I sold chicken feed to a fellow yesterday who has been working in North Dakota. He had a contracting business that failed when the economy stopped. The local economy has not and probably will not recover in the foreseeable future.
It is pretty unbelievable how government in this state gone out of its way to kill private business. Licensing fees have gone up some 300%. To license an over 26,0000 GVW truck it costs over $1,000 per year. Building fees, permits, fines, RV licenses, everything connected to government has increased in price. Of course when faced with a less than expected return on the draconian tax increases the clever folks in Salem decided that problem was not outrageous fees and taxes driving business away, no it was lack of funding for tax collection!
My chicken feed buyer opted not to pay licensing fees on his truck and his business, instead he decided do what few jobs he could get by licensing his truck at a much lower Gross Vehicle Weight and move his trackhoe when scales were closed.
Then he found a job driving water truck in North Dakota. His long term goal is to move his trackhoe and dump truck to ND where there are jobs and you can license afford to license a truck you only drive once a year.
He says he can help me get a job as well. I have to commit to three months. Housing is $100 per week. I would start at $20 an hour. He says you can work extra hours if you want. Since it is an under 150 mile haul you are not under the hours of service regulations. Here is a link. I'm not sure if it is the exact link. He is in Dennison, ND.
I need to get my CDL medical card anyway.
My wife says it is ok to go.
Should I be suspicious?
Posts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_North_Dakota
ReplyDeleteI quote: " temperatures and precipitation in North Dakota can vary widely. North Dakota is far enough north to experience −60 °F (−51 °C) temperatures and blizzards during the winter months, but far enough south to experience 121 °F (49 °C) temperatures and tornado outbreaks in the summer"
Not my kind of climate
I would start by buying her flowers & playing more romantic music than that cowboy fella.
As long as you have internet access and keep posting you have my blessing. My experience, however, is that governments always find a way to get their (your) money. My daughter bought a house and thought she had all the bases covered. What the realtor did not tell her and it never occurred to her to ask was, "Does this county have a personal income tax?" I will let you guess the answer.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.
Cold in North Dakota? Ha! When we go south to escape SAsk. winters we go to North Dakota :-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I guess its the oil patch that is driving the economy there, much like parts of Sask. and Alberta. Its big money but not quite the laid back lifestyle that I am used to out here in the sticks.
Pumice, I really don't want to leave the family. I have a fear my daughter will grow up and leave me when I'm not watching. Kind of a silly idea but I only have one of them.
ReplyDeleteRalph, The whole point is to take advantage of the fact that I am used to 18 hour days. I'm not sure I am as ambitions as I used to be.
Did you even make the move, or still thinking about it? Just curious. That's quite adventurous, so good for you.
ReplyDeleteBuddy, no I didn't move. Takes a lot to get me uprooted these days. Interesting website you have on the oil patch.
Delete