I find it very upsetting that the original 1 percent was not used partially for its original purpose: outdoor amenities. The Revitalization/Recreation Committee formed in 2005 spent hundreds of volunteer hours and had many open meetings to see what (we) the public would like created. Items included a soccer field, covered skating rink, multiple ball fields and repaired tennis courts.
It also included a small multi-use sport structure centrally located with restrooms to accommodate these sports, while bumping out the existing Community Center to accommodate larger venues.
The public was onboard and excited. We had a direction. Then wham! The Revitalization/Recreation Committee was dismissed by the commissioners who handpicked their new steering committee to take over the project.
We received no thank you and no appreciation for our years of efforts. Do we really need to wonder why they can’t get citizens to volunteer on boards or committees?
So there goes the $3,000,000 dollars for outdoor recreation for our community. Isn’t it ironic that the same commissioner voted out of office is now managing the golf course that received that $3,000,000 dollars intended for outdoor recreation?
Originally, that same golf course was deemed $800,000.
So here we citizens sit with no improved outdoor amenities while our commissioners (who can afford memberships on our tax dollar-paid salaries) can swim in our new pool. Then maybe in the afternoon they can head down the shore to our failing golf course and play a couple of rounds.
Seems to me another perfect example of politicians having their own interests and agendas in “the good old boys and girls club.”
It doesn’t only happen in Washington, it even happens in small town America. What I say is “shame on you commissioners” for not listening to “We the People.”
Gail Anderson
Grand Marais
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