BY LOUISA BARBERSIDNEY HERALD

Across the highway from the bustling rail facility con-struction in Dore, N.D., sits 100 pads ready for residents who need a place to live.

Ridgeview Estates, a 146-pad facility off North Dakota Highway 58, just a few miles north of Fair-view, switched ownership six weeks ago and within that time has drawn 46 RVs. “My phone’s ringing off the hook,” on-site manager Dan Ruby said last week during a tour of the site.

It is easily visible from the highway; the recreation center, its crowning glory, stands apart from the low-lying fields surrounding it. The 4,000 square feet rec center boasts a laundry facility, men’s and women’s restrooms, and men’s and women’s showers, which have large enough heaters for residents to take their time.

Upstairs awaiting car-peting, the spacious room will have flatscreen TVs, exercise equipment and a place to relax. “We like to think this and Watford City are the best RV parks in the state,” Jim Hornig, manager

of Melvinville LLC, the com-pany that owns Ridgeview Estates and a 415-RV site in Watford City. “Most are rag tag, but we like to think it’s professionally laid out.”

In this case, landscape that’s ready for any kind of weather, including heavy rain, a park that’s staffed with full-time management and enforces “strict rules.”

Hornig says only mini-mal effects will be felt by nearby schools. By and large children who live there with their families are infants or

toddlers. The Watford City site, out of 415 trailers, has about 25 children, he said.

Visitors will notice a level of tidiness. Management doesn’t allow trash outside (first a warning and then a fine), and there are rules for consuming alcohol. “Clean-liness is really important,” Ruby said.

The park is designed to state regulations, charcoal grills are not allowed and fire hydrants are placed around the park. Safety is prime. “We have very, very

few police calls,” Hornig said. “I think there’s been one since we’ve taken over.” Ruby insists rules are en-forced, and if tenants don’t “behave” they can’t stay. Non-aggressive dogs are al-lowed only up to 50 pounds.

Those interested in liv-ing at the facility have two options: bring their own RV and pay $850 a month (includes water, sewer, gas, electric) plus utilities; or rent a trailer or RV park

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INSURANCE AGENCY 406-433-1411 114 2nd Avenue S.E., Sidney

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Happy Mother’s DayHappy Mother’s Day

SUNDAYMAY 13, 2012104th year, No. 39Sidney, Montanawww.sidneyherald.com75 CENTS

Athletes place at 2-C meet. Pages 1-2B.

SERVING RICHLAND COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA FOR OVER 100 YEARS

Bulletin BoardNew food bank hours

Due to increased need, the Richland County Food Bank’s summer hours starting June 4 will be by appointment Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Appointments will be taken and made by phone, 433-8142. The change will allow the volunteers to restock and prepare the shelves to better serve the community.

Clean-up daySidney will have a clean-

up date Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

Candidates forumThe Girard Homemakers

are hosting a candidates forum May 17 at 7 p.m. at Girard Hall, 17 miles west of Fairview on Highway 201. Come and hear what the candidates have to say and bring your questions.

All area candidates have been invited to attend. At this point, two gubernato-rial candidates, a U.S. sena-tor and local candidates are planning to attend.

Fair seed picturesAre you interested in

completing a seed picture for competition and display at the 2012 Richland County Fair?

The fair board has decided to open up this opportu-nity to individuals and/or groups who are interested.

Contact the fair office at 433-2801 or email jlarson@richland.org to register and receive the guidelines for competition.

Fairview garage saleMark your calendars for

the annual Fairview Com-munity Garage Sale which will be held June 16.

Anyone hosting a sale that day who wishes to be includ-ed on the map can contact Joan or Paul Eldridge at 701-744-5346.

DeathsJames Henry Knudsen

Katherine “Sam” Rigney, 78Page 3A

InsideAg . . . . . . . . . . .5AAround Town . . .2AClassifieds . . . .5-9BDeaths . . . . . . . .3A

Learning ........ . .4AReligion . . . . . . .3CSports . . ..... . .1-3B

Drilling rig count

Source: Rocky Mountain Oil Journalsponsored by

Montana 18year ago 10

N.D. 197year ago 161

BY BILL VANDER WEELESIDNEY HERALD

Although official approval won’t occur until Monday’s Sidney School Board meeting, trustees – after some discussion – appear to be ready to hire Jace Sullivan as the new head girls basketball coach.

Sullivan, who was recently hired as a new middle school math teach-er in Sidney, was the only applicant for the coaching position.

