Hi Folks, 

• Congratulations to the Valley City High School Volleyball Team on its runner-up finish in the North Dakota High School Activities State Tournament.  Achievements like these “Take a Village”, players, coaches, administration and fans have all contributed in some way to the season’s success.
• Thanksgiving originated with a harvest feast in 1621 with the Wampanoag people and English settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Thanksgiving today is one of sharing gratitude, feasting, and spending time with family.  “I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” ~ Erma Bombeck.  Blessings to all.
• Saturday will be “Christmas in the Valley” with activities downtown beginning at noon.  The day will be capped at 6:00 by the Holiday Light Parade followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Valley City’s Veterans Park. 
• The Valley City Barnes County Development Corporation (VCBCDC) enjoyed very good attendance for its annual meeting at Sabir’s.  A nice lunch, introductions of board members, a panel discussion were all parts of the informative program.  The VCBCDC is continually identifying opportunities to aid businesses, ease costs for home building etc. in Valley City and throughout Barnes County.  Thank you all for serving.
• The Barnes County Salvation Army “Red Kettle Campaign” is underway.  Funds from the campaign aid people in “bridging the gap” from hard times to being self-sufficient.  To participate by “ringing the bell”, please call Lenora at 701-840-1357 or Naomi at 701-541-1418.  Thank you.
• DO NOT throw pumpkins or other gourds in the garbage as they are very heavy increase costs, please put them in the 24-7 Grass Site. 
• For holidays occurring during the week, the garbage pickup schedule may be altered and will usually be the day before or after said holiday.  Be sure to have your container out by 7:00 AM with garbage bagged.  For schedule changes please visit the city’s Facebook page, Instagram page, Newsdakota, Times-Record or call 701-840-0380.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.”     ~ Maya Angelou

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud

On Thursday, November 20, 2025 starting at 6pm, the Valley City Fire Department will be conducting training exercises at 1010 2^nd St SE and 567 Viking Drive. There will be a presence of fire trucks and law enforcement officers. Once the training is complete, these properties will be allowed to burn down. Throughout the night police and fire officials will continue to check for hot spots. Please contact Scott Magnuson with any questions at 701-845-3351.

City Hall and Public Works offices will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27. Thursday’s garbage will be picked up on Friday, November 28. Please have garbage out by 7 a.m. to ensure pick up.

Hello Everybody, 

• Here we are, a little more than a week before Thanksgiving and our weather forecast is in the 40’s.  Enjoy, as not every fall season is this pleasant.
• More and more beautiful Thanksgiving Decorations are showing up around town.  One family has warm decorations on the front of their house, a delightful mural covering the whole side of the garage and all is crowned with an American Flag.  Thank you to all who have made time to beautify our city.
• Valley City State University (VCSU) and North Dakota State University will be searching for new presidents.  VCSU’s Dr. Al LaFave is moving to Northern State University and NDSU’s Dr. David Cook is moving to Iowa State University.  “Every end is the result of a new beginning” ~ Unknown
• Last week at our Valley City School Board meeting, it was voted to extend the School Resource Officer (SRO) partnership with the city of Valley City.  SRO Sean Hagen protects, builds relationships and provides good guidance for our students.  Thank you everyone.
• I attended a meeting where a topic was “Giving Back”.  Churches, schools, charities, hospitals, committees for each of the aforementioned and more provide opportunities for all of us to give back.  Monetary, clerical, committees, cleaning, yard work are some ways we can help the entities that helped us over time.  Please give serious thought to giving back, thank you.
• We are moving into a new winter sports season with players, coaches and fans full of anticipation going forward.  At the high school level, play, coaching and officiating aren’t perfect.  Too many times, fans unduly criticize players, coaches and officials.  Playing sports is not a right, it is a privilege.  Coaches invest hundreds of hours in preparation and practice time so students can have teams on which to play.  Game officials aren’t perfect, even college and professional game officials miss calls, but they too invest much time working to be the best they can be.      “Without coaches and officials, it is just intramural.”  Respect given from all involved is needed to provide a positive experience for our youth.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.“     ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud

