Questions for Grand Marais mayoral candidates
There are two candidates on the ballot for mayor of Grand Marais—Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux and Lawrence Scully. Both agreed to participate in the October 16 Election Forum on WTIP radio and to meet with the Cook County News-Herald to answer a few more questions. Although outgoing Mayor Larry “Bear” Carlson has made it clear that he no longer wants to […]
County approves $2.4 million Superior National Golf Course loan
The Cook County commissioners put their stamp of approval on a number of documents Oct. 21 aimed at improving the Superior National Golf Course with a $2.4 million loan. The process began with a positive report from Bruce Kimmel of Ehlers and Associates, the county’s bond counsel. Kimmel announced the sale results of the Series 2014A General Obligation Tax Abatement […]
Q&A for city council candidates
A number of new-to-politics candidates have stepped up to run for the Grand Marais City Council. Four men are running for two council seats—Vance Benedix, Reid Dusheck, David Mills and Anton Moody. The two candidates with the most votes will win the council seats. All four candidates participated in the WTIP Election Forum and represented themselves well. The Cook County […]
Judge hears arguments on South Fowl snowmobile trail
U.S. Forest Service Superior National Forest representatives were back in court on Monday, October 6, 2014 to defend the 2006 decision to construct the South Fowl snowmobile trail between McFarland and South Fowl lakes in Hovland. The organizations suing to block the trail argue that they did not have sufficient opportunity to comment on the Forest Service’s “adaptive management” plan. […]
Voting is women’s work
After I wrote an Unorganized Territory column recalling the fight to allow 18-year-olds to vote, my son Ben asked an interesting question. He asked why I hadn’t gone into more detail about the struggle women went through to gain the right to vote. The question surprised me for several reasons. First, I have to admit I was pleased to know […]
No free meals for voters
Every commissioner candidate got a Campaign Practices Manual. When I raised questions about the practice of treating voters to a free meal, my concern went unanswered. But, the fact remains. Treating voters to a free meal is prohibited. Repeating it is willful violation. Calling it a community event or using others to “host” does not alter the fact. Campaign rules […]
House bill would make EPA consult with states on water rights
An important bill to block a proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was recently approved by the House of Representatives with bi-partisan support. EPA’s 88-page proposal is widely considered one of the biggest federal power grabs ever. The adverse economic and social impacts of this proposal on northern Minnesota citizens, businesses and communities would be enormous. The bill (H.R. […]
Minnesota animals catch a break
On May 20, Gov. Dayton signed the Beagle Freedom Bill. Minnesota became the first state in the U.S. and the first political body in the world to mandate that laboratory dogs and cats be adopted when the research is over. According to the USDA, there are approximately 354 cats and 406 dogs in custody at the University of Minnesota. The […]
Language of gospel is not progressive
In response to the Spiritual Reflections column of October 18: True, Jesus did not say, “Whatever. If it feels good do it.” But what he did say was, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until […]