Hello Everyone,

The North Dakota League of Cities and communities across the state recently celebrated “City Government Week.” Here in Valley City, we hosted “Mayor for a Day” with Elsie Jorissen, a third grader at Jefferson Elementary. Elsie won the essay contest by sharing why she wanted to lead our city for a day. She highlighted her love for the “City of Bridges” and our local parks, and even recommended a monthly “Clean-up Day” to keep our community beautiful. Nice job and thank you Elsie!

Fun fact: Did you know 9,924 people are employed by North Dakota cities?  We want to say a huge thank you to all our city employees who work diligently every day to keep Valley City “on the move”.

The 31st annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction will be held this Friday, April 17, at the Valley City Eagles Club. Events begin at 5:00 p.m. with social hour and games. This year’s theme is “Stars, Stripes & Scholarships,” and attendees are encouraged to wear their best patriotic attire! Come out, enjoy the food and fellowship, and support our university students.

Over the weekend, our Valley City Fire and Rescue team performed a difficult recovery of a vehicle and a deceased person from the river. The mission required our divers and water rescue personnel to endure bone-chilling cold water and air temperatures for an extended time. Thank you to the entire team and all who assisted; we truly appreciate your dedication and service.

CHI Mercy Hospital announced last week it has received additional recognition to its Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation placing it in the top 100 CAH.  CHI is a regional leader in emergency care and is also a Cardiac Ready Hospital. Congratulations and thank you for investing in Valley City.

Winter winds have strewn trash all over town. If we each pick up what’s right in front of us—whether it’s ours or not—we can clear the way for spring’s beauty to shine through.  Please do, thank you.

Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.

“Gratitude is a muscle.”   ~ Unknown

Blessings, Prayers, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

“Howdy Folks”,

• “Howdy” is an informal, friendly greeting primarily associated with the Southern and Western United States, especially Texas 🙂
• Thank you to Columbia Grain International for its continued investment in Valley City.  Last week, a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held to celebrate the new Edible Bean Processing Facility.  President & CEO Kurt Haarmann emceed a short program headlined by Senator John Hoeven and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak. Thank you to our legislators and staff members for arranging their visit to Valley City.
• “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”  ~ TS Eliot
• Sadly, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was confirmed in Fargo this winter.  EAB was also detected just north of Edgeley, ND in the summer of 2024.  Unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before it reaches Valley City and impacts our ash trees. 
• To help mitigate the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), we’ve been proactively removing ash trees over the past five summers. With the aid of grants, we are replacing them with a diverse mix of new species. This approach should make the eventual loss less noticeable and reduce long-term impacts. If we’re fortunate, we may have around five years before the EAB arrives here, giving us additional time to continue removals and replanting.
• Last week, I drove out to Bjornson Park Municipal Golf Course to see how the bridge construction is progressing. It’s a great-looking structure that will greatly enhance the beauty of the area. Industrial Builders appears to be doing a nice job; there were numerous work zones operating as efficiently as possible for a bridge project of this scale.
• What could have been our largest snowfall of the year may also have been the prettiest. Snow in our area often falls “sideways,” but this snow fell gently and piled up beautifully on fence posts. With street and sidewalk surfaces being warmer, the snow on them melted rather quickly, exposing the bare concrete and asphalt surfaces while leaving a stunning covering of snow on the grass. It was a nice treat.
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”   ~ Henry Ford

        Blessings, Prayers, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Greetings All,

• April 2026 is National Lineman Appreciation Month with April 18th as Lineman Appreciation Day.  Regardless of weather conditions, electric line workers perform critical, often very dangerous tasks, building, preparing and maintaining the power grid on our behalf.  Thank you to Valley City and area line workers for all you do. 
• It is encouraging to see daily temperatures rising, bringing more bikers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists out onto our sidewalks and streets. As a driver, I know I need to take extra care for everyone’s safety. Let’s all do our best to stay safe out there!
• The longer days and higher sun have been pulling some frost out of the ground. There are a few areas where it’s still too wet. Other areas are dry enough that the city has already been able to blade the alleys. Thanks, guys.
• Potholes are on the list to be fixed as soon as the weather clears and hot mix becomes available. Hot patches last much longer than cold patches, so they are well worth the wait! Thanks for your patience. 
• Golf season is here! “Man blames fate for all other accidents but feels personally responsible when he makes a hole-in-one.”       ~ Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
• Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) is continually looking for smart investments that will help slow our members’ peak load growth, save them money and delay the need to invest in additional generating resources. Bright Energy Solutions BES is a unique portfolio of energy efficiency cash-incentive programs for residential and business customers.  See:  https://www.brightenergysolutions.com/
• One of the best things we can do for our property’s appearance and value is to keep it clean and trimmed this summer. Take pride in your “place” and help keep it beautiful!
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Happiness is not about having everything you want, but loving what you have.”   ~ Charlotte Chopin, age 102