Greetings All, 

• Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed November 11th annually in the United States.  *This date recognizes the anniversary of World War I ending on the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month, 1918.  The national ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, like many local ceremonies across the nation, take place November 11th at 11:00 a.m.  Share your gratitude, say “Thank you” to all veterans, all year.  Always remember the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice as well.
• With the change to Central Standard Time, Yogi Berra might say, “It gets late early now”!
• Last week managing electrical power usage at peak times to avoid demand charges (thousands of $$$) was mentioned.  If we minimize using dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers during peak times, it will help.
• The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored its annual “Save a Buck, Spend Some Doe” celebration for those who weren’t out deer hunting!  There were lots of people uptown, enjoying each other along with complimentary treats while seeking bargain purchases.  Thanks to all our Valley City businesses.
• The Valley City Parks & Recreation (VCPR) had a girls’ basketball tournament in addition to other activities in town over the weekend.  There were players and parents all around town savoring the opportunities to enjoy Valley City and the VCPR event.
• The American Public Power Association (APPA) is celebrating eighty-five years of serving public power and as many of you know, Valley City is a public power community.  In September of 1940, public power leaders from across the United States gathered in Washington D.C. to officially form the APPA.  That event was followed in October by its first board of directors meeting in Kansas City launching APPA service. 
• We have some American Linden trees that have been “holding” their leaves …. until the hard freezes last weekend!  Now we have leaves all over the place so leaf cleanup is imminent.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Time and good friends are two things that become more valuable the older you get.”             ~ Unknown

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

The Valley City Planning and Zoning Commission has an immediate opening for a commissioner to fulfill the remainder of a five-year term ending in 2029.

Those interested are asked to submit name, address, phone number to the City Assessor (tdrabus@valleycity.us) by December 19, 2025. You may be contacted for additional information depending on the number of individuals that express interest in serving.

• Seven member board
• Must reside in City limits
• Meetings held on second Tuesday of every month, plus special meetings as required
• Regular attendance is expected
• $40 stipend per meeting
• Planning and Zoning Commission has authority to hear applications for conditional use permits, zoning ordinance amendments, rezoning of property, and land subdivision/platting, and to make recommendations to the Board of City Commissioners regarding the approval or denial of applications. P&Z has final decision making authority on variances from zoning requirements, and imposition of fines for violations of the zoning code.

Howdy Folks, 

• VCSU hosted the Interim Higher Education Institutions Committee on its campus in Valley City.  The committee included ND Legislators, citizen representatives and University System Commissioner Brent Sanford.  President Al LaFave, faculty, and other administrators all made presentations sharing how VCSU administers its mission as per the North Dakota University System.
• Safety, remember there are distracted drivers so please wear Hi-Viz colors and walk AGAINST TRAFFIC versus with traffic.
• Valley City winter parking regulations are in force, see. Visit our website for more info
  • https://www.valleycity.us/streets/
• Our winter season will bring colder weather, oh boy!  Anyway, if we minimize our power usage between 6:00 & 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 5:00 to 7:00, we can save thousands of dollars in demand charges.  Please think about it.
• It is amazing to me how trees determine when to drop leaves as this year similar varieties of trees have dropped leaves at so many different times.  Some triggers are, but not limited to, fewer hours of daylight, drought, heat, frost and water logging. Some Maples have been dropping leaves in the wind and drizzle while some have just dropped them straight down.  With the fall colored leaves dropping softly under the trees overnight, a delightful beauty is created.
• The Pick Sloan Plan of 1944 afforded North Dakota with federal hydro-power dams along the Missouri River.  Said dams are critical to our clean, adequate affordable power along with indispensable flood control.  Missouri River Energy Services along with our U.S. Senators and Congresswoman continually impress upon both legislative bodies the importance of maintaining ownership of the dams.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”             ~ George Sand

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave Carlsrud