Let’s face the facts. In 20 years our elected officials have spent about $40 million to please the wealthy 1 percent. What do the citizens have? A run-down high-end golf course that can’t make a profit, a bankrupt business park, a private Christian workout center, and a lot of wasted tax dollars.
It should be about citizens, community, jobs and tourism, not pleasing the wealthy 1 percent. One percent tax along with improvements should be spread between five voter districts to enhance everyone’s back yard, not just Lutsen’s.
The county seat, Grand Marais harbor, a tourist destination place, should have a family-friendly handicap restroom. A small investment of greenhouses across the county could grow lots of local food, wind energy could break the stranglehold Arrowhead has put on its members, the Grand Marais ski hill could be re-tooled to a modern rec facility including a music venue. The list is endless.
The North House Folk School, run by a public board, has done more to create tourism and year-round jobs not dependent on tax dollars than our elected officials who add jobs dependent on tax dollars faster than the population grows.
The Cook County Visitors Bureau has selfclaimed success but could the funds be better spent creating infrastructure or funding a coordinator who creates, organizes and implements events?
We could and should have so much more for what we’ve spent. Using biomass funds with its price tag of $7 million largely to heat downtown businesses, plus the $3.1 million slated for the EDA’s golf course, we could start a new direction and make a real difference around the community.
Commissioner Gamble has proven one vote is not enough to make the difference. It will take citizens in numbers to demand we chart a new course. A citizens’ committee open to all and not ruled by our current elected officials could create a new master plan putting citizens and community first providing direction for our misguided officials who follow the wealthy 1 percent.
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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