Over 10,000 art-hungry visitors were able to quench their thirst for high-quality art July 9 and 10 at the 21st Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival thanks to the hardy artist vendors and the Grand Marais Art Colony’s energetic staff and crew of dedicated volunteers – not even a rainy Saturday could stop visitors from consuming the wide variety of talent […]
Help requested on sizing community center
Hal Greenwood very politely appealed to county commissioners on July 12 to consider the opinions of community members who believe the scope of the new community center under consideration is too big for a community of this size. A survey of 248 residents showed that the respondents who wanted Cook County’s 1 percent sales and use tax to be used […]
100 County board discusses budget philosophy
As government budgets get tighter and tighter, the Cook County Board of Commissioners is strategizing how to provide good service with the least amount of money necessary. Department heads will each be required to submit their annual budget requests this summer, and to help them understand what direction the board wants them to take and to help the board understand […]
Two motorcycle accidents in two days
Two motorcycle accidents in Cook County in just two days fortunately resulted in only minor injuries, but will hopefully serve as a caution to drivers and cyclists alike. The first accident occurred at approximately 12:39 p.m. on Thursday, July 7. Cook County Law Enforcement received a call requesting an ambulance for a male with a possible knee injury following a […]
History of Boulder Park parking lot in question
How long has the parking lot at the end of Broadway across from Sydney’s in downtown Grand Marais been a parking lot? The answer could be very important. On December 27, 1996, the City of Grand Marais entered a conservation easement with the Minnesota Land Trust that prohibits the city from developing any of the land surrounding the harbor. The […]
Interesting ideas for 1 percent spending
Why don’t we use the 1 percent sales and use tax to build a gondola on the Old Ski Hill overlooking Grand Marais? It would be a draw for visitors 12 months out of the year. It would create a few jobs, fill motel rooms, sell gas etc. Any chance on using the old theater space as a green space? […]
Pigeon birth control?
Search the web and see the bird feed you can buy with birth control for pigeons, but how can you keep the other birds from eating it? This year Minneapolis tried, and reported the results on the TV news in January. Orkin also supplies it, gives you a plan, or you can buy it direct from other companies. The trouble […]
Rich, poor, and the middle class
I recall taking a college course, years ago, under the G.I. Bill, on the study of labor history. One quote from the top labor leader of the 1930s has stuck with me. “The rich will always work hard to convince the middle class that the poor are the problem.” Not much has changed in the past 100 years. Ed BolstadGrand […]
Will independent consultant be independent?
After reading several recent articles in the local newspapers, I was wondering just how “independent” a report do you think you’re going to get from the contracted “Nationally Recognized Independent Golf Course Consultant”? In the July 9, 2011 Cook County News-Herald, Mark Sandbo states “he’s met with Sirius three times.” As I’m sure you remember, this is the same individual, […]
Watchdog for Supreme Court
If we are going to go through all the hassle of passing a constitutional amendment, let’s make it worthwhile. The Supreme Court calling the desecration of our flag “free speech” opened the doors to much more damage than just to the flag. When they interpret “free speech” to include action they are twisting the meaning to allow violence. We should […]