We have been reading the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA)’s recommendation that more money be put into the Superior National Golf Course. We don’t understand the notion that we are going to add more taxpayer money to support a facility that we do not have the population base to support. Tourists are supposed to support it? How many years has that not happened? How much additional money have we already put into that course? You are familiar with the phrase “throwing good money after bad”?
We are at a time when many of our institutions are in financial distress. We are at a time when many of our people are in financial distress. We are talking about building and supporting library additions, a new community center, a fiber optic system—none of which we can afford at this time.
Bond issues to pay for these? To be paid back by tax money we have not yet collected? We are already seriously in the hole with a business park that has only materialized as a money pit.
I understand very well how much Cook County depends on tourism dollars but . . . what is drawing them to this place? I have yet to see that Superior National is paying for itself—instead I see requests for money to keep [it] operational.
Our school is laying off personnel and curtailing programs because of lack of funds. We will soon be voting on a referendum to support our schools. People question that, and then accept without question hundreds of thousands—millions!—for expansive and expensive wish lists.
And we are to put money into a high-class golf course? It needs upgrading and work on infrastructure? This was built when? Where are our priorities? When do we look at the situation as it is, and say—Think!
Bob and Irene Laine
Grand Marais
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