In front of an overflow crowd, Grand Marais city councilors listened intently as one person after another stood up and said, “I demand that the Grand Marais city council place a moratorium on any commercial development over 4,000 square feet pending review of the city’s zoning and planning.” More than 70 people attended the special meeting called by Grand Marais […]
Discussion of shared superintendent continues
The search for Cook County School – ISD 166’s next superintendent continues. Lake Superior School Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall and Board Vice-chair Tom Burns were on hand for the February 4, 2016 meeting of the ISD 166 school board. There is mutual interest in investigating a collaborative arrangement to share Crandall as the chief administrator of both districts. Crandall, who […]
County to pursue Conser vation Par tner Legacy Grant
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016 Cook County commissioners voted to apply for a Conservation Legacy Grant that if awarded could be used to purchase a parcel of landlocked property located near the end of the Old Ski Hill Road in Grand Marais. The land is owned by John Scheef of Plymoth, MN. For years Scheef has been trying to gain […]
Council discusses public art policy
Is there a public art commission in Grand Marais’s future? City councilors spent some time during their Jan. 27 meeting discussing the need for such a panel, a topic which has been considered before, but never carried through to completion. “People are continually giving us stuff…and it’s up to you [council] to decide,” said City Administrator Mike Roth, who recalled […]
Historic drama in song greatly appreciated
It was absolutely awesome. The rolling thunder of the Grand Portage Stonebridge Singers invited those gathered at Bethlehem Lutheran on Friday evening to prepare for a John Beargrease “song cycle” that was stunning! The brilliant work of composer Robin Eschner revealed the historic drama surrounding the North Shore’s iconic native mailman. The spirited collaboration of our own Borealis Chorale and […]
Shopper support keeps local businesses open
All the discussion about the possibility of Dollar General moving into Grand Marais and the comparisons to Walmart leave out an important piece of the equation. It doesn’t just follow that Walmart or Dollar General moves into a town and local businesses close. People of the community have to shift their purchasing away from the local businesses and to these […]
Dollar General plan must be a joke
Please tell me the recent article that the giant retail chain Dollar General may be coming to Grand Marais was an early April Fool’s joke. What’s next, a Target and a few McDonald’s? One of the many things that make this town great is that there isn’t any of these up here. I’m running out of room and will have […]
Dollar General could benefit community
It seems there is a local fear that should a Dollar General store be built in Grand Marais it will eventually lead to an influx of “pole dancing” establishments. Wouldn’t that actually be a terrific opportunity for the YMCA to host some exciting new classes? A possible chance to add extra hours to your Moving Matters account? Let’s think outside […]
Who gets to decide what businesses are welcome?
To the Grand Marais City Council: I am writing to advise you of my family’s support of the proposed Dollar General store. My family buys 90 percent locally. The only thing that would change with the opening of the Dollar General would be not having to drive to Sam’s Club in Duluth. Dollar General has a great buy in bulk […]