County board scrutinizes EDA’s proposed budget
Several members of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) attended the September 27, 2011 county board meeting to discuss the proposed 2012 EDA budget. This was a better showing than when the county board held budget hearings in the summer and the only EDA representative present turned out to be Commissioner Bruce Martinson, liaison to the EDA. EDA […]
A devil of a time with tires on Devil’s Track Road
People living along Devil’s Track Road (County Road 8) are complaining. Their tires are going flat when they drive through the construction zone near the airport. And since the project was delayed by the state shutdown in July, the completion date will not be anytime soon. Cook County Highway Engineer David Betts and Maintenance Supervisor Russell Klegstad know what can […]
Synthetic ice receives cool reception
Artificial ice was introduced as an idea that could extend the ice skating season in Cook County, and a trial section of ice was ordered at a cost of $2,000. However, after receiving the sample piece of synthetic ice, the Cook County Amateur Hockey Association is unsure if it wants the county to proceed with the approximately $65,000 purchase of […]
Pagami Creek fire closer to containment
At press time on Thursday, September 29, the Pagami Creek fire was 64 percent contained. Although containment has been steadily growing, a few dry days and the gusts of wind on Thursday not only fueled concerns, but the fire itself. Light rain on Wednesday night helped some, but no one will relax in the northland until the fire is 100 […]
A goodbye-summer gift
When I got up this morning I looked out my bedroom window, as I always do. I am so lucky to live on a nice five-acre wooded lot. I never know what I might see when I look out the window—birds of all sorts of course and squirrels and chipmunks. Occasionally there are deer. It’s a real treat to once […]
Trick or treat for per diem
It’s great that a commissioner is knowledgeable to pick out flaws in the construction at the library but let’s get real, it’s not Halloween. With a quick change of costume, a commissioner is not a qualified building inspector. I question if he is even a licensed contractor. However, Commissioner Sobanja has been paid tax dollars in the form of per […]
Education Foundation offers lasting effect
I am writing this letter in support of the Cook County Schools Education Foundation. This foundation has been in place since 2000 and has already made funds available for school projects. However, it can be so much more. Community members and supporters can donate cash, pledges, restricted funds, endowment funds or planned gifts (bequests, trusts and life insurance). The fund […]
How much more must we pay for fiber optic connections?
The big question being asked around Cook County is “what will we be paying for fiber optic services?” The truth be told…we are paying for it already. The federal government has been handing out billions of dollars across the nation for fiber optic infrastructure, dollars it doesn’t have, borrowing funds by issuing treasury bonds and in part furthering the need […]