February 19, 2025 • 25 mins
Kate Waldera talks to Bill Sorenson about being mayor and an entrepreneur.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to History Hot Dish, a casual conversation about the
historic people and events they give BIZ Market's unique flavor.
History Hot Dish is brought to you by the Bismarck
Historical Society, a local nonprofit whose mission is to learn, preserve,
and promote the history of Bismarck. Sit back, turn up
the volume, and enjoy another helping of history Hot Dish.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Well, welcome to another episode of History Hot Dish. I'm
your host, Kate Waldera, a member of the Bismarck Historical
Society's Board of directors, and today our guest is Bill
Sorenson and he's joining me in the studio and welcome.
Thank you for coming back for another helping of history
Hot Dish.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It is nice to be here. Thanks for there in
a nice introduction, and thanks for all you're doing to
keep the history a life.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Well, it's our passion. Yeah, it's definitely our passion. So Bill,
for the audience members that may not be familiar with you,
share a bit about yourself, your background, and why you're
interested in preserving and promoting our rich history.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Okay, Wow, I have four wonderful daughters that are the
joy of my life, growing daughters. Now, I was involved
in lots of businesses, a lot of diverse businesses in Bismark.
I think twenty different businesses, most of them dealing with computers,
but also basketball teams and baseball teams and some other projects.
(01:23):
I've always I was a history in political science major
in history, and I think I'm interested in Bismark's history
because it's a rich history.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Oh, it is so interesting. There's something for everyone.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Yeah. I was talking to somebody the other day and
they didn't know about the Old West.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Days of the wild.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Wild the wild West of Bismark, really and I said, oh, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
We were quite the rowdy town in our early years.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yeah, Well, in growing up in Bismarck, are there memories
that stand out to you that may have possibly shaped
your involvement in the community throughout your life?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Great question. You know, it's interesting how we all are
products of the decisions and things we've made before and
go along. So I can't explain this one to you, Kate,
But when I was junior high in a high school student,
I looked at the Bismarck Tribune and I'd scanned the
headlines in the front page. I'd read the comics, and
I'd read the sports page, but on Wednesdays, I'd read
(02:22):
all about the city Commission, meaning oh yes, and for
whatever reason that was an interest of mine back in
the days, maybe because I knew the mayor's back then.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yes, you had some personal connections, had.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Some you know. I played ball with Evan lips Is
when the lips was the mayor for like twelve years,
and I played ball with his kids and Ed Laher
and I knew Ed after that, and so you have
this personal connection. But also I think you know you
have an interest in your community. So I didn't. I'm
ashamed to say I didn't really look a lot at
the national and international news, but I always had an
(02:54):
interest in.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Local government well, and that was with me too. Granted
I didn't grow up in a town as biggest Bismarck,
but my dad was a lifelong member of that community,
and he would talk about things that had gone on
in town, and he would point out buildings to me
and who lived there and what had been there. And
(03:17):
I think that's where my love of history came from.
Two So I always wanted to know the.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
About, yeah, and the why. And it's interesting, you know
when we're talking about this. Early on, when I was
a high school student, they were talking about building the
Events Center Civic Center, and.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
That would have been probably in the seventies.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Yeah, late sixties when we were starting talking about it,
and Dick Carlgard, who was that let director, had a
bunch of us that were in students. He knew there
was going to be some votes. I think was really
he I mean he gathered us together of America. Yeah, yeah,
and he knew well, he was asked us our opinion
what we'd like to see in the building and those things.
(03:54):
But I think it was real intent was to try
to get some support from the youth community to tell
our parents this was a great idea, which of course
I thought, of course I thought it was. And then
that led, you know, being involved in that led to me.
I was later involved in student government, which maybe was
all tied in and and I was the first student
(04:15):
body president of BJC. We went to George Smith, the
Civic Center manager when it was brand new, in the
early night and promoted the first concert with them, a
Letterman concert. We were the big group at the time,
and you know, it's all it's interesting how all those
things kind of pile on each other.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
That happened really absolutely. You just you know, you have
success with one endeavor and then you move on to
something else and you learn more and you just want
to make a positive impact, isn't that. Yeah, Well, you
got involved in local politics early in your life. Share
with us some of your favorite memories and projects that
(04:53):
you were a part of, both as commissioner and mayor.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
Uh okay, well, well, you know one of the first projects,
the first things that happened when I was first elected,
and first of all, I ran, You're right, I was
twenty seven when I ran, and I really didn't expect
to get elected.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Honestly, didn't expect to get elected, but I was interested
in the process. But I had a great mayor at
the time, Bus Leary, And when I first got on
one of the first things that happened, they were talking
about tearing down the Patterson Hotel and literally literally the
(05:34):
ball and grain were sitting there.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I mean, it was very close, it was.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Very close, and I got excited Bus was working on
that project. I got excited, you know, about trying to
save that building. And it was really kind of an
education to me because I remember we had this kind
of final conversation with Senator Quentin Berdick at the time,
and he said all the things that they could do
because they were, you know, nationwide, there was an attempt
(06:01):
to try to do some urban renewal projects but trying
to save some of the buildings. At the time, they
were getting rid of a lot of it, but they'd
realized that saving them was better than tearing down, and
so there was some funds available. And I remember the
conversation well because he said, he said, okay, well, I
think we can do this. And I saying to Senator
BRIGGI you don't understand this is that we're really up
(06:23):
against the time frame. And he basically said, in a
nice way, you don't understand. This is done her earmarks.
