With some 900 YMCA members it seems we may also have up to 4,000 Gail Andersons who seem to feel disgusted, cheated, and lied to as she explains, “we the people” did not get what was promised. Regardless, I think Ms. Marshall of the YMCA has done a good job bringing the project together, cutting costs, and building community morale where our community leaders left many jaded.
Biomass is ending up much the same. While they promised a lengthy public process where citizens would have the chance to say “no” before it started, the mayor announced over WTIP’s airwaves that biomass is basically a done deal unless the funding falls through. This board is so difficult that Commissioner Gamble bailed, citing disrespectful dialog.
As biomass enters the category of 1 percent lines that become what I believe are 100 percent lies, I listen to WTIP morning commentators’ oneliner slams on citizens against this project and the process and I question WTIP’s part in this “Community Building” that I think has left the community divided, bruised, and broken on so many levels, without a voice.
Now the radio station has started a new series with Marsha Hyatt, The Best of Ourselves. With guest Bob Carter, the show seemed quite hypocritical and judging of the community and the citizens (up to 80 percent of the community) that Helen Carter labeled as “the vocal minority” and “naysayers” in her letter to the editor about the YMCA on July 13, 2013.
I know many citizens who feel WTIP helped shove these projects down the community’s throat against the will of the majority. It will be interesting to see how WTIP fares for its part in leaving a good share of the community feeling they lost the right to say “no”— much like the “sex slaves” in the recent series Lake Superior Project!
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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