Thecity council is up to their eyelids in the poor decisions that surround the EDA and their business park they built for small businesses like kettlebells.
Granting a home business for kettlebells with eight customers at once not only robs a local business of rent, it is in clear conflict with the council’s own enterprise, the business park, and the debt they’ve stuck on the taxpayer. There is no clear vision for the future of Grand Marais here.
Meanwhile the EDA is on the prowl and ready to rev! Theywant in the old building game. Tear it down, fixit up, it don’t matter! They just want in.
Their business park is unfinished and over $1.6 million in debt and unpaid MPCA fines and lawyer bills. Their golf course can’t make a profit, they want 1 percent tax dollars for improvements and now complaints come that their golf course is not being taken care of and is deteriorating fast.
It appears Mayor Hakes is the only sitting politician interested in trying to fix the EDA. It will be fought out at the polls in November in District 3.
A teacher told me to put up or shut up! Run for commissioner or quit writing letters! Perhaps this is the problem at ISD 166. I was fortunate to have a few great teachers who taught me to speak up and be heard. Thatit’s my right and responsibility as a U.S. citizen. That it keeps a democracy healthy. That if I apply myself I have the ability and potential to make a difference. So, that’s what I’ve tried to do.
I’ve tried to prepare myself for commissioner should my district need a candidate. There is more than one candidate I could support, so I won’t be running at this time. Besides working full-time I am one of the dedicated children of my generation who has chosen to care for our senior parents at home. It’s seven days a week and has no boundaries. It’s not always fun but is the most important thing I’ve ever done. So I’ll just keep writing for now. Thank you candidates and good luck!
Thelma Hedstrom recently told me, “If Lee Thomas were still alive he would be so proud of you and goading you on!” What an honor and privilege to be mentioned with one of my heroes. Thank you! Mr. Thomas was one of CCHS’s finest teachers.
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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