He said, don't worry, this is this is this is
now officially done.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Okay, Well, I remember is I worked at Bismarck Public
Library for quite a few for three decades, and one
of the projects I was in was historical pictures, and
I remember the urban renewal more like the Lambourne Hotel
came down. I think that was across the street from
(06:55):
yep from the past, very close to that, and I thought,
you know, and then when the Carnegie Library came down,
and that too, that was I was, I was that
would have been in the early eighties.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Yeah, and that's probably one to be honest with as
a city commissioner, I should have probably fought a little
bit more for that one. I mean, we didn't know
how to fund it or we're going to get any money.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
But that was one well, you know, and I just
hate to see old.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Yeahs well down sometimes part of your history, but not
just that. It's just it's just so much of the
the look of a community and feel for a community,
you know. And sometimes we as politicians like to say
I had this great idea when I was there, and
this was not at all a great idea. But when
I first became mayor, there were seventeen empty buildings in
(07:44):
downtown this mark and it actually went that first year
to twenty one and the value of downtown Bismark praperty
values had gone down for four years, and actually the
population of Bismarck had gone down, and so we started
you know, I would have thought on anything at it
at the time. I would have, you know, if there'd
have been anything. But we started the projects and did
(08:05):
the tax income and financing, which has become a little
bit controversial again now, but I would say it worked
so well. It works so well. We saved so many
buildings in downtown bis Market and that property value. No
one who wants to invest in an area of a
community that is not that is not doing well where
(08:25):
the property values are actually going down, and so to
have that building or those buildings be saved and have
the property value start going out, it's not just an
interest in downtown, it's an economic interest for the Post's just.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So many things that come into play. You know, you've
got the desire to save a building, but then there's
all these other elements that factor into it.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Yeah, So I mean it's good for everybody when when
those property value somebody once said to me, to take
the pulse of a community, you go to its core,
you go to its downtown, and so to have oth
the downtown and think it's vital.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah, it's just not as simple as the desire to save.
You have to factor in so many other things too well.
A reminder for our guests that have just joined us.
You're listening to History Hot Dish on Radio Access one
O two point five FM and I'm your host, Kate Waldera,
and today our guest is former Bismarck mayor Bill Sorenson,
(09:21):
and today we're talking about a variety of ways that
he has been a part of Bismarck's history. Now, the
one place I'm very familiar with you your involvement would
be with Virgil Hill. Some of our listeners may not
realize how you were connected to Virgil's career. Could you
(09:42):
tell us a bit about your role as a boxing
promoter and sports enthusiasm.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Boy, you talk about something where one decision leads to
another decision. Yes, So I want a trip to the Olympics,
a sales trip. In nineteen eighty four, one virgils in
the Olympics and I got all caught up in the
North Dakota kid.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
I think he came in silver.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
He got the silver medal, and I was back here
in Bismarck for when he was fighting for the gold medal.
I traded one of my track and Field metal tickets
to go watch him and it was really cool. So
when I got back here, he was fighting for the
gold medal and everybody in the world thought he won.
But because the Koreans were threatening to pull out of
the Olympics, and they Virgil got the silver and Howard Cosell,
(10:25):
announcer was going crazy, this is a travesty, this is
an injustice of the worst guy. And they put the
microphone in front of this young Virgil Hill and he
was gracious this could be and he just said, congratulated
the winner. Said if there was a protest, it wouldn't
be something he was a part of. Others would make
that decision. He was very honored. I've had the opportunity
(10:45):
to represent his home state in North Dakota and the
United States, and he did it to the best of
his ability. Hope he didn't disappoint anybody. And I sat
at home going.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Very clossy. He turned something that negative into a positive. Yeah,
he was Basically, I was so happy to us to
be here and to have the chance.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Yeah, you're right exactly. And then and so because of that,
I put together a little reception. I wasn't I was
on the city Commission. I was vice president commission at
the time. He's coming back two days later, So in
just a couple of days of notice, we put together
this reception and a lot of business guys and people
from the community turned out, it's couple several hundred, and
at that reception, I wasn't smart enough to have the
(11:25):
Secretary of State, who's also the state athletic commissioner. Wasn't
it smart enough to put him up at a dais.
But so Ben Meyer was sitting back with me at
Secretary of State, and Virgil got up there and said, well, unfortunately,
now that I'm turning professional, I won't be able to
box in North Kota because North Kota doesn't have a
boxing commission. And I said, fate changed because I leaned
(11:45):
back to Ben Meyer, who was on the table next
to me, and said, Ben, you should have an athletic
you should have a boxing commission. He said, you do
things like that, you should start it. I said, okay,
I will. I'll be by tomorrow. So I started. I
was the first boxing commissioner, know nothing about boxing, but
I immediately got off that commission and got some people
that were involved in and we started. And then one
(12:07):
thing led to another, and I helped put together his
first events to try to bring some events to Bismarck.
I guess it was really my motivation, and they help
him and then he had a manager problem and he
asked me like five times to manage him. I said no, no, no, no, no, no,
no no, And he finally said, we just do one
fight for me, just to put together one event for me.
And I did, and he's in the corner. It was
(12:30):
on national TVs. And I'm in the corner, just outside
the ring. He's in the middle of the ring with
his arm raised up in the air, and he turns
to me and says, just one more, Just one more.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
So I was. So I had a one fight agreement
for the next what fourteen years, and we went all
over the world, and he was a class act and
I enjoyed very much being associated with him. He worked
so hard and most of all, he promoted North Dakota,
and that's.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
What I really like. They don't forget at where they came, yea.
And I remember, I think I was, and I can't
remember who his opponent was, but I remember a fight
that he had here at the Civic Center. And I'm
not a boxing fan per se, but I think I
went with some my cousin. He wanted to go and
(13:19):
he had an extra ticket, so I went with him.
And I really enjoyed it.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
You know.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
It was it was just nice to have somebody come
back and not be quote embarrassed, you know, to be
from normal I had.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
He went out of his way to promote North to
go everywhere we went, everywhere we went. It was it was,
you know, something we would say at the press conference,
he hasn't got his North to go to plug in yet.
Next thing, you know, well, people just.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Don't realize, you know, what a what a hidden treasure
our state is. And that's very nice when someone with
some celebrity, you know, puts that out there for people.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
I agree.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
And then, well, you've been very successful as an entrepreneur,
as a promoter, a performer, and politician. What are some
of your favorite Bismark memories that you'd like to share?
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Favorite Bismark memories? Wow, you know, well, as Mayory and
you cut a lot of ribbons for a lot of people,
a lot of different organizations, and welcome a lot of
different people to the community. But I think, you know,
if I were to classify my favorite memories, they probably
are some of the things that the city did. You
(14:35):
know that we had those grand openings when we became
an all American city. I remember I was extremely proud,
not not for the award. But how how that we worked.
We got the word because of how closely at that
time we were working together with the park board and
the school district and other governmental entitees to do some
things as a as a group and looking at priorities
(14:58):
for our community. And and you know, we got to
expand the airport a couple times, and do the expand
the civic center and all those I was just grateful,
grateful that I had a chance to be a part
of it. Grateful to the citizens because they all went
to In my twelve years as mayor, I think we
set a record for the number of times we went
(15:19):
to voters with prizies to do with the sales tax,
and they were all they were very supportive of them.
And yeah, I was just proud to be a part
of the community.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Well I'm not a native Bismarcker, but I've lived in
Bismarck for since nineteen eighty five. And I figured it
out the other day. I've lived in Bismarck twice as long,
if not longer, than I did in the little town
that I grew up in because I left that when
I was eighteen. So I called Bismarck home, even though
(15:51):
I'm not a native born Bismarcker. Well accept you, and
I'm just I'm very proud to have been a part
of this city. And it's just it's growing. I think
it was like about thirty five thousand approximately when I
came yep, you know, and it's more than doubled, you know,
(16:11):
and it's just amazing.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
You know.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
It's a great place to live, and it's a great
place to raise a family, and I'm just happy I
call it home, and I mean that from the bottom
of my heart. And the history of the city too
fascinates me.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I'm looking at something when i'm looking now you in
your question. The radio Acts of Public Access was something
that I was involved in starting. Yes, I remember, and
again it's a classic example because the Ekbergs were a
great family in Bismark and did a lot of things.
The community owned the cable system and they came in
to get it, asked for it to be renewed, and
(16:48):
there was a motion to them renewed in a second
and I was city commission and said, I don't know
that we should do that because there's a lot of
things changing in the national scene. And still, you know,
what's going to happen with that, and who's regulating it?
And da dah dah dah. And so the mayor the
commissioner said, well, let's let's soren some have a committee.
(17:10):
And we started the committee and one of the things
that we required the franchise was to provide public access.
But I said, I went from that point. I think
it was like six months later. I got involved in
the National Legal citi's committee testified before Congress on the
Telecommunications Act. I was getting introduced in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
on a panel and they said, Bill Sorenson is here
(17:31):
with us from Bismarck, North Dakota. He's one of the
experts on local government regulation regarding the cable industry. And
I thought, man, am I in trouble? Now? If I
am one of the experts, we are in big trouble.
But it's funny, how, as you said, one thing leads
to another. And I think public access is a wonderful
(17:56):
thing for a community. So many more people are informed
about what's going on and tune into some of these programs.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
And it is just not broadcasting the different committee and
commission meetings, but it's also providing a lot of input
for local people that have a keen interest like Bismark
Historical Society and history Hot Dish podcast. It would be
possible without without having had what came before. Yes, correct that,
(18:26):
and now too, you've been If I'm not mistaken, your
Medora is pretty near and dear to your heart too,
I believe. Yeah, can you talk about some of your
experiences there?
