West Fargo Focus July 2024

EDITOR

Wendy Reuer wreuer@forumcomm.com

701-241-5530

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Eric Groves egroves@forumcomm.com 701-241-5429

MULTIMEDIA SALES CONSULTANTS

Jessie Andren jandren@forumcomm.com

701-241-5451

Tim Couchman tcouchman@forumcomm.com

701-241-5490

Jamie Dettling jdettling@forumcomm.com 701-241-5493

Keith Harriger kharriger@forumcomm.com 701-241-5435

David Jones djones@forumcomm.com 701-388-1930

DESIGNER

Jen Phillips

Outgoing West Fargo Commissioner Mark Simmons chats with guests at a reception for him and Mandy George at the West Fargo City Commission Chambers on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Alyssa Goelzer

West Fargo City Commission candidate Amy Zundel spends election evening watching her son play baseball at the Centennial Athletic Complex in Moorhead on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Zundel, Jorgensen win West Fargo City Commission seats

By Wendy Reuer

WEST FARGO — Two longtime residents won out in the race for two West Fargo City Commission seats in the Tuesday, June 11, election.

Candidates Amy Zundel and Rory Jorgensen received the top

number of votes to secure the two open seats on the West Fargo City Commission. In complete but unofficial results, Zundel led the race with 29% of the votes followed closely by Jorgensen with 26% of the 6,200 total votes reported at press time.

DeAnn Reed garnered 17% of the votes, while Tyler Erickson received 15% and John Severson 13%. There were about 6,200 votes counted, which may not contain all results returned by mail.

Zundel is the owner of Move Chiropractic in Fargo. When reached

at home Tuesday evening, Zundel was pleasantly surprised to have received the most votes. Zundel was also appreciative of the variety of West Fargo voters, she said Tuesday evening when reached at home by the Forum.

ELECTION: continued on page 5

David Samson/The Focus

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

Airport Authority

Last Thursday of every month, 5:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Municipal Airport Terminal Building

Baby Boost Story Time (ages 0-2 + their adults)

Every Friday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

City Commission

Monday, July 1, 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 15,, 5:30 p.m.

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Library Board

Second Thursday of every month, 5:30 p.m.

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Liquor Control Board

Second Tuesday of every month, 1 p.m.

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Park Board

Second Wednesday of every month, 5:30 p.m.

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Planning and Zoning Commission

Second Tuesday of every month and the fourth Tuesday if needed, 5:30 p.m.

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Ready to Read

Story Time

(ages 3-5 + their adults)

Every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

School Board

Second and fourth Monday of every month, 6 p.m.

@ Leidal Education Center

Teeter Tots Storytime

Every Thursday, 10:15-11 a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Card Games & Whist

Every Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Monday Matinee

Every Monday, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Visit westfargolibrary.org for movie listings

West Fargo Cribbage Club

Every Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Book Club

Every third Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Novel Afternoons

Book Club

Every third Wednesday, 1-2 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Little Red Reading Bus

Every Monday - Thursday, 5:30-7 p.m.

Every Tuesday, 9-10:30 a.m.

Visit thelittleredreadingbus. com for location information

JULY

CATS The Musical

- Presented by Stage West

July 1-2, 7-10, 14-18, 7 p.m.

@ The Lights

English

Conversation Circle

July 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Prize Bingo

July 2, 12:15p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

All Municipal Buildings Closed

July 4

WFACP Senior Breakfast

July 6, 9-10 a.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Movie Monday - How to Train

Your Dragon

July 8, 7 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza

Summer Boost

Craft Hour for Kids

July 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Chicken Foot

July 9, 12:15p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Job Service ND

Available for Walk-Ins

July 10, 1-3 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Teen Summer Event

- Pages & Pastries Adventure

July 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Tinkers and Thinkers

Family Fun

July 10, 6-8 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza

Summer Boost

STEM Hour for Kids

July 11, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

West Fargo Parks

Scavenger Hunt

July 11, 6-8 p.m.

@ Veterans Memorial Arena

Sounds of Summer

July 11, 7-9 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza

WFACP Soup & More

July 11, 5 p.m.

