It wasn’t long ago that Commissioner Johnson took the lead of the Community Center project. By now he should have been the most informed and best commissioner to lead the project.
As our commissioners cry they are overworked, underpaid and need an administrator, they engage in a game of musical chairs, headlines and quotes! Now Fenwick will lead the Community Center, Martinson will lead broadband, and what of Johnson? Was he in over his head? Did he throw in the towel? Did Fenwick cry frog and Johnson jumped?
Sobanja feels “a fresh view will be good,” and the county board agreed. Hall says, “Fenwick will be an asset.” While I feel this is an attempt at a campaign ploy by the county board, they seem to have unanimously given Johnson a vote of “no confidence”! Should his district replace him? As Fenwick takes on the job he announces we’ve outgrown the courthouse and wants part of the Community Center to become a courthouse annex including space for his new administrator who will run the courthouse from an alternative worksite via broadband. Go fish! Is that what you want?
The city has an administrator plus they pay $25,200 between four councilors and mayor. Last year the county board made over $209,000 plus bennies. They want their pay plus an administrator, and use the city as a comparison to warrant it. Am I missing something or are they? Let’s put administrator on the ballot and let the people decide.
Why the game of musical chairs? This does not foster efficiency or avoid duplication of effort, things Sobanja claims an administrator would end. It shows poor decision-making, wastes commissioners’ time and that equals tax dollars.
The Community Center is a long-term project. A good decision would put someone not up for re-election in charge to assure zero delays should the voters choose to vote Fenwick out.
I believe most people think the courthouse and county government is large enough and the Community Center is for the people. It’s your tax dollars and you’re about to get a courthouse annex/pool unless you speak up!
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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