BISMARCK -- There's been a lot of publicity from local and national media about how great North Dakota is. But we wanted to hear how you would improve the state -- and we got some creative answers.
We asked how you would finish this sentence: "If I could change anything about North Dakota, I would ..."
Here are the responses:
We have a state mill and a state bank. How about a state oil refinery? Talk about economic development!
Matt Mutzenberger
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Grand Forks
Change the disgraceful means that North Dakota employs to pay its teachers. There is no sane reason why with North Dakota's robust economy that North Dakota should rank 48th in the nation in teacher pay. As much as I brag on North Dakota's greatness, this is the one area that embarrasses me about my home state.
Thomas Edward Nelson
Nashville, Tenn.
Have only an occasional breezy day throughout the year.
Mark Hendry
Hettinger, N.D.
Lower the speed limit to either 65 or 70 mph on interstate. This might help lower fatalities, decrease fuel consumption and lower spending on fuel.
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Jamison Jensen
Argusville, N.D.
1. Have people choose to be positive about this great state when people are visiting, including (about) the weather.
2. More places to rent canoes, bikes, horses, etc., at awesome outdoor venues.
3. More trails following rivers. Some sort of law that encourages farmers to give up river land for bike/horse/hiking trails that connect major cities (i.e. Grand Forks to Fargo or Bismarck to Williston or New Town to Medora.)
Keith Becker
Grand Forks
I would try to get more city-to-city air passenger (service) within the state. For now, to get to Minot from Grand Forks, you have to go through the Twin Cities on the way. At least the six major regional cities should have passenger travel between them: Williston, Minot, Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck and Dickinson.
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Gary Littlefield
Grafton, N.D.
I would change the property taxes and remove all the specials they have added in them to put them back to where they (were) at. It's the specials that are killing people here. Second, I would raise the minimum wage to create more jobs to attract more people here. Third, I would start doing drug testing (for) people wanting county or state assistance.
Patricia Myrick
West Fargo, N.D.
I would permanently get rid of mosquitoes. They are the very reason I moved out of North Dakota. Just because of those stinkin' annoying, biting, itching "things," I left. I had beautiful flowers in a beautiful yard but had a difficult time enjoying these because of those annoying critters. Everything else in my home state is perfect: the family, friends, four seasons.
Luanne Lee
Las Vegas
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I would offer state health insurance to those who cannot afford private insurance or are not covered through their jobs.
I really hope that when I finish grad school I get a job that offers health insurance. I think that, as great as this state is becoming, by not offering some form of state health coverage, North Dakota is conveying that it doesn't care about the well-being of its residents.
Eli Westerfield
Fargo
North Dakota tends (in my opinion) to concentrate on the past. I am sure their advertising and campaigns attract tourists to North Dakota, but I am uncertain if anyone would move here because of Teddy Roosevelt or the loveliness of the Badlands. I feel as though the state should push the truthful facts about what a great place North Dakota is for its cutting-edge technologies, Microsoft, university, symphony opera, theaters, etc. I am a former resident of Fargo and North Dakota and really look forward to each visit back. I enjoy the restaurants, the shopping, strolling through downtown and walking through the parks, but rarely think of Teddy Roosevelt when I am there.
Greg Johnson
Napa, Calif.
Finneman is a multimedia reporter for Forum Communications, which owns the Herald.
