Stay the course; fix the road right

Is it still the right thing to do?
Two years ago, the City of Hillsboro applied for a federal and state grant to rebuild Hwy. 200. The money was available under a new program to fix state highways running through small towns. As advertised, the program was supposed to put the city in the driver’s seat as the state helped navigate through the design and construction process. Somewhere along the line, the city was demoted to the back seat.
First, the scope of the project was narrowed. No longer stretching from city limit to city limit, the reconstruction zone was condensed. A cost-saving measure, we were assured. The state asked for comments from residents but — for the most part — they tended to ignore what was being said. The state had a plan of its own. They are the experts after all, they knew what they’re doing. It made little difference that residents live here and drive the streets everyday. Their experiences mattered little to the engineers.
We want our wide road to stay was the overwhelming message from residents. Still the state insisted, a narrower road was adequate and cheaper. It would be a safe design, the state assured us.
Reluctant at first, city commissioners finally joined in the community chorus. Eventually, they took an official, yet divided, stand — wide road paved in concrete. Of course, the city agreed to pay for the more expensive option. It was our road and we wanted the project done right. After some resistance, the state allowed the wide road.
To take full advantage of the reconstruction process, city commissioners wisely planned to complete underground utility work when the ground was open. The added work amounts to about $400,000 but the timing is right and it means a complete package — a solid roadway above and a sound system underneath.
Once the wide vs. narrow debate was settled, a new obstacle appeared on the road — convincing the state that a four-way stop at Hwy. 200 and Caledonia Avenue was essential for a safe road. This city is divided in two by Hwy. 200 and one regulated intersection guaranteed a single safe crossing for cars, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians. The state counted and recounted the vehicles that used the road and questioned the need for a four-way stop. We questioned their logic.
The four-way stop (in some shape or form) had been there for more than 20 years — installed by the state. It worked just fine, we knew, but the state remained unconvinced. They opened their Bible — the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. If federal money was involved, they preached, the project needed to follow the rules to the letter. Under federal guidelines, our intersection didn’t warrant a four-way stop. The city’s cry for a single protected crossing along the busy highway was silenced. The four-way stop is coming out and a two-way stop will remain — when and if the road is rebuilt.
Now commissioners must give their final blessing to the revised reconstruction project. Do we move forward with a wide road paved in concrete — minus our beloved four-way stop? or do we turn our back on nearly $2 million?
If our city commissioners walk away from the federal grant money and shelve the plan to rebuild Hwy. 200, they would be making a grave mistake. We have an opportunity to fix the highway and do it right. We’ve been told by the state that if the project isn’t done in 2008, it might be done in 2010 or 2014 — but it won’t be reconstructed, rather a less-expensive overlay will be added. We’ll still pay our fair share for the work but what will we show for it? A patch job that will need real fixing again soon — thanks to the trucks that pound over the road daily.
This is our chance to invest wisely in our streets and do it right the first time. The city still has a marginal say in what happens in 2008. If we wait, we won’t have any say — we’ll just pay the bill. We’ve lost the four-way stop. It’s a regrettable decision but we must cut our losses and count what we stand to gain. Turning down a $2 million investment in our community’s infrastructure is foolish. Yes, we know our share is another $1 million but we’ll be left with a road that better serves the town. Move forward — built it now.If our city commissioners walk away from the federal grant money and shelve the plan to rebuild Hwy. 200, they would be making a grave mistake. We have an opportunity to fix the highway and do it right. We’ve been told by the state that if the project isn’t done in 2008, it might be done in 2010 or 2014 — but it won’t be reconstructed, rather a less-expensive overlay will be added. We’ll still pay our fair share for the work but what will we show for it? A patch job that will need real fixing again soon — thanks to the trucks that pound over the road daily.
This is our chance to invest wisely in our streets and do it right the first time. The city still has a marginal say in what happens in 2008. If we wait, we won’t have any say — we’ll just pay the bill. We’ve lost the four-way stop. It’s a regrettable decision but we must cut our losses and count what we stand to gain. Turning down a $2 million investment in our community’s infrastructure is foolish. Yes, we know our share is another $1 million but we’ll be left with a road that better serves the town. Move forward — build it now.If our city commissioners walk away from the federal grant money and shelve the plan to rebuild Hwy. 200, they would be making a grave mistake. We have an opportunity to fix the highway and do it right. We’ve been told by the state that if the project isn’t done in 2008, it might be done in 2010 or 2014 — but it won’t be reconstructed, rather a less-expensive overlay will be added. We’ll still pay our fair share for the work but what will we show for it? A patch job that will need real fixing again soon — thanks to the trucks that pound over the road daily.
This is our chance to invest wisely in our streets and do it right the first time. The city still has a marginal say in what happens in 2008. If we wait, we won’t have any say — we’ll just pay the bill. We’ve lost the four-way stop. It’s a regrettable decision but we must cut our losses and count what we stand to gain. Turning down a $2 million investment in our community’s infrastructure is foolish. Yes, we know our share is another $1 million but we’ll be left with a road that better serves the town. Move forward — build it now.

Creature of habit.