        Blessings, Prayers, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

G’day Mate, (An Australian Greeting, “hello friend”)

• Last Saturday, the Valley City Fire Department (VCFD) held its annual fundraiser.  Some of the proceeds are invested in personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard rescue and firefighting personnel and to ensure a more efficient response for our community and the surrounding area. Thank you to everyone who supported so generously.
• Our VCFD Rescue Squad consists of fourteen dedicated members who undergo specialized training and respond to over 50% of our total calls. Vehicle crashes are frequent and often require the squad to extricate trapped individuals—a skill that requires certification above and beyond their regular monthly drills. These members often witness difficult scenes that stay with them long after the call is over. We are deeply grateful for their service, Blessings and be safe.                    
• “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” ~ John Lennon
• Last week, the city staff of Dickinson, ND, did a great job hosting the North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC) Spring Workshop. We attended numerous educational sessions for city employees and elected officials, along with the opportunity to tour the City of Dickinson’s Public Works Center, the Police and Fire complex, and the Dinosaur Museum—all of which were terrific.  While the Dinosaur Museum may not look large from the outside, the inside is carefully laid out with a plethora of displays; it is well worth the visit. Another day, we were Blessed with a walking tour of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Having walked near the facility last summer, we already thought it was special, but being able to go inside this time was truly spectacular. It is certainly a destination for everyone. For more information, search “trlibrary.com”.
• North Dakota High School Activities (NDHSAA), with offices right here in Valley City, winter activities have pretty concluded with some exciting competitions.  Now, the spring plays, speech, music and a plethora of sports are underway indoor and outdoor as weather permits.  Enjoy and be safe everyone.  “Victory is in the quality of competition and not the final score” ~ Mike Marshall
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Be happy, Be bright, Be you.”   ~ Kate Spade

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

The City of Valley City Assessor’s Office will soon be mailing assessment notices to all property owners in Valley City.

Due to a recent change in state law, the Assessor’s Office is now required each year to send an assessment notice for every parcel in Valley City.  The notice will show both the current proposed assessment and the previous year’s assessed value.

The purpose of this notice is to provide full transparency for the property owner regarding the proposed property value. The assessment notice will replace the estimated tax statement normally sent out in August.

Residents with questions about their property value notice are encouraged to contact the City Assessor’s Office by calling 701-845-8122 or visit valleycity.northdakotaassessors.com.

Hey There,

• This Saturday, March 21st, at 6:00 PM, the Valley City Fire Department (VCFD) will host its annual fundraiser at the Valley City Eagles Club. Join us to support a great cause! 
• March 20, 2026 at 9:46 Central Time in the Northern Hemisphere is the Spring Equinox.  It is the first day of spring and the time of the year when there is nearly equal time of sunlight on each side of the equator.
• The Valley City Volunteer Firefighters held their annual Spouse and Significant Other Banquet and Awards Night. There was a great turnout and good food, made complete by a ‘fire call’—away they all went to serve! Thank you and congratulations to all the firefighters, especially those who achieved awards.     
• Over the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Board. The entire MRES staff is made up of wonderful, caring people who are exceptionally good at their jobs, providing reliable and affordable power to our 61 members. Thank you to the employees and board members for your kindness and acceptance over the years. The hospitality you showed me at my final board meeting was truly beyond anything I would have imagined.
• The Hi-Line Train Set in the Barnes County Museum continues to grow! Thanks to Bill Cochran, a water tower and a model of the Valley City Barnes County Public Library have been added. Bill also included a “gun pit,” where Company F would have been stationed to guard the Hi-Line Bridge from sabotage during WWII.  As a vital transcontinental transportation conduit, the bridge was critical to the war effort. Huge kudos to Jeff Bergner, who works diligently to keep the trains running. Thank you, Bill, Jeff, and Wes, for your great work!
• While reading the news the other day, I found it interesting that so many candidates around the country are bypassing their party’s endorsements in favor of running directly in the primary.
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Golf isn’t about being perfect. It’s about how well you handle the imperfections.”   ~ Rory McIIroy

