Although rain threatened, it wasn’t enough to deter two groundbreaking ceremonies held in the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) Cedar Grove Business Park on Saturday, August 27. Roads have been pushed in for a new veterinary clinic on the west side of the park and for a new workshop/storage area for local contractor Max Wahlers on the east […]
High hopes for Recovery Court in Cook County
Greg Barnier gave a report on the trends he has been seeing during his time as Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor for Cook County Public Health. Several times at the Human Services Board on August 16, Barnier said the focus of his office and that of probation is to help people in those programs to “get better.” To that end, […]
Law Enforcement Center apple tree planting under way
As one crew of three to four workers was busy installing an eight-foot-tall chain link fence around the perimeter of the front lawn of the Cook County Law Enforcement Center, another crew of seven Minnesota Conservation workers let very little grass grow under their feet as they hustled to plant about 160 apple trees under the direction of Ray Block, […]
Lutsen sets 2017 levy
About 20 members of Lutsen township attended the August 16 continuation of the March 8, 2016 annual meeting to finalize the township’s 2017 budget and levy, and by a majority vote agreed to set it at $200,195.36, up from the 2016 budget of $173,870.36. Lutsen Treasurer John Groth said the raise was largely due to $27,300 in requests for donations, […]
Solution found for Schroeder cemetery confusion
The dilemma over the sale of one cemetery plot to two different parties has been resolved, Supervisor Bruce Martinson said to his fellow Schroeder supervisors at the board’s August 10 meeting. Apparently, Lot 5, Block 24 was sold twice, with the second party burying an urn in it before the first purchaser of the gravesite discovered the mistake. Martinson said […]
Cemetery needs upkeep
I have never written to a newspaper before and don’t plan to again, but after my second trip this summer to the Maple Hill Cemetery I had to write about the deplorable condition of the southwest corner which is owned by the county. About 20 years ago I was hired by Jerry Loh of county maintenance to clean up and […]
Vote for what you stand for
Do you get asked who are you going to vote for? Do you share in discussions with family, friends, and others about what your political views are, and what your hopes for our country are? This is similar to sharing the GOOD NEWS in order to let others know what’s important in our lives. Oh, oops, there I go mixing […]
School levy keeps climbing
From 2003 to 2015, the ISD166 levy (tax) has risen 810%. Revenue per pupil is up 7.9 percent. State aid is down 6.8 percent per pupil. State aid has dropped mainly because of fewer students enrolled. The state aid is comparable to all Minnesota school districts, but the levy in Cook County school district is much higher than most in […]
We need an educated new generation
Are you being squeezed for more taxes? Yes. Is the city and the county being squeezed with less tax money? Yes. Is the state and the national government being squeezed with less tax money? Are the wealthy and the multinational corporations getting more and more tax breaks? Are multi-nation corporations citizens of our country and do they express a patriotism […]
Vote yes for the future of our schools
This fall, voters of Cook County have the opportunity to approve a reasonable 20-year bond and a 6-year levy in support of the county’s public school district. I urge residents to VOTE YES and YES on both measures November 8. As our schools move forward with new leadership, your YES votes will allow us to retain strong programs, effective class […]