Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 221
To the Editor: I am writing in response to the March 27 article that reported on the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners action to increase the salary of elected and appointed County officials by $750. The increase amounts to $.50 per hour when compared to the hours other county employees work each year. I find this decision concerning in light of the position the board took this past December when they asked the non-elected and appointed represented employees to accept a wage freeze for 2014, citing a dwindling fund balance, reductions in... Full story
To the Editor: Regarding your headline and news story in the Saturday, March 22, edition: “Poll: 81 percent of Iron County supports mine.” Really? A poll done by a partisan Republican strategy group? Seeing as the Republicans in the Wisconsin state legislature and Gov. Scott Walker are all in on Gogebic Taconite’s mine, is the Tarrance Group impartial enough to do polling on this matter? You do not disclose what the question format was, which of course makes all the difference in any poll. The Daily Globe ran a story in September 2013 about... Full story
To the Editor: Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion in the upcoming Iron County Board of Supervisors election. Although this is my first time running for any public office, as a concerned citizen of Iron County and a Hurley resident for 25 years, I have much to offer. As an anti-mine candidate, I feel that our county board needs a supervisor that opposes this proposed mine. The balance between tough decisions on the mine that will ultimately make an impact on our community needs to be addressed. The seriousness behind these... Full story
To the Editor: To me, it was a no-brainer in the early 1980s to opt for hitchhiking. My 1970 vehicle was good for only 12 miles to the gallon, highway mileage. Previous bus rides to and from Detroit, with all their stops, had been done to more than my fill. Air travel would have been great, but would have cut into the compensation money I was receiving when the company I worked for had gone out of business. In parts of 1982 and 1983, looking for a job, I had thumbed a total of more than 8,000 miles, consisting of at least 100 rides — eight f... Full story
To the Editor: About 10 years ago, I was searching for people interested in putting up informational signs at historic mine shafts and headframes in Ironwood. I found people with this same goal when the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park was formed. As a member of this wonderful group, I give my views on signage and help preserve the rich history the mines played in the development of Ironwood and the Gogebic Range. As the elected historian for the FMMHP, I work with people who share my interests and dedication, and we work together... Full story
To the Editor: Our Iron County Board overwhelmingly approves committee recommendations with little discussion of the full board. While it makes meetings quick and easy, some necessary questions are not being handled properly. The board admits to not reading or knowing what they were signing with the lease for Gogebic Taconite. I was at the yearly budget meeting, which lasted less than 20 minutes, accepted with very few questions. At the candidates’ forum in Hurley, my representative said he likes having the work done in committees because he d... Full story
To the Editor: My brother’s wife is enduring the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and he is suffering in his own way along with her. How he has managed his time as a caregiver is almost beyond comprehension. His patience, often tried, requires a supreme effort in order to deal with someone he loves, who once returned that love, but now is a stranger living in their home. She is sometimes grateful, more often spiteful, and on occasion prone to violence. As a matter of convenience, let’s call my sister-in-law Karen. Karen came into our famil... Full story
To the Editor: I’m a member of the Bessemer Area School Board. I proudly support consolidation with the Wakefield-Marenisco School District. Consolidation means greater opportunity for all of our students. Many people want it. Bessemer’s school board doesn’t. They have another agenda. Bessemer’s school board wants taxpayer approval of a highly questionable bond proposal. Taxpayers don’t want it. We can’t afford it. Voters said no last year, loud and clear. Bessemer’s school board wasn’t listening. State transition funds are available if consoli... Full story
To the Editor: All of us in Bessemer are confident and proud that our schools rank among the region’s best. That’s quite a testament to the teachers and parents that make education such a high priority for our students. But the job of educating our kids becomes more difficult every year. Our two schools have old and very inefficient mechanical and lighting systems and building controls, roofs and windows that have become excessively expensive to continue repairing. They are wasting energy and money that could be used to help educate our stu... Full story
To the Editor: America’s government, over 200 years now, has outlasted all others because it is based on the power of the individual through the voting system and the Constitution. The foundation serves us well when we adhere to it. Other countries have tried to bring America down to their level of life. Now we have tyranny within our federal government ignoring our Constitutional laws and the abuse of power with a new form of a lawless government. We have fallen into the trap set before us in that of giving access of our personal everything w... Full story
To the Editor: This is in response to the letter to the editor published on Tuesday, Feb. 18, about the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce missing the Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus. The Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce is proud of the Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus and the crew that supports it. Unfortunately, we aren’t in a position to give money to organizations and events due to insufficient funds. We would have been happy to attend and pass out information on Ironwood, but we would have needed to become a financial sponsor in order to do so. W... Full story
To the Editor: In response to the Wisconsin State Journal editorial published in the Daily Globe on Feb. 21, regarding “Europe should drop cheesy demand.” It is not about mozzarella cheese curds, it is about socialistic globalization and one world government. It is about the U.S. giving away our hard-earned independence. The U.S. never comes out ahead on any of these free trade agreements. In my opinion, the two Bushes, Clinton and now Obama have done their best to give America away. Wake up, America. The sacrifices of many who fought for our... Full story
