Here's more good work, only what we would expect, from our Congressman Jim Oberstar:
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Moves Global Warming Legislation Forward
Friday, June 15, 2007
Gmail - Adopt a dog
True has been out of town and just got this post sent last week. As True Lovers of Animals we are happy to pass this along.
Would it be possible for you to post these?
We will have spay/neuter bumper stickers,mugs, shirts and bags available for sell to make monies for Animal Advocates.
Thank you.
Sarah Hamilton
trailctr@boreal.org
2 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
AdoptDogFinal.JPG
787K View Download
BumperSticker.JPG
1388K View Download
Would it be possible for you to post these?
We will have spay/neuter bumper stickers,mugs, shirts and bags available for sell to make monies for Animal Advocates.
Thank you.
Sarah Hamilton
trailctr@boreal.org
2 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
AdoptDogFinal.JPG
787K View Download
BumperSticker.JPG
1388K View Download
Friday, June 08, 2007
News Herald parent sold to Dallas media group
Yikes! Dallas, Texas: the site of the JFK assassination, the boiling center of the super-right-wing-oil rich and their anti-democracy agenda. Texas, the home of the lawless cowboy prez whose brother stole the election in Florida that brought him to office, whose wealthy entitlement family roots have convinced him that he deserves to end up on home plate without actually running around the bases.
Our wonderful, 117-year old Cook County News Herald, which has managed to survive intact despite many previous acquisitions after an un-named and unlamented owner sold out to the highest bidder a few years back.
But the local staff have soldiered on, despite staff cuts and long hours to the profit of the new owners. They have if anything raised the news coverage, as well as the photos and page layout, to an unprecedented high.
Well. Perhaps it won't matter what media conglomerate takes over next, so long as the local folks still put the paper together. This sort of takeover acquisition of newspapers in recent years is virtually universal. We can only hope for the best here in Cook County...
But, for all small local newspapers, it is not for the best that rich conglomerates take them over. Cui bono? Read the Duluth story below:
True
· Duluth News Tribune ·
Our wonderful, 117-year old Cook County News Herald, which has managed to survive intact despite many previous acquisitions after an un-named and unlamented owner sold out to the highest bidder a few years back.
But the local staff have soldiered on, despite staff cuts and long hours to the profit of the new owners. They have if anything raised the news coverage, as well as the photos and page layout, to an unprecedented high.
Well. Perhaps it won't matter what media conglomerate takes over next, so long as the local folks still put the paper together. This sort of takeover acquisition of newspapers in recent years is virtually universal. We can only hope for the best here in Cook County...
But, for all small local newspapers, it is not for the best that rich conglomerates take them over. Cui bono? Read the Duluth story below:
True
· Duluth News Tribune ·
Monday, June 04, 2007
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Federal Highway Projects Save Northeast Minnesota from All-Time Construction Low
Our Rep. Jim Oberstar is always looking out for our interests here on the North Shore. The governor has vetoed any improvements to our highways because he doesn't like an increased gas tax. Hmm. True doesn't like that either, but only because it will hit the poor the hardest.
Government is the right place for infrastructure, the only question is who pays for it?
True contends that fair taxes based on ability to pay ought to provide safe highways. Our Rep. Oberstar has a plan to help this to happen. If the governor refuses to provide the local match that would make Highway 61 safe, well, this would look bad to those of us who depend on this highway for our livelihoods and life lines.
Really, folks, the slick gov is just passing the buck. He pretends he is saving taxpayer money by passing it along to local municipalities, individual property tax payers, and the poorest of the poor who must pay for state-mandated services.
Check out Jim's latest post on our behalf:
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Federal Highway Projects Save Northeast Minnesota from All-Time Construction Low
Government is the right place for infrastructure, the only question is who pays for it?
True contends that fair taxes based on ability to pay ought to provide safe highways. Our Rep. Oberstar has a plan to help this to happen. If the governor refuses to provide the local match that would make Highway 61 safe, well, this would look bad to those of us who depend on this highway for our livelihoods and life lines.
Really, folks, the slick gov is just passing the buck. He pretends he is saving taxpayer money by passing it along to local municipalities, individual property tax payers, and the poorest of the poor who must pay for state-mandated services.
Check out Jim's latest post on our behalf:
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Federal Highway Projects Save Northeast Minnesota from All-Time Construction Low
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Minnesota’s ‘Freshwater Ocean’ Attracts a New Generation - New York Times
We have been discovered by the New York Times. They think it is a good thing. True thinks it sucks. The more rich fat cats who buy property here, the worse for us. They raise our taxes with their monster cabins, give nothing back to the community, and diminish our community infrastructure including schools and housing for locals. These carpetbaggers have been seen to move in to close-knit neighborhoods and put up "Keep Out" signs. Their vacation homes, on a par with royal castles, challenge the fragile boreal forest.
