Commentary – Page 16 – TheMinotVoice.com

The Struggle within the Economics of Environmental Protection

by: Josh Wolsky | February 24, 2017

If you take a minute to read the mission and guiding principles behind The Minot Voice, you’ll notice the protecting the environment gets a special call-out. This guest blog on Scientific American provides some valuable commentary on a couple ideas intended to quantify the future economic impacts through a current market mechanism.

Read & Share sourced from: Scientific American

Hey Minot, Did You Feel the Wind Shift?

by: Josh Wolsky | January 19, 2017

So, for those of you who have been following the Minot Voice, something you might not know about me is that I’m a sailor. And if you’ve got no experience with sailors, let me describe our breed. We’re calm, industrious folk who make the most of our lot, and we’re acutely aware of the environment.

Read & Share

These Individuals Deserve All Our Thanks!

by: Josh Wolsky | December 15, 2016

Yesterday, I put pictures of our City Engineer and Public Works Director on the Internet and questioned whether we have a system that gives the City of Minot the best chance of success. It was a difficult piece to publish because asking hard questions and questioning outcomes is uncomfortable business. Today, you’re getting a very

Read & Share

What if they’re wrong?

by: Josh Wolsky | December 14, 2016

Minot’s a small town in a slow economic time, and the City’s contracts for roads and sewers and flood protection are the fattest ones around. And the two most powerful people in town when comes to delivering those professional services contracts to engineering firms and paving the way for contractors and developers? It’s our Public

Read & Share

The Missing Main Street Opening Wasn’t the Only Flaw in Phase 1

by: Josh Wolsky | December 9, 2016

Last Monday, City Council took up the issue of adding an opening in the floodwall at Main Street. It’s been a topic of discussion and commentary here on The Minot Voice since last spring, but it ramped up recently with news that there were also discussions taking place to remove the Anne Street Bridge. Council

Read & Share

Congressman Cramer on the Dakota Access Easement Ruling

by: Josh Wolsky | December 7, 2016

Congressman Cramer weighs in with an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal. He lays out the facts of the issue and lays the lawless outcome directly on the shoulders of President Obama.

Read & Share sourced from: Wall Street Journal

Is safety really the only priority in Phase 1 flood protection?

by: Josh Wolsky | December 4, 2016

Bias at the top. I’m a regular user of the Ann Street Bridge. I support the opening proposed by Alderman Straight. And the bridge has been a recent topic here on The Minot Voice. If you want to catch up on the story, here’s everything that’s been published. The question of a pedestrian opening in

Read & Share

When are we going to start to listening to citizens?

by: Josh Wolsky | December 4, 2016

Bias at the top. I’m a regular user of the Ann Street Bridge. I support the opening proposed by Alderman Straight. And the bridge has been a recent topic here on The Minot Voice. If you want to catch up on the story, here’s everything that’s been published. Approximately a year ago, when the Phase

Read & Share

City Council should have to approve flood protection designs

by: Josh Wolsky | December 4, 2016

Bias at the top. I’m a regular user of the Ann Street Bridge. I support the opening proposed by Alderman Straight. And the bridge has been a recent topic here on The Minot Voice. If you want to catch up on the story, here’s everything that’s been published. If you didn’t know, designs for flood

Read & Share

Better Government? Why citizen input is crucial to the government design process

by: Josh Wolsky | December 3, 2016

GovLab’s mission is to improve people’s lives by changing the way we govern. And in one of there recent articles, they key on the critical need for citizen input in developing the design of applications and solutions. The quote below was in direct reference to the design of a digital time-saving application, but it rings

Read & Share sourced from: GovLab

A Day Hunting or Fishing is a Good Day Regardless of Success

by: Doug Leier | November 30, 2016

When it comes to conversations about hunting and fishing, it’s pretty easy to understand when someone relates they caught a 5-pound walleye or bagged a limit of mallards. For me, those references bring to mind a stream of different fish and fowl I’ve seen, caught or shot for a comparative point of reference. But when

Read & Share

Commentary: A frantic flight from socialism

by: Josh Wolsky | November 30, 2016

With the death of Carribean dictator and a contentious ideologically-based election still close in our consciousness, this commentary from the Grand Forks Herald is worth a read. It’s a reminder of the higher ideals and opportunities this country represents and why so many among us defend it vigorously.

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Whatever Else Comes From the #NoDAPL Protests, Let’s Get North Dakota Cops Some Body Cameras

by: Josh Wolsky | November 29, 2016

Rob Port at Say Anything Blog offers up two important conversation points in this article, one of them unintentionally. First, the protest actions have exposed the need for police to be using body cameras, so we should figure out how to get that done. And second — and though not explicitly stated — it’s time

Read & Share sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com

Commentary: Why Does Fargo Keep Giving Tax Dollars Away?

by: Josh Wolsky | November 23, 2016

Tony Gehrig is a Fargo City Commissioner who wonders out loud if the Fargo City Commission is using its economic development incentives properly. Though this relates directly to Fargo, the lesson could be applied to any community trying to entice businesses — for example, Minot.

Read & Share sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com

Ken Griffey Jr. writes about the best play he ever made

by: Josh Wolsky | November 23, 2016

The end of baseball season is still close in the rearview mirror, so if you need a story to tide you over till spring training, check out Ken Griffey Jr. writing about a memorable moment he had at Tiger Stadium back in 1998. In a career that held a lot of great plays, one stood

Read & Share sourced from: The Players Tribune

Editorial: Lessons learned from Grand Forks’ sales-tax vote

by: Josh Wolsky | November 20, 2016

In the Eastern part of the state, there were sales tax initiatives on the ballot in both Fargo and Grand Forks. One of them earned voter approval, one didn’t. In this editorial, the Grand Forks Herald staff step back and look at the differences between the two as an exercise in learning.

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald