Richland-Wilkin Joint Powers Authority
Original Publication Date:
October 25th, 2012
Wahpeton Daily News
Republished with permission from:
Author: Mike Bice, a resident of Cass County, Pleasant Township.
The sadness of divorce is a common experience for many families. Sometimes it’s abuse, sometimes it’s developing interests apart from one another, but most often it is a breakdown of basic communication. The parties forget what identifies the other as an individual in addition to what makes them part of a larger whole.
Cass County Commission candidate Mary Scherling recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Fargo Forum calling Pleasant Township’s de-annexation measure on the November ballot a “misguided attempt to derail the Red River Diversion.” She said “Richland County will be charged with repaying Pleasant Township’s share of bonds” for the Cass County Courthouse addition. Not surprisingly, she didn’t say Cass County should pay lost Kindred School District taxes. She says Pleasant residents will pay a higher mill levy in Richland County. It sounds like money is pretty important to Ms. Scherling, but like her predecessor, talking with the people of Pleasant Township is not.
It’s not hard to understand the feelings of the Pleasant Township petitioners. They are being asked to give up their homes and way of life. The Metro Flood group that came up with the behemoth diversion and dam that would back water onto more than 50,000 acres, didn’t bother to ask the township residents if they minded taking the hit. They were assured they would be compensated. Apparently, money solves everything and they would be happy to dictate what a community is worth.
The Pleasant Township petitioners are asking for a divorce. They are justified in their request based on the treatment they have received and the representation they have not. The voters in both Cass and Richland counties will have to decide if the plea should be granted. Money doesn’t appear to be at the top of the list for the petitioners. They live where they do by choice, and by heritage. Governance is a privilege, not an opportunity to reorganize those who disagree with them. The communication of values has broken down. Perhaps it can be fixed.
On behalf of Pleasant Township, I urge you to support our cause in the upcoming election, and support our move into Richland County.
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