Their arrogance requires a service economy dedicated to their thoughtless needs: cleaning staff and groundskeepers.
In short, the objects of our tourism outreach are predators rather than assets to our community.
Read the story:
Minnesota’s ‘Freshwater Ocean’ Attracts a New Generation - New York Times
Their arrogance requires a service economy dedicated to their thoughtless needs: cleaning staff and groundskeepers.
In short, the objects of our tourism outreach are predators rather than assets to our community.
Read the story:
Minnesota’s ‘Freshwater Ocean’ Attracts a New Generation - New York Times
Friday, June 01, 2007
ATV Mendacity
Dear True,
ATVer rants lately have taken more twists and turns than the trails they like to carve through fragile wetlands, but I’m hearing that the community is finally getting fed up as the club now demands unfettered riding privileges throughout the county. It is time we come to our collective senses and bring ATV trail blazing to an abrupt halt.
The club initially said all they wanted was to run a ways down the road to have coffee with their like minded neighbors; that they were not at all interested in unlimited access or in turning Cook County into a magnet for Twin City ATV riders. Then, at the last county board meeting, we saw the mask drop and reality revealed in the demands they made and the threats they leveled against the county board members if the board had the temerity to put any restrictions on ATV travel. A look at members’ comments, the club’s website, the lobbying of its affiliates, of the ATV industry, and of the DNR reveals a clear, grim, picture of the future of our community as run by the ATV club.
Contrary to their original disclosures, ATVers now demand unrestricted riding throughout the county. Demonstrating a total lack of respect for the work of the ATV task force, a group known mainly for its imbalance in favor of the ATV club, club officers told the board it had to open all roads in the county to ATV riding under all circumstances – it is all or nothing. They also now insist they should be allowed to police themselves. The county board is to roll over, or else! Whatever happened to their previous promises? Whatever happened to civil, if not honest, discourse?
The local club also wants an ATV park in Cook County. On its website, www.atv.rideupnorth.com (how’s that for deterring an onslaught of Metro riders?), the club states an ATV park is a key priority. Surely there is a club member willing to donate his property for this worthy venture and no doubt he is surrounded by neighbors willing to sacrifice their peace and quiet for this noble cause. Will the lucky winners please make themselves known?
Opening the North Shore Snowmobile Trail to summer-long ATV travel is another club goal; it is shared with clubs statewide. This club priority also gets support from industry and the DNR, disregarding the original purpose and restrictions on that trail. This would allow an unlimited flow of riders from Duluth and beyond to roar into our county. It is such a comfort to know just how caring and sharing the ATV club is – caring only for themselves and sharing their hobby’s noxious noise with the rest of us.
Trashing the North Shore Snowmobile Trail is a key component in a linked, statewide system. The ATV clubs, ATV industry, the DNR and their ilk are all working on statewide connections in total disregard of real needs or of the will of the majority of Minnesotans. Whether statewide or just Cook County, most of us do not want our roads endangered, woods trashed and streams ruined, or our peace and quiet lost to what is perhaps the most selfish of outdoor activities (Don’t call ATVing a sport; it just ain’t). But, opposition is given short, if any shrift at all.
Another ATV goal is opening the Willard Munger Trail to ATV’s, thus connecting the whole Arrowhead to lower Minnesota for wide-open ATV travel. Though pushed during this legislature by the DNR, the clubs, and the ATV industry, it lost; rest assured it will be back. The intent is to link the Twin Cities to the North Shore Trail to Cook County. The benefit to our county will be an unlimited summertime supply of Metro ATV riders.
The reality is that the ATV club, with the support of the ATV industry and the DNR, is hell bent on making your county a destination for ATVs. The club tells us it is not just their inalienable right to do so; it is for our own good because it will boost business in our county. Yet business in our county was built and is sustained by a balance of quiet sports and sightseeing in the summer, and a healthy mix of the same, with an addition of snowmobiling, in the winter. What will wide-open ATV travel in the summer mean to our visitors who are here to enjoy the quiet? I think they will say “don’t call us, we’ll call you”. But, I’m sure the lodges will be overwhelmed with requests for ATV trailside accommodations so that guests can be lulled to sleep by the whine and roar of ATVs.
Will the county board listen to a vocal minority with a history of disrespect for the values of the community, and a disregard for integrity based civil discourse? Or, will the board show concern for the rights of the rest of us and our guests to quietly and peacefully enjoy our homes and community? It is hard to say.