@ Blessed Sacrament Church

Movie Monday

- Monsters vs. Aliens

July 15, 7 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza

Summer Boost Craft Hour for Kids

July 16, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Movie After Dark

- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

July 16, 7 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza

WFACP Monthly Meeting

July 16, 12:15p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Teen Summer EventMap Making

July 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Summer Boost

STEM Hour for Kids

July 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

West Fargo Cruise Night

July 18, 4:30-9 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza & Downtown Sheyenne Street

Movie Monday

- Lilo & Stitch

July 22, 7 p.m.

@ The Lights

Summer Boost

Craft Hour for Kids

July 23, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Rec on the Go Pool Party

July 23, 4:30 - 7 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Pool/Herb Tintes Park

WFACP Prize Bingo

July 23, 12:15p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Teen Summer Event

- Percy Jackson Escape Room

July 24, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Painting the Plaza

July 24, 6-8 p.m.

@ POW/MIA Plaza

Summer Boost

STEM Hour for Kids

July 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Soup & More

July 25, 5 p.m.

@ Blessed Sacrament Church

Movie Monday - Migration

July 29, 7 p.m.

@ The Lights

Summer Boost Craft Hour for Kids

July 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Beer Run 5K with West Fargo Dive Bar

July 30, 6:30 p.m.

@ The Lights

Teen Summer Event

- Wonka Watch Party and Candy Creation

July 31, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

ElEction

continued from page 3

“I’m thankful and I feel really humbled that such a wide variety of people supported me,” Zundel said. “I enjoyed the process of running for my first ever race and learning more about the community of West Fargo.”

Jorgensen is a West Fargo native who served as the West Fargo assistant fire chief beginning in 1995 before becoming the West Fargo rural fire chief. He retired from service in 2019. His wife, Rhonda Jorgensen, recently celebrated 25 years with the West Fargo Police Department.

He, too, was pleasantly surprised by the election results.

“I’d like to thank everyone that voted and everyone that turned out,” Jorgensen said. “Your vote does count. There was a chance to vote

for people who are open-minded, approachable and willing to listen to what the taxpayers’ thoughts are. I think the voters did that.”

Erickson is an attorney who moved to West Fargo about a year ago from Williston, N.D. Severson works in management in the transportation industry. Reed serves as the District 16 chair of the NDGOPand is a former small business owner who moved from Nebraska.

The West Fargo City Commission is made up of five voting members, including Mayor Bernie Dardis, who is considered the commission president. West Fargo city commissioners are elected to fouryear terms and represent voters at-large. Commissioners are paid an annual salary of $13,178.

The two open seats are from departing commissioners Mark Simmons and Mandy George, who each decided not to seek re-election.

“I’m thankful and I feel really humbled that such a wide variety of people supported me.”

Amy Zundel

The new commissioners will be sworn into office on Monday, July 1. At that time, each commissioner will be assigned their portfolios or city departments which a commissioner is primarily responsible for overseeing.

The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. every first and third Monday of the month. The commission is expected to continue to hold its meetings at

the current commission chambers located at 800 4th Ave. E.

Readers can reach Focus editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.

West Fargo City Commission candidate Rory Jorgensen and his wife, Rhonda, watch election results from their garage in West Fargo on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. David Samson/the Focus

nEWS AnD FEATURES

Health care clinic serving West Fargo School District up and running

Distict also changes health insurance carriers in efforts to lower costs

By Wendy Reuer

WEST FARGO — As the new health care clinic for West Fargo School District staff prepares for a soft open this month, the school district is also swapping health insurance carriers, all part of the district’s moves to decrease health insurance costs and put more money back into employee pockets.

On Monday, June 10, the West Fargo School Board approved changing its employee health insurance carrier from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota to

HealthPartners, the Bloomington, Minnesota-based insurance carrier also used by Fargo and Moorhead public school districts.

“For several years, many factors have resulted in increases to our annual health insurance renewal rates that have exceeded, often dramatically, the rate of salary increases for district educators,” Business Manager Levi Bachmeier said in a memo to the board.

The district spends more than $23 million in its insurance fund each

year, making health insurance one of its most expensive expenditures. The district has been considering ways to decrease its health care costs since 2021, when a health insurance committee began studying several options such as changing health insurance carriers, changing the financial structure of the district’s two health plans, studying the rates charged for the traditional plan and High Deductible Health Plan and the possibility of opening a district on-site clinic.

