Commissioners, New Year Reflections

By West Fargo City Commission

As the holiday season wraps up and the calendar turns we asked West Fargo City Commissioners to reflect on their 2022 accomplishments and goals for 2023.

Commission President Bernie Dardis

There are many projects I am proud of that took place in 2022. We made significant progress in decommissioning our lagoons. This project will renew 600 acres of land for development to grow our city and contribute to our tax base.

The City’s residential development on the south side remained strong; as we get close to build out. It was exciting to see renewed energy north of Main Avenue as developments made progress, including The Stockyards development and industrial growth near Main Avenue East with the Amazon Hub and Marvin Distribution Center now in operation.

In the new year I am eager to see continued growth in the city’s investments at The Lights on Sheyenne and in The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne. We continue to work diligently to drive new business into West Fargo and looking for innovative solutions to grow our commercial property base.

I am proud to work with the city of West Fargo staff who provide outstanding operations every day according to the values of service, teamwork, compassion, integrity and respect. I am especially looking forward to continuing to improve public safety service in the city by growing our police and fire departments in the next year.

I wish you and your family a Happy New Year.

Commissioner Brad Olson, Vice President

There are several highlights for 2022. The first highlight is the passage of the public safety sales tax. This will provide an additional funding source for our fire and police departments and make it easier to manage property taxes during budget season.

The second highlight is kicking off construction of the new fire station. This has been a need in our community for many years. It will help meet the goal of better response times, which will help stabilize property insurance costs for everyone in West Fargo.

Another highlight is the approval of the 2022 Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines a five-year project list for critical infrastructure. Finally, the return of Cruise Night to The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne Street was another major highlight for me. This special night, for four months during the summer, brings the community together.

In 2023, I hope we can continue to grow our economic base by bringing in new businesses or have existing businesses expand their operations. There are several possible developments or redevelopments in discussions and I hope the city of West Fargo can help their efforts.

I also hope that the economic woes brought on by the pandemic will be fading away and everything gets back to what we would consider normal, sufficient staffing in all business sectors with supply chain no longer a worry. The pandemic did show that we can get things accomplished, albeit in ways no one ever imagined, however difficult and I feel it made us stronger.

As the police and fire commissioner, my 2022 highlights include establishing the public safety sales tax, the groundbreaking of our new fire station, and our first year of partnership with Lake Region State College to host a Peace Officer Academy. These projects are all important pieces in helping our police and fire departments succeed and offer the highest quality service to West Fargo residents.

As the West Fargo Events Board of Directors president, it was also an honor to watch the first Essentia Health West Fargo Winter Classic at The Lights Ice Rink come together so successfully. We also had a fantastic events season at the Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights with major concerts, a rodeo and fantastic theater productions by Stage West.

West Fargo Events also kept The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne active in 2022 with the West Fargo Street Fair, Cruise Night, West Fest, Halloween Treat Street, Light the Night and family fun nights in the POW/MIA Plaza. The city’s investment at The Lights and the POW/ MIA Plaza are a huge part in helping our community come together and offer family-friendly activities and amenities all year.

In 2023, we are going to continue to work hard to make West Fargo the best place for residents, families, and businesses.

Commissioner Mandy George

2022 was a great year to be on the West Fargo City Commission. We have so many exciting things happening in the city – from our new fire station to receiving the placemaking grant. However, the thing I am most proud of is initiating the West Fargo childcare initiative. We can make a difference to help, as well as work together with other entities in our area.

I enjoy working on these larger projects, but I’m also proud to be able to help individuals. People will come to me with an issue about an ordinance change, home or business, or just ideas on how we can make our community a better place. This is the reason that I became a commissioner in the first place. I wanted to help make our community the best possible place that it can be to live, work, and raise a family.

Going into our future there are many projects that I’m excited to work on. I’m part of the building exploratory committee that is working on ideas for the future growth of our community. The plans for developing the 600 acres of land that will be available after the lagoons are decommissioned is especially exciting. I can’t wait to see what it will become!

It’s truly an exciting time to be part of the West Fargo City Commission. I’m so thankful to the community to have given me this opportunity.

My 2022 highlight is getting to know the commissioners and staff, in addition to making improvements and having an impact since my first day.

