Lutsen candidates consider issues
Although the elections for the West End townships of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder seem far away— Tuesday, March 13—there are actually some citizens voting now by absentee ballot. For that reason, the Cook County News-Herald sat down with Lutsen candidates for clerk and supervisor this week. Unlike Tofte and Schroeder, which have one person running for each vacancy, Lutsen has […]
AT&T to pay Forest Service fees for cell tower
Cook County commissioners approved a special use permit for a new communication tower in the Gunflint Magnetic area earlier this month, however there were questions regarding the cost of placing the tower on U.S. Forest Service land. How much would it cost and who would pay the fees? Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers shared an email from U.S. Forest Service Gunflint District […]
County still considering unexpectedly high architectural charges
Last week Cook County commissioners received an invoice from the Meyer Group that was significantly higher than anticipated for architectural work on a proposed recreation field house on community center grounds. The invoice received was for $16,000 rather than the expected $5,000. Commissioners asked for more information—what was the original agreement on price? And what work was done to make […]
Tofte aiming for bigger Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is a big event in Tofte, but it might become bigger. At the February 9, 2012 meeting of the Tofte township board, Chair Paul James said a Fourth of July committee might try to extend the day’s activities and make it more of a festival. He said he would like to bring more business to local […]
Undoing racism— not just at ESPN
I don’t like to think that I am racially biased. But then I encounter someone from the local Undoing Racism program and I’m annoyed at myself. I like to think America has moved beyond its prejudices and we are indeed, the great melting pot. I like to think I’m above believing stereotypes and that I’m aware of the importance of […]
Your opinion—and your vote—is important
Did you know that the 1% tax that so many are in a hurry to spend can be put into an interest-bearing account with no time limit on when to use it? I didn’t. Did you know that $1.8 million of the 1% tax money has already been spent? Spent on ideas and plans and carts that were put before […]
Community center made Detroit Lakes healthier
I consider myself lucky to live in smalltown Minnesota year round. I divide my time between seasons in beautiful Cook County and “winter” in a small resort town in west central Minnesota, where my family ties are. I have read with great interest the debate about the pros and cons of a community center in Grand Marais. I realize there […]
Are cooperative capital credits being credited?
The February Arrowhead Electric Cooperative newsletter announced that 2,291 checks totaling more than $112,000 will be issued to AECI customers who were members of record in 1987 and years prior. According to AECI bylaws, check amounts are based on “all costs and expenses properly chargeable against the furnishing of electric energy.” The higher the charges to a member account, the […]