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Open Forum
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EIS Denied: Northern Lights 'A Railroad Job'Letter to the Editor
Despite heroic efforts, the “lake people” lost their bid for in-depth study –a study! -- of potential environmental harms from the biggest development ever to hit their little city (pop. 847) of Emily, Minnesota.
This huge development (by Emily standards) would forever change the local landscape. Unexamined, with unsatisfactory results. it could:
(1) Threaten an already sensitive lake where trout are no longer stocked by the DNR, due to oxygen depletion, and where excessive algae bloom is now common in summers; (2) Create deadly traffic hazards at a dangerous junction on busy State Highway 6, one mile south of Outing; and (3) Set a awful precedent for other city councils also willing to roll over for speculative developers.
Bluntly put, the Emily City Council simply blew it. They capitulated -- a.k.a “caving in” -- to pressure from the speculative developer of the proposed off-lake, 42-lot development, “Northern Lights Over Roosevelt Lake.”
Thus did the council overturn its previous order (of Jan. 8, 2008) for a comprehensive study of the development's impacts, both environmental and traffic-wise. This would have been a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
When the council ditched its EIS order, at the same time it wiped out an intimidating lawsuit, then still very much alive, as brought by the developer, Chris Scott, against the City of Emily. Scott had asked for unspecified damages for the mere ordering by the City of a study, for heaven's sake.
To erase an apparent “threat,” that study, the developer hired and paid a small army of his own experts.” His hired guns sought to reverse the EIS order for their client, assuring all that everything would be okay environmentally, or traffic-wise, although they did not analyze the latter.
If successful, these hired guns for the developer would erase the one bright, shining moment in this whole sadly-ending debacle -- when the same council, with it wits about it then, and the late Joan Hite on board, ordered the citizen-desired study, an EIS, at its meeting on Jan. 8, 2008. This was reason for the lakes people (and the loons?) to rejoice.
Since then, with his lawsuit in place, whenever the Twin Cities-based developer asked the city to “jump,” the city and its Blooming-based defense lawyer asked, “how high?” Kowtowing was very much "in."
Surprising some, the council knuckled under to the developer's nearly every request. This included an abortive attempt in May 2008, in local courts, using the developer's lawsuit settlement terms as “bait,” to erase that then-ordered EIS. Cagey move, but it failed. It was legally flawed.
With the City fully complicit in this failed attempt, Judge David J. Ten Eyck in Ninth (Crow Wing) District Court in Brainerd ruled the move patently illegal. At least justice was then served then, in July 2008, for precious little of it would follow. To wit:
Citizens who petitioned (231 of us!) for a study, the EIS, were left outside, in all matters, looking in, strangers in our own city. We were misled, lied to, cussed out, subjected to little-noticed special meetings, massive document dumps, and called names by at least one city official. (Try, “project antagonists”). Shell games were played with us, as in “now you see it, then you don't” with regard to plat plans, etc. It became a circus, and surrealistic.
In the final analysis of the fateful vote on May 12, 2009, to kill the peopledesired study, it is intriguing to note (and no one else has) that the council totally disregarded at least 38 of the 46 replies to its final motion to terminate (the EIS) as published only in the arcane online website, EQB Monitor, at the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. That was it.
Stretching any rational person's credulity, the council relied upon (get this!) the developer's paid agents to dismiss the 38 replies. (Silenced, were we?) Those 38 replies, by one count, were selectively, subjectively, dismissed out-of-hand, being called “non-substantive.” What a Brave New World is this, dismissing all facts one does not agree with, as “non-substantive”?
Among the 38 “non-substantive” replies is the official response of the state's DNR, critical of the project. (It is NOT, for example, in DNR's view, even a “Rural Conservation Subdivision.” Another ignored reply comes from the respected watchdog group, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA). It asks, Is this development consistent with state shore line rules?
Boggles the mind, that both replies from DNR and private watchdog MCEA, among others, are dismissed as “non-substantive,” a judgment made, curiously, by hiredguns – in effect, by lobbyists for the developer. This could well be described as a cut-and-dried “rail road” job.
And that's how one Emily city council member saw it, through the smoke and mirrors. Publicly he called the action to deny a study, the EIS, as a “rail road job.” With that most lake-area citizens would agree. It was like a Machine inexorably moving down the tracks.
We the People were not well served in all this, when the ol' train left City Hall without the EIS aboard. And that, folks, is only small part of a larger, untold story.
Gary Larson
Emily, MN
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State involvement unfair to male parentsLetter to the Editor
Few people know that laws in of the State of Minnesota create an often tragic consequence for children and parents alike. This situation needlessly costs the State thousands of dollars. It costs the parents, and ultimately the children, even more.
In situations of separation, divorce, or unwed parents of a child, when the State becomes involved, it almost always grants complete custody and parenting rights to the female parent. The male parent is treated like any stranger off the street - in other words, no rights at all. The male parent can go through a heartbreaking, lengthy, expensive process to regain some position as the other parent.
How can the State justify assuming such arrogance, to come between a parent and child without cause?
Because we supposedly have a state human rights law that criminalizes sex discrimination, this shouldn't occur.
Each parent should have equal standing. Without both a male and a female, there would be no child, of course.