There are many projects coming up in the new year and I hope to see some good planning. Having a well thought out plan will help guide our growth as we look to the northwest area of town and The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne. I’m looking forward to gathering input from residents and businesses on these plans and helping them improve their neighborhoods.

Event Spotlight

Upcoming West Fargo Park District events and opportunities to support the West Fargo Parks and Recreation Foundation

By West Fargo Park District Staff

• Movie on Ice: Sunday, Jan. 22

• Camp Warming House: Saturday, Jan. 28

Frostival Is Coming To West Fargo

The West Fargo Park District is excited to remind the community that #ColdIsCool this Frostival! Frostival is all about celebrating the “cool” of winter with outdoor events, concerts, and family-friendly activities across our North of Normal city, Fargo, and its sister cities West Fargo and Moorhead. Grab your friends, bring your spirit of adventure (and maybe some mittens) and join us in making cold, cool.

Events will take place throughout West Fargo from Saturday, Jan. 14 – Saturday, Jan. 28

• Frostival Volleyball Tournament: Saturday, Jan. 14 & Sunday, Jan. 15

• Frostival Chili Cook Off: Saturday, Jan. 14

• Silver Snowflake Search: First Clue –Monday, Jan. 16

• Bouncin’ Bash: Monday, Jan. 16

• Senior Luncheon: Thursday, Jan. 19

Don’t hesitate to contact Erin at erin@wfpark.org with any questions. For more information on Frostival in West Fargo or other West Fargo Park District events, visit wfparks.org.

• 7:30 – 9:45 a.m.: Open Pickleball

• 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.: Pop-up Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) class

• 9:45 – 11 a.m.: Giving Hearts Day Freewill Donation Senior Pancake Feed (55+)

• Registration Required - 200 limit. Call the Park District at 701-433-5360 by Feb. 1.

• 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Free Indoor Playground Admission

• 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Free Arts & Crafts (Creative Studio)

• 9:45 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Open Gym (Pickleball in Gym 3)

• 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Inflatables - $4 for an all-day wristband (Turf)

Warm Your Hearts And Celebrate Giving Hearts Day With The West Fargo Parks And Recreation Foundation

The Foundation will be putting on a day of fun on Feb. 9 at the Rustad Recreation Center with FREE admission from 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Enjoy family fun in the three gyms and open turf. Play on inflatable games, get creative with arts and crafts, and more. Most activities throughout the facility will be free, with some charging a low fee. Concessions will be available for purchase. See the full preliminary schedule of events below:

The West Fargo Park and Recreation Foundation Board and staff will be present throughout the event to talk with attendees and answer any questions. Stop by their booth to learn about the foundation’s mission and enter to win prizes.

Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour fundraising event for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Since the first event in 2008, generous donors have given more than $138 million, 100% of which goes directly to participating charities. We invite you to join the West Fargo Parks and Recreation Foundation for our first year with the fundraiser.

Spicy

SWEETHEART DANCE –A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!

Registration is now open for the West Fargo Park District’s Sweetheart Dance, 4:30 - 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11.

It is a special evening for young ladies ages 4-12 and their father, uncle, grandpa or another important male role model in their life. Registered guests will enjoy an optional grand march, dancing, a special gift and a light meal.

Registration

The registration fee is $30 per couple - $15 for each additional girl. Pre-registration is required for this event. Additional child registration is unfortunately not available online. To sign up more than one child please mail in a registration form or register at the West Fargo Park District Office (601 26th Ave E, West Fargo).

Professional Photos

A professional photographer will also be on hand for those who would like to purchase photos. You will receive an e-mail with photo information before the dance.

Grand March

Due to COVID-19 and capacity regulations, each registrant will be given only TWO wristbands at check-in for two guests to attend Grand March. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience.

Additional Details

All event communication will be done through e-mail. Please make sure your e-mail is up to date during registration to ensure you receive important pre-event information and updates. An e-mail with additional details will be sent to registered participants within 5 business days of the event.

REGISTER TODAY AT https://anc.apm.activecommunities. com/westfargoparkdistrict/activity/ search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_ keyword=sweetheart%20dance&viewMode=list

For more information on the Sweetheart Dance, or other future West Fargo Park District events, visit wfparks.org.

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