CliniC: continued on page 17

In-Home Physical Therapy Centered on Y our G o als

“The focus is figuring out what matters most to the patient, then using my skills as a physical therapist to help them reach those goals.”

- Jordan, Ethos Physical Therapist

The West Fargo Public Schools Wellness Clinic is at 2701 Uptown Way in Fargo along Veterans Boulevard south of Costco and north of 32nd Avenue South. David Samson / The Focus

CITY INFORMATION

Reimbursement through the City of West Fargo’s Tree Deposit Program

By City of West Fargo Staff

The City of West Fargo has a tree planting program for newly constructed homes located in West Fargo City Limits. This deposit and reimbursement program is designed to encourage residents to plant trees in the boulevards of their property.

A tree deposit was collected for each home when it was built. Many homes in West Fargo have deposits still waiting to be used.

If you are unsure whether the tree deposit for your home has been used call City Forester, Chad Zander at 701-515-5400

The deposit is $300 for a maximum of two trees ($150/tree). The deposit will be returned to residents following the completion of these steps:

• Complete the Tree Planting Permit form at westfargond.gov/272/forestry

• An arborist from the City’s Forestry Division will visit the property to mark where trees should be planted based on tree spacing standards.

• Select, purchase, and plant trees from the City’s Approved Tree List. A staff member from the Forestry Division can also help you determine the best trees for your property.

• Contact the Forestry Division via phone or email to confirm your trees have been planted. The trees are then inspected and put into the city’s tree inventory. After

the inspection and the next City Commission meeting, your deposit will be mailed back to you.

Boulevard Trees are important to the City’s Urban Forest and add value and beauty to your neighborhood. Reach out today at 701-515-5400 to see if funds are available for planting trees in front of your home.

CITY INFORMATION

Cruise Night season returns to West Fargo

By City of West Fargo Staff

Cruise Night, a summer celebration presented by the City of West Fargo, West Fargo Events and Toppers Car Club, is returning to The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne district in West Fargo. The second Cruise Night of the season will take place from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 18, on Sheyenne Street from Main Avenue W. to 7th Avenue W.

During the event, classic cars and motorcycles can line Sheyenne Street and attendees can cruise oneway, southbound starting at Main Avenue W. Food vendors will also be available near the POW/MIA Plaza.

No registration is required to participate with a classic car during the event. Classic car parking begins at 4:30 p.m. During the event, access to Sheyenne Street from side streets on the east and west sides of the road will be closed. There is no parking on Sheyenne Street in the event area beginning at 2 p.m. for event setup and the road will close at 4 p.m. Fourth Avenue W., just east of Sheyenne Street, will close beginning at noon for event vendor setup. A detour will be available on 1st Street for northbound traffic between Main Avenue W. and 7th Avenue W. during the event.

The remaining Cruise Nights will take place Thursday, Aug. 15 and Thursday, Sept. 19. For a full schedule of summer events at the City of West Fargo’s Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights and the POW/MIA Plaza, including movie nights, concerts, street fairs, family fun nights, wellness activities and live theater visit www.westfargoevents.com/” eventing.

CITY INFORMATION

City of West Fargo Fourth of July closures and schedule changes

By City of West Fargo Staff

The City of West Fargo will close on Thursday, July 4, in observance of the Fourth of July.

There is no garbage or recycling collection on that day. To accommodate the holiday, Thursday garbage and recycling routes will be collected on Friday, July 5. On Thursday, July 4, all municipal government buildings are closed to the public, including City Hall, Public Library, Sanitation, Public Works, and the Transfer Station. Public safety agencies are in full operation but the West Fargo Police and Fire Department buildings are closed to the public.

For email or text message alerts regarding holiday closures and sanitation schedule changes, visit www.westfargond.gov/list.aspx.

City of West Fargo fireworks reminders

The West Fargo Fire Department would like to send out a reminder to all residents regarding the use of fireworks within the limits of the City of West Fargo. Any individual who is at least 12 years of age may use, explode, or possess any retail fireworks within the limits of the City of West Fargo, commencing July 4 at 8 a.m. (CST), and ending July 4 at 11:59 p.m. (CST), commencing

Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. (CST) and ending Jan. 1 at 1 a.m. (CST)

The individual use, explosion, or possession of fireworks at any other time during the year is prohibited. No person shall ignite, discharge, or use fireworks on publicly owned or controlled property, including but not limited to, park property, city or county property, school property, or federally owned property without prior written authorization from the governing board or an authorized representative of the public entity, which owns or controls the property.

