Although it was clear fairly early in the evening of Election Day 2012 that President Barack Obama had won re-election, Cook County residents had to wait until early the next morning to learn the results of several local races in Election 2012. County commissioner races close In the Cook County commissioner’s race, incumbent Fritz Sobanja was defeated by challenger Garry […]
Ordinance amendment proposed for new wind tower technology
Energy technologies continue to evolve, and county ordinances need to evolve with them. On October 16, 2012, the county board authorized a public hearing with the Planning Commission on November 14 to discuss adding new provisions to the Cook County Tower Facility Ordinance. The proposed provisions relate to allowing vertical axis wind turbines. Vertical axis wind towers spin horizontally around […]
City grants co-op land use permit— reconstruction can begin
Jennifer Stolz, general manager of Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, appeared before the Grand Marais City Council on Wednesday, October 31, requesting a land use permit for the reconstruction of the co-op building. The city reviewed plans and a letter from Arno Kahn, of Builders Commonwealth, requesting the land use permit. Kahn also asked for permission to have segments of […]
Taconite Harbor worker in coalbunker explosion improving
Although it has been a struggle, Joe Fredrickson, 41, of Silver Bay is slowly recovering from injuries suffered in a coalbunker explosion while he worked at Minnesota Power Taconite Harbor Energy as a fuels technician. Big Joe, as his friends and family know him, has been a long-time worker at the Schroeder plant. The accident happened at about 9 a.m. […]
Unorganized phone territory
Anyone who has tried to schedule an appointment with me in recent months has seen me struggling with my smart phone. As I run my finger across the touch screen to find my calendar, they have surely heard me mumble that my smart phone makes me feel stupid. I’m getting the hang of it, but it is taking awhile. Smart […]
A response from deer camp on wolf season concerns
This letter is in response to the letter from Bob Reid who was concerned about being shot while skiing or hiking during Minnesota’s wolf season. If, when you take your hike, you don’t have a deer leg in your mouth you should be okay. Tim SuckGrand Marais
Community members help fire departments
I don’t think the public realizes all the behindthe scenes work done for local fire departments by community volunteers. Firefighters couldn’t do their job without the assistance of many people. For example, Kay Sivets sets up the Grand Marais Fire Department visit to local schools during Fire Prevention Week. Kay is the one who sets up the schedule with the […]
Beekeepers continue quest for mite-free bees
Thunder Bay Beekeepers were passionate about keeping their area free of mites but were recently infested by Varroa destructor in spite of their best efforts to keep it out. We hope your area is more successful, and here is why. Keeping the number of mites down in a colony is a neverending job and requires labor-intensive monitoring of the population […]
Grand Marais should retain its spirit and character
I love the community-created charm of the mural on the exterior of the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op as much as I love the cozy simplicity of our little co-op. But, I think this debate about preserving the mural brings up a larger pressing concern for Grand Marais. What do we want Grand Marais to feel and look like as […]