Guest host Greg Stemen fills in for Steve Hallstrom, who is on assignment in Watford City. This Monday edition dives deep into the heart of regional public service and high-tech innovation. Stemen welcomes Cass County Commissioner Joel Vettel and Fargo School Board member Jason Nelson to discuss the upcoming mayoral debate and the essential role of listening in public life. The show also shines a spotlight on a "hidden gem" of Fargo industry: Packet Digital and Badland Batteries, where CEO Terri Zimmerman explains how North Dakota is becoming a global leader in drone and satellite power systems.
Key Moments
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The Art of Public Service: Greg Stemen, Jason Nelson, and Joel Vettel—all with law enforcement backgrounds—discuss the upcoming mayoral election and the primary in Horace and West Fargo. They emphasize that effective public servants must be "great listeners," with Vettel pointing to former Mayor Bruce Furness as a model for statesmanship and decision-making.
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Fargo's Next Police Chief: The panel discusses the current leadership transition in the Fargo Police Department. Jason Nelson, a retired Fargo Police lieutenant, offers high praise for interim chief Travis Stefanowicz, noting his 25 years of service and the widespread support he has earned from both city officials and the public.
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Silicon Valley of UAS: Terri Zimmerman, CEO of Packet Digital and Badland Batteries, details Fargo's rise as a hub for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). Her companies are securing major Department of Defense contracts to manufacture advanced batteries for drones, satellites, and submersibles right here in North Dakota.
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National Security & Domestic Supply: Zimmerman explains the critical need to move battery manufacturing away from China, which currently controls 95% of the drone battery market. Badland Batteries is addressing this by bringing cell manufacturing to Fargo, utilizing North Dakota natural resources like lignite coal and oilfield wastewater.
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Public Safety Task Force: Joel Vettel discusses the formation of a short-term public safety task force aimed at bridging gaps between law enforcement experts and the community. The group is focused on high-profile crime perception and mental health issues that affect the region's quality of life.
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The "Gang" Conversation: The panel addresses listener concerns regarding gang activity. Jason Nelson notes that while homicides used to be primarily domestic, the community saw a change around 2008 due to the oil boom, leading to an influx of drug-related crime from outside the region.
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Budgeting for the Future: Jason Nelson highlights the "tough work" of the Fargo School Board and Superintendent Corey Steiner in identifying $5.3 million in budget cuts to eliminate a deficit, moving the district toward a more stable financial position for the next year.