Good Government Summit at North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum

The public is invited to a Good Government Summit on Sunday, April 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. This free event, featuring a statewide media panel and a talk by humanities scholar and historical interpreter Clay Jenkinson in character as Thomas Jefferson, will spark a timely discussion about government ethics and address how North Dakota rates in the eyes of its citizens. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. The Good Government Summit is the culmination of community conversations held across the state by ThinkND and the Northern Plains Ethics Institute (NPEI) at North Dakota State University. Participants were asked to consider the following questions: What qualities do we look for in a public official? What responsibilities do we as citizens have in helping to create and nurture good government? Can North Dakota's government be improved? Robert Foresman of NPEI will share outcomes from the community conversations and Jenkinson will present on "Good Government" as Thomas Jefferson and moderate an audience discussion. A reading from Prairie Public's "Dakota Datebook" will provide historical context for modern-day questions. Members of the media will discuss the topic from their perch as long-time observers and reporters of state and local government. Prairie Public's "Main Street" will be recording the event. The media panel, moderated by "Main Street" host Doug Hamilton, will include Amy Dalrymple, Bismarck Tribune; Mike Jacobs, former editor and publisher of the Grand Forks Herald; Dave Thompson, Prairie Public Radio; Cecile Wehrman, Journal Publishing; and Jack Zaleski, Forum Communications. The Good Government Summit is made possible in part through grants from the Bush Foundation and Humanities North Dakota. This program is part of the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s Sensational Sundays program. Sensational Sundays are free cultural programs sponsored by the State Historical Society that include a variety of lectures, concerts, movies, and tours