Jan Sivertson
There is only one candidate running for the Cook County Commissioner District 3 seat, currently held by Sue Hakes. Hakes is not running for reelection. Jan Sivertson, owner of Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais and Siiviis Art Gallery in Duluth, is running to fill the vacant seat.
To learn more about Sivertson, the Cook County News-Herald asked her the same questions as the candidates in District 1 and 5. Since we didn’t meet Sivertson in the primary election, the News-Herald made an additional request. We asked Sivertson:
. Tell us about yourself
Having been in business here for the last 35 years has enhanced my desire to be here above any place in the world. I’ve never been motivated to be a politician— I didn’t even want to be on student council when I was in school. But the motivation to run for political office is really about contributing to the quality of life here. Everything else about me is an open book, I think people know me. I’ve been around!
I’ve served on [Grand Marais] city council for six years, so I have a little political entrée. I’ve also served on numerous boards—a number of arts boards. So the willingness to be involved with the running of the county comes from a desire to enhance the quality of life here.
. The county board recently approved purchase of three more Tazers for the Sheriff’s Office. Do you believe these devices should be used on citizens by local law enforcement?
Should is a weird word. They may be helpful to use in extreme situations, but only in extreme conditions. If they are coming up on a situation that is particularly violent, it could be a “bringer of peace” quickly. I am not familiar with the long range effects of being tased, but I think the immediate results are better than some other measures.
. Cook County has received significant financial benefit from being included in the state Taconite Tax District. There is a concern among some citizens that a perception of opposition to nonferrous mining (sulfide mining) by Cook County could lead to removal of Cook County from this district. Would you work to prevent that? How?
My work would be about being aware of our dependence on the Taconite Tax District. I always want to be independent, you always want complete control over your life, but the Taconite Tax District has been an enormous benefit to Cook County. I would just want to keep a good relationship with our Iron Range representatives Bakk and Dill.
. The bid for the sidewalk constructed from 5th Avenue to Birchwood Apartments came in $36,952 higher than the engineer’s estimate and the County Highway Engineer recommended not completing the project because it would use half of the fund for road maintenance in the city of Grand Marais. The county voted to proceed with the sidewalk. What will you do if a similar situation occurs, for example, if a sidewalk is requested farther out on County Road 7 or along the Cramer Road or the Caribou Trail?
There are a lot of competing interests and needs in Cook County. I was very strongly in support of having that sidewalk. I was very pleased to see that citizens came in and protested, you could say.
To me statistics have to be taken in context. To say that it is higher than $36,952 should be considered in context of the entire project. When I’ve done construction over the last 30 or so years I would say the estimate is usually 20 percent lower than the final project. I hate to say I accept that, but I realize it happens.
I think we need to be more considerate of our other options. Just saying this comes out of our Grand Marais road maintenance fund is very black and white. There needs to be alternatives. I know there are other ways to make budgets work—and the county highway department budget is very large and complicated. I just think saying we’d have to cut the city funding is not the only answer.
. Recent culvert replacement work on County Road 7 has resulted in dips in the road and the YMCA project is plagued by inadequate drainage in the locker rooms – is there anything county commissioners can do to ensure that taxpayers don’t end up paying to correct situations like these?
Prevention is absolutely our first defense to try to prevent situations like this. Planning is better; trying to take the time to oversee the process is important.
I know in business, you’re going to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. We have to build in a certain time frame to get things done right.
With the YMCA, timing was an issue. I know the county is working to get it fixed, but that is a matter of figuring out who is the responsible party.
The road—that is a whole new issue. That sounds like you’d need a whole new roadbed.
Ultimately it comes to the county commissioners. We need to work smarter and be mindful of the process. We need to deal with things in a timely manner, but still be the best stewards of the process as possible.
Leave a Reply