“If we are going to get a sum-mer program together, we need to address this position,” Sidney Superintendent of Schools Daniel Farr said at Tuesday night’s PR and personnel committee meeting.

Dan Peters, high school principal, said Sullivan’s coaching experience includes coaching middle school boys and girls in Bozeman and be-ing a freshman coach in Missoula

Big Sky. The 26-year-old’s family has a strong coaching history in Mon-tana including both of his parents and a sister. His uncle Robin Selvig is the head coach for the University of Montana’s Lady Griz.

Trustees expressed some reserva-tions about hiring a first-year teach-er into a head coaching position.

“I don’t want to see another of our staff fail,” trustee Kelly Dey said.

Trustee Dexter Thiel talked about recruiting someone that will bring great enthusiasm to the program.

Middle School Principal Kelly Johnson said Sullivan is that guy. “He is, he is. He is excited.”

When trustee Luann Cooley asked Peters if he was prepared for it? “Absolutely,” the principal an-swered. “There are no guarantees, but I believe Jace is the right guy for the job.”

Later in the meeting, Thiel

remarked that he thinks the school district should provide training for younger coaches. “If we can’t have experience, we need to have train-ing.”

Board chairman Todd Hermanson said, “I think that’s more than fair.”

In other business during Tues-day’s meeting:

• Michelle Monsen, special educa-tion coordinator, said a total of 186 children attended the four nights of pre-school screening. The average number is about 160.

• Farr announced that Jeff Mead is resigning from the position as activities director.

• Lynn Obermeyer discussed the success of the summer math program. Gary Arnold, federal program coordinator, explained stu-dents often regress in the summer months as far as what they remem-ber being taught during the school

year. The program helps students avoid the slide.

• After a discussion of the cheer/drill program, trustees agreed to rehire Virginia Dschaak as the squad’s head coach.

The student participation num-bers, however, aren’t there yet to add a junior varsity program.

Farr noted that participation numbers are down for many extra-curricular activities. Trustees com-mended the program for its success during the school year.

Discussion was held regard-ing how to interest middle school students about the program so they become members in high school.

• Arnold read an emotional state-ment thanking the school district for its support during the past months. Hermanson said, “The trustees thank you for being the professional that you are.”

Trustees close to hiring new girls basketball coach

DEBBIE CROSSLAND | SIDNEY HERALD

Ridgeview Estates on-site manager Dan Ruby works in the office, a sample trailer on the lot that displays what tenants can rent. At Ridgeview, renters can bring their own RV or rent one.

RV park in Dore, N.D., switches hands, wants residentsFeeling like home

DEBBIE CROSSLAND | SIDNEY HERALD

As of last week, there were 46 spots taken out of 146 pads.

BY LOUISA BARBERSIDNEY HERALD

Eastern Montana schools lost more than $13.3 mil-lion under the first year of Senate Bill 329, according to figures provided by the Rich-land County Treasurer.

Most comes from Rich-land County, in which all but three districts lost oil revenue. The hardest hit was Lambert Schools; the elementary and high school districts lost a combined $6.1 million. That’s money Superintendent of Schools Bill Colter says would have gone toward teachers’ sala-ries, building improvements and other “miscellaneous things.” Now administrators and school board trustees must closely watch how they spend the revenue they’re allowed to keep.

“We’re concerned about housing and being able to provide wages to adequately compare to what the oil field offers,” Colter said, who has not been afraid to voice his feelings on the matter.

Colter, having visited legislators during a tour in April, said he had a “good conversation,” letting them know his belief in allowing oil revenue generated in the area to remain in the area.

Fourth-quarter revenue figures show two schools were added to the list, including Fairview Elemen-tary, which lost the least amount of money at almost $21,000, and second lowest, Westby, with $218,913.02.

Westby residents are see-ing oil activity pick up, with most of the activity occur-ring across the state line. Westby, in the far northeast corner of the state, is also seeing an upward trend in the need for additional housing. A 100-resident man camp is seated north of the town.

The schools have seen only a few new students enter the district, but concerns still lay in the future. Money that was lost this year would have gone to teacher hous-ing, transportation – either school buses or vans – and staff insurance, Superin-tendent Tony Holecek said. “Those are some of the most pressing issues.”

FUTURESchool administrators

have no choice now but to look ahead and prepare for the 2013 Montana legislative session. Area representa-tives and senators have forged a sort of allegiance

Area schoolslose $13.3Munder bill

SEE DORE, PAGE 11A SEE SCHOOLS, PAGE 11A