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Oldest Weekly Newspaper in North Dakota • Published Continuously with the Same Name in the Same City Since 1880 Cyber Bullying Page A8 Cass CountyCasselton Reporter • Kindred Tribune • Hunter Times REPORTERNovember 24, 2010 • 131st Year • No. 38 • Casselton, ND 58012 • www.ccreporter.com • $1 Winter Central Cass proposed addition debated Wonderland By Amanda Gades Darcy [Brandenburg, band teacher] and Coming into the public meeting Andrea [Greenawalt, choir teacher] and the Nov. 16, school board members felt people who are running the program.” of Lights optimistic about moving forward with Doug Moderow said the proposed stage an addition. Several district patrons will not be effective because of sound is- concerns have changed the mood. sues. “I have never in my life seen a stage to kick-off “At the Dec. 6 school board meeting, on the floor. It doesn’t work because basi- we are either going to approve the pa- cally the sound doesn’t travel. What makes rameters of the project as presented or sound travel is something called thrust.” Christmas delay the process,” said Keith Gohdes, Diane Moderow, also chimed in, say- school board president. “If it’s not in ing she is concerned patrons will not the best interest of the school district, be able to hear or see productions. season we are not going to move forward.” “As a parent, when I go see my children Background on the addition perform, I want to hear them and I want to By Amanda Gades Discussions on the proposed see them,” said Moderow. “Those are the two Christmas shopping for addition began early this year, ac- most important things to me. We already children and adults, photos with cording to Gohdes. This spring, know that we can’t hear them with the way Santa Claus, caroling, prizes and focus groups from a cross section things are. To me, if we put a stage on the floor treats. Those are just a few of of the district were formed to pro- and add ground level seats, if I’m not there the exciting aspects of this years vide input on a possible addition. an hour before production, I’m not going to Casselton Business Association At the June 14 school board meet- see it, especially if I have a first grader.” (CBA) sponsored Winter Won- ing, Foss Architects was hired. Kost asked for possible solutions. derland of Lights, Nov. 29. The Cadillac plan based on the input The stage should be raised up at “There is something for ev- from the focus groups resulted in a $7.8 least seven inches, stated Mehmel. million price tag. “The cost equaled In response, Weston explained, “I visited eryone,” said Shannon Radcliffe the core of what we spent in 1996 (to with Darcy and I wasn’t getting the feedback Bueche, a member of the plan- build the school),” said Gohdes. I am getting now. Is it a big dollar item to ning committee for the event. To move forward and create a raise it? No, I don’t think so. I thought in Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the consensus-building strategy, Gohdes Photos by Amanda Gades/The Reporter talking to staff that I was under the impres- kids shopping mall, managed appointed a committee of Scott Kost, Foss Architects exterior design of the proposed addition on the east side of the school. Ac- sion that they were okay with this as long by Central Cass DECA, will Pat Knudson and Deb Roesler. The as the bleachers could come in closer...Now be open for sales at the Pizza cording to information received from Cass County Tax Assessor Frank Klein, the project will group met with teachers, students and cost district patrons with a $100,000 home or $100,000 in agriculture property $90 annually if it is an issue, we need to address it.” Ranch. Local products will be administrators to assist in making sure But even the raising of the stage still for purchase and the proceeds the guiding principles are followed. for 20 years. leaves concerns for the fine arts program. will be returned to the respec- These are: to be fiscally responsible, to “Everything that you need in order for tive business. financially effective. an expanded music department, weight room, enhance the educational environment, to not Once their report was complete, the project space for the alternative learning center (ALC), it to be a stage has been taken out and put Photos with Santa taken by negatively impact the viability of the school dis- as incidentals,” said Diane Moderow. Steven Carvell Photography, hot went down to about $4.8 million. To do that, gym space and an enhanced stage area. trict’s mission and to impact as many students gymnasium square footage was decreased “There is a net gain of five classrooms and it Kost disagrees with her assessment. “This cocoa and cookies and home- as possible. is not ideal. We hope to someday have a better based business booths will be at slightly and the theater seating will be bleachers, also enhances our fine arts and athletic pro- The group evaluated several things including among other things. grams,” said Weston. stage, but it’s not all going to happen at once. the former Cool Beanz building. the possibility of renovating the south gym for Amenities included in the current design of Scott Kost, chair of the building committee, I don’t think it can and I don’t know it’s the “We’re having it on two a fine arts space. They concluded that was not the addition are: classrooms, showers and locker believes the addition followed the guiding prin- right thing to go to this community and say blocks of Front Street so more rooms, a small concession area, bathrooms, ciples required. “In my mind, it builds a shell for ‘We want it all right now.’ I think it’s some- businesses can take part in the enhancing our programs sig- thing that we need to work towards and as fun event,” said Bueche. nificantly. The classrooms, a school board member, I’m willing to work Having the shopping mall are enhanced fine arts space, on this to help us get where we need to be.” separate from the other activi- additional gym space, fitness As the discussion started to turn to the mer- ties also gives children a chance space.” its of fine arts versus athletics, Ken Buss said he to select a present without their It was discussed that is concerned about the way those in attendance parents next to them. Junior some of the other amenities are divided on the addition. “I think we need to Optimist members will assist such as a mobile bleacher look at compromising to satisfy all of the needs.” with wrapping presents. system, bleachers on each Yes, additional amenities can be added, The evening will also feature side of the gym, sound and explained Gohdes, but that will raise the downtown sleigh rides by Da- lighting systems and ad- price tag and extend the time frame. kota Carriage Company from 5 ditional equipment for the Other issues expressed included the addi- p.m. to 6:30 p.m. weight room. tion having the appearance of being the main Along with family fun, area Stage height, lighting gymnasium for sporting events, no storage for residents can purchase a raffle and sound issues theater props and the bleacher system being un- ticket for a chance at one of six Several people at the comfortable and burdensome for senior citizens. prizes in Casselton bucks total- meeting took issue with Next steps ing $1000. The raffle tickets are the ground level stage. Discussion on the proposed addition will available at several CBA busi- “I just see nightmare continue at the Dec. 6 school board meeting. nesses in town or can be pur- after nightmare from a If the school board chooses to move chased the night of the event. sight point of view,” said forward with the project, there could be Nearly 30 door prizes will Pastor Paula Mehmel. a referendum election as soon as Jan. also be given away that night. Kost replied, “The 25. A 60 percent ‘yes’ vote would be Event-goers can sign up any- final design we will needed for the referendum to pass. time during the event prior to Diane Moderow, Friends of Fine Arts sec- School board president Keith Gohdes started the meeting take into account the This time line would allow for the district the drawing. feedback we get from to put the project out for bids and have the retary, believes the addition will not pro- with discussion on how the project was initiated and the prog- addition framed in before winter sets in. Prize winners will be drawn vide the stage needed for productions. ress to today’s version. around 6:30 p.m. and an- nounced on 103.9 The Truck. Those chosen must come to the radio station in the Governors’ Office Park to win. For more information, log on to www.casselton.net or refer to Winter Wonderland of Lights MapletonBy Amanda Gades employee resigns posters located at CBA member A week of turmoil ended with businesses. the resignation of a Mapleton city employee. Hugo Zamarron, formerly the water superintendent, turned in his letter of resignation at the Nov. 16 special meeting of the city council. An incident involving a city drain system has been the center of contro- versy between Zamarron and other city officials. In his letter, Zamarron said: “This most recent incident with the discharging of the lagoons and water monitoring makes it clear that I can- not trust that I will receive crucial and necessary information to do my job as water superintendent.” He added: “It has become a safety Mayor Mark Anderson, right, reads the letter the city sent to Za- issue.

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