Fireworks are most safely disposed of when using a metal garbage

container for soaking in water overnight before placing it in a plastic bag or container. The use of sky lanterns is illegal and all other fireworks shall be limited to a 1.4G firework.

Regulations can be found on the City of West Fargo website under Chapter 12, section 12-0711. Any complaints will be handled with the West Fargo Police Department and can result in fireworks being taken away with the possibility of a fine. To report a complaint, please call 701-515-5500. To report an emergency, call 911.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Single term, multiple impacts

Leaving West Fargo leadership role after one term, Mandy George proud of accomplishments

By Wendy Reuer

WEST FARGO — Four years ago, when Mandy George sought a seat on the West Fargo City Commission, she was a corporate pilot, a single mother and had recently bought her first home. Yet, she wanted to make a difference and learn more about the community she called home for several years.

By 2024, as the decision to seek a second term came around, not only had her knowledge of West Fargo and her impact on the city expanded, her life had changed.

George is now a commercial pilot for a major American airline, a wife, a mother and a step-mother, and just recently finished building her family’s dream home. While it was not an easy decision to step away from public service, George said, she felt her new work schedule would not allow her to give the city 100%, and therefore she decided not to seek a second term.

George was the first female West Fargo city commissioner in nearly two decades to be elected to the five-member governing body. The last female commissioner was Brenda Warren, who served until 2008. However, in 2000, the commission had three women leaders including Warren, Linda Gaughan and Mary Peterson who served with Mayor David Steadman and Commissioner Rich Mattern.

While George volunteered regularly, she found herself wanting to be even more involved with the community and started learning about city government.

The Moorhead native earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology but went on to earn multiple pilot

West Fargo City Commissioner Mandy George is seen on Friday, June 14, 2024, outside West Fargo City Commission chambers.

Alyssa Goelzer/The Focus

certifications before eventually becoming a flight instructor. She also co-owned Eagle 1 Aviation with her late ex-husband from 2003-2006.

In 2020, as the world hunkered inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic, George campaigned on a mantra to lessen the burden of special assessments as much as possible. It is a mantra she stuck to throughout her term in office, often voting no on projects to be specially assessed unless the assessments were specifically requested by the

neighborhood or developer. However, like any local campaigner has found, use of special assessments is difficult to avoid at the city or county level because state law regulates the funding mechanism.

“I feel like it’s in the name: specials. It’s supposed to be used in ‘special’ situations, not the norm,” George said. “I think the city has made strides toward making some changes on specials. The city is moving in a better direction, listening to the residents who actually live in the

neighborhood on if they want (the projects) or not.”

As a commissioner, George’s primary portfolio was sanitation, and her secondary portfolio was administration. She also served on the F-M Metro COG board, the West Fargo Library Board, the Cass-Clay Food Systems Advisory Commission and as the city’s Airport Authority liaison.

GEoRGE: continued on page 12

GeorGe

continued from page 10

What George sees as her biggest accomplishment as a West Fargo city commissioner is the implementation of a grant program to assist daycare businesses, which is meant to help daycare providers expand, start up or achieve certifications. In February, 2023, West Fargo committed up to $1 million in grant funding to be spread across eligible child care facilities within the city.Individual grants would be distributed through an application process with the maximum grant amount determined by the size and type of child care.

George said at the time that the grants would not only help ease the childcare crisis that the region and country has faced in recent years, but boost West Fargo’s workforce as well, as the addition of more childcare meant more jobs.

“A huge shout out to (Economic Development Manager) Casey Sanders-Berglund for actually crafting the ordinance,” George said. “But that one, I was truly able to make a difference in the community with that one and I’m most proud of that.”

Another long-debated ordinance that George helped move along was one to allow backyard chickens within the city of West Fargo. While the topic had been debated often over the years just as it was in Fargo and Moorhead, it wasn’t until City Attorney John Shockley drafted a

proposed ordinance regulating the animals at George’s constant request that the city finally took action on the concept. The ordinance passed in early April.

