It's good because it's good

Recently my nephew Eric turned eight years old and for the occasion I gave him some removable tattoos and $30 in cash. By email he sent his thanks. He was saving the money towards a Wii, whatever that is, which he was sure he would be getting soon. "It's good because it's good," he wrote about my gift.
A couple of days ago, a reader accused me of being "Syndical" in response to my post, "America the Beautiful." I interpreted this to mean a combination of sinful and cynical. The post was about my longing for an idealized America and my frustation and grief at how the Bush administration has systematically destroyed all the best. I'm a Woody Guthrie kind of guy, a "This Land is Your Land" sing-a-longer. I'm a peacenik, a tree-hugger, a Buddhist and a vegetarian. But not a cynic or a sinner, I hope. My heroes are Cindy Sheehan and the Dalai Lama, who are just so good because they are good.
Anonymous and my nephew got me to thinking. There's a lot of stuff in Grand Marais and Cook County that is good because it's good.
For one, our transparent and responsive City Council. It's such a relief to know that they represent the voters, that they resist demands for inappropriate development, that if they have a conflict of interest they don't vote. I don't have to agree with every single action or vote to rest easy, because their interest is the public interest. Thanks, City Council!
Two, we are so blessed to have Harbor Friends. Always vigilant, these watchdogs caught the nasty infill of two harbor wetlands sites. The city is even now removing the landfill and restoring the wetlands. Thanks! I don't think it is too Syndical to ask who threw assorted junk in the first place. This has not been mentioned in any press reports. I am just curious.
Hey! Snowmobiles without mufflers skipping all over the harbor on the 4th of July? Well, as my mom used to say, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla. Sometimes a little live-and-let-live goes a long way.
Three, I am so delighted by the joint city-county decision to hire a housing coordinator. The Housing Study (previously reported on True) is a most excellent document and the joint decision to implement its findings deserves high praise. Everything we care about, we who live here, depends on the availability of housing for the young families, the working poor, the year-round residents, the senior citizens and retirees who give and have given so much to our history, culture, arts and well-being.
Four, WTIP continues to surpass itself in its outstanding coverage of local news. I dips me hat. Volunteer-driven, it still manages to achieve world-class coverage. BBC news every morning? You don't even get that on MPR. Hint: It's their fund drive. Please join up.
We are so lucky to live here. But having these fabulous resources: City Council, joint city-county affordable housing advocates, Harbor Friends and amazing radio coverage isn't just about luck. It's about people who care enough to make a difference.
True

Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Legislation to Combat Invasive Species Passed by Committee

Dear readers,

Rep. Jim Oberstar scores again. Follow the link. AND think about the visit of Norm Coleman next week, looking for votes. This apologist for Bushco thinks we will re-elect him on the border passport issue and belatedly poses as poster child for Ham Lake fire recovery. Would he know an invasive species if it socked him in the eye? Where does he stand on live firing in the Great Lakes? How can he justify his lock-step yes votes for every Bushco policy or proposal anywhere in our world that is bloodied by this administration?

Please, civility is always appropriate but don't give Bush apologist Coleman your trust.


Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Legislation to Combat Invasive Species Passed by Committee

SBA opens Ham Lake service center in Courthouse

Rep. James Oberstar: SBA Opens Service Center for Ham Lake Fire Victims
Friday, June 01, 2007


Washington DC – Home owners, business owners and renters who were impacted by the Ham Lake fire will be able to begin applying for disaster assistance loans on Monday. Today, Congressman Jim Oberstar announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais on Monday at 8:00 AM.

SBA loans of up to $1.5 million will be available to business owners who suffered property damage and significant economic losses due to the fire. Homeowners can apply for loans of up to $200,000 to replace and repair real estate damaged in the fire. Loans of up to $40,000 are available to homeowners and renters who lost furniture and other property.

“Many resort owners saw business take a big drop during the fire,” said Oberstar. “Now the fire is out, but so are the phone lines. They are having trouble booking rooms, running credit cards and even issuing fishing licenses. These businesses need help right now and I am glad to see the SBA is moving quickly to render that assistance.”

Oberstar is working with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to bring more resources to Cook and Lake Counties. This week he met with FEMA Administrator David Paulison to see how that agency can help. Paulison is expected to report back to Oberstar early next week.

