Lately local politics have not made much sense. I was hoping my science teacher could help. God knows we need a miracle — is it you?
I’m quite sure no voter expected to see two Cook County community centers within the city of Grand Marais. Over $325,000 has been spent and no plan! Bedrock could have been drilled and removed to put a tasteful addition onto the current community center. What’s up? When the city has a long list of needs to be funded, will you commit future city tax dollars to fund this white elephant? Currently the county pays less than $80,000 annually to fund the city pool. Why would the city pay more than this to fund a county pool?
When will the city have a work session to fund the city’s needs, like a family-friendly handicap restroom to serve all the recreational events scheduled around the harbor? Customer service should be the No. 1 concern at a vacation destination. Perhaps funding could come from 1 percent tax, sell city leased land to the North House, lodging tax, etc.
When will the city have a work session on the business park? When city tax dollars are responsible for a business park bond, there is no good reason to congest residential streets with cars from eight customers at a home business. Rules need to be restructured. A friendly environment needs to be in place to attract business and industry to our area. Higher taxes for a white elephant is not conducive to that.
It seems the EDA has all but abandoned the business park. If they don’t get something going, then term limits need to be put in place for others to have a chance to make some good decisions, since they seem to be few and far between!
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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