All three West End townships met this month to continue the annual meetings convened in March 2015. Lutsen was the latest town to reconvene and unlike Tofte and Schroeder, the Lutsen citizens voted to give definitive answers to the entities requesting financial support. Lutsen citizens voted yes to a request from the Birch Grove Foundation; no to assisting with fireworks […]
Orphaned bear cub dies in Grand Marais
Not even a hot dog attached to the end of a canoe paddle could lure a bear cub from the branches of a jack pine next to Sydney’s Frozen Custard in Grand Marais. With as many as 300 people looking on, three Cook County Sheriff Deputies situated below the tree were ready with blankets and a leg snare as Sydney’s […]
Candidates coming forward for District 3A vacancy
Citizens across the Northland are still mourning the loss of David Dill, the Minnesota District 3A Representative, who passed away August 8. Funeral services were held in International Falls on August 15. However, District 3A residents are also wondering who will fill the legislative vacancy caused by his death. At press time, two people have expressed interest in running for […]
Council hears vacation rental concerns; no solution in sight
The nettlesome question of whether to allow vacation rentals in residential districts was again before Grand Marais city councilors Aug. 12. Two citizens spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, both of whom supported a change in the ordinance, which dates to 1971 and prohibits such use. Although the ordinance has been revised at various times over the […]
Trail Center advice
I love Trail Center on the Gunflint Trail for many reasons. The big metal malt cups, the Fungi sandwich, the world’s smallest ice cream sundae, and the new artery-clogging but delectable, deep-fried bacon. I also like the tasty Camp Chow samples on the counter and the funky T-shirts and clothing items offered for sale. But I think what I like […]
Strong school protects property value
My husband and I are retired full-time residents of Grand Marais, living on Social Security and retirement savings. We have never had children in the local school, but we’ll be voting YES in the coming levy referendum for two important reasons. First, strong Cook County schools build and maintain this as a viable community for every age group, from the […]
School board cares about students—and finances
Watching the Funding Our Future/Vote Yes lawn signs pop up around Cook County makes me proud to be a resident here! Having been in education for over 40 years now, I have seen the many benefits that occur in communities where operating levies have been passed. Although we vote “yes” for our young people and their future, I have seen […]
God or no God?
Since, unbeknownst to me, I have “agreed” to officiate at a debate contest between Geri Jensen and Nelda Westerlind regarding whether a Christian belief in God is right or wrong, or, for that matter, any belief in the existence of a god, I find it necessary to comment on the issue. First: I wish to thank Bob LaMettry for suggesting […]
Freedom of speech doesn’t mean the right to say anything
Bob, I’m with you – I’m as tired of writing letters to the editor as you are of reading them. However, I would like to state that I am not trying to get letter writer Geri Jensen to accept my beliefs. I have been trying to keep her from persuading people that the founding fathers were not religious and that […]