My behavior, more often than not, settles quickly into a rut. I’m predictable, my loved ones will tell you. I prefer dependable — like a good watch.
It’s not always a conscious choice I’m making. It happens without any thought or premeditation. It’s out of my control.
Case in point — I wake up early every morning, too early. I don’t set an alarm; I just wake up. The weird part is it doesn’t matter if I’ve been sleeping for eight hours or four hours, I wake at the same time. I’m deep in a rut and I’m looking for a cure.
Over the past several months — since that dreadfully early time change — my internal clock has reset itself for no apparent reason at 5:30 a.m. It didn’t happen over night; it was a gradual — minute-by-minute — adjustment from a more reasonable 6:30. Now my wake-up call is stuck at an agonizing 5:30.

News quiz for the month of July

Here’s your irregular — occasional, in other words — news quiz for the month of July, suspected once again to be more energizing than it is challenging; hardly factual; less than newsworthy.
It’s the best July can offer.

1— Mika Brzezinski, MSNBC television journalist, is being heralded for refusing to tell about Paris Hilton’s release from jail. Reportedly, instead of reading the latest on Paris, she shredded the news copy. On live TV. Go, Mika! Wait a minute, there’s more to the story. The real reason Mike didn’t report on poor Paris is because —
A) Being blonde herself, Mika has empathy for her sisters.
B) The clock was ticking.
C) Joe Scarborough, early morning TV host on Mika’s show, has a thing for Paris.
D) She was paid double for the shredding moment.

Uniforms are blue, the name of the game is hard ball

Off the bat of a Hillsboro Little Leaguer, the baseball went through the legs of Northwood’s third baseman, and past the shortstop, who turned to watch the ball trickle into the outfield.
Bent over, the third baseman was still looking back through his legs
Northwood’s left fielder, unaware the ball had found its way into the outfield, watched the center fielder race into his territory.
Fans in the stands Tuesday were screaming for the Hillsboro Little League base runners to keep running.
The Hillsboro batter stretched the play into a stand-up double. Two runners scored.
Northwood’s fans, meanwhile, were hollering, “Would someone pick up the ball.”

Bet your 4-leaf clover on it

By ANNA AUSTIN
Perhaps your child isn’t interested in athletics. Or, maybe the child wants something to do, in addition to school and sports.
Even in the summer a child will ask: What’s there to do?
LeAnn Beck knows what she would suggest.
Have you thought about 4-H, LeAnn might ask.
You can bet your four-leaf clover on it.
Trademarked by a four-leaf clover, 4-H is a nationwide community of young people that focus on learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills beginning at a young age.
Each “H” stands for head, heart, hands, and health — four values that members work to obtain through fun, intellectual, and engaging programs.

“America’s Circus” will become Hillsboro’s Circus Wednesday

Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will raise its Big Top tent Wednesday morning south of the armory. By evening, the midway and menagerie will welcome circus lovers of all ages.
Two 90-minute shows are scheduled for 5 and 7:30 p.m. The midway opens at 4 p.m.
The circus comes to town again, courtesy of the Hillsboro Kiwanis Club. In 2005, the Kiwanis sponsored C&M Circus’ inaugural visit, the first stop by a circus in Hillsboro in more than 30 years. The event was such a resounding success, the Kiwanis Club was ready and willing to play host again when C&M planned its tour through the area again this summer.

Vets Club wants to keep annual street dance

Despite losing money on their street dance in June, Vets Club directors say they plan to stage another dance next summer.
The June 23 street dance, the Vets club’s third annual summer dance, was not a paying proposition, board members meeting last week were told.
Still, one bad year isn’t reason enough to drop the dance, indicated Jim Beach, board president.
Street dances have long been a tradition in Hillsboro and the Vets Club can continue to carry on that tradition, Beach and other board members allowed.
Veterans of Foreign Wars post commander Rich Gehrke said it would be premature to discontinue the once-popular street dance.

Area crops on the rebound

A month ago crops in the immediate Hillsboro area and across Traill County were spotty, at best.
Too much rain largely in May had taken its toll; early crops were drowned out in the lower areas and in others sectors the moisture promised diseased crops.
Four weeks later and the outlook has improved considerably.
The recent stretch of warm and dry weather pushed crops to where now the Red River Valley stands a good chance of producing another average to above average crop.
Monday’s rain was an added bonus.

Reynolds to celebrate 125 plus 2

Pack up your coolers, sunscreen and bug spray, and come on out to Reynolds for a weekend of families, friends, and fun.
The city will celebrate its 125+2 anniversary July 27-29. The festivities will begin Friday with a steak fry from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
“Dakota Mysteries & Oddities Museum” will be on display from 7-10 p.m. and the Variety Show will begin at 7:30. The Variety Show will consist of volunteer performers presenting various acts — comedy, singing, dancing or any other talent that they may have. Applications can be picked up in Reynolds at Weber’s Grocery or the Beehive.
A fireworks display will follow the Variety Show at 10 p.m.

July 13, 2007

50 YEARS AGO
July 11, 1957 — A public meeting about the location of Hwy. 18 broke into a heated argument in Mayville. The state highway department suggested rerouting the road directly north of Blanchard to join with Hwy. 7 five miles east of Mayville. The present route turned west at Blanchard for five miles before turning north into Mayville. Most of the 75 people at the meeting wanted the route left unchanged.
John Trygg was hired as the new football, basketball and track coach at Hillsboro High School. Trygg had managed the city pool the previous summer and recently completed his teaching degree at UND.