Dear True,
Snowbirds, beware. You may leave for the winter and return to find your scenic highway decimated of trees, your quiet roads invaded by ATVs, your family pets killed by trappers on your very doorstep, your property tax values doubled, and your taxes on lodging, recreation and just general stuff all increased to support the touts of the tourism industry. WHO say they need money to promote events, while they save thousands by laying off locals and hiring low-paid international workers in the short summer season.
Oh, look out, because nobody, nobody, is minded to preserve the fragile and beautiful ecosystem here, to keep our history alive for the many who would love to come visit and learn of it, or to promote eco-friendly, small scale economic ventures and affordable housing solutions for our young families and seniors.
Well... maybe not NOBODY, but nobody who votes with their dollars.
ALSO this week, the two county papers gave the most ink to the contractors protesting Sawtooth Cottages at the Grand Marais City Council meeting...
What does THAT mean? First of all, none of their facts were checked... second, over the last year and a half, many a person has braved the cameras to speak to the Council, but nary a one has achieved front-page coverage.
And last but not least, we meet the new Bidness Council, who declare their intention to "work with" the city in a "political" manner.... Who are these guys? They are not affiliated with GMATA. They are truly not representing anybody except themselves, themselves apparently being downtown bidness owners. Those same ones who don't want any restrictions on development of the properties that they own.
We have also seen new attacks on Harbor Friends for asking for a wetlands study of the harbor based on good historical records.
It's not enough to read the two papers. Or even to attend all the county, city, township, school, zoning, hospital, etc. meetings.... It's what is NOT said at the meetings that matters.
As dear Bill Moyers pointed out in a major speech this week, our so-called democratic elections are funded 95 percent by the richest five percent. Think about it. And don't believe everything, or maybe anything, you read in print.
An ordinary voter in Cook County
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2 comments:
I just have to comment on your remark about laying off locals and hiring low paid international workers. This is not true. During the slow season anyone could get laid off. But during the busy summer season when we need the locals to work, they don't want to. The international workers are not cheap!! They do however show up and work hard for every shift. I would much rather work with locals, but there isn't enough of them willing to work.
Dear anonymous,
This information came to me via the comments of several locals made at a recent Schroeder town board meeting.
True
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