Sometimes one of the parents wants no further responsibility or contact, but in most situations both parents wish to have an association and parenting with their child(ren).
Yet the State, even in cases where the male parent has been a proper, loving figure to the child for years, discriminates against the male parent in an unhealthy, improper, and illegal way. This is sex discrimination in it's most basic form. Many people in Minnesota have experienced this.
This situation gives rise to another question: if the State of Minnesota decides to allow legal same-sex marriages, if something happens to that relationship and children are involved, which partner gets treated as the "dad"? Will they have to sign a prenuptial agreement, saying in case of separation or divorce, one gets treated as a female, and one as a male?
A. Martin
Merrifield, MN
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Crazy, Unhappy: No ConnectionLetter to the Editor
The person that thinks that I’m unhappy here must believe that people that are crazy are unhappy, there is no connection.
I retired here 30 years ago and most of the damage our arrogant Governor can do will affect me only slightly as I am old. I do still cut my fire wood and heat with wood only. We have a garden, berries, apple trees and are more self sufficient than many.
As for congressman Oberstar don’t count on him being able to keep up on all our roads. He too is an old man an his replacement will be a Junior Member of Congress with limited abilities to affect our area. Roads, due to our extreme climate conditions, take a lot of up keep. Congressman Oberstar isn’t in Congress for the money I suspect his pension probably would be more than his salary. If he keeps running he probably will die in office and not collect any of it.
As for those pesky deer ticks I’ve lost track of the number that I have removed this year. 60 years ago we had a lot less deer and I don’t remember any deer ticks.
As for France, I enjoyed my stay when I was there and most of my friends who have worked there had no complaints.
Those that I know who have spent time in China recently were impressed by the safety and security. When they were in public they felt safer than when they were in major US cities.
Personally I don’t feel particularly unsafe any where in the world although I haven’t been in the middle east for a long time. Shaggy old men don’t attract a lot of attention in most places so they are relatively safe.
Jesse H Nix
Emily MN
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Avoiding hard choices with gimmicksLetter to the Editor
On June 21, the Minneapolis Star Tribune featured an editorial under the headline, “We can cool the planet with technology.” The gist was that we could balance all the global warming with geo-engineering schemes that would block some of the sun’s solar radiation.
The first idea is to emulate large volcanic eruptions by putting lots of sulfur and other light blocking particles into the stratosphere. The second plan is to create lots of additional light blocking clouds with a fleet of 1500 ships that would spray a fine mist of seawater into the air.
Several studies have shown that high altitude sulfur particles, called aerosols, tend to destroy the ozone layer. That protective layer blocks harmful UVB radiation from reaching us at the Earth’s surface.
Spraying water vapor, the most important warming green house gas(GHG), would do little, as water vapor rains out, keeping the moisture content of the atmosphere about the same over time. When you run a lawn sprinkler you are emitting a GHG. And the vapor emitted by even 1500 ships would be small compared to total ocean evaporation.
By suggesting that these impractical programs are a substitute for the hard choices needed to combat global warming, the newspaper [Mpls Star Trib] does a disservice. Go ahead, it says in effect, keep driving that gas guzzler, we have a technology pill for you.
Rolf Westgard
Deerwood, MN
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Too Many Pawlenty ParrotsLetter to the Editor
Pawlenty’s unallotment hurts many Minnesotans, while he blames the Democrats for not fixing the financial crisis. No compromise was possible.
Ward and Doty did their best to be fair. They found that It was either they do it the Governor’s way or else. Now the well-to-do Minnesotans are happy again because the Governor of NO helped them. The middle and lower class of Minnesotans will have to cough up unfair tax increases. This will hit them soon and, most importantly, they will remember to vote the GOPNO’s out of office.
It is interesting how others, like Koering/Howe, said they saw it coming but did nothing to help.
Forget the governorship, Koering— no need for another parrot. Well, the rest of us want to know why you Republicans did not ask him to compromise and come to a joint agreement with both parties. Their real reason is that the Party of NO wants to continue this message: Look how well we govern MN by not approving meaningful and progressive tax increases to be paid by all. Clearly, too many Pawlenty-parrots are out there trying to justify the unallotment.
MN voters are smarter than that. They expect to be part of the solution and pay their fair share, and they can see the gimmickry of Republicans’ actions just to get elected again. Instead they leave the mess to those who have been dumped on.
Pawlenty and your ilk, forget about national politics because Republican naysayers are already a party of the minority (nationally only 21 percent dare claim GOP membership now). By the way, if you do run for President, consider running with Rep. Michelle Bachmann— another flake of a politician whose standing is at the very bottom of the GOP-NO ladder also.
M. Fritz Bertelt
Brainerd, MN
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Happy to Live in Northern MinnesotaLetter to the Editor
Unlike Jesse Nix, I consider myself fortunate to have lived in Northern Minnesota my entire life. I’ve traveled around this country a bit and even other countries, but am still thankful for every day that I wake up here at home. I relish the abundant good weather we do have, but I’m even thankful for the 40 below zero; along with the woodticks, mosquitoes and deer flies. They help to keep some of the riff-raff out and all of the wimps!
