The County of Cook does not have a taxation problem, it has a spending problem. People are certainly taxed enough, more than enough. Government is not your mother; it is not your father or even your friend. By its nature, it takes away resources and freedom.
Your spending can easily be reduced by 20 percent or much more per year. Many budget items, as reported in the Cook County News-Herald (a wonderful paper), are just not part of good government and certainly also represent an inability to view reality.
A few specifics:
Golf course – it should be a self-sufficient enterprise and not one dime of public funds should be spent. Look at the Lutsen Mountains ski resort, the biggest driver of economic activity in the county for much of the year, and no money to my knowledge is offered or requested.
Schools – too many physical facilities are being operated. Your student population is much too low to support and is declining. At most, one school should be in operation. If this is not desired, I would look at privatization of your schools. The very best private schools in Minnesota would cost much less than you are currently paying.
Government department heads – looks like there is a manager of everything under the sun in Cook County and they are pretty well-paid managers for a county with a total population of under 5,200. It is not necessary. A listing was recently itemized in the Cook County News-Herald, and there are far too many for me to remember.
Hospital – the hospital is a problem. You cannot get the skilled people necessary to run the operation, and it cannot make money. Many larger communities are having to close down hospitals (Mayo is closing the hospital in Albert Lea, Minn.); Albert Lea has many more people than Cook County. The healthcare service will get worse and worse as will the annual losses. If a private company wants to operate the hospital, let them do it. Otherwise, the best course would be an expedited ambulance to Duluth and/or Thunder Bay. Again, no more funding of the hospital.
Library – I have not been in it, but it looks like one of the most beautiful in the state. Libraries are not very useful in today’s world. Books can be purchased online and even downloaded for free. I do not know how much money is being spent, but I assume big savings are possible. Again, looks like commissioners and administrators are committing county resources for “other reasons” then their primary responsibilities.
YMCA – A great idea and great organization. I have a family membership in my local community. However, the members and the YMCA need to pay for and keep operating – alone. Zero dollars should be invested by the county. If the YMCA can’t make the operation work, someone else can. There are literally 10 fitness and other organizations within 10 miles of my home. If there is a need in Cook County, the free market will get it provided.
Anti-business policies – A company like Dollar General wants to come into your community (provide jobs and needed products for less) and your “government officials” chase them away to protect their own business interests. I don’t know how you can say, “I represent the people of Cook County” and behave in this manner.
Ultimately you do get the government you desire. If people are not willing to get involved and throw out problem commissioners/administration, it will only get worse and worse.
Roger Hall
Fleming Island, Florida
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