Information on applying for SBA loans:


Telephone inquiries:
SBA Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955 (Mon.-Fri. 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, CDT)



Walk-in service:
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Cook County:
Cook County Courthouse
411 West 2nd Street
Grand Marais, MN 55604

Opens: Monday, June 4
Open: Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, June 9 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (1 Saturday Only)



Written inquiries:
SBA - Disaster Assistance
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155

Oberstar Announces Assistance for Businesses Hit by Ham Lake Fire

US Rep. Jim Oberstar, ably assisted by Senator Amy Klobuchar, have gotten support for Ham Lake victims despite a rather deaf ear turned to us by Dubya who probably never heard of the Boundary Waters wilderness and couldn't care less. Thanks!

Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Announces Assistance for Businesses Hit by Ham Lake Fire

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

Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Asks FEMA to Take Stronger Role in Ham Lake Fire Recovery

Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Asks FEMA to Take Stronger Role in Ham Lake Fire Recovery

Ham Lake fire 100 percent contained in U.S.

Here's breaking news from the Duluth Tribune:

· Duluth News Tribune ·

As fire fighting winds down and our heroes maybe get some family time, I know we will all step up to the plate with kindness and help for those who lost their homes or still have major infrastructure needs.
Kindness is what we are about, same as the Dalai Lama who says, "Kindness is my religion."
True

Ham Lake 50 percent contained

True is signing off on Ham Lake fire coverage; there is so much good stuff out there, on boreal news, on WTIP, on Inciweb, and at the Community Center. Good news today; the combination of rain and heroic efforts by our fire and rescue folks have resulted in 50 percent containment in Cook County; Canada with less rain and more recent fires is looking at only 20 percent.
Today True heard stories of firefighters who worked 12-hour shifts in the wake of smoke, burned skin, and short rations. They perservered because they care, and also because the mutual aid support they got from each other inspired them to g0 one step beyond the call of duty. "I would have done it for nothing," said one young firefighter today, and he meant it.
In actual fact, there is no provision in the county and townships' contracts with the DNR for reimbursement to firefighters; this is expected to come out of the hourly rate for truck rentals. Nonetheless, the legislature is proposing a $750 bonus to local fire and rescue volunteers, and True feels sure we have not heard the last word on compensation for our heroes.

Ham Lake Updates: WTIP is the best

Today, WTIP's coverage of the Ham Lake fire is the best of all the website waters trolled daily by True. Here's the web link:

WTIP North Shore Radio - 90.7 FM

InciWeb: Ham Lake Fire Wildland Fire

Latest this afternoon: fire is 15 percent contained; here's the link

InciWeb: Ham Lake Fire Wildland Fire

What can I do? Give to Northland Chapter of American Red Cross

From: Boreal news (Mary Petz)
Subject:
"What Can I Do?"
Date:
Fri, 11 May 2007 21:18:48 -0500

The questions "What can I do?" or "What do you need?" are so generously being repeatedly heard during this Ham Lake Fire situtation. What is really needed now is to rebuild the ability of the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross to assist in this effort. Much money is being spent on food, lodging for evacuees, and other immediate needs. Donations of money are suggested as a meaningful way of helping the Northland Chapter as they help in Cook County. It is important for you to know that in order for your gift to be used in our area, it must be sent to the Northland Chapter at 2524 Maple Grove Road, Duluth, MN 55811. You may make contact by using the web address of redcrossnorthland.org, or by calling 1-800-950-4275. For the
fifth consecutive year, the American Red Cross has received a 4-star
rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that
the American Red Cross excels, as compared to other charities in America, in successfully managing the finances of the organization in an efficient and effective manner. Charity Navigator reported that 91.5% of all donor dollars to the American Red Cross is used for programs and services.
Administrative expenses make up only 5% and fundraising expenses attribute to the remaining 3.5% of all dollars collected. "These are exceptional results. The American Red Cross has received the 4-star rating each of the past four years.
This is a tribute to our hardworking staff and dedicated volunteers who
believe in the Red Cross mission," states Tony Guerra, Emergency Services Director of the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross. Thank you for your consideration in helping others.
------------------------

Evacuation order lifted on parts of Gunflint Trail as fire calms

This story from the Duluth paper was also heard around town today, in stores and at the post office as grateful Trail residents prepared to go home:

· Duluth News Tribune ·