I’m glad we have a governor who believes our state should be fiscally responsible and has thwarted the DFL attempts to raise taxes to balance our budget. I would also like to point out that the governor’s budget proposal planned to spend more on education than either the State legislature or senate proposals. It amazes me that in a state with a majority of Democrats in our government, that Jesse Nix blames everything he perceives as problems on our Republican Governor. From the state legislature on up to the president, Tim Pawlenty is the only Republican elected official representing the area that I live. My advice to everyone, including Mr. Nix, is to get the facts, get involved, and hold all of our government officials accountable. Don’t just blame the ones you didn’t vote for.
And don’t worry about the roads, Jesse. Our perpetual Congressman Jim Oberstar plans on spending $78 million of Federal tax dollars (that they don’t have) on our highways and one bridge. And if we continue our dependence on foreign oil to the point that we can’t afford to drive anywhere anymore, don’t worry, we’re still covered. He also plans on spending an additional $22 million on bike and hiking trails and bridges. So we’ll be able to get around just fine on foot or a bicycle.
If Mr. Nix hates Minnesota so much, maybe he should be the one to “move on”. Perhaps to somewhere like France, where he can see first hand what this country will be like in a few years if our progressive politicians continue down this path of “change” they are leading us. Or maybe he should move to China since they practically own this country already. Be careful not to get “trampled” on your way out, Jesse.
As for me, I’m glad that I live here in Northern Minnesota where we have all 4 seasons. In the spring we can plant a vegetable garden, in the summer we can pick wild berries and fruits, in the fall we can shoot deer for meat, and in the winter we can burn firewood for heat. Those of us with common sense, self-reliance and fortitude will be able to survive when the economy totally collapses. Others may not be so lucky.
Jan Schultz
Trelipe Township
Remer, MN
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Response to letter of Ed EvansLetter to the Editor
This is in response to the letter attacking elected and appointed representatives of Emily-accusing the City Council of “...absolute disregard and disrespect for the future health of the water quality of Roosevelt Lake...” and, of having “...distain (sic) and disrespect...for the citizens of Emily and Outing”.
This attack comes even though both Planning and Zoning and the City Council disregarded the conclusion of the City Attorney and City Planner that a petition requesting an EAW was invalid-in other words officials reacted “positively” to the citizenry even though the petition did not meet legal requirements. The Council requested that the developer include project opponents in developing the EAW. According to the EQB-such involvement is almost unheard of and unfair to the developer.
Upon completion of the EAW process Planning and Zoning made a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). Given that conclusion, the City Council ignored the Committee and listened to opponents. It is important to note that almost NEVER in Minnesota history has an EIS been required for a project of this size (per EQB records). In fact, the EQB in its rules suggests that changes can be made to preliminary plat documents that will address continuing points of controversy without requiring an EIS.
If Mr. Evans is concerned with lake quality, why did he not comment on a development near his property? The Roosevelt Shores project received 75% less comments than Northern Lights received-yet puts 12 lots directly on the lake; allows more boats than the 42-site NL project (16 for 1600’ of shoreline at NL versus perhaps 36 for 1,200’ of shoreline at Shores); utilizes a Fessel treatment system-a new system whose efficacy is not well understood; provides for future development of offshore lots with no discussion of cumulative impact (though a required element of an EAW); and, allows use of boardwalks to traverse the ice ridge.
Opponents complain about the development of the EAW for NL and the drafting of responses. NL included opponents in the development stage while the Shores EAW was created by the developer and its consultants; NL was castigated for not being responsive to concerns raised in comments to the EAW and for not allowing opponents to participate in drafting responses-Shores was allowed to make major revisions to the plat design in direct response to EAW comments-those revisions were not exposed for "approval” by the commenter. Shores actually re-drafted storm water treatment plans; wetland delineation; and other facets of its plan with no complaints from RALALA, Mr. Evans, or others.
An honest look at the process of obtaining approvals for each project shows the Council and Planning and Zoning have taken their responsibility to be aware of resident concerns very seriously. When they heard hardly a complaint from residents about Shores that project proceeded apace. When they heard concerns about NL, the project incurred significant additional time and cost when a side-by-side comparison of the two projects shows Shores having more potential for near-term environmental damage than NL.
Terrence N. Scott
Duluth, MN
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Ya shoulda been there!Letter to the Editor
I went to a meeting the other night. I feel it was by far the poorest representation by the board, of the taxpayers, of any meeting I’ve ever attended.
I found it hard to believe the lack of concern to a request from the townspeople (by petition, 77 out of 80) to address ATV traffic on our roads.
“It’s our decision,” claimed the chair, abrasively, standing. “If you don’t like it, vote us out.” The other two agreed. Food for thought! They all agreed to wait and see what happens.
They must feel the same about safety issues and the roads. The yearly road review was a joke. The last five years could have been done on a duplicating machine in the clerk’s office. Lack of stop signs (seven), a dangerous intersection, large rocks along the right-of-way, bridge potholes, miscellaneous safety issues on roads and maintenance shop, and so on and so on!
Like I said, ya shoulda been there, and you might think about starting to bring a cushion. The meetings have been known to last from three to four hours plus!
Fairfield votes in March.
