Commission criticized for goal priorities

IRONWOOD — Goals for 2018 approved by the Ironwood City Commission on Monday drew heat from a city resident.

Paul Grbavcich, of Leonard Street, said he couldn’t believe the commission would list a commercial blight fight as No. 1, when tackling the opioid problem in the city was only rated No. 5.

Commissioners assigned the goals with point totals following a recent workshop, with eliminating commercial building blight through possible demolitions scoring 10 points, while increasing drug enforcement efforts only received seven points.

“Drug enforcement should be No. 1. Clean this town up,” Grbavcich urged.

Commissioners later responded by saying the order of listing the goals wasn’t as important as simply getting them included as items to be addressed.

City manager Scott Erickson said listing the goals is the first step in the budget process.

Tied for second on the list were keeping the downtown revitalization effort moving forward, increasing safety in public parks and adding entrance signs on U.S. 2.

Adopting a sidewalk policy was listed as the sixth item on the priority list, followed by reviewing traffic control at some intersections throughout the city where there have been complaints about speeding and safety.