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,
Dave Carlsrud

Greetings,

• Congratulations to the Hi-Liners Girls Basketball Team for its back-to-back North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) State Championships. The Hi-Liners fought back from a large deficit in the first half. With grit, determination, and a few shots falling, the game began to go their way. From there, thanks to some clutch free-throw shooting, the game was theirs. It is something the players, coaches, and all who had a part in “making it happen” will always remember, Hi-Liners – 69, Royals – 62.
• “It is not whether you get knocked down, it is whether or not you get up”.  ~ Vince Lombardi
• Geez, I just have to mention the weather. Sunday afternoon my phone showed 64 degrees with nice sunshine and a soft breeze.  One weather service showed the record high that day in Fargo to be 60 degrees. I am grateful and hope all who were able got out and enjoyed some of the good, clean air with which we were Blessed.
• Due to a rise in litigation during the mid-1980s, insurance companies began canceling policies for individuals and local governments, leaving many without coverage. North Dakota was hit hard, leading local political subdivisions to form the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF)—an insurance pool dedicated to local governments. Today, we are celebrating the NDIRF’s 40th Anniversary and the reasonably stable rates it provides to North Dakota communities. Congratulations and thank you to the forward-thinking individuals who made this a reality!  Some quotes are from “Participator”.
• “Opportunity knocks? Get the door.”  ~ Anonymous
• North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC) will hold its 2026 Spring Workshop and Elected Officials Training later this month.  Some of the topics covered are “3% Tax Refresher”, “Addressing Blighted Areas in Our Communities”, “Tornadoes: The Before During and After” and “The City Financial Quarterback: What Your Auditor Really Does” to name a few.  It is a great conference.  Thank you to Matt Gardner and the NDLC Team for their great work.
• “Kids have the potential, Teachers unlock it”.  ~ Anonymous
• Municipal electric power provides us with abundant power and great rates.
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Age is no barrier.  It is a limitation you put on your mind.”   ~ Jackie Joyner-Kersee

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Hello Folks,

• Beginning Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Moore Engineering staff will conduct door-to-door surveys in Valley City for the Water Service Line Inventory. Teams of two Moore employees, each wearing official Moore Engineering identification, will visit homes where the water service line material is currently unknown. You will be asked to help identify your service line material, or—if preferred—a Moore employee can perform the identification for you. We anticipate these surveys will take approximately two weeks to complete. 
• Next weekend, Sunday morning the 8th, Daylight Savings Time begins.  The day length increases by 1 hour, 41 minutes over the course of March 2026 in Valley City, ND – from 11 hours, 9 minutes on the first day to 12 hours, 50 minutes on the last day, enjoy.
• We are grateful to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame (NDCHOF) for holding its annual meeting in Valley City a week ago, thank you. Saturday evening, approximately 260 guests enjoyed dinner and entertainment at the Eagles. If you haven’t visited the NDCHOF in Medora, please do—it is a wonderful experience.”  See: https://northdakotacowboy.org/
• The American Public Power Association (APPA) held its Legislative Rally last week in Washington, D.C.  As guests of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), we met with Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, Senator John Hoeven, and staff from Senator Kevin Cramer’s office on behalf of Public Power. As a member of the MRES Joint Action Agency, we believe it is vital to share the challenges facing public power in our ongoing efforts to maintain adequate, affordable power. Thank you to Deb Birgen, Sam McDonald, and the many others who facilitated a very beneficial rally for us.
• We seldom recognize the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.
• Mayor Jon Cole of Vermillion, SD, recently shared an article regarding the value of systematic maintenance, replacement of streets, infrastructure, and equipment. He pointed out this proactive approach allows for “deliberate planning” rather than “reactive decision-making.”  Thank you for the insight, Jon.
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Things are never quite as scary when you have a best friend.”    ~ Bill Watterson

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud