Thursday, April 15 at 12:00 p.m. will be the second Tax Day Tea Party on the steps of the Cook County courthouse. Our country is in a moral freefall and it will take an informed, motivated electorate to keep us from being a morally and financially bankrupt America; an America you and I would not recognize as the one in […]
We need to work together for school
In response to Jeff Forester’s April 3, 2010 letter pertaining to seasonal/recreation property taxes and David Stuart’s generous efforts to engage seasonal/recreation property owners in supporting education beyond passive property tax levies. I began as Cook County School District superintendent in July 2009 and have reviewed Mr. Stuart’s letters, sent to seasonal/recreation property owners in January 2009 and 2010. In […]
County government is large enough
It wasn’t long ago that Commissioner Johnson took the lead of the Community Center project. By now he should have been the most informed and best commissioner to lead the project. As our commissioners cry they are overworked, underpaid and need an administrator, they engage in a game of musical chairs, headlines and quotes! Now Fenwick will lead the Community […]
Men, not God, make the rules
In response to Chuck Flickinger’s March 27 letter Joyful Dogma. It is not asking too much to expect sound evidence if one is seeking certainty. Atheists look for evidence, not unlike that required in science, is expected for our justice system, our medical care, for automotive safety, etc. If and when there is evidence of a supernatural god, atheists could […]
Reminder for letters
Letters to the editor, columns, and cartoons are all the opinions of the contributors and not necessarily the Cook County News-Herald. While we encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues they feel strongly about, we ask that letters include name, address, and phone number. Unsigned letters or those of questionable credibility will not be published or acknowledged. […]
Smith sentenced in check theft case
Kim Smith of Grand Marais, 43, pled guilty March 9, 2010 at the Cook County courthouse to four felony counts of theft by check and reappeared in court on April 7 for sentencing. Each count carried a maximum sentence of 10 years and/or a $20,000 fine, however the sentence Smith received was much less severe. Four other counts of theft […]
Cook County census response is slow
Compared to the rest of the state and the nation, Cook County is lagging behind in responding to the 2010 Census. The national return rate is 63%. The state of Minnesota is responding a little bit better. The Minnesota response rate is 72%. However, Cook County is far behind with a response rate of only 37%. No one is sure […]
Bakk authors jobs bill
A comprehensive jobs package with the potential to create up to 20,000 new jobs in Minnesota and encourage investment and jobs in start-up companies, historic building renovations, and an expanded Mall of America, passed the House and Senate on March 29, said state Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, Senate Tax chair and chief author and architect of the legislation. The legislation […]
Bikes sought to help summer workers
First Congregational Church would like to help improve the experience of the international workers in Grand Marais this summer. Transportation is a problem for many of them, so the church is looking to loan them bicycles, and is seeking donations of bicycles that are in good mechanical condition or that only need minor repairs. The church will arrange to come […]