North Shore News Hour

After 16 years as director of Great Expectations School, Peter James will be retiring at the end of June. During the month of June, he has been meeting with the new GES director, Rachael Lehman, who has visited the school numerous times.

Lehman comes to Grand Marais and GES from Eveleth, Minnesota, although she is originally from Wisconsin. She earned her educational leadership and administration degree from St. Cloud State. She has worked as a student services coordinator at the Cass Lake-Bena Schools; as principal at Northeast Range; and as principal at the Northland Learning Center.

Lehman’s official start date as director is not until July 1, but she has been busy learning all she can about her new role.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence met Lehman at Great Expectations School to get to know the new director. Here’s their conversation.
 

If you type “housing” in the search bar on the WTIP website, hundreds of archived stories will pop up. Housing has been a topic of discussion in board meetings of every branch of local government for decades. It seems we all know someone who wants to live and work in Cook County, but can’t find a home.

As government entities consider ways to help create housing—through zoning changes, possible tax breaks for developers, and the establishment of a Housing Redevelopment Authority—there are small projects happening now.

Some community members have seen the need for housing and have done something about it. WTIP is reaching out to some of these builders and developers to learn more about some small projects that have been done.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence asks for their definition of affordability. What are the obstacles to building housing? What has been helpful?

Once a week we’ll share what we’ve learned. See the previous interview here: Working to build workforce housing: Matt Groth of Grand Marais Construction

Here’s the second in this series featuring Pete James of Grand Marais, with information on the conversion of a motel to a three-unit apartment building.   
 

 The Cook County Pride Committee held a celebration in Grand Marais on Saturday, June 26, inviting the community to “Celebrate in Solidarity.”

Cook County Pride Committee member Lindsey Gau was thrilled to welcome a record crowd of about 150 people to Harbor Park in downtown Grand Marais but had a special message as the event got underway. Lindsey reminded the crowd that this event was being held on lands that once belonged to the Anishinaabe.

There was music. Ann Russ started things off on guitar with We Are Going to Change the World, with some modified lyrics on which the crowd sang along. Musician Ben Nichols sang four meaningful songs-Show Me Love by Robyn, Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and Garfunkel, Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield, and Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga.

Several community members came forward, with speaker Mary Lou Fellows reminding all of the struggles against government indifference during the AIDS epidemic and asked all to continue to work toward equity in health care. She also stressed the importance of being there for the youths in our community.

Ellen Seltz spoke and although she was wearing a fun and funky Pride vest, said she had only participated in one other Pride event, the boisterous affair in the Twin Cities. She spoke of not “fitting in” and of the complexities of being a member of the Pride community.  She asked some very thought-provoking questions of the crowd of LGBTQ+ people and allies.

Another speaker, Matthew Baxley also encouraged everyone to question—and to listen. And, for this day, to celebrate.

There was music from Ben Nichols and some high-energy, joyful dancing with a group led by Angel Kelly.

That was followed by a march down Wisconsin Street, up Broadway Avenue, and back to Harbor Park, a long troupe of people bearing rainbow flags and banners with messages of Pride.

Back at Harbor Park, there was another song by Ben Nichols, a beautiful rendition of Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory.

That was the end of the official activities, but music and sharing continued for a while. It was noted that the Cook County Pride Committee would like more members. Anyone with questions, as well as those hoping to organize next year’s expanded events, are encouraged to contact Nora Huxtable at [email protected].

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence was at the 2021 PRIDE Rally & March.  She shares this report.
 

After each meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, WTIP reaches out to a commissioner or staff member to learn more about actions taken at the meeting. The county board met on Tuesday, June 22 and WTIP checked in with Cook County Administrator James Joerke.

The meeting, like so many others, was held via Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Administrator Joerke was in the commissioner’s room in the courthouse just in case a citizen wanted to join the meeting in person. The courthouse opened to the public on June 1.

The topic that took up the majority of the meeting was the discussion of two dog mushing kennels in the County Road 14 area of Grand Marais.

The county board ultimately recommended approval of permits but not before consideration of neighborhood concerns and lengthy discussion.

The first permit considered was a refresher of sorts. A conditional use permit request from Jacob Leingang, who wants to begin a new mushing career was before the county board in May. The planning commission had recommended approval for his 25-dog kennel on a 7.5-acre lot on Frank’s Way, off of County Road 14.  At that time, commissioners felt they needed more information and sent the CUP back to the Cook County Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission itself had a lengthy discussion but finally decided to stand by its recommendation for approval. County board members said they shared concerns that have been expressed about the size of the lot and the ability to meet setback requirements, about noise and animal waste. However, it was also noted that Leingang’s request met the criteria for conditional use under the current kennel ordinance.
It was also noted that the two-year, 25-dog permit was viewed as a “middle ground” compromise by the planning commission from the original 45-dog request. Land Services and Planning & Zoning Administrator Bill Lane said the planning commission approval of the permit was a challenge of sorts to Leingang to demonstrate he can meet permit conditions in this residential area. See the planning commission report on Leingang’s request here. 

After a lengthy discussion, the county board voted to approve an interim use permit by a 3-2 vote. Voting yes were commissioners Bob Svalson, Staci Hawkins, and Ann Sullivan. Casting no votes were Ginny Storlie and Dave Mills. 

A second request for a conditional use permit for a dog kennel came from Erin Altemus and Matthew Schmidt, who have had a kennel up the Gunflint Trail near Mush Lake. Altemus and Schmidt requested a CUP for a 45-dog kennel on 9.92 acres on County Road 14. They plan to live at the kennel. See the conditional use permit and other information here.

