Grand Marais city councilors on Oct. 9 recognized a prestigious distinction that was recently bestowed on the city—that of a “Bicycle Friendly Community”—by the League of American Bicyclists. “It’s a good accomplishment for the city, the whole community, and the Active Living group,” said Councilor Tim Kennedy, council’s representative on the Active Living Steering Committee and avid bicyclist. He went […]
County administrator contract being negotiated
The county board has asked Jay Kieft to come on board as the county’s first county administrator and is in the process of negotiating a contract with him. At the October 15, 2013 county board meeting, Auditor- Treasurer Braidy Powers handed out a proposed contract that had been drawn up by the county’s consultant, David Unmacht. The proposed contract did […]
County labors to avoid levy increase
The county board spent part of the afternoon of October 15, 2013 discussing ways to keep costs down in 2014 in order to avoid a levy increase and use of the fund balance. They went over some possible cuts in departments they had not discussed at a previous budget work session. Budgeting for the Public Health & Human Services Department […]
Commissioners clash over who should handle landlocked property issue
Commissioner Garry Gamble was ousted from the “Cartway Committee” at the county board meeting on October 15, 2013. On October 8, Commissioner Gamble and Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk had offered to work with property owner John Scheef on options for dealing with a landlocked 80-acre parcel he owns on the hillside above Grand Marais north of Highway 7, east of Brandon […]
Give moose a fighting chance
As people stopped by the office to pick up a copy of the October 5, 2013 News-Herald, they were immediately drawn to the sad headline of Reporter Brian Larsen’s article Moose calves dying at higher rate than expected. Almost everyone who picked up a paper that week asked, “Why?” I think each of us in the office struggled to answer […]
Where to park at new community center?
I see what appears to be reduced parking at the new community center. With approximately 40 places in front this is surely not enough for a community-size event. I was going to suggest vacating the street to the Lutheran curb, but fear the Sculpture and Mural Park that would be sure to follow and a bridal-bridle path to the Horse […]
Better ways to make Highway 61 safer
I am most thankful I have friends who trust me enough to share their opinions on matters in which we disagree, and are even on opposite sides of an issue. They keep me honest, and I must consider their viewpoints carefully and address why I disagree with them for my own peace of mind. There are several of my friends […]
Sex offender program should consider victims
There is a great deal of discussion lately, both in the media and in the courtroom, about the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Some claim that in practice this works out to be a life sentence because some prisoners can’t meet the state’s discharge standards, and that the punishment, therefore, doesn’t fit the crime. The United States Supreme Court has, over […]