Unseasonably warm weather and downed trees on the trails threatened the start of mushing season with the first Northland race, the Gunflint Mail Run on January 9-10, 2016. However, a major effort to clear trails was completed and temperatures dropped to perfect running weather for the canine athletes and the race was on with 23 teams taking part. Both races […]
Commissioners complete evaluation of county administrator
Meeting January 12, 2016, Cook County commissioners unanimously approved a $6,000 raise for County Administrator Jeff Cadwell after conducting an evaluation of Cadwell’s first six months on the job. The increase was included in the initial contract that Cadwell signed when he began working for the county. Cadwell started on July 6, 2015 at a salary of $85,000 per year […]
ISD 166 school board sets its salary at zero
The annual organizational meeting of 2016 was held by the Cook County Schools – ISD 166 board on January 5. The board unanimously agreed to retain the same board officers with Jeanne Anderson as board chair, Sissy Lunde as board clerk and Chris Goettl as board treasurer. The school board schedule was approved for a regular meeting to be held […]
Tofte shooting suspect makes second court appearance
Kirk Lee Bigby, 61, of Finland, Minnesota made his second appearance in Cook County court on charges of 2nd degree murder on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Bigby was arrested on December 9 for allegedly shooting and killing Marcus Lee Roberts, 35, from Bloomington, Minnesota at Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte. Bigby’s arraignment on December 11, 2015, was before Judge Michael […]
County hires Luick back
Although the candles on her retirement cake aren’t even cold yet, Aimee Luick will be back at work again in the Cook County Auditor’s Office. This time, though, it is for a short period so she can train two staff members to do her old job. On January 12, 2016, the county board rehired Luick so she could work with […]
In the silence of the morning
They stand in the silence of the morningEdges of light highlight themat the beginning of the dayStanding serenely near the Gunflint TrailAre they asking someoneto notice them in some way? These pine grow up from the forest floorOffering a view to a passerbySomething striking for thosewho travel slow enoughTo admire the stand of treestrying to reach the sky. What made […]
Where are the adults?
The industrial arts teacher’s surprise resignation in the middle of the school year, and the response of the school board make it difficult to decide which is more disappointing. The teacher has demonstrated a total disregard for his students; has invited questions about his character and failed to fulfill his contractual obligations. This is an abysmal role model for the […]
Top down dictatorship
Earlier this year the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule (AFFH).” This is President Barack Obama’s most radical assault on American citizens and local governments. The AFFH Rule will destroy your property rights, your property values, destroy whole neighborhoods, it will virtually erase the very concept of local rule by your locally elected representatives. […]
Fighting for the paper and timber industry
Low grade foreign government-subsidized steel isn’t the only commodity being illegally dumped into the U.S. marketplace costing us thousands of good paying jobs. Last week, four Republican colleagues joined me in urging the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to crack down on massive illegal dumping of foreign government-subsidized copier and commercial paper. Specifically, we are asking them to impose tough […]
Ask the Auditor
I have been waiting a long time to write this column. In October 2014, when I heard that the county was going to hold a public meeting to consider possible change to the county’s “Miscellaneous Fee Schedule,” I asked Auditor Braidy Powers for a list of the fees that were under consideration. I knew that Braidy would have the answer. […]