Programs for youths more important than community center building

I realize that there are some folks who do want a community center but I have never met any. There should be a referendum to see if this is needed or wanted.

In my profession of nursing, we were always trying not to duplicate services. There is the Pumphouse Fitness Center with several low cost activities; the swimming pool; the hospital’s cardiovascular workout center, the school’s physical activities, and the services of the senior center.

Unfortunately our county is spread out so far that constant traveling is cost prohibitive for those who work out of Grand Marais, have part- or full-time occupations and just do not have the time.

The very inaction of this specific project sends a message to the people that their government is not working for them but above them. The grassroots for this project has not been completed.

I see that Jim Johnson said he canvassed his area. Interesting that I was never asked. Interesting that many people were never asked. Have Schroeder, Tofte and Grand Portage been asked to vote? How about the Gunflint Trail? Those kids at the end of the Gunflint get home sometimes at 5 p.m. as it is.

I see a need for a countywide youth organization. So many parents work and don’t have the funds for childcare and so their children run free. The Dairy Queen is a meeting point for many young people who cannot find a job or are too young to work.

Cook County has had its share of horrific publicity in the past year and unfortunately the whole story was plastered all over the state and sometimes even the nation.

Why do we constantly look for ways to keep seniors happy when the young people need our support and supervision?

I think it would be better to have an annual five-month youth program that would give all children activities— work or volunteering—to keep them on a positive road to success. Take our money and invest in our youth. The youth are our leaders of tomorrow. If that happened it would be really wonderful for the Duluth and Minneapolis papers to write about.

Carolyn Seglem
Grand Marais