Gus Fletcher
Fairfield Township
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Developer speaks outLetter to the Editor
In May of 2007 I met with the RALALA board to discuss my proposed development, Northern Lights over Roosevelt Lake. One gentleman left in the middle of the meeting, cursing me and saying, in essence, this project will never happen. At the conclusion of themeeting the President told me they would discuss and contact me shortly. Two weeks later a letter was sent to the City of Emily asking them to deny every aspect of my project. Since then I have not been contacted directly by anyone looking to discuss my project. I have instead worked through the City in addressing concerns via their well established review process.
The City has held several public hearings, listened to varying opinions and deliberately reviewed the plans I presented. The Council went against recommendations from its Planning Commission, city planner and city attorney and instead ordered an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In lieu of an EIS, several studies were completed by professional environmental firms, in addition to analysis from University of Minnesota professors with extensive knowledge of the subject matter. In response to the findings of these studies, in addition to further reductions in scope of the project itself, the City decided to terminate the EIS.
Critics of my project often site studies done by Dr. Mooers as well as their own opinions on the treatment they have received from the city. They dismiss Dr. Pfannkuch, a 35+ year veteran in the study of hydrogeology and special advisor on groundwater studies to the Environmental Quality Board, the state agency which oversees the environmental review process, as an “armchair” expert. Dr. Mooers was not available at the time the review was completed but, it would seem, Dr. Pfannkuch has the credentials necessary to address the issues raised.
Dr. Mooers has consistently stated the major factor impacting Lake Roosevelt is existing septic systems that are failing and in need of repair. He has stood at public meetings and stated this, along with his belief that the review of my project has been “quite thorough”. He has recommended studies “in lieu of an EIS”. Why do opponents never mention this? Why do they cite Dr. Mooers in one instance and then ignore his opinions in the other?
Dr. Mooers concluded, at the 60 foot deep aquifer, 2.8 million gallons a day flow under or near my land. I have seen no data looking at any other depths. Regardless, Dr. Pfannkuch noted higher flow rates would serve to further dilute any contaminants that may eventually enter the aquifer.
To say the City has shown a “level of disdain and disrespect” and “disregard and disrespect for the future health of the water quality of Roosevelt Lake” needs to be questioned. How so? Is it because opponents continue to call for more study, ignoring the opinions of state agencies, environmental professionals and university professors? Because critics cite portions of findings while not sharing the broader message?
The documentation related to review of my project is available to the public. You can see for yourselves what you are being told and what is being left out. The City should be commended for a thorough review and analysis, well above and beyond what any state agency or governing body suggested was necessary. The city deserves the public’s thanks, not to be vilified by a handful of people who decided long ago my project should not happen and have not let two years of study and review get in the way of those opinions.
Thank you
Chris Scott,
Developer for Northern Lights over Roosevelt Lake
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Danger of Health Care Reform AdsLetter to the Editor
I have been seeing a lot of commercials lately about the danger of health care reform. I understand the people that are behind the running of those ads they are being run by insurance companies which have executives who get seven figure salaries and bonuses. If we have health care reform they stand to lose them.
They [the insurance companies] have no interest in your health care or mine. This is demonstrated by the fact that 60 percent of all bankruptcies are caused by a health problem and 60 percent of those are the people have health insurance.
I have a proposal that won’t get far but would solve the excessive greed at major corporations and non-profits. Any amount of salary plus bonuses that exceeds what the president of the US gets for running the United States would get taxed at ninety-five percent and the company, corporation or non-profit that pays it would be assessed an amount equal to what was paid as salary or bonus as an income surtax. This would level the playing field somewhat for executive pay. I understand that there would be immediate attempts to find loop holes and the law would have to be revisited every year to plug them. I understand rewarding work, but the CEO isn’t worth that much more than his secretary.
Jesse Nix
Emily MN
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State Rep. John Persell (DFL-Bemidji) responded to Governor Pawlenty’s unallotments (June 16, 2009)“While it may take a few days to understand the total impact of the Governor’s cuts, you can quickly see by looking at his spreadsheet that local governments bear the heaviest burden, while cuts to health care run a close second. The city of Bemidji will lose almost $700 thousand over the next two years and Beltrami County will be cut by an additional $254 thousand – which will likely lead to higher property taxes.
Schools will be asked to wait for their state payments – forcing many to take on short-term debt, while others will face lay-offs, program cuts and even closures. Hospitals and nursing homes are also facing cuts that will raise prices and eliminate services.
The Governor likes to say that local governments, hospitals, and schools should be able to get by with a little less – much like Minnesota’s families. Added with the cuts already made this session, today’s cuts amount to 10% of the budget –not under 4% like he would like us to believe.
Minnesota families, schools, hospitals and nursing homes are already getting by on less – what the Governor announced today will make life for all of them much more difficult. And for just $9 a day on families making over $300 thousand a year, most of this could have been avoided.”
The governor’s proposed unallotments include:
• $300 million in Local Government Aid and County Program Aid, primarily used for local public safety and essential services.
• $1.77 billion K-12 education funding shift that may cause some schools to have to borrow to bridge funding.
• $51 million decrease to the renters’ refund program resulting in a tax increase for renters.
• $236 million reduction of health care, including eliminating the General Assistance Medical Care program, which provides health care for the sickest and poorest Minnesotans, one-and-a-half months sooner than would have happened as a result of Pawlenty’s line-item veto.
