State auditor says no to school donations
Answers are sometimes hard to come by. After spending more than one year, a lot of time and a great deal of energy, Schroeder supervisors learned on September 15 that they can no longer give township funds to the Birch Grove Community School (BGCS) and to the Schroeder Historical Society. Notification came from the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor […]
Commissioners approve preliminary 19.9 percent levy increase
Commissioners voted 3-2 to set the Cook County 2017 levy at $8,477,865, an increase of 19.9 percent at their Tuesday, September 27 meeting. The county levy must be set by September 30. The preliminary levy figure can be reduced, but not increased later. Commissioner Jan Sivertson, who served on the budget committee, said, “This is a year of researching and […]
Wiinanen named Minnesota Emergency Management Director of the Year
Just days away from retirement, Cook County Emergency Director Jim Wiinanen was awarded the title of Emergency Director of the Year by the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers (AMEM). Minnesota AMEM Director Joe Kelly presented Wiinanen with the commemorative plaque at the 56th AMEM conference held September 18-21 at Breezy Point Resort in Brainerd. Also attending the ceremony was Cook […]
School board moves beyond “easy stuff” on 2017 budget
After handling routine business at the School District 166 September 15, 2016 meeting, the school board turned once again to the plan for funding the school if the proposed levy and referendum do not pass in November 2016. It was time, said Board Member Terry Collins, to move on from the “easy stuff.” Collins reminded his colleagues that last year […]
Norshor Building center of zoning change questions
A seemingly simple request for an amendment to the zoning map of the City of Grand Marais led to lengthy discussion at meetings of the Grand Marais Planning Commission and City Council and finally to a possible ordinance change. The request for rezoning came from Steve Surbaugh and Mike Larson of Cascade Vacation Rentals who are interested in purchasing the […]
The downside of fall
Fall has finally arrived. It seemed to arrive slowly this year, but finally the hills are turning gold and maples are starting to show off their brilliant red. I can’t say that fall is my favorite season—each and every one offers something wonderful—but fall certainly is one that offers simple pleasures. Fall doesn’t have the drawbacks of other seasons, there’s […]
School and county need more money?
How can County Administrator Jeff Cadwell let this increase of over 19 percent in county health insurance premiums sneak up on him? With his vast experience in city and county administration, this should not happen. The county commissioners were “shaken” by this apparent recent revelation of over $300,000 increase in premiums. Also, why does it take months to research different […]
The struggle is worth the effort
There was news last week of the “struggle” the county commissioners were having with the levy increase. I believe it, but as we say, “Every little bit helps.” And then I read on and think what about the big bits that aren’t reported. An outstanding example is the aggregate health insurance cost including staff and commissioners of course. The monthly […]
Education builds many types of strength
In my few years living in Grand Marais I have found several ways to get involved – board member, musician, coach, and now mayor. As I write this I notice that many of these have revolved around the school as a community resource. There are several issues that face our community on a policy level that many, many people smarter […]