In last week’s paper, Holly Bruce of Lutsen/ Bloomington took another county resident and myself to task for expressing opinions concerning recent decisions for the funding of fiber optic infrastructure. Decisions which will substantially affect our lives. Additionally, Ms. Bruce believes people “who choose to live in isolated communities often resent ‘townies’ and tourists.”
Let me assure Ms. Bruce that we value “townies” both as neighbors and friends and we greatly appreciate the dollars “tourists” bring to our local economy.
Personally I’m not opposed to fiber optic. I see the need, but also have concerns about the way it is being funded. An attempt by government to spur economic growth through multi-million-dollar handouts of borrowed money, with the goal of increasing tax revenues, all the while promising the enrichment of our lives.
Ms. Bruce is fortunate in that she can afford homes in both Bloomington and Lutsen. Fortunate that she has the discretionary income to “give generously to local charities” and “shop and eat locally” to support county businesses. Fortunate indeed that she can and “will happily pay that 1% tax along with my [her] very high property taxes” while enjoying her part-time home in Lutsen.
Unfortunately many Cook County residents struggle with the cost of home heating (if they can afford a home), electricity, health care and taxes on $8 to $10 per hour service industry jobs with no benefits. Many others rely on fixed incomes to financially stay afloat. Visits to the local food shelf have risen dramatically in recent years.
Many of us appreciate this area for what it is, or more to the point, for what it once was. We chose to live here accepting the fact that we would not have all the amenities metropolitan areas can provide.
Ms. Bruce would love to see “21st century amenities” for Grand Marais, lest, she says, we “fade away” from the rest of the world. Ms. Bruce would love us to death with increased costs and taxes by wishing for us the same amenities she has come to expect.
Fading away is not on Cook County’s agenda.
Bob LaMettry
Grand Marais
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