George said special assessments and allowing chickens had been the two most common issues she heard from while on the campaign trail. The call for backyard chickens had grown stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic and in late 2022 when the price of eggs began to skyrocket. The Metropolitan Council of Governments and the Fargo Cass Public Health’s Cass Clay Food Commission have assisted residents with guidance and education for local food systems such as chickens and have supported allowing residents to house chickens within urban areas.

“That was always a tough fight because it was always a 3-2 vote initially,” George said. But she credited Mayor Bernie Dardis for researching the issue and how it could help food insecurities. “I’m thrilled that it passed. I think that is what COVID taught us is how to be self-sufficient.”

She also helped listen to the longtime residents of West Fargo who live north of Interstate 94 with studying infrastructure needs.

“The last 20 years, all the resources have gone south of Interstate 94,” George said. “If we’re going to put resources towards something, why don’t we focus on the older neighborhoods and getting them up to where they

“I think the city has made strides toward making some changes on specials. The city is moving in a better direction, listening to the residents who actually live in the neighborhood on if they want (the projects) or not.”

Mandy George

need to be? We don’t want any neighborhoods deteriorating.”

The West Fargo City Commission will not lose a woman’s perspective after commission candidate Amy Zundel was the top vote-getter in the Tuesday, June 11, election. Zundel and Rory Jorgensen will replace George and Commissioner Mark Simmons, who chose not to seek a sixth term after 20 years as a commissioner.

A reception will be held to honor both George and Simmons for their service to the city from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Monday, June 17, at the West Fargo City Commission Chambers, 800 4th Ave E. A short program will be held to highlight the accomplishments of the commissioners and the public is invited to attend.

The reception will be followed by a regular commission meeting at 5:30 p.m., which will be the last regular meeting for George and Simmons. Zundel and Jorgensen will be sworn in at the first July meeting, to be held at 5:30 p.m., July 1, at the commission chambers.

“Serving with commissioner George was a pleasure,” Mayor Dardis said. “She is a person of strong conviction and passionate to causes. I wish her the very best as she continues in her career. Fly safely, Mandy.”

Readers can reach Focus editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.

West Fargo City Commissioner Mandy George attends a commission meeting on Sept. 18, 2023, at West Fargo City Hall. Chris Flynn / The Focus

As of Monday, June 3rd West Fargo City Hall is located at 2515 6th Street E, South of Costco and North of Rustad Recreation Center in West Fargo.

All essential resident services and staff are now located at the new City Hall Building including Utility Billing, Permitting, Building Inspections, and Assessing.

The West Fargo Police Department and West Fargo Municipal Court will remain at 800 4th Ave E.

West Fargo City Commission Meetings will be held at 800 4th Ave E through the end of the year.

For more information, visit westfargond.gov.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Mark Simmons signs off as West Fargo commissioner

By Wendy Reuer

WEST FARGO — The “City on the Grow” has changed a lot in the past 20 years, growing into a city of nearly 40,000 people today. During that time, however, there has been one constant in West Fargo — on the second Tuesday of June the community supported longtime city commissioner Mark Simmons.

But on June 11 Simmons won’t be on the ballot as he decided earlier this year he would not seek reelection after serving five terms as a city commissioner.

“The citizens voted for me for 20 years, in five elections. That, really, is what I am most proud of,” Simmons said. “The citizens put their faith in me for so long. It really means a lot.”

The Crookston, Minnesota, native is a U.S. Army veteran. He and his wife, Bonnie, made their home in West Fargo in 1990 where he worked in sales before retiring. He chose to run for the commission in 2004 as a way to get involved with his community.

“I just wanted to help people,” Simmons said. “My passion for this community and the people in it has always been a lot.”

When he began his run on the commission, smoking bans in bars and restaurants were being debated by Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo leadership and were a hot topic. State laws banned smoking in public spaces a few years later.

Former Mayor Rich Mattern, who also served the city for about 20 years, admitted he was “a little skeptical” of Simmons when he was first elected but he quickly learned that Simmons was not afraid to tackle the tough issues.

“Nobody on the commission worked as hard as he did to gather the facts and use that information to debate his point of view,” Mattern said. “Mark and I agreed on many agenda items, but not always. When we disagreed, he was not afraid to debate me or any other commissioner. I always admired that. He didn’t always get his way, but he respected commission decisions. I could tell at times that some commissioners were, at times, shy about speaking up during controversial issues. Not Mark, he was always front and center, no matter what the issue.”

