FARGO -- 2009 was a very significant year for Fargo and the Red River Valley. The floods of last spring were of historic proportions.
But it was not just a Fargo or a Red River Valley flood; it was a North Dakota flood. As everyone knows, flooding played havoc across our state. In many ways, it was an epic struggle that encompassed the whole of North Dakota.
When Gov. John Hoeven called out the National Guard, he said they would be active across the state. The men and women of our National Guard were everywhere. Their heroic effort made the difference. In fact, I heard from many who said that seeing a National Guard truck pull into their community or neighborhood gave them hope and told them that North Dakota cared about their corner of the world.
I know that the Guard as well as our students and volunteers made all the difference in Fargo and Cass County. As a lifelong resident of Fargo, a small business owner and a Fargo city commissioner, I have more reasons than most to praise them. They helped save the day.
The point is that the floods were a North Dakota problem. Under the leadership of Hoeven, Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker and others, we approached the floods as North Dakotans, not just as residents of Fargo, Lisbon or Enderlin, N.D. Our governor has always said that North Dakota is a community, not just an address. The year 2009 proved his statement to be true.
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We now are talking about permanent flood protection for Fargo, Cass County and surrounding areas. The federal government, counties, cities and the state are joining together to find a workable and affordable level of permanent flood protection. It is a long, tedious and sometimes contentious undertaking; but it is vital. Nobody doubts that it will be expensive and drawn out.
Fargo has started the process of raising money for this project. The residents of Fargo, by an overwhelming majority, voted in a half-cent sales tax for flood control. The counties, other cities and municipalities also will need to commit to raising the revenues needed. And North Dakota has a significant role to play.
I know that some will say Fargo should pay its own way, even though the state has played a role in financing flood protection for other endangered communities over the years.
And some will say the state also should play a role in solving the infrastructure problems caused by the oil and gas boom in western counties. I think they are correct; but that does not negate the need for permanent flood protection along the Red River.
Like it or not, Fargo is a major contributor to the North Dakota economy. If we had not been successful in last year's flood, imagine the economic hit our state would have sustained.
Fargo competes with the rest of the world in medical research, high-tech development and nanotechnology, competition that benefits our entire state. It is an economic engine for the rest of North Dakota.
Fargo, along with the rest of the state, benefits from the growth and development of the God-given resources in western North Dakota. And the rest of the state benefits from Fargo's growing importance in commerce and industry throughout the country.
We are one state; one community. It is critical for all of us, throughout North Dakota, to work as one to meet the challenges that face us.
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When one area or sector is in trouble, our entire state is in trouble. We need to face that trouble together.
Piepkorn is a Fargo city commissioner.