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Well, thank you for that, because you're right, and another
place with some rich history. Yeah, Midor got its teeth
into me way back in nineteen seventy six and the
vice centennial year, and I spent a summer there that
summer and entertained, did my act and fell in love
(19:00):
with the place. And I said, for a guy like
me that likes to meet people, anybody that I've ever
met comes to Medora during the summertime, you know, if
they're coming back into the state, they do that. But
also anytime I want, I can be all by myself
in the beautiful deadlines.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
There's been many times where I've maybe gone to rough
Rider and I'll stay overnight at Roughrider and then the
next day I.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Will go.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
With my dog and I and will go to the park,
And honestly, I can easily spend an entire day in
the park and you get out of the car and
it's just quiet. All you hear is the birds, the
western meatal lark. You hear the grass waving in the breeze.
(19:46):
You see the beautiful buffalo and the beautiful horses, and
then those stinker prairie dogs. Yeah, I saw run through
a prairie dog field one time, too too fast to
get my camera out. I'd never really I'd heard coyotes,
but I'd never seen one. But I call it my
happy place.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
It's definitely a happy place. And I don't care if
I'm out there by myself. It's just it brings a
piece to your heart. And again, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
is definitely a jewel in The.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Roosevelt Presidential Library is going to be an unlievable.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
I can't wait until that is ready to go and see,
because I will. I will definitely be.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
There and all the things the foundation has done. And
for me, the other part of it is I've entertained there.
So this last summer, even when I was mayor, we
go out with my family, would go out to Medor
on weekends and I'd do a couple of shows there,
and we'd be in Medora every weekend. So it's actually
this was my forty ninth year, this past summer of
doing shows in Madora one and it's been a wonderful
(20:51):
part of my life. I love that place.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
I love Yeah, I do too.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
I'm very blessed.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Yeah, especially the park. You know, like I said, it's
it's my happy place. It's probably one of my most
favorite places in the world is Teddy Roosevelt National Park.
And you can go there. You could go there every
weekend and see something different. The terrain changes with the seasons.
I've been there in the winter, I've been there in
the fall this summer, and it's equally beautiful, you know,
(21:21):
I guess, And that's just me. I you know, I
wax dramatic about it. I just love theater Roosevelt National Park.
I really really do.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Me too.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
And then speaking of that, you know, are you going
to continue your involvement with Medora, Well, you know, are
you looking at backing away a little bit?
Speaker 3 (21:44):
That's a great question. You know, they've had four going
away parties for me over my years of age, and
you just can't take Yeah, I just find a different
way to come back in a different thing. So I will.
I'm as long as I have my health, I'm sure
I'll do something and go enjoy with my and the
bad Lands have to offer because it is my happy place.
So I don't know in what shape or form that'll take,
(22:05):
but I will spend some time there.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Well. And to close out the program, Bill, is there
anything that we didn't cover that you'd like to share
about promoting and preserving our area's rich history.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Promoting and preserving our rich history. Well, I think, first
of all, I think there is a renewed interest in
the history of with doora. I think you the people
that are involved in organization, so that's fun to see.
There are a lot of things I'm interested in and
have been supportive with Denny Boyd years ago. I wanted
to change the name of the ballpark to Page Park, right,
(22:40):
and now they know they've Park District has kind of
tried it, tied it to a dollar donation amount to
do that. But there is a movement to at least
get a statue there.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
And I remember hearing about.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
That, and because that's not only important historical thing for Bismarck,
historical thing for baseball satual page. They probably would have
won the World Series the year they won the National
Amateur Championship. But it's an important point for the history
of the United States and the integration of Baseball's.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Absolutely yeah, because I know Danny was. I was on
the Bismarck Historical Society board with him when he was president.
And there was not a man who loved baseball. That's
very true than Denny Boyd.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
And I was so happy that they were able to
get those walking area with placards about the history because
I don't think a lot of people realize it. Sactual
Page played for the for the Bismark team.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
It's a great history. Get the book color Blind and
a couple of days ago.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Yes, I read that one and I even gave my brother,
who was this baseball that you know. He enjoyed that
book and he had no idea either, you know, so
those you know, there's places where you can preserve that
history because not everyone is going to remember it. And
catch a few people off guard. Oh really, Satchel Page
(24:09):
played here. We had an integrated team, you know, we
had negro baseball. You know, there's just so many things
about Bismarck history that we're just not aware of, and
that's why it's so important to keep it in the
front of people's minds. Well, thank you so much for
being our guest today.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
I've enjoyed it a lot. Yes, keep up the good work.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Well, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Thank you for listening to History Hot Dish.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
If you like what you heard.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
The Bismark Historical Society hosts programs and events throughout the year.
We welcome all those with an interest in local history
to join us. For more information about programs or membership,
visit our website Bismarkhistory dot org or find us on Facebook.
You can find History Hot Dish on one or two
point five FM, Radioaccess dot org, and anywhere you find
great podcasts. History Hot Dish is produced by the Bismarck
(25:02):
Historical Society in partnership with Dakota Media Access
Welcome to History Hot Dish, a casual conversation about the
historic people and events they give BIZ Market's unique flavor.
History Hot Dish is brought to you by the Bismarck
Historical Society, a local nonprofit whose mission is to learn, preserve,
and promote the history of Bismarck. Sit back, turn up
the volume, and enjoy another helping of history Hot Dish.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Well, welcome to another episode of History Hot Dish. I'm
your host, Kate Waldera, a member of the Bismarck Historical
Society's Board of directors, and today our guest is Bill
Sorenson and he's joining me in the studio and welcome.
Thank you for coming back for another helping of history
Hot Dish.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It is nice to be here. Thanks for there in
a nice introduction, and thanks for all you're doing to
keep the history a life.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Well, it's our passion. Yeah, it's definitely our passion. So Bill,
for the audience members that may not be familiar with you,
share a bit about yourself, your background, and why you're
interested in preserving and promoting our rich history.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Okay, Wow, I have four wonderful daughters that are the
joy of my life, growing daughters. Now, I was involved
in lots of businesses, a lot of diverse businesses in Bismark.
I think twenty different businesses, most of them dealing with computers,
but also basketball teams and baseball teams and some other projects.
(01:23):
I've always I was a history in political science major
in history, and I think I'm interested in Bismark's history
because it's a rich history.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Oh, it is so interesting. There's something for everyone.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Yeah. I was talking to somebody the other day and
they didn't know about the Old West.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Days of the wild.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Wild the wild West of Bismark, really and I said, oh, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
We were quite the rowdy town in our early years.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yeah, Well, in growing up in Bismarck, are there memories
that stand out to you that may have possibly shaped
your involvement in the community throughout your life?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Great question. You know, it's interesting how we all are
products of the decisions and things we've made before and
go along. So I can't explain this one to you, Kate,
But when I was junior high in a high school student,
I looked at the Bismarck Tribune and I'd scanned the
headlines in the front page. I'd read the comics, and
I'd read the sports page, but on Wednesdays, I'd read
(02:22):
all about the city Commission, meaning oh yes, and for
whatever reason that was an interest of mine back in
the days, maybe because I knew the mayor's back then.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yes, you had some personal connections, had.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Some you know. I played ball with Evan lips Is
when the lips was the mayor for like twelve years,
and I played ball with his kids and Ed Laher
and I knew Ed after that, and so you have
this personal connection. But also I think you know you
have an interest in your community. So I didn't. I'm
ashamed to say I didn't really look a lot at
the national and international news, but I always had an
(02:54):
interest in.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Local government well, and that was with me too. Granted
I didn't grow up in a town as biggest Bismarck,
but my dad was a lifelong member of that community,
and he would talk about things that had gone on
in town, and he would point out buildings to me
and who lived there and what had been there. And
(03:17):
I think that's where my love of history came from.
Two So I always wanted to know the.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
About, yeah, and the why. And it's interesting, you know
when we're talking about this. Early on, when I was
a high school student, they were talking about building the
Events Center Civic Center, and.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
That would have been probably in the seventies.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Yeah, late sixties when we were starting talking about it,
and Dick Carlgard, who was that let director, had a
bunch of us that were in students. He knew there
was going to be some votes. I think was really
he I mean he gathered us together of America. Yeah, yeah,
and he knew well, he was asked us our opinion
what we'd like to see in the building and those things.
(03:54):
But I think it was real intent was to try
to get some support from the youth community to tell
our parents this was a great idea, which of course
I thought, of course I thought it was. And then
that led, you know, being involved in that led to me.
I was later involved in student government, which maybe was
all tied in and and I was the first student
(04:15):
body president of BJC. We went to George Smith, the
Civic Center manager when it was brand new, in the
early night and promoted the first concert with them, a
Letterman concert. We were the big group at the time,
and you know, it's all it's interesting how all those
things kind of pile on each other.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
That happened really absolutely. You just you know, you have
success with one endeavor and then you move on to
something else and you learn more and you just want
to make a positive impact, isn't that. Yeah, Well, you
got involved in local politics early in your life. Share
with us some of your favorite memories and projects that
(04:53):
you were a part of, both as commissioner and mayor.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
Uh okay, well, well, you know one of the first projects,
the first things that happened when I was first elected,
and first of all, I ran, You're right, I was
twenty seven when I ran, and I really didn't expect
to get elected.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Honestly, didn't expect to get elected, but I was interested
in the process. But I had a great mayor at
the time, Bus Leary, And when I first got on
one of the first things that happened, they were talking
about tearing down the Patterson Hotel and literally literally the
(05:34):
ball and grain were sitting there.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I mean, it was very close, it was.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Very close, and I got excited Bus was working on
that project. I got excited, you know, about trying to
save that building. And it was really kind of an
education to me because I remember we had this kind
of final conversation with Senator Quentin Berdick at the time,
and he said all the things that they could do
because they were, you know, nationwide, there was an attempt
(06:01):
to try to do some urban renewal projects but trying
to save some of the buildings. At the time, they
were getting rid of a lot of it, but they'd
realized that saving them was better than tearing down, and
so there was some funds available. And I remember the
conversation well because he said, he said, okay, well, I
think we can do this. And I saying to Senator
BRIGGI you don't understand this is that we're really up
(06:23):
against the time frame. And he basically said, in a
nice way, you don't understand. This is done her earmarks.
