Board discusses Midget mascot

Scott M. M.
Dickinson, ND     02/10/2010 4:00 PM

I'm sorry if I don't feel that a threatened lawsuit from 2003 has any bearing today in 2010. It seems to me that something must have happened shortly after the filing of that lawsuit that settled the issue for a 2nd time in the last 14 years. I don't know of any court system that would allow that to drag out until 2010. That said, I congratulate Dr. Krieg's position that this is not an issue for the school board to decide. The community did not elect these people to spend thier time deciding political correctness for the community. We elected them to look after our education system and I believe they have done a pretty good job of that. Unfortunately issues like this will undermine the good that has been achieved and the board members that are leaving in June will certainly be remembered by thier last tasks. Focus on educating our children and the community will let you know if something like this needs to be addressed. Not some organization from out of state.

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klm k.
02/10/2010 3:36 PM

For Mr.Rummel to use the threat of a lawsuit is just not valid.He stated in the article that School board attorney Gary Thune said the likely hood of a legal challenge would be unsuccessful in a court of law.Leave the decision to the community,students,NOT THE SCHOOL BOARD!!

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kyle s.
02/10/2010 3:25 PM

MIdgets. Great nickname. Do not change it.

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Brian V.
02/10/2010 3:21 PM

Mr. Rummel, I don't doubt the quality of education DHS is providing. I am a graduate of DHS and a business owner. Somehow, my gut is telling me there is more than just "being procative" going on here. The day you start trying to satisfy everyone is the day you lose sight of the goals and focus on agendas. Sometimes it is better to let the wolf come to you, instead of leaving your flock to hunt the wolf. DHS will always have people against the mascot name. If you change the name, so what. There will be another wolf later. As a board member, rally for your school and fight for what's important. Strengthen your flock. Fight for the name, until you absolutely have to change it. Then it isn't on your shoulders. Instead, you rally the community, because it has to be done, and then have them get involved in the change. Brian Volk, Class of '87.

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Peter G.
02/10/2010 3:16 PM

Yikes!

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Jim C.
02/10/2010 3:14 PM

You're going overboard Robert... Rummel's a professional and he willingly came forward with his own opinion and he put his name to it. He's not hiding under his desk. There's no need to change the Midget nickname. If you look at the history behind it, there was no intent to disparage anyone. In fact, the radio announcer who called our basketball team "the midgets" was paying them a compliment. Our team was short in stature but big in heart. Heck, that description fits our boys' team today. Their tallest player is Hanstad at 6'4, and he's a guard. We don't have a true big man in our program today. We are the midgets, indeed! Now, if there is pending litigation right NOW (not from 2003), it's fair to bring up this topic again. A lawsuit would be costly to the district. Keep in mind though that it would be costly to change the name, too. New uniforms for everybody, a new gym floor, ect... Ultimately I agree with Krieg, but I can understand Rummel's position, too. The board does need to listen to everybody. For what it's worth, my one vote is to keep the name.

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chrissa p.
02/10/2010 2:52 PM

The name is great.....no complaints here. Proud to be a MIDGET!!!!!!

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Kyle C.
02/10/2010 2:05 PM

I personally don't have an opinion on this issue and can see the issues and arguments on both sides. And these types of issues truly do divide people, similar to what the Sioux nickname and logo has done in Grand Forks. However, irrespective of the issue it hand, it is so funny to see Dean Rummel, a school board member, deciding to post on a "message board" to defend himself....LOL. And if you read his rational for bringing up the issue again, it is ever more hilarious. He states that one main reason for bringing it up was a threatened lawsuit in 2003 and letter from legal counsel on 12-10-03, and then he goes to state how important it is to be "proactive" rather than "reactive". Last I checked it is 2010, or 7 years later. Hopefully, the students in Dickinson have the most recent edition of school books and are still not using the 2003 edition!!

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Robert S.
02/10/2010 1:49 PM

Lawsuit in 03? Quit trying to make excuses for yourself Rummel! I think Dickinson needs to go to Wal-mart and pull the people greeter out of the store or maybe the janitor at DHS and give him or her Rummels job. This guy is a CLOWN! Test scores are high because the teachers are great, How about trying to get them a raise, ND is one of the lowest paying states as far as salaries go for teachers. So next time you and your people meet maybe bring this up rather than a mascot that you and a few other people don't care for. PULL YOUR HEAD OUTTA THE DARK RUMMEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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C C.
Bismarck, ND     02/10/2010 1:45 PM

Dean has likely done many good things as a board member; however, I think he has just cemented his legacy. This publicity will be hard to "undo" for him.

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