Twice in one week I heard people discussing the role of the county administrator, namely, why one was needed and hired. Apparently Cook County functioned without an administrator, but it was decided that the board needed help organizing itself, reducing the number of outside studies needed for improvements, and generally having a foreman to oversee ongoing projects. It was argued... READ MORE >
At the last county board meeting we were treated to the plans of the 5 million jail proposed by Wold, a firm whose business is designing and supervising the construction of guess what? Jails. These plans were developed after Wold had been commissioned to study whether we need a new jail or not, which is a lot like Hershey doing... READ MORE >
A popular TV sitcom in the 1950s featured a buffoonish father-figure who was either the city engineer or the mayor (I can’t remember which) of a town engaged in a large building project akin to a major addition to the high school. At day’s end the bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes, and other heavy machinery were parked close to Noonan Swamp.... READ MORE >
I attended the yearly Truth in Taxation meeting this year and, to my dismay, nothing had changed from previous years. We, the public, are invited to voice our concerns before an expressionless and unresponsive panel of Cook County commissioners. In other words, we’re invited to “vent” for a strictly limited five minutes with the promise that our talking points will... READ MORE >
At first I couldn’t decide whether to write about tourism or taxes until I realized they are inextricably linked. I retired to Grand Marais because it was a small, surprisingly erudite, quirky yet caring little town in a lovely setting. Now, however, on most days in summer I can’t find a parking spot, the grocery store shelves are bare, the... READ MORE >
