PRAIRIE ROSES: To Fargo City Engineer Mark Bittner, who has been called the "quiet brain" of the city's successful flood fights. Bittner's science-based work generates the information the city's policymakers need to make judgments about how to proceed against the rising water. The engineering behind their decisions is where Bittner and his staff shine. Moreover, his efforts go beyond the job description. He has provided the engineering foundations for the many improvements that have helped make more neighborhoods flood-proof. Each day he grinds away, mostly in the background, working to be better prepared for the next flood, which recent history shows surely will come. Intelligent and innovative, he has earned respect from officials and staff from all levels of government. As a city employee, he also maintains sensitivity to citizen concerns. Bittner is not one to seek the spotlight, but often he's in it because of the importance of the work he does. He puts in long hours, often while dealing with his health challenges. His commitment to his city, to public service, is admirable. The city's flood campaigns would be less successful without Bittner's dedication and expertise.
LEAFY SPURGE: To sponsors of a measure that aims to end property taxes in North Dakota. While few property owners like property taxes, most understand the need for revenues to support schools, cities and counties. Moreover, the proposed measure would take away yet another element of local control by requiring lost local property tax revenues to be replaced by the state. If the state provided the money, the state would assume more control over how it is spent. In other words, local voters would have little say since the money would not be generated locally. It's a bad idea that appears to be driven by anti-tax myopia, not thoughtful analysis of taxes and local needs.
LEAFY SPURGE: To drivers and others who are irritated by traffic delays and detours caused by sandbag transport and levee construction in Fargo-Moorhead. The impatient drivers seem to think their personal priorities are more important than building flood protection for the cities. Several have been either observed or caught trying to get around sandbag truck convoys. At one major intersection, truck drivers were treated to obscene gestures when traffic was held up to let the trucks pass. We've also had a few reports of motorists driving around barriers on streets in river neighborhoods where extensive clay levee work was under way. Don't be stupid. Give the workers a wide berth.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board.
