News
Government shuts down in Bottineau
Scott Wagar
10/08/2013
The government shutdown is having cause and affect on Bottineau County with a number of agencies closing, federal employees either being furloughed or left working without pay and a stock market which dropped after growing the past nine months.
“We are seeing a little volatility because of the shutdown,” said Darin Bohl of Investment Centers of America in Bottineau. “But, I think the biggest concern is going to be the debt ceiling talks in the next couple of weeks.
“I don’t think the market will plunge necessarily, but I think it will be pretty rocky,” Bohl continued to state. “I can definitely see the market go lower up until the deadline of the debt ceiling, but just like last time I think you will see them (Congress) at the eleventh hour get something done. Then the markets will probably kind of calm down a little bit and maybe go back a little higher.”
Bohl said that even though the debt ceiling talk in Washington is the biggest concern, he stated that the markets are holding their own.
“Fundamentally, the markets and private companies look pretty good right now,” Bohl said. “The government is causing the headwinds. The market wants to move up, but there are these headwinds that are kind of going to hold it back. But, whatever sell offs continue to occur I think they will be temporary.
“I always tell people that when it comes to the market and news, not to get caught up in the bad news. The media always make sthings sound worse then they are; and, we’re a free market system, so government doesn’t affect things as much as people think. Even though it is important, our system’s fundamentals come from good private business and the ability to do business in our country without the government getting too involved.”
SHUTDOWNS
When it comes to agencies’ closing, Bottineau’s United States Department Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Soil Conservation District’s offices have been closed for the duration of the government shutdown. Those individuals employed by USDA and NRCS have been furloughed.
The staff with Soil Conservation is still working, however, they are working out of their field office because they are not allowed to be inside a federal building during the shutdown.
OPERATIONAL
Members of the U.S. Boarder Patrol and Immigration and Custom Enforcement agencies in Bottineau County and the U.S. Post Office all remained fully operational.
National Guard
Bottineau’s National Guard Unit, Detachment 1 of the 132 Quartermaster which is a water, storage and distribution unit, all of it full-time members are reporting to duty. If the government shutdown continues until the next weekend drill for the Bottineau National Guard, the members of 132 Quartermaster have been told they will not have drill camp, which will continue until the government is in operation.
Refuge
The J Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge has been closed down to visitors with some of its employees given furloughs. But, all essential workers on the refuge will continue to work.
Veterans Affairs
When it comes to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair (VA), its webpage stated that “VA medical centers, clinics and other health services have advance appropriations for 2014 and will remain open. VA also has fund available to ensure claims processing and payments in compensation, pension, education and vocational rehabilitation will continue through late October. However, in the event of a prolong shutdown, claims processing and payments in these programs will be suspended when funds are exhausted.”
A large number of veteran programs have been shutdown, some of which includes recruiting and hiring of veteran job applicants, outreach and public awareness activities and Freedom of Information Act. A full list of the programs can be seen by going to www.va.gov/ or by specking to the local VA representative in your area.
NOT INFORMED
When it comes to the number of people being furloughed or not being paid during the shutdown, the federal government refused to say how many individuals in the county were furloughed or if they were being paid or eventually reimbursed in their pay after the government goes back into operations.
Most federal websites were closed down and those agencies which answered their phones were usually a phone recording stating they were open but short staff and left a website or e-mail that normally lead to another dead end. Others offices which answered their phones their personal stated they were told not to talk to media.
NATIVE AMERICANS
Area residents, who are employed at the Quentin Burdick Memorial Hospital in Belcourt on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, have been told to report to duty, but without pay until the current shutdown ceases.
Nationally, the federal government plays an important role in the lives of 1.7 million Native Americans and the 566 tribes within the United States. Such agencies as law enforcement, emergency response and the 176 Indian health facilities will stay open, but other programs like foster care payments and financial assistance for the poor will have freezes placed on the programs.
NOT AFFECTED
Some institutions that are state funded but have some federal programs in Bottineau, like the North Dakota Forest Service, Lake Metigoshe State Park, and county social service offices will not be affected by the shutdown and will continue its operations.
NATIONALLY
Nationally, over 800,000 U.S. citizens have been furloughed and will not be paid as the shutdown is in effect. Some have also not seen a raise in over three years and are now dealing with a job they cannot go to and are not being paid.
Members of Congress, who have caused the shutdown because they cannot agree on the issue of Obamacare, continue to be paid because of a law made by past legislatures which state their salary cannot be altered except by direct law.
Since 1976, the government has shutdown 18 times.