Simmons’ devotion to West Fargo was evident by the countless appearances at meetings or by the “Commish” license plate his vehicle donned for many years.

Simmons would go on to serve as chairman of the Metropolitan Council of Governments and currently holds the police and fire portfolios. His secondary portfolio includes planning and zoning.

West Fargo City Commissioner Mark Simmons is retiring after serving 20 years as he chose not to seek election in 2024.

Simmons currently serves as president of the West Fargo Events Board of Directors and on the city’s Liquor Control Board.

Simmons plans to remain on the board of West Fargo Events which manages the city-owned Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights and POW/MIA Plaza. West Fargo Events also supervises West Fest, West Fargo’s week-long city celebration in September which is home to one of the largest parades in the state.

In 2004, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated West Fargo’s population

David Samson/The Focus

among those who worked tirelessly to entice companies such as Butler, Bobcat and Caterpillar to move to the industrial park in northern West Fargo.

Simmons breaks into a big smile when he recalls how Caterpillar chose between West Fargo and Shanghai, China, to build its manufacturing facility, which is located on Third Avenue Northwest.

In 2016, the city broke ground on Sheyenne Plaza, the first of three

began on The Lights, another multiuse facility and city partnership with Epic Companies that produced the Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights, where West Fargo Events routinely hosts hockey events, live bull riding, and concerts along with community events.

SIMMONS: continued on page 15

Amidst the northern Sheyenne Street

Sheyenne Street and Interstate 94, in the area once often referred to as the

SimmonS

continued from page 14

Simmons said the growth of West Fargo may have come fast, but it didn’t necessarily come easy. West Fargo and Fargo did not always share the collaborative spirit the two cities now have.

“There was a lot of hostility between us,” Simmons said. “Now we don’t have any problems with them.”

During Simmons’s first term in office, city lore describes the “annexation wars” of 2006 and 2007 when Fargo looked to encroach its boundaries well beyond 51st Street and into the far western portions of land now considered West Fargo. While both cities courted property owners of the agricultural land south of Interstate 94, eventually it was given to West Fargo and the city’s boundaries grew after Simmons and others worked personally with those landowners.

The good terms the two cities now share can be seen in West Fargo’s water agreement with Fargo. Rather than build a costly water treatment center, West Fargo decided in 2017 to enter into a water treatment agreement with Fargo in which West Fargo would send its wastewater to the Fargo regional treatment facility. The agreement allowed West Fargo to decommission its nearly 600-acre lagoon system, which will likely be sold in the next two years by the city as land that can be developed north of Interstate 94.

Attracting additional retail to West Fargo has always been a challenging goal for the city, but when Costco opened its first North Dakota store in 2012 in West Fargo, it was a win for the city.

Simmons’ last regular meeting as a West Fargo City Commissioner will be Monday, June 17. His term will expire on July 1.

The city has planned a reception for Simmons and Commissioner Mandy

“The citizens voted for me for 20 years, in five elections. That, really, is what I am most proud of.”

Mark Simmons

George, who chose not to seek a second term, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., in the commission chambers at 800 4th Ave. E.

“I want to give so much credit to our residents. They’ve supported our commission and community over the years,” Simmons said. “I didn’t do anything on my own. We should all be proud of our community.”

“We all owe Mark a debt of gratitude for his years of service. His voice will certainly be missed,” Mattern said.

Readers can reach Focus editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.

July 1

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

@Horace High School

July 8

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

@Horace High School

Horace High School Activity Calendar*

July 11

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

@Horace High School

July 15

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

@Horace High School

July 18

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

@Horace High School

July 22

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

@Horace High School

July 25

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

@Horace High School

July 29

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WF Fusion Practice

July 1

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WF Baseball Youth

DH Game

@Sheyenne High School

July 8-9

4 – 9 p.m.

Volleyball Camp

@Multiple Location

July 8-11

9-11:30 a.m.

Sheyenne High School Activity Calendar*

July 9

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WF Baseball Youth DH Game

@Sheyenne High School

July 10

5:30 - 9:30 p.m. WF Baseball Youth DH Game

@Sheyenne High School

July 15-19

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cheer Camp @Liberty Middle School

July 15-16

4 – 9 p.m.

