Northern long-eared bat comment period over
Fish & Wildlife Service considering some forestry exemptionsThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received “approximately 666” total comments on the 4(d) rule put in place for the northern long-eared bat after it extended its public comment period to July 1, 2015. “We intend to finalize the 4(d) rule [which addresses exemptions for some activities that may affect the bat] by the end of 2015,” said Georgia Parham, […]
EDA continues housing study and strategizing
Housing was once again the top agenda item for the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) in June. At the June 9, 2015 meeting, EDA Board Member Anton Moody gave an update on the work of the Workforce Housing Committee. Moody said the housing committee—Moody, Scott Harrison, Heidi Doo-Kirk, Abby Tofte and consultant Randy Lasky of Northspan has […]
Grand Marais water tower cleaning and waste water concerns
Rub a dub dub, the Grand Marais water tower will soon be getting a good scrub. Tom Nelson, water/wastewater superintendent for Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC) came before the PUC board on July 1, with two requests for water and sewer projects. Nelson asked the board to approve the low bid of $3,400 from Water Tower Clean and Coat, […]
Bringing mountain biking to Cook County
If Cook County is going to become a mecca for mountain bikers, it will do so with the help of people like Michelle Barker. Barker is the upper Midwest region director of the International Mountain Biking Association, or IMBA, as it is often called. She was in town for three days this week to meet with people and pedal the […]
Adults should unteach religious teachings
Kristin Garey wrote (July 4 issue) of how hatred and racism are learned through instruction, and of the challenge “to let our words come gently” to dispel this abomination. Another challenge is to find gentle words to expose the persistent indoctrination of youth and adults as “unworthy, “as “wretched” in the eyes of a supernatural, “loving God” and to fear […]
Stars and Stripes
No, we are not a perfect nation. However, we are a nation with liberties and freedoms not otherwise enjoyed by a majority of the world’s population. And such freedom has come with cost and sacrifice. Please protect the American f.lag. God Bless America.Mike LarsonLutsen
Coolest town, smallest parade
I have lived in Grand Marais all of my life and I am very proud that we were voted “The coolest small town in America”! That said, why can’t our “cool” town do better for a 4th of July parade? I appreciate those few that took part in it, but it was a bit embarrassing to hear the out-oftown families […]
Grand Marais is not Breckinridge
In response to City Councilor/ Economic Development Authority Board Member Anton Moody’s July 4 letter, I fail to see any similarities between Grand Marais or Cook County and Breckinridge, Colorado. The city of Breckinridge is 7 miles long and 2 miles wide nestled among five of the largest ski hills in the world. While homesteading citizens number 3,500, with daily […]
America’s coolest county?
It is nice to see community members celebrating the designation bestowed on the city of Grand Marais last March by Budget Travel magazine, America’s Coolest Small Town. There’s a banner hanging over Wisconsin Street, coasters in cafes and bars and stickers in nearly every business window announcing that Grand Marais is “the coolest.” It is something to celebrate that Grand […]