Our family has been coming to Grand Marais for 40 odd years with our vacation budget, on average two times a year, one to two weeks at a time. We love your city and environs and you deserved that small town award.
We do not like or support your Highway 61 project as it is planned and contracted, especially the tree removal for lane narrowing and bicycle lane addition. We do support repair of utility infrastructure, and road repair where necessary.
Good sources of information about the project and its community impact are: mndot.gov/d1/projects/hwy-61-grand-marais (includes a walk through animation), and the August 17 issue of the Cook County News-Herald with front page article “People turn out to save the trees” by Brian Larsen and the page 2 Letter to the Editor “Don’t give up on saving the elm trees just yet” by Cameron Norman.
Some points:
. The mature trees are loved and irreplaceable in our lifetime. It is in dispute that they are diseased and dying as assumed by MnDOT designers by other recognized arborists, including local resident Jim Hane, a retired Cook County DNR forester who was appointed Grand Marais forester in the past. He is willing to be consulted.
. The Pollution Control Agency should work with MnDOT to save impacted trees by modifying their contaminated soil plan.
. Pedestrian safety can be increased with lower costs by button activated flashing signals.
Citizens of Grand Marais and Cook County, please consider adding your voice in referendum for project review and change by writing your elected officials and public serving agencies:
Grand Marais Mayor –
Jay Arrowsmith-Decoux,
jay.a.decoux@gmail.com
Grand Marais Councilors –
Craig Schulte, gmsa@boreal.org
Tim Kennedy, Tkennedy@boreal.org
Anton Moody,
anton.moody@gmail.com
Kelly Swearingen,
kelly_swearingen@msn.com
MnDOT Engineers –
Michael K. Kalnbach,
Michael.kalnbach@state.mn.us
Andrew Deming,
andrew.deming@state.mn.us
MN state senator, District 3 –
Tom Bakk,
E-mail use Mail Form found at senate.
mn website for Sen. Thomas M. Bakk
Time is short before the trees are to be cut down. Please help to save the trees, significantly reduce costs, lower negative impact on local businesses, and maintain your local culture, charm and way of life of Grand Marais.
Allen Clark
Glen Lake Area of Minnetonka
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