gubernatorial candidates

Could you get any more “North Dakota” than that?

It’s what I asked myself after talking to State Sen. Merrill Piepkorn and Congressman Kelly Armstrong about an idea I had for this month’s recipe section: What if we featured favorite recipes from North Dakota’s gubernatorial candidates?

A light accompaniment to a weightier issue of North Dakota Living. A side of broccoli with lasagna, if you will.

Lori Carlson gathers signatures

Voting and elections provide a vehicle for citizens to change laws or introduce new ones they think would benefit their community.

With North Dakota’s ballot measure process, citizens can introduce a statewide ballot measure to change the North Dakota Constitution or state law. A statewide measure can be placed on the ballot by the Legislature or through a petition process initiated by the citizens of North Dakota.

N.D. candidates

In election years, North Dakota Living offers its platform as the state’s largest circulated publication to familiarize voters with the candidates seeking statewide office.

North Dakota Living posed two questions to candidates in select statewide races, including U.S. senator, representative in Congress, governor and lieutenant governor, and public service commissioner. Their responses are published here through page 31.

yes-no graphics

CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE 1 – SCR 4001
Put forth by the state Legislature, this measure updates terminology used in the state constitution to describe several state institutions.

It would change the “school for the deaf and dumb of North Dakota” to the “school for the deaf and hard of hearing,” the “state hospital for the insane” to the “state hospital for the care of individuals with mental illness” and “an institution for the feebleminded” to “a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities.”

train derailed and caused a massive fire

On July 5, Carrington Fire Chief Ken Wangen had a call for a “locomotive fire.” When he arrived on scene about 9 miles southeast of Carrington near Bordulac, he found 29 rail cars carrying hazardous materials, including anhydrous ammonia, had derailed, causing a massive fire.

Thanks to the quick response by Wangen and other local responders, and with assistance from urban and rural fire departments in Jamestown, Kensal, Pingree, New Rockford, Sykeston, Harvey, Devils Lake and Rugby, there were no casualties.

Lake Tschida

A glistening gem amidst the prairie, Lake Tschida is a treasure trove of outdoor recreation and family fun for those visiting the area. Chase the wind atop a boat on the water. Or share the delight of a gooey, smoky s’more at a campfire.

Nestled among the rolling hills of southcentral North Dakota, Heart Butte Reservoir, known as Lake Tschida, summons visitors with wide-open waters for jet skis or boats and cozy campsites for family gatherings.

The 3,400 water acres are surrounded by 7,575 acres of public land where recreational opportunities abound.

Harmon Lake

For those craving peaceful waters under the North Dakota skies, the Harmon Lake Recreation Area offers an opportunity to build a sandcastle on the beach, dip a paddle in the pond or spin a tire on a trail.

The 136-acre reservoir located on Otter Creek has nearly 5 miles of shoreline, and getting to the water is easy, with a swimming area on an expansive sandy beach.

Or cast a line for northern pike, crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass or rainbow trout, launching from a public boat ramp with a dock. The lake also has a floating fishing pier.