The Rutland Planning Commission met on Monday, February 17th at 5 p.m. to consider a petition from Bill Anderson to amend the Rutland Zoning Ordinance by changing the zoning of the property located at the SW 1/2 of Sect. 19, Township 130N, R54W of the Principal Meridian, Sargent County, ND from an Agricultural District to a Residential District and to accept the platted land also known as the Kathleen Brakke Addition to the City of Rutland. The property is within the existing City limits. The Commission will present its recommendation to the Rutland City Council for a public hearing at that meeting on March 2 at 5 p.m.
The Sargent County Arizona Breakfast was held last week. Curt Larson provided the following report:
“Hello from sunny Arizona. There was a large gathering of 23 persons for the monthly Sargent County Breakfast at the Golden Corral in Mesa. It was a bright, sunny and warm morning in Mesa as everyone began to arrive. It was the largest turnout for this winter season so far. Maybe the Groundhog was right and we are all in for an early spring.
The attendees are current or former Sargent County residents and are listed as follows: Paul Anderson & Carol Fridgen; Al Ciota & Clarice Ordahl; Larry & Ann Colby; Jim & Kathryn Gaukler; Lyle & Sharda Kratcha; Curt & Renee Larson; Duane & Sharon Lock; DuWane Minnaert & Marlys Stevens; Pat Prindiville; Larry & Peggy Swanson; Vicki Swanson & her sister from California, Judy (Swanson) Odegard; Gwen Young; Vincent Young. We all had a good visit and renewed acquaintances; and of course, the food is always plentiful and delicious.
Some attendees mentioned other winter visitors who are in the area; however, I don’t have email addresses or phone numbers for them. If you are reading this column in the Sargent County Teller and would like to attend our next gathering on March 9th, please give me your email address or phone number and I will send out a gathering reminder; here is my contact information: cell # 701-680-9399 and email, clars@drtel.net.
That is all for now and keep smiling.
Curt Larson, Gathering Recorder
Deborah Banish has been a participant in the North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) Grow to Lead 2019-2020 two-year programdesigned to provide hands-on leadership experiences and hone skills for new or current NDFU county board members who have served up to 5 years cumulatively. Debbie has been a member of the Sargent County Farmers Union Board since November 2017. During 2019 she attended training in Bismarck that included a visit to the State Capitol during the Legislative session. Last summer, the group toured several Farmers Union Industries’ (FUI) businesses in Minnesota such as sWheat Scoop and Central Bi-Products Rendering plant in Long Prairie to learn more about FUI products and services. The last venture of the program was a trip to Hawaii and an opportunity to learn more about the farming industry in Hawaii. Her husband, Michael, was able to accompany her on the trip in February. The group of 31 had the opportunity to tour Pearl Harbor and the Ford Island Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the Dole Plantation on Oahu on the first day. The next morning the group met with officers of the Hawaii Farmers Union United organization for nearly five hours to discuss farming in Hawaii and ND. Some unique information learned about farming in Hawaii included interesting data (2017 data): There are nearly 5,000 farms of 9 or fewer acres; 6,500 farms of 50 or less acres; 20 acres is considered a large farm; the major problem pests in Hawaii are feral chickens, feral pigs and deer; regenerative and Korean Natural Farming are two farming methods followed in Hawaii; the Western part of Oahu is dry and more mangoes are grown in that area; other farm crops include ‘Ulu (breadfruit) and sweet potato (some of which is converted to flour), hemp, garden vegetables and other small crops; beef is overproduced and exported and imported back as they have no rendering plant on Oahu. Hawaii farmers also participate in the WWOOF program – the World-wide Opportunities in Organic Farms – that connects host farms to short term volunteer labor in exchange for housing and some food. The Grow to Lead group then moved on to the ‘Big Island’ of Hawaii where visits were made to the Mountain Thunder Coffee, the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, Hawaii Lowline Cattle Company, Big Island Bees, Ocean Rider Sea Horse Farm, and the Kona Brewing Company. Mike and Debbie managed to get to a luau one evening, snorkeling one afternoon and took a few hours the last morning to get some whale watching in before taking the red-eye flight back to the mainland and home the next evening.
Last week’s column mentioned that Jerry Sapa had been consulting doctors in Fargo to try to diagnose what is ailing him. Jerry is scheduled for chemo on February 19-21 and is staying in Fargo during that time. He hopes to be back to Rutland soon. There will be a Wild Game Potluck Benefit for Jerry at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge on Wednesday, February 26th, starting at 3 p.m. People are asked to bring prepared food in a serving dish or pan. Hot items will need their own electric pot or roaster. Desserts and salads are welcome. Coffee and water will be provided with other refreshments available. For more questions call or text Joe Breker at 701-680-0379.
On Saturday, February 29, at 11 a.m. there will be a baby shower honoring Dana Wyum and Baby Bryce Phoebe Wyum born on February 4. The event will take place at the Nordland Lutheran Church. Drop by to visit and join the fun honoring one of Rutland’s newest residents.
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the Kathleen Brakke Addition to the City of Rutland starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2nd, followed by the regular monthly meeting. The agenda can be viewed on the Rutland website at rutlandnd.com where you can find other news and announcements of Rutland happenings.
There is still time to file Petitions/Certificates of Nomination to run for City Offices. The following positions will be on the June 2020 City Ballot: Mayor, City Council Member (2 positions), and Park Board Member (3 positions). Each position is for a 4-year term starting June 23, 2020 ending June 22nd, 2024. Petitions may be circulated now; only 4 signatures are required to get on the ballot. Petitions are due to the City Auditor by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact the City Auditor at 724-3081.
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