Board discusses Midget mascot

Tayler J.
02/10/2010 12:58 PM

OK Dean R. what you present is logical. But do you know for a fact if people that have a problem with the nickname are those who grew up in Dickinson such as myself, or people who moved to Dickinson within the last 14 years. When this issue was brought up 96-97, I was at DHS. Do you know how much we got made fun of for being called the "No Names", being we did not have a nickname and commonly known as DHS to the state during athletic competitions. Principal Boyle was one of the main reasons that forced the school board to a nickname change. That is why he only lasted a few years as principal because he never fully understood the true tradition of the nickname being from Bismarck and parents did not like him. The remaining 3 members were also then voted out from the public. All I ask is think logically what you are doing to the school, town, students when it comes to making a decision on the nickname, otherwise the ramifications could lead to bad name for yourself as well, not that it hasn't all ready!

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D T.
Belfield, ND     02/10/2010 12:51 PM

Political Correctness has gone way too far in this country. No matter what you do, you will inadvertently offend SOMEONE, they will whine and laws will get changed after years and years of said whining. I vote to stop the whining.

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Dean R.
02/10/2010 12:35 PM

I want to assure you that the School Board is taking care of the education of our children. Feel free to review our test scores. I also would encourage you to identify a truly important issue that this Board has not addressed. For clarification it was responsible for this Board to ask for our legal council's opinion when we were verbally threatened with a lawsuit in 2003. That legal opinion that was shared at the last Board Meeting was from 12-10-2003. This is an important issue and the School board is being proactive instead of reactive. My intent was to initiate conversation with the Board to determine the appropriateness of the mascot and name. That does not mean that we are or are not going to make a change. We know that we have some students, alumni, parents, teachers and administrators that are very passionate toward making a change and we have some who are very passionate to keeping it the same. I am hearing from both. It is the Board's responsibility to listen to both sides and make a decision. It will be impossible to satisfy both sides. Dean Rummel

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Anthony B.
02/10/2010 12:03 PM

I have always loved the school colors, Harley Davidson Orange and Black!

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John K.
Kent, MN     02/10/2010 10:06 AM

Keep the name I am proud to be a midget. If they keep this up run them out just like the last ones that tried. Keep up the good work Mr, Kreig.

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M R.
02/10/2010 10:01 AM

Actually, if you watched the news last night, they said Quote: "Little People of America says the mascot is hurtful and needs to go."... I think there's more to this story than what is listed in this article. Not that I care one way or the other... just FYI...

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klm k.
02/10/2010 9:47 AM

I agree fully heartly with Casey C,I hope the public knows that Rummel and Swenson don't intend to run for another term.So why would Rummel bring up an issue that he and Swenson can't see to completion?,sure puts the Board in a tough position when 40% of current board will be gone.I hope there replacements can move past this issue and bring the Board back into FOCUS.

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Casey C.
Bismarck, ND     02/10/2010 9:21 AM

Dr. Krieg's comments in this article are exactly why he is an asset on the DPS School Board. He is level headed and reasonable in complex issues. He has pointed out what many people were thinking the minute we read the headline, why is the school board spearheading this issue. If, in fact, this was an issue, it should be brought to the table by the public, not Rummel or Fehr. Back in 1997,previous members of the board were removed after the public truly spoke on the issue, stating they were in favor of keeping the name. The elephant in the room now folks is this: Why are Rummel/Fehr wasting precious board member time on this issue. Focus on education for our students, bringing in talented educators and coaches, and producing intelligent young adults.

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B.R. r.
02/10/2010 9:19 AM

It wasn’t till I moved from Dickinson that I realized how ridiculously stupid the name Midgets really is for a mascot. When I told coworkers that my hometown sports teams were known as the midgets they got a good laugh. When I showed them a pic of the mascot they about wet themselves. Tradition or not thanks for the good laugh.

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Jenny s.
02/10/2010 9:18 AM

Soo.... If we are being so politically CORRECT, then I should inform you that people who are "SHORTER" or "Vertically Challenged" as Jack S. puts it, then we no longer call these individuals MIDGETS, buz of course that's not politically correct, but we call them LITTLE PEOPLE!!!! So... move on to better things school board and keep the MIDGETS!! There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. And NO I was not a Midget or a TITAN!!! Maybe they should focus on cleaning house, the school board that is!

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