It won’t be too long before the rubber meets the road, so to speak, for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) to finish gathering information and setting its final plans for the revamping and reconstruction of Highway 61 through Grand Marais. “Our engineers will start working on the final plans in April,” said MN DOT Project Manager Roberta Dwyer […]
Meet the candidate
Four people have signed up to contest the Cook County District 1 Commissioner vacancy left by Frank Moe, who resigned due to health reasons with two years left on his term. With the primary election in April, two candidates will move on following that vote and compete in the general election, which will be held June 6, 2017. The candidates […]
First & Second Thrift Store payout tops $60,000
“This has been an exciting year,” said Cook County Senior Center Director Bev Green as she addressed a roomful of people who attended the First & Second Thrift Store Payout Party on February 8. Thirty-three Cook County nonprofits received a total of $60,159.69 from 2016 sales at First & Second, which is run by volunteers. Since June 1, 2007, First […]
Community responds to break-in at Oddz & Endz
It’s been more than one month since the Christmas break-in at Oddz & Endz, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit resale store operated totally by volunteers whose mission it is to make a difference in the community by offering the sale of used furniture and household goods at affordable prices. And while the Cook County Sheriff ’s Department has had no […]
Somnis appointed to ARDC Board
Mary Somnis was informed that she was named to serve on the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) and the ARDC board. The decision came at the ARDC meeting held in January. Somnis, who is the director of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), will serve as an at-large representative from Cook County. Her term on the Commission will […]
Should the county invest in expensive rental housing?
There is no question that I am a broken record on certain subjects… “affordable housing” is one of those subjects for sure. I am not opposed to building affordable housing, quite the contrary, I am all for it and support those willing to take on such a project. What I am opposed to is what this county deems “affordable.” The […]
Lutsen housing project’s numbers not so transparent
On Jan. 24, the EDA and One Roof Housing presented the proposal for the Lutsen Affordable Housing Project to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Prior to the proposal, during the public comment period, I asked for clarification on a “tenant utility” line item. The proposal estimated $8,000 for electric, electric off-peak heat and garbage for the 16 apartments or […]
Wants zoning questions answered
Grand Marais City Council at their last meeting on Jan. 25 approved the second reading of Ordinance 2017-01 amending G.M. zoning limits and maximum square footage of allowed retail development in the C/I zone. This was approved with the “understanding that the visioning process would evaluate and determine what the regulations should be in the C/I zone district of these […]
Comparing Minnesota’s Price of Local Government
Part Three: From the perspective of the Traditional Price of Local GovernmentThis week’s perspective is for the ones who spend your money and don’t want you to know; at least they have chosen to consistently ignore it or outright refute it when brought up during budget discussions. It’s the “pigment” they would prefer to keep out of the mix; however, as I have stated in previous articles, all perspectives must be […]
City council surprised by increased price of public works facility
Grand Marais city councilors were somewhat alarmed when they received the news that there was going to be an estimated increase of $362,000 to put in the foundation for the Grand Marais Public Works Facility Building. The news came from a memo from McGough Construction the contractor the city has selected to oversee building the public works facility. Councilors were […]