owners live and work in the community, they are likely to volunteer during local events, cont. on page 2
Langdon City Commissioners hear from business owners Pembina County Fair set for July 8-10 By Kristi Mostoller Republican Writer
The Langdon City Commission met for their scheduled meeting Monday, June 28th at 6:00 p.m. Around 30 people, most concerned about the multiple commercial accounts, were in attendance. Mayor Jerry Nowatzki opened with a statement in regards to the multiple commercial accounts. He informed the room that the ordinance is not new and had been in effect since the 80s. He stated there’s been very little input from the businesses and only complaints. He requested questions from the attending public be directed to him with only positive and useful information and a time limit of 3 minutes. Nowatzki then explained the ordinance in detail on the white board. It was explained that the property owners with business renters will get billed $95 for the property itself and another $68 per renting business. Owners with leases will be grandfathered in until leases are up and rental costs can be renegotiated. The ordinance is to be addressed with different verbiage from comments concerning the ordinance not saying like businesses or no minimum water fee for renters. It was discussed that with the budget structure, the city will be losing money on this. Concerns were raised
Farmers & Merchants State Bank 816 3rd Street, Langdon, ND 58249
(701)256-5431 • www.fmbanklangdon.com
Member FDIC
By Kristi Mostoller Republican Writer
When making your summer plans, be sure to include the Pembina County Fair, July 8-10. A short venture to Hamilton will be worth the trip for all ages. Not only is it full family fun, but it’s free to enter. Wristbands for rides will be for sale along with side games
and food vendors. Evening events will also have a fee (4 & under free, 5-11 $10.00, 12 & over $15.00). Growing up, the Pembina County Fair was a special trip to ride “The Zipper”. It was the ride all the kids were excitedly scared to take on- sitting in the two person cages flipping and spinning till your eyes go sideways. Mighty Thomas Carnival rides will be coming
with The Zipper and more. Carnival rides will be running 5:00-10:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. The commercial and fine arts building will be open for viewing throughout the weekend as well. Scott Hartje has been on the board for six years but has been involved in the Pembina County Fair since he was a kid in 4-H. For 4-H members, the
fair isn’t just about the rides and food - it lets their ag abilities shine. What kid wouldn’t want to brag about having best in show livestock? This keeps our young generations educated and thriving for future career paths. Scott said his favorite part of the fair is that it’s a great summer event, getting together with friends
Celebrating Our Independence
cont. on page 2
Farmers & Merchants State Bank will be closed Saturday, July 3 and Monday, July 5. Have a safe and happy July 4th!