News
Kveum receives honors
Scott Wagar
12/04/2012
After serving as a county commissioner for 32 years Verdean Kveum was recognized on Friday at the courthouse for all he has accomplished for the residents of Bottineau County.
During the event, cake and coffee was served as individuals throughout the county came and thanked Kveum for improving Bottineau County over his years of service.
During Kveum’s time as a county commissioner, he stated that he feels that his greatest achievements in Bottineau County included being the first county in the state to complete the paving project for its farm to market system, the first county to install a multi-county 911 system, having a joint police force in the county between the cities and county and having the commissioners go paperless in their work, which has saved the county taxpayers money.
Kveum stated that his biggest accomplishment as a commissioner came in the summer of 2011 when he was able to keep the Westhope Bridge open during the Souris River flood when all other bridges in the county closed down.
“That was quite a project keeping the west bridge open,” Kveum said. “But it was important for both sides of the river.”
Personally, Kveum was granted the 2004 Excellence in County Government award by the Association of Counties. In 2006, he was named to the association where he worked his way up to the second vice president of the board.
As a Bottineau County Commission he has held the position of president of the commissioner board numerous times.
Kveum stated that he will miss working with the people of the county.
“There were a lot of projects out there and there was always a challenge to get funding,” he said. “It was almost a personal achievement when you were able to get things done.”
His most favorite part of being a county officer was taking part in the meetings with his fellow commissioners. “I looked forward to the meetings they were always something different,” Kveum said.
After being a commissioner for over three decades Kveum stated that he is going to continue in politics.
“I plan to stay involved in county government in what ever level I can,” he said. “I think it is really important that people attend meetings and keep involved and I think it is important to be involved in the state level.”