• $100 million cut to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Minnesota.
• $33 million in cuts to most state agency operating budgets.
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Why I RelayBy Tanya Lund of Backus
I am the co-captain of the Rednecks and we participate in the Relay for many reasons. Actually there are so many reasons that we can’t fit them all in one article. We have eighteen people on our team and each one of us has a reason or two for being part of the Relay, but the number one reason we do it is to find a cure for cancer.
We can’t stop cancer, but if we can prevent one more person from suffering from cancer or suffering from a loss of a loved one who has passed on from cancer; it will be worth the miles that we walk at the Relay. Cancer affects anyone regardless of age, sex, or race. I wish I would have known more about this disease before it had taken my mother’s life three and a half years ago.
You see the word cancer everywhere and we would like to see it disappear so no one else has to go through the pain of having it or coping with a loved one having to deal with it. This is why the Rednecks relay – to eliminate cancer.
We invite everyone to get on their walking shoes and come out to the Pine River-Backus High School Track on Friday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. and join with us in the fight against cancer. Take a lap around the track for yourself or for someone who is fighting cancer so they know they are not fighting alone. We celebrate the lives of those who have won their battle with cancer, we remember those who have lost the battle and we fight back against cancer now so others will not hear “You have cancer” in the future.
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ATV Trails – RebuttalLetter to the Editor
I read Mr. Lukens letter to the editor in June 9th edition of the Northland Press. Although one is allowed one’s opinion, this guy is way off base.
I am a member of an ATV club. I’m pretty sure Mr. Lukens has never attended nor been near an ATV club in his life. He clearly has no idea what we do to promote, encourage and enforce responsible use of ATV’s and the trail system. Nor does he understand how much money we donate to the cause.
I am not an economist. However, I did attend the last ATV event our club sponsored and saw with my own eyes, the boost to the local economy this event represented to our town. These are the stores that you and I depend on being open when all the weekend folks and vacationers are gone.
I also witnessed with my own eyes, not some economist’s eyes, what a wonderful, thoughtful and gracious group of riders who attended this event. There was no drunkenness, no littering of the forests, no riding in areas not designated for riding. There were only respectful folks who enjoy the sport of riding ATV’s within a designated trail system.
I wonder if Mr. Lukens has ever been in a boat or perhaps took a ride on a pontoon around the lake. I wonder if he left noxious fumes behind his boat motor or perhaps his car when he drives into town. I wonder if he ever leaves the house.
Sir, there are external costs to just about everything that we do. We are humans and cannot help but create external costs as part of living our lives. Don’t preach social costs unless you are a monk living in complete exclusivity. I think not.
I do agree that there are always those amongst society who do wrong and give a bad name to an entire demographic. No different with ATV riders. Leave it to the local clubs to deal with these individuals. There is a system in place for local clubs to work with the DNR to monitor and enforce proper ATV usage. If the local municipalities choose to have trails through their towns to promote business, trust that the local government will work with the local ATV clubs to ensure that laws are enforced and that the overall affect on the community is positive. If it turns out that can’t be done, then vote for different town council members who will change the laws.
I ask that you don’t depend on some “impartial” economist to make local decisions. Trust the people you put into office locally to make the right choices for your community.
Roger Knode
Outing, MN
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Prayer for Responsibility does more good than CondemningLetter to the Editor
Ah, Mr. Lukens, what poison pen letter you have written about ATV’s and their owners. Let me ask, do you drive a car? I and many others of society pay for that nice or not so nice road/street you drive on. Do you fly? I and many others of society pay in one way or another for your privilege to fly.
Who is the impartial economist we are to ask about all your claims of external social costs? As a resident of Outing where some very nice and well kept trails are, I differ with your claim that these ATV riders of the Outing area or any where else are, in your words, lawless, drunks, spreader of obnoxious and evasive plants, (a new one on me), obese, and all the other words you used.
Many of these riders are young, careful people who enjoy the ride, and are observant of their surroundings and take great care and pride in their sport.
Since when does obesity have to do with riding an ATV? Lots of obese people in all forms of social activity costs society, but you seem to only be concerned with ATV owners and riders in one lump sum category.
As for the word extermality, I have several dictionaries and that word is not in any of them. As for private transactions, you, I, and countless others make transactions private and public or at least many of us do. So why single out ATV owners and riders?
I could take issue with snowmobilers, bike riders, hunters, and many watercraft users, but I won’t because I feel we need to accept all of them as part of the sporting industry we have in our upper Minnesota, which helps to keep many costs down.
I say a prayer for those who engage in these activities to be responsible of their surroundings and be responsible users of our parks, trails, lakes, and land. So please Mr. Lukens, don’t single out any one part of society. It’s obvious you don’t like ATV’s and riders, so pray for those who misuse the sport. That will do more good than damning them all.
Adrieanne Erdman
Outing, MN
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Learn and Move On or Refuse to Learn and be TrampledLetter to the Editor
I recently returned from a trip to the south. It sure felt good to get home where I could wear a flannel shirt and work outside.
I told my friends and family that it was terrible up here in the North Country. We have some very nice weather, but it is unpredictable, usually happens in April or October, other wise it is miserably hot or terribly cold. We have things like bear, timber wolves and cougar but the real scary things are deer ticks which you can hardly see and they carry lymes disease. Then there are the mosquitoes that carry West Nile and encephalitis.
