I believe it is in the best interest of Cook County to withdraw from the finances and influences of the IRRRB. What relationship to mining do we have? When I suggest this as a “goal” everyone seems terrified that I should even suggest such a thing and it is not clear how it could be done at present, anyway. Cook County is very dependent on the IRRRB funds.
The future of mining and the Iron Range are very scary. Every mine hires less and less workers. The push for the nonferrous mines to save themselves seems suicidal to me. I realize this year we were hit with a huge tax increase from schools, city and county. It would take determination to make this divorce happen. Still, to have our future tied to the mining industry seems counter intuitive and the Iron Range is not getting the help they need. Would it not make more sense to allow the IRRRB to focus on the Range’s needs and to find a way to be independent?
Tina Krauz
Grand Marais
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