The Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) was made to operate a business owned by the taxpayer, Superior National at Lutsen (SNL). The concept of operating a business is to make it profitable.
Most citizens expect that spending $4.2 million at SNL will include returning the course to a profitable status as the project was advertised to the public. However EDA board member Scott Harrison, who is owner of Lutsen Resort, informs us that’s not the plan. SNL may never pay its debts, break even, or turn a profit as it once did.
This is the new agenda of the EDA that the county board approved and funded. It shows favoritism towards Lutsen’s wealthy 1 percent, continually robs needed funding for needed economic development across Cook County, and breeds negativity in citizens bought and paid for with tax dollars. There’s zero reality, zero responsibility, zero accountability, and I question if ethics violations have been committed.
I believe the majority of taxpayers have had it and favor an exit strategy to funneling money to the EDA and SNL, and want the EDA disbanded. I think this could be possible.
Lutsen could form its own EDA to take ownership. The Lutsen Tofte Tourism Association could get back in the game to pay debts as it once did. Or the course could be sold to the highest bidder or given back to Mr. Nelson, both putting it back on the property tax rolls so the taxpayer can recoup something.
Serving on the EDA should be a privilege, not a paid position or for personal gain. I believe Scott Harrison’s conflict of interest appears in their plans. Mr. Harrison is in business at Lutsen Resort to turn a profit but does not apply that equation to SNL owned by the taxpayers, not the personal members of the EDA, the county board or city councilors. It’s clear this is not in the best interests of the taxpayers.
The taxpayers need legal counsel.
I support investigations and recall elections.
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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