Cook County: a great place to live, but affordable housing is needed
Although the consultant gathering information on the affordable housing situation in Cook County had a somewhat dismal report of low wages and high housing prices he also said, “I don’t want to be too negative.” Consultant Steve Greisert of Community Resource Partnership (CRP) gave the update over the phone at the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting on […]
Hospital board hears renovation update with increased costs
With plans quickly coming together to expand and renovate the Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center, the hospital board has been holding long board meetings, and the one it held from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 was no exception. One of the things the board learned was that the cost is going to be […]
No ARMER radio towers taller than 200 feet— for now
When Cook County Information System (IS) Director Rena Rogers came before the Cook County Board of Commissioners in January to tell them about a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) proposal to build two 330-foot Allied Radio Matrix Emergency Response (ARMER) towers on county land in Hovland and Tofte, commissioners asked that MnDOT come explain why the two towers are needed. […]
School success team gives report
A difficult topic—student social and emotional health— was the first topic on the School District 166 agenda on Thursday, February 19, 2015. Student Success Coordinator Anna Sandstrom and Career and Guidance Center Counselor Kris Hoffman gave a report on the things they are doing to help students be successful in school and beyond. Seeking student success Sandstrom, a licensed social […]
Will DNR focus on eagles next?
Now that the DNR experts know how to kill off the moose, deer and wolves, maybe they can go back to college and become experts on the bald eagles here in Northern Minnesota. Their numbers are increasing. I can give you a hint. Just cut down their nesting tree and the fox can eat their little chicks. Francis DrouillardGrand Marais
Top shelf mystery
Regarding the Unorganized Territory column Research on the shelf, I do not know the answer. Maybe County Highway Engineer Betts can give you advice on applying for some of that free government grant money so you can conduct a study. I am hopeful his ill-advised chevron sign grant money will be freed up. Doug TurnerGunflint Trail
Wolf Bingo
In my view wolves are too easily blamed for a problem of our creation. In the way past a natural balance existed where wolves that trespassed to predate on domestics were dispatched. Government chronically wishing to fix things commercialized wolf kill paying bounties resulting in their virtual elimination. With the eventual recognition that eliminating predators wholesale is not necessarily sound, […]
Chevron signs would not have prevented fatality on Gunflint Trail
I am writing in response to the Cook County commissioners’ meeting February 17, 2015. This letter is in regard to Highway Engineer David Betts’ comments concerning the death of the young woman on the Gunflint Trail last year. That young woman lived on the Trail and worked in town. She made that drive, maneuvered that curve every morning for many […]
Department of Transportation should focus on more than roads
While I can certainly appreciate John Bray’s commitment to his former employer, much has changed since it was called the Minnesota Highway Department, I know. I used to work for them as well. Perhaps the biggest change was to recognize that its mission went beyond providing pavement for the efficient movement of motor vehicles. The origins in fact are traceable […]