Unseated commissioner Bob Fenwick was hired almost two years ago against popular opinion citing his fundraising abilities over other applicants.
He was to raise matching funds to $3.1 million 1 percent tax dollars. It’s been two seasons of declining rounds played although they managed to squeak out a higher profit. As they apply for 1 percent funds it appears zero grants have been secured.
In the same time frame Gunflint Hills golf course has raised rounds played and profits into double digits. Lodging tax is way up as are most businesses’ revenues. What’s wrong with this picture? Yet everyone involved praises Fenwick’s performance, more “Good Old Boys Club”!
The course was profitable until the expansion of holes in ’98. Rounds played never increased enough to support the expansion or turn an annual profit. In turn capital improvements to keep the original 18 holes in excellent shape were not made until now all 27 holes need help.
Overbuild it and they will come has not worked for 14 years and I see nothing in the current plan to address that fact.
It appears the best idea the EDA has for their business park we couldn’t live without, and is still involved in a court case, is to sell the lots for pennies on the dollar at the expense of property owners. In January property tax dollars will pay bond payments on the facility, making the investment bankrupt!
Isn’t it time the commissioners admit the EDA as we know it is not working? Six-year terms and 18-year limits got us here, isn’t it time we change that? Cut them in half, opening half the seats on the board. Let’s freeze 1 percent funds until the plan includes turning a profit even if it means downsizing to 18 holes.
We should have given Todd Gervais a chance. It sounds like his family will move on, losing future children in our schools, because his home town didn’t give him a chance.
This week it’s the “Good Old Boys Club” and the county board that’s driving young families away!
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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