Anoka high school freshman Austin Cooper-Gregg appeared before the Schroeder Town board recently and asked if he could—along with several other boy scouts— refurbish the Schroeder town cemetery. Cooper-Gregg was granted his request and will use the project to help him obtain Eagle Scout rank.
Anoka High school freshman Austin Cooper-Gregg came before the Schroeder town board on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 and asked for a donation of black dirt. Black dirt?
“I will use the dirt to level the sunken grave stones in the Schroeder town cemetery,” said Cooper-Gregg.
“My grandfather’s buried there,” he added. His grandfather, Larry Gregg, was a town board supervisor until his death in April 2009. Cooper-Gregg’s grandmother, Judy, still has a home in Schroeder.
Cooper-Gregg asked the township to allow him to fix up the cemetery as part of his Eagle Scout project. Boy Scouts who attempt to achieve this designation need to perform a task that benefits a community.
Armed with information and pictures, Cooper-Gregg gave an excellent presentation that impressed and encouraged the township board members and those in attendance.
He proposed to: 1. Level sunken head stones. 2. Clean up cemetery grounds. 3. Paint archway sign letters. 4. Fix flower containers in the cemetery.
Cooper-Gregg estimates that it will take 30 to 40 hours of work, and he would like to bring six Scouts with him to complete the job.
“Do you think you will need any more help?” asked West End County Commissioner Bruce Martinson.
“Oh, yes,” said Cooper-Gregg without hesitation, causing the audience to laugh.
“I would love to see you do it,” said former township supervisor Kevin Johnson.
After some discussion, Schroeder Fire Chief Phil Bonin decided he would get dirt for the job. “But it’s Cook County dirt. I can’t promise you I can get black dirt,” said Bonin.
Supervisors Don McKeever, Ross Willson, Tina McKeever and Clerk Carol Tveekrem all agreed that the project was not only worthy, but also necessary.
Theboard voted unanimously to support Cooper-Gregg, who had to leave with his parents so he could complete a 4-½ hour ride home for school in the morning. He will start the project sometime late June.
In other matters, Martinson told the board that AT&T was going to put a 199-foot cell phone tower at Taconite Harbor that would greatly improve reception. “They are also looking for a place to put a tower in Tofte,” said Martinson.
A discussion between McKeever and Kevin Johnson was had about maintenance around the fire hall.
“Thefirehall bathroom needs new toilet parts and so do the faucets in the restrooms,” said McKeever, asking if Johnson, who helps with maintenance on the building, could do the repairs.
“I guess I could do them, but a plumber could do them quicker and better,” replied Johnson. It was decided to call for bids for this project and also see about having the parking lot storm drain repaired. “The manhole is sinking,” said McKeever.
Fire Chief Bonin gave a brief update on the fire department. Bonin said that he was still looking for a “new” used fire truck and was trying to keep the price under $50,000. “So far I haven’t had any luck, but there are several people out there looking for us,” said Bonin.
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