GeauxSioux Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Another bill from the wacky world of the ND legislature... The board also discussed a number of other issues it will face in the Legislature, including: A bill that would give the director of UND’s Energy Environmental Research Center veto power over any use of the old Ralph Engelstad Arena. That is, UND’s president would have to get permission from his own subordinate. Reps. Mark Owens, R-Grand Forks, and Lonny Winrich, D-Grand Forks, are co-sponsors. Board members were shocked by the move. Board member Duaine Espegard, a former state senator from Grand Forks, called it “unconstitutional” because lawmakers were usurping authority from both the board and from the university president. The board agreed to oppose the legislation, but stopped short of Espegard’s proposal to require that the EERC director also oppose the legislation. The older I get the more I can't believe the things elected officials come up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sioux34 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 This is just another example of the wacky ego of Gerry Groenewold at work. The representatives didn't come up with this on their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 This is just another example of the wackey ego of Gerry Groenewold at work. He goes to bed every night hoping, praying, that some day he can claim he tore down something with Ralph's name on it. That'd make him a demi-god amongst his circle of friends. But the rest of us will remember his recent run-ins with the law involving (a) the Manvel Fire Department and (b) allogations of spousal abuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeauxSioux Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 Kelley opposes bill requiring him to seek permission to use old REA Rep. Bob Skarphol, R-Tioga, the bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bincitysioux Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 This is hands down the most idiotic piece of legislation to come out of Bismarck in quite some time..................................... I hope they also give my employees the authority to overrule me........................ Where's a good old Sioux-Bison football bill when you need one.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torpedo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi, Devil's Advocate here.... Something to consider... UND has the premier energy and environmental research facility in the world. This research facility brings in contracts from everywhere, and makes a lot of money for the university. This facility would like to expand to the currently unoccupied area of campus adjacent to the facility. Expansion has been limited and held up over debate on who is going to get control of the area currently inhabited by the old Ralph. Something in the future here is not going to make sense...people want the practice facility and a new football stadium on that location, and that's understandable. It would be a great location for a new stadium/indoor facility. If that happens, where is the EERC going to expand to? A satellite facility in another location? Not an great option...The EERC could be completely relocated, in theory, to another location, but that's not going to happen. Especially not with the new carbon research facility just having been completed. While I agree that Gerry and the EERC should not have 'veto power' over what happens on that land, they should have some serious input. The impact of the EERC cannot be understated here, and any personal feelings or judgements toward Gerry should not have any bearing on the matter either. Personally I would be in favor of giving the land to the EERC, but I see a very sticky situation that is going to require some serious logistical maneuvering by President Kelly to keep everyone happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WYOBISONMAN Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 This confused me.......I thought the EERC was like another department for UND? Seems like a real strange bill........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darell1976 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 This confused me.......I thought the EERC was like another department for UND? Seems like a real strange bill........ If the EERC takes control of the Ralph would that kill any thought about a Memorial Stadium upgrade and or expansion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndahl Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 UND has the premier energy and environmental research facility in the world. That's perhaps stretching it a bit. If they really want to expand, why not move out of town? Their limited interaction with other university departments doesn't require them to be on campus, whereas student activities like sports are best placed near the students. I seem to recall them adding the "Environmental" to their name after a flap about burning PCBs in town, once others in the scientific community came forward about the dangers of burning chlorinated phenols in the middle of a city. Plus, if they stay in town, expansion capability will always be limited, especially considering the equipment and space much of their competition already have available to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Why not expand EERC to the ... EAST! They already have authority and control over that space. There were plans drawn at one time for EERC to use that space. Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teeder11 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Why not expand EERC to the ... EAST! They already have authority and control over that space. There were plans drawn at one time for EERC to use that space. Why not? Isn't their a huge city water tank under that open lot to the east? I thought I remember that being reported years ago as part of news articles about building a new Water Treatment plant in Grand Forks. The point being: how much development could take place on that land, and what kind of development could take place, if there is a water tank underneath? Again, I don't know if that is the case. Someone from the Public Works might know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 That's perhaps stretching it a bit. If they really want to expand, why not move out of town? Their limited interaction with other university departments doesn't require them to be on campus, whereas student activities like sports are best placed near the students. I seem to recall them adding the "Environmental" to their name after a flap about burning PCBs in town, once others in the scientific community came forward about the dangers of burning chlorinated phenols in the middle of a city. Plus, if they stay in town, expansion capability will always be limited, especially considering the equipment and space much of their competition already have available to them. [my best PA announcer-guy voice] ... johndahl, unassisted, at 10:25, ... that's johndahl, all alone, at ten twenty-five ... [/my best PA announcer-guy voice] And one more thing about that bolded portion: When Dr. Kelley first came into 300 Twamley he made a statement about how he expected more collaboration between all UND entities (especially the big three: EERC, Med, Aero). Gerry G. publicly skoffed at the notion. Not a great start. And it seems that Gerry (still?) thinks he's bigger than UND as a whole as he hasn't come out against this. Closing thought: Do we really want all the NDUS campuses micromanaged at this level from the Legislature? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Time Hockey Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Kelley better hold on to the Old Ralph.... The hockey teams might be playing in there next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star2city Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi, Devil's Advocate here.... Something to consider... UND has the premier energy and environmental research facility in the world. This research facility brings in contracts from everywhere, and makes a lot of money for the university. This facility would like to expand to the currently unoccupied area of campus adjacent to the facility. Expansion has been limited and held up over debate on who is going to get control of the area currently inhabited by the old Ralph. Something in the future here is not going to make sense...people want the practice facility and a new football stadium on that location, and that's understandable. It would be a great location for a new stadium/indoor facility. If that happens, where is the EERC going to expand to? A satellite facility in another location? Not an great option...The EERC could be completely relocated, in theory, to another location, but that's not going to happen. Especially not with the new carbon research facility just having been completed. While I agree that Gerry and the EERC should not have 'veto power' over what happens on that land, they should have some serious input. The impact of the EERC cannot be understated here, and any personal feelings or judgements toward Gerry should not have any bearing on the matter either. Personally I would be in favor of giving the land to the EERC, but I see a very sticky situation that is going to require some serious logistical maneuvering by President Kelly to keep everyone happy. Gerry is just blowing smoke up some legislators a**, and everybody looks like clowns listening to him. Dyke Avenue to the east is essentially all light industrial, with many buildings in decay. That's the perfect area for expansion and revitalizing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coach daddy Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 This is just another example of the wacky ego of Gerry Groenewold at work. The representatives didn't come up with this on their own. Totally agree!! No way a legislator from Tioga or Dickinson know the first thing about this plot of land without someone (Gerry G.) influencing whats going on. Gerry G. believes he's the best thing for UND, regardless of what Dr. Kelley and the Mr. Goetz think. For him to say he knew nothing about this bill is ludicrous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Isn't their a huge city water tank under that open lot to the east? Really? Gerry G. had, at one time, planned to put a technology commercialization center on that site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teeder11 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Really? Gerry G. had, at one time, planned to put a technology commercialization center on that site. I honestly don't know. I vaguely recall hearing that years ago. Just seems odd that that open lot has sat vacant for so long. No development of any kind what so ever. It would be interesting to know if it is zoned as University Development, or Industrial or residential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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