It should come as no surprise if the structure and function of a new public building (Cook County Community Center/YMCA) is found less than adequate when our commissioners continued with this mega project on a reduced, low-ball budget even after the message from constituents was abundantly clear that the project was neither what our county needed nor wanted. Did our commissioners suffer from big city envy? Were they romanced by the name “YMCA”? The YMCA will neither pay rent nor bear any of the deficits.
Sometimes leaders are certain that they know best. They tell us what we should want instead of listening to what we need. They may speak of improvement, pie-in-the sky opportunity, and steer us reluctantly forwards—forward over the edge of a cliff.
Yes, we will all bear the financial burden at a time when, due to lack of a proper facility, we pay dearly to transport our prisoners to Aitkin Co. rather than to care for our own, and when our hospital and Care Center have expensive needs, etc.
Yes, the new pool is convenient, but an extraordinarily expensive way to provide swimming lessons for school children. This comes at a time when many school pools are being closed because of the cost. Kids would not be deprived if they learned to swim in one of our 10,000 Minnesota natural pools!
Hopefully future leadership training will emphasize improved listening skills, and will introduce tools to recognize both the unique limits and assets of a community in order to facilitate sustainable options rather than to copycat other communities. One might also learn to recognize the hazards of one’s personal ego.
Geri Jensen
Grand Marais
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