I agreed with them one has to be crazy to live here with a governor that wants to turn the state into Mississippi North by assuming power to drive the cost of education out of sight, raise property taxes and let the infrastructure of the state deteriorate until no one will invest here because we no longer have an educated work force. We will only have minimum wage jobs for hospitality help and no roads and bridges to reach the places where they are located. The timber industry will return in a few decades as they will have the only equipment that will be able to travel our roads. All the land will be tax forfeit as no one will have jobs to pay taxes. So the taxes on land that remains private will have to go up to make up for the loss in revenue from government owned tax forfeit property. So those conservative anti-government people will cause themselves to be taxed off their property by their anti-progress stands.
Time stands still for no one, you either learn and move on, or you refuse to learn and are trampled and left behind.
Jesse Nix
Emily MN
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Disapproval of City CouncilLetter to the Editor
The Emily City Council voted on May 14, 2009 to terminate the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for the Northern Lights over Roosevelt Lake (NLORL) development. This vote is being followed by plat approval and issuance of permits from the Emily Planning and Zoning Committee. With final approval by the City Council, the City of Emily will have approved a plan with a very high risk of adding a serious pollution problem to Roosevelt Lake with 42 septic systems and surface runoff. These votes and approvals show an absolute disregard and disrespect for the future health of the water quality of Roosevelt Lake and for all the residents and property owners of the lake, whether they live on the Emily part of the lake or the Outing part.
I am appalled by the level of distain and disrespect the Emily City Council is showing for the citizens of both Emily and Outing. It is hard to tell if they do not understand that NLORL will cause serious pollutions problems in Roosevelt Lake, or just don’t care, but one would have to suspect the latter.
The last study (an arm chair well-based study at that) performed of the hydrology in the region of NLORL, which was done by a professor from the University, concluded that the effluents from the drainfields of the septic systems at Northern Lights were unlikely to pollute the aquifer for a number of years. That is probably true because the aquifer (where the wells are) is 60 feet below the ground surface.
The City Council and the University Professor (if he was ever told about it) conveniently neglected the fact from Dr. Mooer’s report that 2.8 million gallons of water per day flow just below the ground surface in the NLORL area (probably 10 to 20 feet), but well above the aquifer, from Smokey Hollow Lake directly into Roosevelt Lake. The pollutants from the drainfields of the NLORL septic systems will be dissolved into and carried away by this groundwater flow directly into Roosevelt Lake. The numerous springs at the shoreline of Roosevelt Lake in the area of NLORL are compelling evidence of this groundwater flow. The members of the City Council have seen these springs in person, but they must think they get there by magic.
This development has the potential to be a frightful risk to the future of Roosevelt Lake, where the water quality of the lake is the centerpiece of the local economies of both Emily and Outing as well as the basis for the property values of the residents on the lake.
We do not have many ways as a local citizen to respond to these actions and the demonstrated disrespect to the residents of the lake. We have lived here year round for 10 years and visited for 20 years prior to that. We have spent a lot of money buying gas, groceries, and hardware in Emily over the years, as well as eating at the local restaurants. No More. We will buy our gas, groceries, and hardware in Outing or Crosslake, Crosby, or Remer. We do not need the City of Emily.
We cannot speak for the other residents and property owners of Roosevelt Lake, but we will not spend another dime in the City of Emily. This is the only way we can clearly express our disapproval of a City Council that deliberately votes for a plan that will pollute our lake, ruin our property values, and damage the environment.
Ed Evans
Outing, MN
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Digital TV ConversionBy A. Martin, Merrifield, MN
Martin has performed technical and engineering work for some of these television stations, (especially the low-power ones.) He has heard several questions from people who are confused by the digital transition and submitted the following article to help answer some of their questions
In this time of crippled economy, job loss, and home foreclosures, there are more people who may find it difficult or impossible to continue affording the wonderfully diverse television services they have.
Many of us have relied on the "free" over-the-air television services that are available.
Over-the-air stations have been airing public service announcements, advising people that a digital conversion is happening June 12. (Some stations have already converted.) For the most part, these announcements are directed at metro area viewers.
What does this mean for the Brainerd lakes area? Currently we have several choices available here.
Full power stations, such as KCCW and KAWE/KAWB must be digital by June 12. (KAWB is already digital.) Other local stations are low-power (translators), and have been around in some cases over 40 years. These will remain analog (the current TV system) and include KARE, KSTP/KSAX, KQDS, and KMSP.
A converter box (the $40 coupon thing) or a new TV set with built in digital ATSC tuner will be needed. Make sure the set also has an analog NTSC tuner built in. If you opt for the converter box, make sure it has the "analog bypass" feature. Without it you'll lose reception of the lowpower stations, although many converter boxes without this feature are being sold locally. They're intended only for metro areas. The converter boxes have a rudimentary program guide built in. Some more expensive boxes have more extensive guide features.
I live a few miles north of Brainerd, and with an outside antenna and rotor, I receive signals from 6 stations: KCCW on channel 12 (CBS-Mpls.), KARE on ch. 14 (NBC-Mpls.), KSTP/KSAX on ch. 16 (ABCMpls. and Alex.), KAWB on ch. 22 (PBS-Bemj.), KQDS on ch. 39 (FOX-Duluth), and KMSP on ch. 48 (FOX-Mpls.).
