Dennis Neitzke
Superior National Forest Gunflint District Ranger Dennis Neitzke paid a visit to the county board on August 14, 2012, his last official day on the job. He has been promoted to the forest supervisor position with Dakota Prairie National Grasslands in North Dakota. “Thanks to all of you for putting up with me!” he told the board.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson apologized for the hostile opposition he received when the vegetable lakes chain was designated a semi-primitive non-motorized area, as evidenced by the “Dump Dennis—Save the Vegetables” bumper stickers that popped up around the county. Neitzke took it in stride, saying, “I now have the distinction of being one of the rangers that has his own bumper sticker!” He said his dad put one on his golf cart.
“I think what has happened since you’ve been here is the degree of cooperation has improved greatly,” said Commissioner Jim Johnson, mentioning the partnerships involved in turning Chik-Wauk Lodge into a museum and nature center and the development of the Gunflint Green-up volunteer forest restoration event following the 2007 Ham Lake fire. “I just want to thank you for that,” Johnson said.
The board gave Neitzke a round of applause. “That’s just part of the job,” said Neitzke. “I appreciated working with you guys.”
Neitzke’s new job is headquartered in Bismarck, although his district is scattered across the state. He will start there August 27.
In other county news:
. Cook County has received $255,478.43 from the state of Minnesota as payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) for state land that does not generate property taxes. This year’s amount was $17 21 less than last year’s. The county’s parks and recreation fund will receive $40,433.42 of this year’s payment.
. Pro-West & Associates Inc. of Walker will be paid $10,989 to clean up county GIS data and provide spatial mapping to assist with emergency management in case of wildfire. The money will come out of U.S. Forest Service Title III Secure Rural Schools Program funds.
. Nine applications for the county assessor/land commissioner job being vacated by Mary Black were received. Three of the candidates met the qualifications completely and one was close. The three completely qualified candidates will be invited to interview and the one who was close may be invited depending on review of whether his qualifications meet minimum requirements. “I’m very enthusiastic,” Personnel Director Janet Simonen said regarding having that many good candidates. “They’re very serious about coming.”
. Commissioner Fritz Sobanja reported that the new hockey rink to be built with 1 percent recreation and infrastructure sales tax revenue will be built where the current hockey rink is. It will have a slab foundation and could be used for other purposes in the summertime.
Bids are being sought for the work. Sobanja said the bid pieces are large, but local contractors could bid on projects together.
. The board is considering taking out notes to pay for capital improvements instead of raising the levy to pay for them. Highway Department, Law Enforcement Center, and Search & Rescue communication equipment as well as two plow trucks are being considered for this type of funding.
. Commissioner Johnson reported that a trailer park development is going to be built on the Canadian side of Gunflint Lake. The board will be seeking information through the Planning & Zoning Department on what Canadian septic ordinances are to see if they are as stringent as American septic ordinances.
. The board will have a special meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 28 to discuss next year’s budget and how costs could be contained.
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