He said, don't worry, this is this is this is
now officially done.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Okay, Well, I remember is I worked at Bismarck Public
Library for quite a few for three decades, and one
of the projects I was in was historical pictures, and
I remember the urban renewal more like the Lambourne Hotel
came down. I think that was across the street from
(06:55):
yep from the past, very close to that, and I thought,
you know, and then when the Carnegie Library came down,
and that too, that was I was, I was that
would have been in the early eighties.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Yeah, and that's probably one to be honest with as
a city commissioner, I should have probably fought a little
bit more for that one. I mean, we didn't know
how to fund it or we're going to get any money.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
But that was one well, you know, and I just
hate to see old.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Yeahs well down sometimes part of your history, but not
just that. It's just it's just so much of the
the look of a community and feel for a community,
you know. And sometimes we as politicians like to say
I had this great idea when I was there, and
this was not at all a great idea. But when
I first became mayor, there were seventeen empty buildings in
(07:44):
downtown this mark and it actually went that first year
to twenty one and the value of downtown Bismark praperty
values had gone down for four years, and actually the
population of Bismarck had gone down, and so we started
you know, I would have thought on anything at it
at the time. I would have, you know, if there'd
have been anything. But we started the projects and did
(08:05):
the tax income and financing, which has become a little
bit controversial again now, but I would say it worked
so well. It works so well. We saved so many
buildings in downtown bis Market and that property value. No
one who wants to invest in an area of a
community that is not that is not doing well where
(08:25):
the property values are actually going down, and so to
have that building or those buildings be saved and have
the property value start going out, it's not just an
interest in downtown, it's an economic interest for the Post's just.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So many things that come into play. You know, you've
got the desire to save a building, but then there's
all these other elements that factor into it.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Yeah, So I mean it's good for everybody when when
those property value somebody once said to me, to take
the pulse of a community, you go to its core,
you go to its downtown, and so to have oth
the downtown and think it's vital.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah, it's just not as simple as the desire to save.
You have to factor in so many other things too well.
A reminder for our guests that have just joined us.
You're listening to History Hot Dish on Radio Access one
O two point five FM and I'm your host, Kate Waldera,
and today our guest is former Bismarck mayor Bill Sorenson,
(09:21):
and today we're talking about a variety of ways that
he has been a part of Bismarck's history. Now, the
one place I'm very familiar with you your involvement would
be with Virgil Hill. Some of our listeners may not
realize how you were connected to Virgil's career. Could you
(09:42):
tell us a bit about your role as a boxing
promoter and sports enthusiasm.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Boy, you talk about something where one decision leads to
another decision. Yes, So I want a trip to the Olympics,
a sales trip. In nineteen eighty four, one virgils in
the Olympics and I got all caught up in the
North Dakota kid.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
I think he came in silver.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
He got the silver medal, and I was back here
in Bismarck for when he was fighting for the gold medal.
I traded one of my track and Field metal tickets
to go watch him and it was really cool. So
when I got back here, he was fighting for the
gold medal and everybody in the world thought he won.
But because the Koreans were threatening to pull out of
the Olympics, and they Virgil got the silver and Howard Cosell,
(10:25):
announcer was going crazy, this is a travesty, this is
an injustice of the worst guy. And they put the
microphone in front of this young Virgil Hill and he
was gracious this could be and he just said, congratulated
the winner. Said if there was a protest, it wouldn't
be something he was a part of. Others would make
that decision. He was very honored. I've had the opportunity
(10:45):
to represent his home state in North Dakota and the
United States, and he did it to the best of
his ability. Hope he didn't disappoint anybody. And I sat
at home going.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Very clossy. He turned something that negative into a positive. Yeah,
he was Basically, I was so happy to us to
be here and to have the chance.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Yeah, you're right exactly. And then and so because of that,
I put together a little reception. I wasn't I was
on the city Commission. I was vice president commission at
the time. He's coming back two days later, So in
just a couple of days of notice, we put together
this reception and a lot of business guys and people
from the community turned out, it's couple several hundred, and
at that reception, I wasn't smart enough to have the
(11:25):
Secretary of State, who's also the state athletic commissioner. Wasn't
it smart enough to put him up at a dais.
But so Ben Meyer was sitting back with me at
Secretary of State, and Virgil got up there and said, well, unfortunately,
now that I'm turning professional, I won't be able to
box in North Kota because North Kota doesn't have a
boxing commission. And I said, fate changed because I leaned
(11:45):
back to Ben Meyer, who was on the table next
to me, and said, Ben, you should have an athletic
you should have a boxing commission. He said, you do
things like that, you should start it. I said, okay,
I will. I'll be by tomorrow. So I started. I
was the first boxing commissioner, know nothing about boxing, but
I immediately got off that commission and got some people
that were involved in and we started. And then one
(12:07):
thing led to another, and I helped put together his
first events to try to bring some events to Bismarck.
