Craig Horak has been named to fill the vacancy as a Tofte Township supervisor left by Paul James’ recent resignation.
Horak was sworn in at the supervisors’ Thursday, November 10 township board meeting.
When asked what he believes are the important issues for the Tofte community, he stated the Birch Grove school, housing, and long-term planning. When asked why he wanted to be a supervisor, Craig said he is a long-time resident, born and grew up here, attended Birch Grove School and he wants to be involved in helping to provide direction and a vision for Tofte.
Craig will serve until the election in March at which time he can decide to run for one year (which completes James’ term), or he can run for Jeanne Larson’s three-year seat, which she will complete in March 2017.
“We are very pleased that he (Craig) stepped up to the plate and are excited to have a younger generation involved in our community,” said Larson.
After supervisors had met on November 3 with two members of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) to discuss the Tofte housing project, the EDA suggested that Tofte hire an independent construction or project manager to keep some autonomy from the supervisors and the housing development. The suggestion was to have a project/ construction manager in place by the November 10 meeting so the EDA could begin lending a hand.
However, said Larson, “The board held on hiring a construction or project manager until there is clarification from the EDA on what they meant by an independent position and who should pay for it. There seems to be some confusion on their request since these are two different positions and require different skill sets and responsibilities.”
The board passed a motion to extend the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation grants. The township received $350,000; $46,000 has been spent on infrastructure so far, for the 12-unit housing project, and, said Larson, “we will be receiving a ‘punch list’ of the ‘shovel ready’ projects from our civil engineer at MSA before Thanksgiving.”
New officers, a chair, and vice chair, will be elected at the December meeting.
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