Approximate physical locations of the transmitters are KCCWHackensack; KARE-Breezy Point; KSTP/KSAX-Brainerd; KAWB-Gull Lake; KQDS-Rabbit Lake; and KMSP-Brainerd.
KAWB-PBS carries five separate programs simultaneously: their regular PBS programming, a children's channel, a home type channel (cooking, travel, etc.), a "plus" channel which carries some repeats of the regular channel at later times (Nova, Frontline, Bill Moyers etc.) plus other Discovery or History channel type of programming, and, a Minnesota channel which also carries some Wisconsin and Dakotas programs.
Adding these all up, we have 10 different channels of free programming available over-the-air in this area.
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Why I RelayBy Bambi Cardias-O’Hern
One morning eight years ago, the phone rang to reveal the news that would forever change my life. “You have cancer. Your biopsy came back positive for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” said the voice on the other end. The instant I heard the words, tears fell from my eyes. Not necessarily for me, but for the unborn child growing inside me.
I was 24 weeks pregnant when diagnosed, and began scanning immediately. CAT scans, Mugga Scans, MRI’s, you name it, I had it – as long as it was safe for the baby. After much discussion and research, my doctor’s felt the risk to the fetus was not life threatening and we would proceed. I was to receive three rounds of chemotherapy before the baby was born and three rounds after he was born. I was 28 weeks along.
I quickly began to lose the hair on my entire body. I became so weak that at times, I literally crawled to the bathroom.
I had a six-year old son then, who is now 14. There were times when I couldn’t play, sing, laugh, or even read to him. It broke my heart. Sometimes I wanted to throw in the towel. But I couldn’t!
I had no choice but to stay positive for both children. I had to fight so that they would grow up knowing their mommy. It was my worse fear.
I rarely cried, was never in denial, did not get angry, or ask “why me?” I simply dealt with the cards I was given and fought for those that needed me.
I met the most amazing nurses, doctors, hospital staff, cancer patients, and survivors.
It’s for the friends I made that lost their battle that I Relay! It is for those battling now that I Relay! It is in celebration of my life and the life of my son Cole that I Relay! It is for HOPE, COURAGE, and DETERMINATION, that I Relay!
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Who ya gonna call?Letter to the Editor"Communication is the key to success " and when it comes to working together our citizens have shown a willingness to be part of that process. An open line of communication between our citizens and our staff is vitally important. Many crimes each year are solved by concerned people who take the time to call law enforcement when they see something that doesn't seem right. You can make the call and we will investigate it as it is our job and we take it very seriously. At times, the activity you noticed may be legitimate and times when it may not. However, we would like people to understand that we are out in the community to serve you and a simple phone call may solve a rash of burglaries, thefts or an ongoing narcotics investigation or other crimes. For emergencies, 911 is the number to use and the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office number non-emergencies, (218) 829-4749 or contact your local law enforcement agency."If it doesn't look right; there may, in fact, be something wrong ." What should you do when something doesn't look or feel right in your neighborhood? Who should you call? What should you say to the person who answers the phone? When you call, provide us with as much information as possible. You will be asked your name, phone number in case we need to contact you for additional information. Be prepared to provide information regarding who, what, why, when, where and how of the event. Provide as many specifics as you can about the person(s) involved, the clothing worn, the vehicle used, and a description of any unique or unusual behavior you may observe. The information you provide us may be just what we need to prevent ongoing criminal activity or to solve a crime that happened in the past.Please remember that we are here to address your concerns and help in any way we can. By continuing to work together as a team we can do great things.Sheriff Todd DahlCrow Wing County Sheriff's Officetodd.dahl@co.crow-wing.mn.us |
ATV TrailsLetter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Several local city councils have recently endorsed an ATV route through their towns. The assumption that such a route would be of economic benefit to society is mistaken. Here’s why:
ATV promoters like to pretend that their activities are only of benefit to society, but that is only a small part of the story. All human activities involve unintended consequences (side affects) and ATVs are no different.
ATV side affects? Deaths, injuries, vandalism of public and private property, lawlessness, trespass, drunken driving, enforcement, litigation, rescue services, ecological destruction, spread of noxious or invasive plants, erosion, pollution, back country littering, the health costs of obesity, harm to wildlife, noise, annoyance, etc. All incur costs to society and are some of the rest of the story: Is it worth it?
The above side affects represent social costs, ie. Costs paid for by society. Economists call them externalities. An externality is a social cost that is not considered in the price of a private transaction. Thus these costs are not paid by the ATV industry, and hence the ATV fraternity has no reason to be concerned about them.
Our society has a penchant for emphasizing the beneficial side of our activities and ignoring the detrimental side. But the negative side imposes undisclosed costs and these hidden costs must still be paid. In the case of ATVs, guess who pays these costs? You guessed it, the non-ATV riding public.
The tacit assumption that ATVs are of economic benefit to society is a delusion, one that needs to be acknowledged and publicized so that the public knows and understands that this activity does not pay for itself but is being subsidized, unknown to them, by society.