I guess it was really my motivation, and they help
him and then he had a manager problem and he
asked me like five times to manage him. I said no, no, no, no, no, no,
no no, And he finally said, we just do one
fight for me, just to put together one event for me.
And I did, and he's in the corner. It was
(12:30):
on national TVs. And I'm in the corner, just outside
the ring. He's in the middle of the ring with
his arm raised up in the air, and he turns
to me and says, just one more, Just one more.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
So I was. So I had a one fight agreement
for the next what fourteen years, and we went all
over the world, and he was a class act and
I enjoyed very much being associated with him. He worked
so hard and most of all, he promoted North Dakota,
and that's.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
What I really like. They don't forget at where they came, yea.
And I remember, I think I was, and I can't
remember who his opponent was, but I remember a fight
that he had here at the Civic Center. And I'm
not a boxing fan per se, but I think I
went with some my cousin. He wanted to go and
(13:19):
he had an extra ticket, so I went with him.
And I really enjoyed it.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
You know.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
It was it was just nice to have somebody come
back and not be quote embarrassed, you know, to be
from normal I had.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
He went out of his way to promote North to
go everywhere we went, everywhere we went. It was it was,
you know, something we would say at the press conference,
he hasn't got his North to go to plug in yet.
Next thing, you know, well, people just.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Don't realize, you know, what a what a hidden treasure
our state is. And that's very nice when someone with
some celebrity, you know, puts that out there for people.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
I agree.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
And then, well, you've been very successful as an entrepreneur,
as a promoter, a performer, and politician. What are some
of your favorite Bismark memories that you'd like to share?
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Favorite Bismark memories? Wow, you know, well, as Mayory and
you cut a lot of ribbons for a lot of people,
a lot of different organizations, and welcome a lot of
different people to the community. But I think, you know,
if I were to classify my favorite memories, they probably
are some of the things that the city did. You
(14:35):
know that we had those grand openings when we became
an all American city. I remember I was extremely proud,
not not for the award. But how how that we worked.
We got the word because of how closely at that
time we were working together with the park board and
the school district and other governmental entitees to do some
things as a as a group and looking at priorities
(14:58):
for our community. And and you know, we got to
expand the airport a couple times, and do the expand
the civic center and all those I was just grateful,
grateful that I had a chance to be a part
of it. Grateful to the citizens because they all went
to In my twelve years as mayor, I think we
set a record for the number of times we went
(15:19):
to voters with prizies to do with the sales tax,
and they were all they were very supportive of them.
And yeah, I was just proud to be a part
of the community.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Well I'm not a native Bismarcker, but I've lived in
Bismarck for since nineteen eighty five. And I figured it
out the other day. I've lived in Bismarck twice as long,
if not longer, than I did in the little town
that I grew up in because I left that when
I was eighteen. So I called Bismarck home, even though
(15:51):
I'm not a native born Bismarcker. Well accept you, and
I'm just I'm very proud to have been a part
of this city. And it's just it's growing. I think
it was like about thirty five thousand approximately when I
came yep, you know, and it's more than doubled, you know,
(16:11):
and it's just amazing.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
You know.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
It's a great place to live, and it's a great
place to raise a family, and I'm just happy I
call it home, and I mean that from the bottom
of my heart. And the history of the city too
fascinates me.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I'm looking at something when i'm looking now you in
your question. The radio Acts of Public Access was something
that I was involved in starting. Yes, I remember, and
again it's a classic example because the Ekbergs were a
great family in Bismark and did a lot of things.
The community owned the cable system and they came in
to get it, asked for it to be renewed, and
(16:48):
there was a motion to them renewed in a second
and I was city commission and said, I don't know
that we should do that because there's a lot of
things changing in the national scene. And still, you know,
what's going to happen with that, and who's regulating it?
And da dah dah dah. And so the mayor the
commissioner said, well, let's let's soren some have a committee.
(17:10):
And we started the committee and one of the things
that we required the franchise was to provide public access.
But I said, I went from that point. I think
it was like six months later. I got involved in
the National Legal citi's committee testified before Congress on the
Telecommunications Act. I was getting introduced in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
on a panel and they said, Bill Sorenson is here
(17:31):
with us from Bismarck, North Dakota. He's one of the
experts on local government regulation regarding the cable industry. And
I thought, man, am I in trouble? Now? If I
am one of the experts, we are in big trouble.
But it's funny, how, as you said, one thing leads
to another. And I think public access is a wonderful
(17:56):
thing for a community. So many more people are informed
about what's going on and tune into some of these programs.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
And it is just not broadcasting the different committee and
commission meetings, but it's also providing a lot of input
for local people that have a keen interest like Bismark
Historical Society and history Hot Dish podcast. It would be
possible without without having had what came before. Yes, correct that,
(18:26):
and now too, you've been If I'm not mistaken, your
Medora is pretty near and dear to your heart too,
I believe. Yeah, can you talk about some of your
experiences there?