The planning & zoning packet reported that 12 letters of notification were sent to nearby property owners and four letters in support of the CUP were received, with three opposed. The letters were similar to those received regarding the Leingang property. Those in support of the CUP talked about the tradition of mushing in the community and about the history of the property itself, which was used for a dog kennel operation Supporters said they believed Altemus and Schmidt would be responsible kennel operators. The letters in opposition expressed concern about the noise of a large outdoor kennel and about the treatment of waste from so many dogs on waterways in the area.

After significant discussion, the county board finally voted to approve the Altemus/Schmidt conditional use permit on a 4 to 1 vote, with Commissioner Ginny Storlie casting the lone no vote. 

Before the approvals were given though, there was a very lengthy discussion of whether there should be a “pause” as County Board Chair Dave Mills described it. He noted that the last kennel ordinance revision was in 2009. Commissioner Ann Sullivan agreed, adding that not only the neighborhood where these kennels are being operated has changed, but there is better science now. She said she would like to see the kennel ordinance include requirements for testing of water runoff and area wells. The board considered setting a moratorium on all kennels but decided instead to approve the current requests but to revisit the ordinance later. 

The current Cook County ordinance pertaining to dog kennels, can be seen here. 

In the meantime, both kennel owners will be able to develop their land to operate dog kennels. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with County Administrator James Joerke about all this, as well as other items on the county board agenda, such as the county’s economic development tax abatement policy, about the county’s planning for spending of approximately $1.6 million American Rescue Funds, and the retirement announcement from Information Systems Director Rena Rogers. 

Here’s their conversation. 

**This article has been corrected to accurately report the vote on the interim use permit for Jacob Leingang. Commissioner Ann Sullivan cast a yes vote and Commissioner Dave Mills voted no. WTIP apologizes for the error. **

WTIP likes to share news of local businesses -- new enterprises, new owners, milestone achievements. In this interview, we’ll hear the story of the launch of a new business that started with a home maintenance question.

Here’s WTIP’s Rhonda Silence with James Hammer of Hammer Chimney Sweep.

If you know of North Shore business owners who should be featured, give us a call at 218-387-1070 or email: [email protected]. WTIP would love to tell their story!
 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently announced that the Cook County Highway Department will be receiving funds from the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP). MnDOT awarded $75 million in funding to seventy-five projects in the state and Cook County was one recipient.

Cook County will be receiving $835,000 for construction work on 5th Avenue West, or County Road 15. This money will go toward the project that the county has been saving for. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

Projects were selected through a competitive solicitation process that started on Dec. 2, 2020. The agency received 425 applications worth $344 million in funding requests. The LRIP Advisory Committee used specific criteria, including the regional significance of the route and effectiveness of the project eliminating transportation system deficiencies, to determine funding recipients.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass about that funding, as well as to get an update on summer projects for the highway department—including the application of calcium chloride.
 

The Cook County Historical Society has been expanding its offerings in recent years, with the acquisition of the Bally Blacksmith Shop and plans for an archival storage building. The society is seeking bonding for that storage facility, as well as increased support from Cook County.

The historical society was on the agenda at this month’s Committee of the Whole meeting of the Cook County Commissioners on June 15. There, they explained their request for support from the county.

The historical society first shared information on its work to obtain state bonding funds to help construct an archival storage facility and for capital improvements of the historical sites it manages.

The Historical Society also asked the county board to consider an increase in its budget, from $68,000 in the past two years to $100,000 for two years, with a 2 percent increase each biennium.

 The county will be considering these requests as it moves ahead with budget planning.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence learns more about the historical society’s goals--and about its "Coffee with Mildred" initiative--in this interview with Cook County Historical Society President Marja Erickson. 
 

People visiting the Hovland Woods Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) in Hovland may be surprised to see someone in a flower-filled field waving an insect net. Visitors also may see some curious white stakes along the trail. What is it all about?

A sign at the SNA directs curious visitors to contact Nicole Gerjets, the Bee Specialist/Project Manager for the Minnesota Biological Survey to learn more. WTIP's Rhonda Silence did just that and learned that this statewide project has been taking place since 2012, with assistance from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund since 2015.

See the Bee Survey handout which explains more about the project and includes a map of the locations where bee surveys have been completed. The goal of the survey is to log the diversity of wild bees in all areas of the state.

Gerjets explains that 450 species of bees have been found across the state so far. This summer’s work in the Hovland area is the first in Cook County. Gerjets says the Minnesota Biological Survey is excited for this opportunity to learn what species are here in the Hovland area. 

Listen to the interview to learn more about the methods of capturing bees, about what happens to data collected by the Minnesota Biological Survey--and about what it takes to become a bee specialist. 
 

In the last year the School District 166 school board has made a concerted effort to include a report from the Local Indian Education Committee (LIEC) on its agenda, in part at the request of the LIEC parent committee members.

Hear from LIEC members Anna Deschampe and Erik Redix,  in this WTIP interview: Learning more about the work of the local Indian education committee.

School Board Member Deb White, who serves School District 1, the Colvill, Hovland, and Grand Portage area, is a longtime member of the LIEC. She notes that in years past the conversation between School District 166 and the Grand Portage community was fairly one-sided, with the school directing the conversation. White tells WTIP she is pleased with the energy and enthusiasm of the parents on the current LIEC board. She says that although there is still work to be done, communication has improved.  

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with School District 166 Board Member Deb White about the purpose and history of the Local Indian Education Committee, as well as its work in the school.

Here’s their conversation.