EDA faces complicated housing project issues
As the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) finally reached a financial settlement with an engineering firm for work that had been done by that firm for a housing project that never happened, discussion was under way about another possible project. Settlement reached on Sawtooth Cottages project In 2008, after many months of considering a residential subdivision […]
Contingency fund running low for YMCA
The contingency fund for construction of the Cook County Community YMCA is potentially getting low. Project Director Wade Cole of ORB Management spoke to the county board on July 9, 2013 about the possibility of finding other funds to cover some costs that were not originally part of the project. When the project was first started, a representative from the […]
State authorizes two new county taxes for road and bridge funds
Cook County has been given two new ways to collect taxes for road and bridge projects. The first is a new bill passed this year by the state legislature that gives counties throughout the state the authority to collect a wheelage tax. A tax of $10 a year per vehicle can be collected through 2017, and up to $20 a […]
Zion Lutheran Church in Finland destroyed by fire
A page went out to the Finland and Silver Bay fire departments at approximately 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013—Zion Lutheran Church on Highway 1 in Finland had been struck by lightning and was ablaze. Reached by phone a few days after the fire, Finland Fire Chief Peter Walsh said his department was on the scene within 10 minutes […]
Summer critters galore
It is that time of year again. The woods around us have finally greened up. Our beautiful Grand Marais harbor is once again home to lovely boats and the sailing ship Hjordis. There are lines at Dairy Queen and Subway. It’s a challenge to find a place to park or to cross Highway 61. It’s time to head to the […]
YMCA will thrive with community support
The walls are going up which means the Y Community Center will be ready for us this winter. We now have a choice: Cook County residents can continue the negativity and namecalling surrounding the community center issue, OR we can join together in an exciting opportunity that so many small towns would love to be given. Let’s make the most […]
Electric customers would benefit from smart meters
I was randomly selected to fill out a comprehensive survey from Great River Energy. Full-time general rate customers are paying between two and three times the price for electricity at the same time of day as neighbors who are on special rate programs. It should be noted that these special rates do nothing to encourage reducing the use of electricity […]
Marketplace Fairness Act targets one industry unfairly
I appreciate Jerry’s response to my letter to the editor. It seems like we agree that the Marketplace Fairness Act is the best way to address collecting sales tax from online retailers. Even though we agree with that one point, I think Jerry’s other views are misguided. Jerry suggested that Bakk and Dill aren’t responsible for their votes, because this […]