On Friday, March 1, the ISD 166 Diversity Committee hosted the Common Ground Summit for students in grades 6-12. The goal of the Common Ground Summit was to provide opportunities for students to develop the skills needed to be successful citizens in a diverse community. This was done through developing storytelling and listening skills in order for students to safely […]
Strong supporter of Cook County schools to step down from the Education Foundation
Hal Greenwood, a founding member of the Cook County Education Foundation, is stepping away. Whoever takes his spot as president of the Foundation will have big shoes to fill. In operation since 1999, more than $250,000 in grants have been awarded to classroom teachers and administration at I.S.D. 166. “Our Education Foundation was formed to help fund activities that the […]
County grants Sugarbush Trail Association equipment loan
The county granted a request for a recreation equipment loan for $30,000 to help with the purchase of a PistenBully snow groomer to the Sugarbush Trail Association on Feb. 26 at the county board meeting. Sugarbush Trail Association, a 501-C3 nonprofit, maintains and grooms 65 kilometers of cross country ski trails located in the west end of the county. The […]
City council discusses building new city hall/ liquor store
The city of Grand Marais is seeking proposals from qualified developers to purchase and redevelop the 12,000-square-foot municipal building and adjoining city property. Grand Marais city councilors discussed the potential project at their Feb. 27 meeting. The building houses the city offices, municipal liquor store, Cook County/Grand Marais EDA office, AEOA office and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. A […]
Park board discusses the search for Gunflint Hills Golf Course superintendent
The search for a Gunflint Hills golf course superintendent is progressing, with an announcement of hire in the near future, said Grand Marais Recreation Park manager Dave Tersteeg to the park board at the March 5 meeting. While there isn’t anyone hired yet, plans are under way to market the course, including potentially partnering with Superior National. Tersteeg reported that […]
Fumbling…
In last week’s issue of the Cook County News-Herald, County Administrator Jeff Cadwell attempted to justify irrationally indulgent wage increases by extolling the significant role county staff play in providing valuable services to the public; noting, “Staff costs (wages and benefits) make up half of the county’s operating budget.” While a majority of Cook County residents recognize and appreciate the […]
Wants versus needs
Some years ago, while driving down the interstate, I had to chuckle a bit at a bumper sticker ahead of me. It read: IF YOU’RE NOT OUTRAGED, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION! Then a few years ago my wife and I moved up to this area on a piece of land that we’ve paid taxes on for over 30 years. Since […]
Say ‘no’ to the jail expansion
After reading Sheriff Pat Eliasen’s recent article in the News-Herald, studying Wold Architects and Engineers’ “Final Master Plan” for the jail expansion, and watching the February 26th Board of Commissioners’ meeting (hey – that online thing really works!), I have three thoughts and one conclusion. First, the Wold report predicts that between 2017 and 2040, the county population will increase […]
What keeps you up at night?
For me things that interfere with my sleep are of course the normal stuff … concerns about my kids, my wife, and my 90-year-old mother-in-law. Again that’s normal. After those things, it is “am I going to be able to continue to pay my taxes … will I get taxed out of my house?” Yes, I know; you’re asking did […]