I remember the good old days when Grand Marais and Cook County was a working community. Logging! I know we are supposed to accept change and we do, but I’m so appalled when I hear the words “Artist’s Point.” The place down by the Coast Guard station is the Wisconsin-Minnesota Timber Company.
Many thousands of cords of pulpwood were piled there. Across the harbor where “Tin Can Alley” is now, was the Consolidated Paper Company where many more thousands of cords of pulpwood were piled. The harbor was a working harbor where the pulpwood boats would come to pick up the wood and lots was rafted out of here and went across the lake.
Now it is all about tourists. The businesses that are here want no others to come here because it will hurt them. Maybe if we get more businesses here then some of these incredible prices we pay will come down.
Recently there was talk about a Dollar General store trying to come here? I say, bring it on! Let’s have a Walmart too and a McDonald’s! Why not?
More jobs and cheaper prices is what we all are looking for. We can’t afford “tourist prices.” So come on! Bring the businesses here!
Last but not least, the Fisherman’s Picnic is just about a joke. Just more little tents set up to take money with streets blocked. Not like the old days when the Picnic was The Picnic. Gofer State Shows came for the kids and life was good. Now there is nothing.
Change? Is it really that good?
Clarence Everson
Grand Portage
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