To the Editor: In response to a letter to the editor dated Feb. 27: The meals provided by the Aging Unit of Iron County’s nutrition program are funded in part by Title III-C of the federal Older Americans Act. Since enactment in 1965, the Older Americans Act has emphasized dignity of older persons by requiring that older persons be allowed to contribute towards the planning and administering of aging programs, as well as the cost of services. Each provider of Older Americans Act services shall provide each older person with an opportunity to v... Full story
To the Editor: I would like to thank the city crew and staff of the city of Ironwood for the good job they are doing with thawing frozen water lines and fighting the snow and ice. With our crazy snowstorms and freezing temperatures, it has been a battle. Everyone at the city has pitched in, changing their normal jobs and helping the residents that have been without water. Many people complain about what is going on with the snow and water problems, but I would like to thank the city employees for their efforts and for working long hours with... Full story
To the Editor: I attended the Feb. 20 board meeting of the Aging Unit of Iron County. Speaking as one who was raised in Hurley and moved to Mercer, Wis., in 1957 — and worked closely with the Aging Unit years ago — I could not believe what I saw and heard. To think anyone in their right mind would arbitrarily cut off meals in the dead of winter to an elderly disabled man living in poverty is beyond my comprehension. For the executive director of the Aging Unit to drop someone from the meals program without a careful evaluation of that per... Full story
To the Editor: The Gogebic-Iron County Airport Board recommends Air Choice One, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., over Great Lakes Airlines, which has also entered a bid, as the carrier for Ironwood under the Essential Air Service program. The board made their decision prior to holding an open public meeting on Feb. 13, where some air travelers said Air Choice One’s lack of a baggage-checking option with connecting flights is a deal breaker. We were told that such an agreement between Air Choice and full-service airlines was unlikely. With A... Full story
To the Editor: I find it interesting that the state government spent in excess of $200,000 to protect a farmer’s cattle from wolves. According to a January 2014 Associated Press news article, MLive.com said it made the estimate based on documents it reviewed. Much of the expense was in administrative time and field work, besides about $38,000 in cash for cattle-loss claims by Ontonagon County farmer John Koski and other assistance. Brian Roell of the Department of Natural Resources said “Koski has taken few, if any, steps to deal with los... Full story
To the Editor: During the so-called “polar vortex” of December, and the continuing brutality of the current season, I am reminded of an old friend of mine, a member of one of the nations within our nation. He once told me that his people never asked one “How old are you?,” but rather, “How many winters have you?” Having spent most of my winters in northern climes, I have come to value this time of year, not only as a character builder but a true test of my Scandinavian heritage. I grew up in Minnesota, where there was evidently no such thing... Full story
To the Editor: We who have lived here all of our lives have seen the huge iron ore stockpiles freshly hauled up from underground waiting to be moved out by railcar bound for the smelters. Left behind to this day are the immense waste rock piles. These ore and rock piles have been subjected to all types of weather systems and all drainage going to the nearest streams and into Lake Superior, about 15 miles to the north. In all the years of mining, this drainage hasn’t affected brook trout fishing on all the rivers flowing into Lake Superior. Broo... Full story
To the Editor: The week of Feb. 9-15 is designated National Salute to Veterans Week. The employees and volunteers at the Oscar G. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Medical Center and the Ironwood VA Outpatient Clinic salute America’s heroes — the nearly 20,000 men and women we proudly care for and serve, as well as more than 210 of our employees and 220 of our volunteers who served their country in the military. Men and women who have given more than most to protect and preserve all we hold dear as Americans. Next week, we join VA fac... Full story
To the Editor: Last week Adam Bump, of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, claimed 17 of the 23 wolves killed during last fall’s wolf hunt happened in places within known territories of packs repeatedly attacking livestock or pets and exhibiting fearless behavior around people. Once again, the DNR has stretched the facts. Data released this week in response to a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that no wolves were killed near either of the two farms in the U.P. with the greatest livestock losses to wolves. Most wolves k... Full story
To the Editor: It was a long time ago that former Ironwood Township clerk George Hakala stopped by my Section 12 home. After declining a cup of coffee, he got into his reason for stopping by. “Donald, your dad and two of your uncles have, at one time or another, served on the township board.” Looking into my eyes, he continued: “Would you consider running for the office of trustee? You would have a better than average chance of making it.” Without hesitation, I inquired, “Could I run as an independent?” He sternly stated, “No, it would have to... Full story
To the Editor: I have had the pleasure to attend many area events in the past few weeks. On behalf of all of the people who organize these events, I would like to give a huge shout out and thank you to each and every one of you that were involved in any way with the area’s events. I keep going back to this, but our area is like none other. We would be considered by other folks’ standards as small, rural communities. I have seen world-class events come to our backyard to play because of the dedication, determination, passion, strength, com... Full story
The Mercer Lioness community blood drive was held Tuesday, Jan. 7. There were 19 brave people that ventured out into the cold to donate blood. A milestone donor award was given to Janet Georgi for 11 gallons. Mercer Lioness members are grateful for the donors and volunteers who were involved in this drive, including Ann Bayer, Kathy Perko, LaRane Garrett, Barb Beschta, Lori Ackerman, Betty Meinholz and Dorothy Wahner. The next blood drive will be April 8. —Judy Bugni Blood drive coordinator... Full story
To the Editor: As citizen leaders, individual school board members face complex and demanding challenges. They are alternately described as having the most important volunteer jobs in the country and facing the toughest challenge in elected American government. Yet school board members are just ordinary citizens with extraordinary dedication to our nation’s public schools. All Michigan citizens should recognize the vital contributions of these men and women and the crucial role they play in the education of our children. Their job is to e... Full story
