While the annual West End town meetings are always interesting, voters living in Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder will have two important decisions as they vote on the 2016 township levies.
Held on March 10, the three townships will be asked to add two permanent line items to their tax rolls—for the Birch Grove Foundation – $12,500 and Birch Grove Community School – $20,000.
The Birch Grove Foundation, which manages the Birch Grove Community Center, is asking for $2,500 for senior programming and $10,000 for building maintenance.
The school is asking for $20,000 each from the townships until the school’s enrollment grows, said Board Member Horace “Skip” Lamb.
“The biggest change we have had occurred when four or five families left because they couldn’t afford housing. We lost a lot of kids when that happened. It’s going to take a few years to grow enrollment,” said Lamb.
“If we solve the housing issue we can solve the school issue. I know many businesses down here support this initiative because the school operates a year round program for kids and provides a safe place for parents—many of whom both have to work— to bring their kids. If the townships vote for this then the supervisors of the townships can work with us. They will have some say in how things are done and they can be part of the solution,” said Lamb.
Other hot topics that will be discussed will be the senior housing project in Tofte, how to fund the Cross River Heritage Center in Schroeder, and the requests by various groups (fire fighters, search and rescue etc.) who provide services to the townships and need capital from each to maintain or improve those services.
Full ballots for all townships
There are candidates on the ballot for all three town-ships, but only one has a contested race—Schroeder. In Schroeder, incumbent Supervisor Deb Johnson is being challenged by former West End Commissioner Bruce Martinson.
The incumbent treasurer in Schroeder, Alisha Kangas, has said she is running for reelection.
In Lutsen, acting Supervisor Larry McNeally is running for the seat he has been filling since it was vacated by Ginny Storlie when she was elected as county commissioner. McNeally was appointed to fill the vacancy on December 16.
Lutsen’s incumbent Treasurer John Groth is running for reelection.
Tofte incumbent Supervisor Paul James is running for reelection despite some recent health concerns. Reached by phone on March 3, James said, “My name is still on the ballot. I haven’t been real active lately because of some health issues. But I’m trying to get my health back and I will still be involved.
Running for treasurer in Tofte is new candidate Erin Huggins. She is keeping the tradition of a Huggins family member in the role. Previous treasurers have been her in-laws, Bill Huggins and Mary Jane Huggins!
Voting starts at 5 p.m. at the Lutsen and Schroeder Town Halls and at Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte.
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