Volleyball Camp

@Multiple Location

July 15

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WF Baseball Youth DH Game @Sheyenne High School

July 16

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WF Baseball Youth DH Game @Sheyenne High School

July 22-23 4 – 9 p.m. Volleyball Camp @Multiple Location

July 24

5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WF Baseball Youth DH Game @Sheyenne High School

July 25

5:30 - 9:30 p.m. WF Baseball Youth DH Game @Sheyenne High School

July 26

4 – 10 p.m.

Sheyenne Boys

Wrestling Fundraiser

@Sheyenne High School

West Fargo High School Activity Calendar*

WF Park District Tennis

@West Fargo High School

@Horace High School For more information and/or schedule changes please visit www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/8662

July 15-19

9-11:30 a.m.

WF Park District Tennis

@West Fargo High School

July 22-25

9-11:30 a.m.

WF Park District Tennis

@West Fargo High School

July 29-31 9-11:30 a.m.

WF Park District Tennis

@West Fargo High School

*All dates and times are subject to change.

CliniC

continued from page 6

The clinic option became a reality in 2023 when the School Board unanimously approved partnering with Medallus Medical, a chain of urgent care clinics based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, to build a clinic at 2701 Uptown Way in Fargo along Veterans Boulevard south of Costco and north of 32nd Ave South.

The clinic will be open to the West Fargo district’s 2,061 employees seven days a week and will offer primary and urgent care, similar to what a walk-in clinic provides. Staff who use the district’s traditional health insurance plan (including spouses and dependents) can visit the clinic at no cost through a $0 co-pay and 0% co-insurance model. A compound pharmacy will also be a part of the new clinic that will provide some medications at a low cost.

Staff who are not covered by the district’s health insurance plans can

still use the clinic; they would be billed as if they were using any other primary or urgent care provider.

The district and Medallus shared the initial build-out fees of less than $200,000 for the clinic and Medallus will be responsible for the ongoing overhead costs of the clinic. The district’s cost was then capped at $433,980, but that amount was subject to be less. The clinic was modeled after a similar one in Jamestown, which has been open for more than six years.

“This is the perfect example of innovation at its finest,” Board Member Jessica Jackson said.

“And it is a way to put money back in our teachers’ pockets,” Superintendent Beth Slette said.

As required in the teachers and district contracts, any recommended changes from the Health Insurance Committee must first be approved by the West Fargo Education Association, the union representing educators.

“This is the perfect example of innovation at its finest.”

Board Member Jessica Jackson

Board President Patti Stedman said the association played a critical role in the negotiations for a new health insurance carrier.

“For our teachers to make a change after the last negotiations is not easy,” Stedman said. “I’m really excited about the near-site clinic.”

early September. No final dates have been set.

The West Fargo School District is the second-largest school district in North Dakota with 12,888 students this last school year.

Residents thank outgoing commissions

Alyssa Goelzer

Plaques and road signs are given to outgoing West Fargo Commissioners Mark Simmons and Mandy George during a reception at the West Fargo City Commission Chambers on Monday, June 17, 2024.

West Fargo Mayor Bernie Dardis chats with outgoing West Fargo Commissioner Mandy George at a reception for her and Mark Simmons at the West Fargo City Commission Chambers on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Alyssa Goelzer

Outgoing West Fargo Commissioners Mark Simmons and Mandy George chat with guests at a reception for them held at the West Fargo City Commission Chambers on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Alyssa Goelzer

Contributed / Dan Seymour Dan Seymour is running for the West Fargo Park Board.

NEWS

AND FEATURES

Write-in candidate chosen for West Fargo Park Board

WEST FARGO — A writein candidate will join incumbent Ryan Gellner on the West Fargo Park Board.

Dan Seymour, who launched his write-in campaign in May, was the leading vote-getter among write-in candidates in Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial results from the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office.

Gellner was the lone candidate running for two open seats on the board.

While Gellner received 85% of the total vote, Seymour received roughly

42% of the race’s 518 write-in votes. Also receiving write-in votes were Everett Duckworth, Rhonda Jorgensen and Todd Rheault. Other candidates also received write-in votes but were not specifically listed.

Seymour will replace Rheault, the outgoing president of the West Fargo Park Board.

The West Fargo Park Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Rustad Recreation Center. Its next meeting will be Wednesday, July 10. West Fargo Park Board members serve four-year terms.