Local governments across the state have a poor record of standing up to ATVer bullying and intimidation. However, reports are there weren’t any smiles on the faces of the commissioners at the last meeting as the club’s leaders and supporters displayed their usual standards of reason and civility. Maybe county officials are now as fed up as the rest of us over the ill will this climate of threats, bullying, and mendacity has brought to our community; maybe not. Club members we all know are getting ready to say “Metro riders, start your engines and rideupnorth(.com)”.
John Haluska
Grand Marais
ATVer rants lately have taken more twists and turns than the trails they like to carve through fragile wetlands, but I’m hearing that the community is finally getting fed up as the club now demands unfettered riding privileges throughout the county. It is time we come to our collective senses and bring ATV trail blazing to an abrupt halt.
The club initially said all they wanted was to run a ways down the road to have coffee with their like minded neighbors; that they were not at all interested in unlimited access or in turning Cook County into a magnet for Twin City ATV riders. Then, at the last county board meeting, we saw the mask drop and reality revealed in the demands they made and the threats they leveled against the county board members if the board had the temerity to put any restrictions on ATV travel. A look at members’ comments, the club’s website, the lobbying of its affiliates, of the ATV industry, and of the DNR reveals a clear, grim, picture of the future of our community as run by the ATV club.
Contrary to their original disclosures, ATVers now demand unrestricted riding throughout the county. Demonstrating a total lack of respect for the work of the ATV task force, a group known mainly for its imbalance in favor of the ATV club, club officers told the board it had to open all roads in the county to ATV riding under all circumstances – it is all or nothing. They also now insist they should be allowed to police themselves. The county board is to roll over, or else! Whatever happened to their previous promises? Whatever happened to civil, if not honest, discourse?
The local club also wants an ATV park in Cook County. On its website, www.atv.rideupnorth.com (how’s that for deterring an onslaught of Metro riders?), the club states an ATV park is a key priority. Surely there is a club member willing to donate his property for this worthy venture and no doubt he is surrounded by neighbors willing to sacrifice their peace and quiet for this noble cause. Will the lucky winners please make themselves known?
Opening the North Shore Snowmobile Trail to summer-long ATV travel is another club goal; it is shared with clubs statewide. This club priority also gets support from industry and the DNR, disregarding the original purpose and restrictions on that trail. This would allow an unlimited flow of riders from Duluth and beyond to roar into our county. It is such a comfort to know just how caring and sharing the ATV club is – caring only for themselves and sharing their hobby’s noxious noise with the rest of us.
Trashing the North Shore Snowmobile Trail is a key component in a linked, statewide system. The ATV clubs, ATV industry, the DNR and their ilk are all working on statewide connections in total disregard of real needs or of the will of the majority of Minnesotans. Whether statewide or just Cook County, most of us do not want our roads endangered, woods trashed and streams ruined, or our peace and quiet lost to what is perhaps the most selfish of outdoor activities (Don’t call ATVing a sport; it just ain’t). But, opposition is given short, if any shrift at all.
Another ATV goal is opening the Willard Munger Trail to ATV’s, thus connecting the whole Arrowhead to lower Minnesota for wide-open ATV travel. Though pushed during this legislature by the DNR, the clubs, and the ATV industry, it lost; rest assured it will be back. The intent is to link the Twin Cities to the North Shore Trail to Cook County. The benefit to our county will be an unlimited summertime supply of Metro ATV riders.
The reality is that the ATV club, with the support of the ATV industry and the DNR, is hell bent on making your county a destination for ATVs. The club tells us it is not just their inalienable right to do so; it is for our own good because it will boost business in our county. Yet business in our county was built and is sustained by a balance of quiet sports and sightseeing in the summer, and a healthy mix of the same, with an addition of snowmobiling, in the winter. What will wide-open ATV travel in the summer mean to our visitors who are here to enjoy the quiet? I think they will say “don’t call us, we’ll call you”. But, I’m sure the lodges will be overwhelmed with requests for ATV trailside accommodations so that guests can be lulled to sleep by the whine and roar of ATVs.
Will the county board listen to a vocal minority with a history of disrespect for the values of the community, and a disregard for integrity based civil discourse? Or, will the board show concern for the rights of the rest of us and our guests to quietly and peacefully enjoy our homes and community? It is hard to say.
Local governments across the state have a poor record of standing up to ATVer bullying and intimidation. However, reports are there weren’t any smiles on the faces of the commissioners at the last meeting as the club’s leaders and supporters displayed their usual standards of reason and civility. Maybe county officials are now as fed up as the rest of us over the ill will this climate of threats, bullying, and mendacity has brought to our community; maybe not. Club members we all know are getting ready to say “Metro riders, start your engines and rideupnorth(.com)”.
John Haluska
Grand Marais
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
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
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