YMCA still on board with community center
The YMCA may be coming to town. On April 24, Duluth YMCA president and CEO Chris Francis discussed with the county board the results of its recent feasibility study. The study, which includes conservative projections according to Francis, predicts annual operating deficits of $175,113 to $192,183 in the first five years, not including any subsidies from the city or the […]
County denies new 1 percent project requests
With $1.7 million of the county’s growing 1 percent recreation and infrastructure sales tax revenue still uncommitted, new groups are coming forward with requests for the county board. On April 24, two groups were sent away empty-handed after the board refused to make any promises for the balance of the $20 million (plus the cost of bonding) that can be […]
Demolition and expansion planned for Whole Foods Co-Op building
Future of mosaic mural uncertainCalling it “the most exciting vote I have ever taken part in,” Alyssa Hedstrom joined six other representatives on the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op board of directors who unanimously voted to demolish the current co-op building and replace it with a much larger store. Board members joining Hedstrom were Rick Schubert, Erik Hahn, Barb LaVigne, Jeanne Wright, Linda Harvey […]
Community Center study shows fewer memberships, higher membership cost
The cost of being a member of the proposed new community center just went up. The SEER Analytical report (paid for by the county) tells us that our community’s demographics can support 129 memberships. Previous membership estimates (unsupported by any third-party study) said our community could support 500 memberships. The steering committee did not accept SEER Analytical numbers and Chris […]
Lack of local input on community center is gobsmacking
Other voices in past letters have, quite correctly, pointed out that “community” is and has been lacking in the community center fiasco. But those voices in my view have been a bit too kind. For the harsher reality is there was no attempt at proactive input sought on community needs or desires, prior. Hand-picked committees neither elected nor representative of […]
The ship that wouldn’t sink
April 15 was the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I remember my father singing the ballad that was later written of that tragedy. One line was “They said they’d built a ship that even God couldn’t sink.” When warning after warning was received of dangerous icebergs in the area, no one heeded the warning. There was another […]
Values come from human experiences, not God
A response to Nelda J. Westerlind’s April 21 letter: One does not need a government nor church directive to offer support to our fellow man. Give as you choose. Make no mistake, the Catholic community hospital where I bought services is no charity but is in the business of selling medical care for a profit. The hospital has deflected competition […]