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Mary and I traveled south last weekend for two reasons. We went to Treasure Island for an ATV Minnesota meeting and then went to the Cities for a pair of high school hockey games.
The Legislative Summit is an annual event held to pitch policy and funding proposals. The Prospector ATV Club sent a couple of pitches up to bat.
The first was to change the law to allow ATVs on state highways that run through cities and towns. Ely isn’t the only place where you can’t drive your ATV on the main drag.
There are cities throughout the state where this is a problem and it’s one that can be fixed. This would help businesses located on those roads as well as people trying to get to them.
While fairly well received, the policy change wasn’t given a top rating, mainly because of the difficulty in getting it passed in St. Paul. Still, there’s hope.

District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the brief warmer weather brought out a good deal of snowmobile and angling activity. Fishing reports from the BWCAW were fair to good, although travel was difficult due to flowing water. Violations included failure to display snowmobile registration and operating an unregistered snowmobile.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) reports snowmobile trail conditions improved but on the lake it’s a little bumpy. Fishing was slow this past week and a little slush showed up after the snow. Velsvaag took several calls on trapping and northern pike regulations.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers on remote lakes in the BWCAW and patrolled snowmobile trails. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations.

Study Session
December 6, 2021
(Board approved 1/10/2022)

1.0 The study session of the School Board of Independent School District No. 696 was called to order in the Board Meeting Room by Chairman Marsnik at 6:00 p.m.
2.0 On roll call the following directors were present: Colarich, Coombe, Marsnik, Omerza, Visser. Absent: Sjoberg. Also present: Megan Anderson; Tom Coombe, Ely Echo; Keith Vandervort, Timberjay.
3.0 21st Century Learning Facility Project update was given by Superintendent Erie.
4.0 There was an update and discussion on the Ely Public Schools 2021-2022 Safe Learning Reopening Plan revisions.
5.00 Moved by Visser, seconded by Colarich, to adjourn at 6:53 p.m. Motion carried. (Vote: 5-0)

Rochelle Sjoberg, Clerk

Ely Echo 01/15/2022

Special Meeting
December 23, 2021
(Board approved 1/10/2022)

1.0 The study session of the School Board of Independent School District No. 696 was called to order in the Board Meeting Room by Chairman Marsnik at 8:06 p.m.
2.0 On roll call the following directors were present: Colarich, Coombe, Marsnik, Omerza, Visser. Absent: Sjoberg. Also present: Tom Coombe, Ely Echo; Anne Oelke; Megan Anderson; Tim Leeson.
3.0 Interviewed John Klarich for the interim superintendent position.
4.0 Discussed the information from the interview.
5.0 Discussion and decide the steps necessary for the rest of the hiring process.
6.0 Moved by Colarich, seconded by Visser, to hire John Klarich for the interim superintendent position and to begin contract negotiations. Motion carried. (Vote: 5-0)
4.0 Moved by Visser, seconded by Colarich, to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. Motion carried. (Vote: 5-0)

Rochelle Sjoberg, Clerk

School Board Meeting Minutes
December 13, 2021
(Board approved 1/10/2022)

Linda Fryer, 72 of Ely, passed away on Thursday, January13, 2022 at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.

Long time Ely resident and retired Chamber of Commerce Administrative Director Linda Fryer’s impact on her family and community didn’t come to an end with her death. Linda passed away in Duluth, Minnesota on January 13, 2022 at the age of 72 while surrounded by family and friends who had come from all over the country to be by her side and honor her legacy.

Linda was born on February 28, 1949 to Gordon and Dorothy (Wooten) Fryer in Augusta, GA. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Indiana State and master’s degree from Indiana University, she taught physical education in Indiana before visiting, falling in love with, and eventually moving to Ely.

Sarah Allison (Rayman) Kingston, 66, of Ely, MN, passed away peacefully Friday, December 3rd, 2021, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, at the Solvay Hospice House, Duluth, MN.
Sarah was born March 28th, 1955 in Austin, MN to Dr. Frederick and Jaqueline (Callies) Rayman Jr. After graduating from Austin High School, Sarah earned her BA Degree from St. Cloud State University and later earned her Master’s Degree from Regis University.

Mark E. Miklaucic, 61, of Ely, passed away at on Saturday, January, 8th, 2022.
Mark past away peacefully and was lifted to Heaven after a long battle with colon cancer.
Mark was born in Ely and was a lifelong resident. He was a graduate of Ely Memorial High in 1978. Mark also attended Dakota Technical truck driving school and became a long haul driver and traveled the U.S. just as he wanted to do. He then moved on to Alexandria Technical College where he graduated with high honors in avionics.
Mico then started his career as the mild mannered cable technician for Ely and the surrounding area for 20+ years. He also worked at Fortune Bay as a camera technician.
Mico loved spending time with his dear friends - camping, fishing, watching the Vikes, Twins, NASCAR, or just chillin. He also adored his dogs Sam, Jasper, and Coco over the years.
Preceded in death by his parents Elizabeth and Edward Miklaucic. Mark is survived by one brother Jim.

Anne Marie Levar (Shober) born May 24th, 1931 died January 8th 2022. She was born in Leadville, Colorado. She came to Ely, MN in 1954 where she worked at Sterbenks Cafe. She met her husband Adolph at Sterbenks Cafe, and they married in 1956.
Throughout Anne’s life she loved to gather people together, crochet, have polka parties with friends and family. She took joy in caring for so many children in Ely that she was Mother of the Year.
There was always an abundance of love family and friends at Anne’s home. She went above and beyond duty as Mother, Grandmother and friend.
Anne loved to bake cookies with her granddaughter and spent a lot of time in the kitchen frying fish that her and her family caught from the many days they spent fishing together. Anne loved to play cards at her cabin. She was a proud member of the Slovenian Union and loved the Zarja magazine.

A 20-year ban on mineral leasing will be the topic Wednesday in the first of three online public meetings held by the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service.
If approved the feds would withdraw 225,378 acres on the Superior National Forest from mineral exploration and mining development – proposals that could cripple the future economies and communities of northeast Minnesota.
Make no doubt about it, this is to kill projects like Twin Metals Minnesota is proposing and make sure there are no other projects or even exploration activities. It’s a harsh, draconian move that is only being considered because of who sits in the Oval Office.
A 90-day public comment period will end on Jan. 19. Those comments will be used as part of the the USFS environmental assessment.
Virtual public meetings will be held via Zoom on:
• Wednesday, January 12, 1-4 p.m.
• Saturday, January 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.