Richland-Wilkin Joint Powers Authority
Original Publication Date:
November 21st, 2012
Wahpeton Daily News
Republished with permission from:
Author: Stephanie Miranowski, Wilkin County Commissioner and Director, Richland Wilkin Joint Powers Authority
It would be easy to sit back in our chair and decry the unfairness of the battle with the Red River Diversion Authority for our homes and community. It would be easy to point out the absurdity of covering 50,000 acres of prime valley farmland and 400 homes with water, making it impossible for our local communities to grow and prosper. But this is Thanksgiving and it would be wrong if we didn’t take a moment to put things in perspective.
We have countless reasons to celebrate this Thanksgiving – the valley we live in, our neighbors who are working together to preserve our way of life, and the promise of a bright future. There is nothing quite like a threat to our communities to motivate people to gather together for a common cause. Thousands of hours have been spent by hundreds of people to understand the issues, and find consensus on what is best for all of us. None of this has been easy. We need to thank them.
It has been gratifying to watch our political process at work, and see that despite the denigrating attack ads of the election season, the people we elect are sincerely committed to represent our interests. The lessons of human behavior and history are no different for large conflicts than for small. Political decision makers outside the valley recognize the strength of speaking with one voice. The leaders of our resistance effort know that our strength lies in a unified resolve to eliminate the dam and reservoir from the diversion plan.
Our efforts are the result of a true Democracy. We are thankful for the generations of men and women that created and nurtured a country based on rights of the individual and opportunity of the future. After all the centuries, there is still no other country in the world like ours. Our sincere thanks go to local, state and national leaders who continue that heritage today. To those who defend us all in uniform, we say thanks.
Last, but not least, we thank the Daily News for giving a voice to those working to resolve these issues. Democracy cannot function in a silent world.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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