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Well, thank you for that, because you're right, and another
place with some rich history. Yeah, Midor got its teeth
into me way back in nineteen seventy six and the
vice centennial year, and I spent a summer there that
summer and entertained, did my act and fell in love
(19:00):
with the place. And I said, for a guy like
me that likes to meet people, anybody that I've ever
met comes to Medora during the summertime, you know, if
they're coming back into the state, they do that. But
also anytime I want, I can be all by myself
in the beautiful deadlines.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
There's been many times where I've maybe gone to rough
Rider and I'll stay overnight at Roughrider and then the
next day I.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Will go.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
With my dog and I and will go to the park,
And honestly, I can easily spend an entire day in
the park and you get out of the car and
it's just quiet. All you hear is the birds, the
western meatal lark. You hear the grass waving in the breeze.
(19:46):
You see the beautiful buffalo and the beautiful horses, and
then those stinker prairie dogs. Yeah, I saw run through
a prairie dog field one time, too too fast to
get my camera out. I'd never really I'd heard coyotes,
but I'd never seen one. But I call it my
happy place.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
It's definitely a happy place. And I don't care if
I'm out there by myself. It's just it brings a
piece to your heart. And again, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
is definitely a jewel in The.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Roosevelt Presidential Library is going to be an unlievable.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
I can't wait until that is ready to go and see,
because I will. I will definitely be.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
There and all the things the foundation has done. And
for me, the other part of it is I've entertained there.
So this last summer, even when I was mayor, we
go out with my family, would go out to Medor
on weekends and I'd do a couple of shows there,
and we'd be in Medora every weekend. So it's actually
this was my forty ninth year, this past summer of
doing shows in Madora one and it's been a wonderful
(20:51):
part of my life. I love that place.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
I love Yeah, I do too.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
I'm very blessed.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Yeah, especially the park. You know, like I said, it's
it's my happy place. It's probably one of my most
favorite places in the world is Teddy Roosevelt National Park.
And you can go there. You could go there every
weekend and see something different. The terrain changes with the seasons.
I've been there in the winter, I've been there in
the fall this summer, and it's equally beautiful, you know,
(21:21):
I guess, And that's just me. I you know, I
wax dramatic about it. I just love theater Roosevelt National Park.
I really really do.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Me too.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
And then speaking of that, you know, are you going
to continue your involvement with Medora, Well, you know, are
you looking at backing away a little bit?
Speaker 3 (21:44):
That's a great question. You know, they've had four going
away parties for me over my years of age, and
you just can't take Yeah, I just find a different
way to come back in a different thing. So I will.
I'm as long as I have my health, I'm sure
I'll do something and go enjoy with my and the
bad Lands have to offer because it is my happy place.
So I don't know in what shape or form that'll take,
(22:05):
but I will spend some time there.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Well. And to close out the program, Bill, is there
anything that we didn't cover that you'd like to share
about promoting and preserving our area's rich history.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Promoting and preserving our rich history. Well, I think, first
of all, I think there is a renewed interest in
the history of with doora. I think you the people
that are involved in organization, so that's fun to see.
There are a lot of things I'm interested in and
have been supportive with Denny Boyd years ago. I wanted
to change the name of the ballpark to Page Park, right,
(22:40):
and now they know they've Park District has kind of
tried it, tied it to a dollar donation amount to
do that. But there is a movement to at least
get a statue there.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
And I remember hearing about.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
That, and because that's not only important historical thing for Bismarck,
historical thing for baseball satual page. They probably would have
won the World Series the year they won the National
Amateur Championship. But it's an important point for the history
of the United States and the integration of Baseball's.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Absolutely yeah, because I know Danny was. I was on
the Bismarck Historical Society board with him when he was president.
And there was not a man who loved baseball. That's
very true than Denny Boyd.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
And I was so happy that they were able to
get those walking area with placards about the history because
I don't think a lot of people realize it. Sactual
Page played for the for the Bismark team.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
It's a great history. Get the book color Blind and
a couple of days ago.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Yes, I read that one and I even gave my brother,
who was this baseball that you know. He enjoyed that
book and he had no idea either, you know, so
those you know, there's places where you can preserve that
history because not everyone is going to remember it. And
catch a few people off guard. Oh really, Satchel Page
(24:09):
played here. We had an integrated team, you know, we
had negro baseball. You know, there's just so many things
about Bismarck history that we're just not aware of, and
that's why it's so important to keep it in the
front of people's minds. Well, thank you so much for
being our guest today.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
I've enjoyed it a lot. Yes, keep up the good work.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Well, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Thank you for listening to History Hot Dish.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
If you like what you heard.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
The Bismark Historical Society hosts programs and events throughout the year.
We welcome all those with an interest in local history
to join us. For more information about programs or membership,
visit our website Bismarkhistory dot org or find us on Facebook.
You can find History Hot Dish on one or two
point five FM, Radioaccess dot org, and anywhere you find
great podcasts. History Hot Dish is produced by the Bismarck
(25:02):
Historical Society in partnership with Dakota Media Access
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