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"Supporting People with Disabilities"
~~~~~~ FRIENDSHIP, INC. ~~~~~~
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The current temperature is 53 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 54/28
Normal H.L temp for this date is 59/34
It was 90 degrees on this date in 1990
There is a 70 percent chance it will not rain today and a 60 percent
chance it will tonight.
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"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
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L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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Scott shared the following thoughts on Grafton's recent water event.
>>>
As of this morning City crews are busy removing the clay dike across
5th street. While Grafton's efforts to fight this latest flood can go
down in the books as a success, the fact is we still need a permanent
flood protection system. I know there are many advocates of just leaving
the temporary dikes in place or very near where they are at and making
additions to other other portions or missing portions of the existing
dike. If it could only be so simple.
Many portions of the temporary dike are in areas that FEMA has
determined to be the City's floodway. A simple way to think of the
floodway would be and expanded river channel. FEMA generally does not
allow fill or construction in this area because it most dramatically
increases the water level both in that area and often upstream during a
flooding event, possibly causing problems for others. It's anybody's
guess why they will allow temporary construction during a flood which
really has the same end result as a permanent dike but that is our
government.
If we were able to get around the FEMA requirements and build a
permanent dike system of our own design we also have to deal with a few
other issues. We are aware of the city's share of the cost of the bypass
project which has been one of the main deterrents to it's acceptance.
That project was to be funded with a 80% Federal, 20% local cost share
with the state picking 1/2 of the local share. That cost share was
"locked in' for this project even when it was tabled after it's
initial conception. That would not be the case for a NEW project. New
projects are funded with a 50%-50% cost share. Meaning both the city and
states share would double. In effect a dike project that would cost 1/2
the price tag of the bypass would still cost us the same.
Now consider this: even if a simple diking project cost 1/4 of the
bypass project what we have is a system that will provide us reasonable
protection for most flooding events but would not meet FEMA
requirements for protection from a 100 year flood (the bypass IS the
approved project). That would require large majority of property
owners in Grafton who have mortgages on their homes to still purchase
flood insurance, with no discount available for the protection in place.
That defies one of the reasons to have flood protection. Those people
are already screaming about having to buy insurance, try to explain it
with a dike in place. I also know that many people who don't have
mortgages feel this doesn't effect them but it does. It affects
the marketability of their home. Adding $2000 a year to a potential
buyers cost for that home will and does make a difference.
Another problem is that there would still be a good probability
Grafton might have to expend considerable efforts to combat future
floods in excess of the protection level. While there would be no
guarantee (think Grand Forks "97") the probability would be lowered
considerably.
Here are some more interesting facts: Had we gone forward with the
bypass project after "97" it would be done and nearly 1/2 paid for.
As of the "09" flood our competition for federal and state money for any
such a project with have substantially increased. Fargo is already
talking about a project and most likely all the communities that flooded
this year will be also.
Scott Boura
Building Official
Code Enforcement
City of Grafton <<<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Scott.
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We're in the middle of spring season, the end (we hope) of flood season
and one can still find minute traces of the past winters snow piles.
And, with many of last falls leaves packed into hedges and bushes. It's
no wonder everyone is looking forward to summer. Lets hope the National
Weather Service allows us to have summer during SummerFest this year.
This years SummerFest City Wide Celebration main events are scheduled
for June 25, 26 & 27.
-- Experience Grafton, a friendly and vibrant community in northeastern
North Dakota. Grafton is a community rich not only in soils, but also in
heritage. Nestled in the heart of the Red River Valley, Grafton's
rural setting does not eliminate some of the urban advantages found in
larger communities. Friendly people and true community spirit along
with a vibrant retail community entice visitors to Grafton's major
events. -- (borrowed from graftonevents.com)
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If a church wants a better pastor,
It only needs to pray for the one it has.
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Speaking of great things happening in a wonderful community. Phil Ray
shared the following information. He wrote. >>>
The Grafton Optimist Club is having their 2nd Annual OPTimist OUTing
on Friday April 24th at the Fair Oaks Golf Course club house. There will
be food, music, a silent auction, raffle and much more. This year is a
western theme. The evening starts at 7:00pm and runs until 1:00am. There
will be a drawing for $1,000 and five $100 drawings. Tickets are $50
each and are available from any Grafton Optimist member. All proceeds
will be used by the Grafton Optimist Club to benefit the area youth. The
club donates money to area youth teams, clubs, etc. and also gives out
scholarships to two Grafton high school graduates each year. <<<<,
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Phil. I believe this will be
the first event of the Fair Oaks Golf Course Summer Season.
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Some minds are like concrete
Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
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I still have a few Legion Baseball May Calendar Draw tickets
available. The tickets are $20 each (payable to Legion Baseball). The
daily drawings M-F are for $50 each and $100 Sat, Mothers Day & Memorial
Day. All proceeds from the sale of tickets go to Grafton Baseball
Program. Please help our local Legion Members help the Summer Baseball
Program.
Thanks John, I received your check for the tickets yesterday.
Thank you for your support.
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Speaking of support, and the importance of it. The next time you
purchase a vehicle take a real close look at all of the families that
car dealership represents. Think of the significant impact the
dealership has on the community it is located in. Then,... ask yourself.
Is all of that "significant economic impact" going to the community in
which you live. Or,.... is it going somewhere else?
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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"Life is to short for long answers."
Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they
are,..... before it's too late.
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