Society needs to have this information so that it can have the opportunity to decide whether or not society wants to continue to support the ATV industry and fraternity. The local cities and the county may find that once this information has been made public that community support will evaporate. Further, if ATV riders were required to pay the full costs of their activity, few would be able to participate.
The reality is that the undisclosed costs of ATVs to society are greater than the benefits. Nor can socalled responsible riders claim immunity from the hidden costs imposed by ATVs. Their “dirty little secret” is that ATVs are a losing game.
But don’t take my word for it. Ask an impartial economist, one familiar with external social costs. Then the local city councilors and the county commissioners too, can ask, is it worth it?
These governmental bodies may want to reconsider their support for a local and/or county ATV trail. It’s not too late for them to change their minds.
Paul W. Lukens
Deerwood, MN
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Oil: blessing or tyranny?Letter to the Editor
Since President Nixon launched Project Independence to liberate us from foreign oil imports, most American Presidents have proclaimed our need for energy independence. President George W. Bush sharpened the tone when he said in his 2006 State of the Union address that we were “addicted to oil”. Democrat Nancy Pelosi responded with optimism when she said, “ With confidence in American ingenuity and high faith in our future, we Democrats declare America’s independence from foreign oil.” In a recent speech at the Department of Energy, President Obama added to the attack when he said that his support for non fossil energy would “begin to end the tyranny of oil in our time.”
All this dire rhetoric brings to mind Patrick Henry’s response to the tyranny of England’s King George III when he said, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Are we really in the grasp of a tyrannical petroleum monster from which only a revolution will free us?
Actually, we are no more addicted to oil than we are to the liberty of movement oil and its products give us, to the grains we eat, or to the many useful products of the oil refining process like plastics, building materials, fertilizers, and medicines.
Oil is our most useful and energy dense biofuel, resulting from the slow cooking of countless tons of algae in nature’s subterranean ovens. Our use of oil products is not from some harmful addiction, but because oil and associated natural gases have benefits of cost and form over other options. To ignore their potential by excessively subsidizing non fossil uneconomic “alternatives” can impose harmful economic and environmental costs. The Mississippi River does not need the massive amounts of nitrogen released as we triple the production of corn based ethanol mandated by legislative decree.
The demand for corn and soybeans to make ethanol and biodiesel has caused planted acreage for those crops in the U.S. to increase by 12 million acres from 2006 to 2008. Ten million of those newly fertilized acres came from conservation and pasture lands. This experience is being repeated throughout the world, resulting in coastal dead zones(hypoxia) as phosphorous and nitrogen from fertilizer enter rivers and nourish algae growth. As the algae decay, they rob the water of oxygen (hypoxia), making it uninhabitable for fish. This causes so-called “dead zones” in fresh water and at the ocean mouths of many of the world’s rivers.
We are currently producing about 9 billion gallons of ethanol per year, nearly all of it in the Mississippi River Basin. The energy gain from ethanol is small at best because of the fossil fuel inputs needed to grow and process the corn. The federal mandate calls for a steady increase to 36 billion gallons by 2022. A joint study from the Universities of Sao Paulo, Arkansas, and Cornell states, “that continuing the current direction in biofuel production, particularly with the focus remaining on grain and sugar crops as primary feed stocks, has serious implications for coastal water quality, and it will almost certainly worsen already serious hypoxic conditions in many locations around the world.”
In adding to a river’s natural content, we tamper with Mother Nature, an activity that has uncertain consequences, often unattractive. Alternatives to fossil fuels should develop in a logical way, with government support of technology development without imposing the tyranny of excessive costs and premature mandated usage.
Rolf E. Westgard
Deerwood, MN
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Phrased or MisspeakLetter to the Editor
Sonia Sotomayor has been nominated as the next appointee to the US Supreme Court. High level Republicans (not local) have protested her nomination based on a comment she made in a speech about 8 years ago. It basically posed the question whether a woman, Latino, with the various experiences she's had, would see the world a little differently than a white male, whose privileges in our society didn't give him the same experiences.
Ms. Sotomayor was addressing a particular audience - had she been speaking to a different group, her comments likely would've been framed a little differently. Depending on the listener, we all do this. A plumber or doctor will speak in different terms when speaking to another professional than when speaking to one of us.
Also, in hindsight, I doubt if there is one single Republican (or anyone, for that matter!) who wouldn't have phrased something differently over the past 8 years, or recalled something if possible. All of us misspeak from time to time.
While I was thinking about this, an evangelist was speaking on television, searching for biblical justification for a particular position he held. I found his logic to be quite a stretch, from the words he referenced in the bible, to the position he was promoting.
It occurred to me - how often did the writers of the pieces contained in the bible misspeak? (And how often, centuries later, in a different time and context, do we misinterpret their writings?) I've been taught that the writers of the bible were divinely inspired, but they were also human, subject to the same mistakes as Ms. Sotomayor.
When I learned, years after my early training in the Christian faith, that the bible was compiled by men, some centuries after Jesus, and that various writings were voted upon - for inclusion, or dismissal, from the bible, I realized we cannot take as absolutes what is contained within it. For two equally borderline writings, one may have been included by only one vote, and the other dismissed by only one vote. And, the writer may have misspoken.
A. Martin
Merrifield, MN
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