Opinions/Editorials

Dear Editor:
Reading the article in the June 27 Echo about the House Mining Committee is like a trip into a strange land where down is up, black is white, fiction is fact, and, maybe, the water in Birch Lake flows uphill. Northeastern Minnesota is an interesting place.

To the Editor:
The economic illiterates promoting mining for economic development should check out some of the Wikipedia pages on copper mining. The page “Copper mining in the United States” lists Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Montana as the top copper producing states. A little research reveals that each one of those states has a lower per capita personal income than Minnesota. We can debate the reasons for the failure of copper mining to produce prosperity but the numbers are what they are.
The June 27 Ely Echo article about Representative Hackbarth’s Mining and Outdoor Recreation committee presented another public relations talking point from mining promoters that is getting a little tiresome. Once again, we read an objection to use of the term, sulfide mining.

Listening to a presentation on mining at the Twin Metals Minnesota headquarters in Ely Thursday afternoon were four members of the Minnesota House of Representatives. From what we could tell, this was just preaching to the choir.
The four are Republicans from a variety of locations throughout the state - from a farmer near Crookston to a businessman near Wayzata.
They were in the heart of DFL country to find out more about mining projects. Their comments were all positive in regard to the Twin Metals project and mining in general.
This is a new committee, the House Committee on Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy. We have committee members from our neck of the woods including David Dill, Carly Melin and Jason Metsa, all DFLers and all very supportive of mining projects.

The ribbon cutting held June 12 was a historic day for the City of Ely. For the first time, the Ely City Hall now has handicap accessibility in the form of a new elevator.
But that’s not the only improvement that was made as part of a better than $3 million project.
First up was the new library that was opened last fall and continues to get rave reviews from those who visit or even drive by.
Next up were long overdue renovations to City Hall. At the core of that project was the new elevator and an addition to the east side of the building.
Gone are the jail cells, no longer needed here due to changes in how law enforcement operates. Instead the police department now has more spacious quarters including a locker room, separate interview room and a larger office space.

We’re encouraged by the results of a survey on the proposed Ely Area Recreation Complex. This is an important step toward our community gaining a very important asset that will improve the quality of life here.
A total of 494 surveys were returned last winter, showing how much people are interested in this project.
That’s really what this is, a project. And like any major project there are numerous hurdles to get over along the way. What we like is the method being used.
Step one should always be need. Is there a need for the project? If yes, continue to step two. If no, stop. There is no need looking at funding mechanisms and ongoing costs if there isn’t a need in the first place.

Our neighbors to the west did a nice job of hosting the opener for the governor and other dignitaries. Tower isn’t the biggest community but with the help of Fortune Bay and some good fishing on Vermilion, the event was a success.
The Governor’s Fishing Opener puts a bright media spotlight on the kickoff to the summer tourism season. Friday morning at Fortune Bay there were 19 live radio broadcasts taking place in the ballroom. The number of media folks was impressive.
That afternoon the governor and others travelled out to the new state park on Lake Vermilion to hold a groundbreaking also known as a media event.
On hand were Governor Mark Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt, former Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty, Congressman Rick Nolan, Bois Forte Tribal Council Chair Kevin Leecy and a multitude of DNR employees.

by Joe Baltich Jr., Ely resort owner
Sometime around 1978 when they put the BWCA law in place, the State of Minnesota, the Sierra Club and the mining industry got together to draft a new set of mining rules regulating the installation of mines to further protect the BWCA.
They drafted a law that was so restrictive toward building any new mine, with a long list of criteria that said what a new mine would have to meet in order to get the final permit of approval from the state.
The mining industry, knowing that fighting the Sierra Club and their usual lying propaganda was expensive and pointless, acquiesced to the long list of requirements for new mine development, resolving to live with the present day operations and do the best they could with that.

Ely’s city council is on the verge of taking a bad situation and making it worse. Much, much worse.
Sometime soon, perhaps Tuesday, council members could take the almost incomprehensible step of increasing building permit fees in Ely.
Even in the wake of calls at the council table that fees should be lowered, a proposal to increase most fees has come forward.
Even after revelations that the city paid a $128,000 tab for building official services last year, for a position that averaged 32 hours per week, council members are considering a plan that could increase those costs.
Late in the week, just as the Echo was going to press, some common sense emerged when mayor Chuck Novak said publicly he’d oppose increasing permit fees.
He joins Paul Kess and Al Forsman, two council members who have championed the issue, taken a leadership role and have clearly looked out for Ely residents.

by Steve Simon
Spring is now upon us, and that means it’s time for some spring cleaning. It’s a good habit that many of us practice.
Spring is also the time Minnesota legislators make decisions about our future, so it’s a good time to talk about good habits.
We have a great opportunity this year in Minnesota to increase civic participation among young people and instill in the next generation of Minnesotans the values that have made our state a role model for the nation.
The Minnesota legislature is currently considering a bill that would allow 16 and 17-year-olds the ability to pre-register to vote, so when they turn 18 they are automatically registered.
It’s about getting good habits started early, and encouraging young people to think of themselves as both civically engaged and as voters before they turn 18.
Seems promising, right? It is, and I strongly urge the Minnesota legislature to pass pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds.