Plenty of good news

The amazing WTIP continues with its world-class coverage of the Ham Lake fire and aftermath. Things True learned about today:
The 6,000 donated white pines planted last weekend in a volunteer effort of about 170 folks, half perhaps from the Cities.
How Jim Oberstar and Amy Klobuchar were up the Trail listening to our concerns.

And the good news reported to boreal today, from the Gunflint Trail Association (also reported today on WTIP) about Oberstar's work on our behalf:

Congressman Oberstar has heard our call! After meeting with representatives of the Cook County Sheriff's department the USFS, Gunflint Trail businesses, & residents, here is his report to us:1. He has met with the head of FEMA who has agreed to expedite the production and installation of the phone cable.2. The sprinkler program with FEMA will be repeated. FEMA will pay 75% with a 25% participant match for new system installations, existing system upgrades, or repairs to damaged systems.3. The Director of FEMA (feeling a 800 Mhz system would not be appropriate for this area) will be contacting the Sheriffs office and the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department to get an appropriate communication system for the Gunflint Trail.4. The Director of FEMA and Congressman Oberstar have both looked at theapplication by the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department for the pumper truck. FEMA will contact the GTVFD directly to help write an application that will be approved.5. Congressman Oberstar has also been in touch with the Small Business Administration to see what they could do to help businesses. Two regional SBA representatives will visit Grand Marais to assist people impacted by the fire to get loans directly from the SBA. They have asked the Governor to fax the necessary letter to the SBA where it will be immediately approved. Once approved the SBA people can start issuing loans.6. Finally, FEMA has really nice trailers available for temporary use while rebuilding. The trailers are currently in another state. The Congressman needs to know how many trailers people will need to use while they rebuild. Congressman Oberstar says they are "nice trailers".Watch the http://www.gunflint911.org website to sign up to receive information regarding FEMA assistance for Wildfire Sprinkler Systems. A sign-up form should be available at that site within the next day or so. Our heartfelt thanks to Congressman Oberstar, for his prompt attention and response to our needs.
Lee Kerfoot & Shari Baker
Gunflint Trail Assoication