A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
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Increasing the sales tax to fix the Pine Valley park and hockey shelters is not fair to everyone. It’s totally ridiculous. I, for one, have never used Pine Valley facilities, nor ever plan on it. To put more tax burdens on us who are already struggling is way out of line. You want the upkeep and maintenance, get it out of the people who use it — hockey players, skiers, etc. Charge for memberships at home hockey and skiing events, or any other event held there. I don’t consider saving Pine Valley facilities as an important issue, when there...
Pine Valley is the crown jewel of Cloquet’s parks. It is my most favorite park. I go skiing, running, and biking at the park. But it needs some loving support, which is why I support the 0.5% sales tax for Pine Valley and the accompanying 0.5% sales tax for the ice arena. As told to me, together they will not exceed 0.5% over 10 years or when their predetermined dollar amounts are reached, whichever is first — time or money. Many people from outside Cloquet come visit both Pine Valley park and the ice arena and spend money in Cloquet. The oth...
There’s a familiar phrase you hear often this time of year, right along with “Winter? Already?” and “What are you going to be for Halloween?” The one we are talking about is “I can’t wait until it’s all over.” Elections can be trying like that. There are the endless commercials and mailers, often negative, and the constant thrum of wondering just how the results will change things. Here at the Pine Knot, we’ve been proud to offer a voting guide that can help you make an informed choice. We are also thankful to readers who took the time to wr...
It’s when you vaguely realize that you’re dreaming that it gets the worst — when you recognize it’s your fault, that you gave birth to it/are presently birthing it, that somewhere in there, the horror show has your tattoo — the Sign of the Beast. Rosemary’s Baby. When enveloped in a typical nightmare, there’s a certain opaqueness to the reality, no lucidity at all — it’s So Real that the option of some alternative reality, sans horror, is simply not a piece of the puzzle. The horror simply tic...
When it is time for us to exercise our civic duty and vote each Election Day, we all need to take time to decide which candidates will receive our precious votes. It is our duty to gather accurate information, weigh that with our beliefs, and cast our votes. Sometimes we focus on a particular issue, because we want to vote only for someone who believes exactly as we believe. But when we send someone to the legislature, we need to remember that person has to work with all of the other legislators, and that every single issue is bound by difficul...
I am writing to urge voters to bring fresh energy to the Cloquet school board. A review of candidate profiles as published in the Pine Knot News reveals the three incumbents are many years beyond having their own children in our schools. The two challengers, on the other hand, have children in our schools and are also presidents of their respective schools’ parent organizations. They know the issues facing our children, teachers and parents because they are deeply immersed in the day-to-day life of our schools, and therefore are uniquely q...
The latest issue of The Electrical Worker, the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, is titled “The Year of the Union Worker — Extraordinary Legislative Victories to Create Union Jobs for Decades.” Within the main article are statements including the following: “Over the past 15 months, four of the IBEW’s highest political priorities became law, some after decades of fighting.” “Together, they are a blueprint to rebuild the nation and the middle class.” “Taken together, the Batch Lewis Act, The Inflation R...
I believe Roger Maki has given our city good leadership as mayor during his term. Roger came into the mayor’s office during a challenging time in our city government. He brought stability to our city council. He then had to be the leader during the very difficult time of the Covid pandemic. As leader, he had to make some unpopular choices in some people’s eyes, but he made them and we got through those many difficult months. I have known Roger Maki for many years. I know him to be fair, honest, and concerned for our city and our well-being. I a...
There seems to be a cancer consuming the taxpaying residents within the Wrenshall school district. In this writer’s opinion, it’s been caused by the current superintendent: with three failed referendums at more than $10,000 apiece, $35,800 and counting in attorney fees and debt estimated at close to $300,000. On a yearly budget of $6 million, 82.5 percent goes to payroll and benefits, according to school board members. We seem to be top heavy on employees in a school of 352 students? I attended an Education Minnesota candidate forum in the sch...
Last week, I read the Local Election Guide for 2022 from the Pine Knot News and was struck by a sense of flashback. I was amazed that Jeff Dotseth’s profile and approach to the questions posed were pretty much the same as the last two times that he lost his elections. Jeff’s main points are that he is not a Democrat and that all Democrats are the same and he is a Republican, and so he has a lock on what is best. Again, Jeff has offered no actual solutions, just the same whining about how he wants to be in charge. After all the things we hav...
This is a letter urging the citizens of Cloquet to re-elect Roger Maki for mayor of Cloquet on Nov. 8. Roger has been a close family friend for over 37 years and a previous employer of mine. He is very committed to our community of Cloquet and has always demonstrated integrity and a respectful attitude towards others. My family and I have entrusted Roger many times over the years and he’s never been anything but trustworthy and steadfast in his advice and support. I know he’s worked hard during his time as mayor to strengthen the rep...
Pete Radesovich has chosen the high road in his campaign efforts as well as relying on local volunteers and honest communication with voters. I applaud him for this. However, his opponent has opted to try to buy a seat in the legislature with outside influences and money. Have you questioned the source of unlimited funding for the avalanche of mail pieces promoting this candidate in the House 11A race for state representative? We should all be concerned that representation in St. Paul could be determined by the highest bidder. The tens of...
Since I live in Carlton, I cannot vote for Roger Maki. I certainly would vote for him if I could. I think Cloquet residents should consider his qualifications. He is honest, dependable and well-informed about all the needs of Cloquet. Roger was my broker for many years when I worked at Realty World. He was a very good broker, as he was fair, truthful and loyal to his clients and us. Roger Maki should remain the mayor since Cloquet needs a person of his integrity. Carole Balow, Carlton...
I would like to offer my full support for Roger Maki to serve as our mayor for the city of Cloquet. I have known Roger for over 40 years. First, as a neighbor, then as a Realtor, and later we worked together when I was employed as chief of police and Roger was a member of the city council. I first met Roger while living just a few doors down from his family. Roger was a great neighbor and we have remained friends. Roger has a successful real estate career and was the person we trusted to help us purchase our homes. Roger has used his business...
For 50 years, I have been vegetable gardening on the same plot. My grandfather had brought Danish practices and preferences to his garden. Long widowed from my grandmother’s ovarian cancer, he was delighted to have my help. He patiently answered my questions. We cooked together. Years later, after he and my uncle died, my cousin Martha Markusen asked me if I would buy the house, small barn and 7 acres from them. Her father had unpaid medical expenses, and my contract for deed would enable t...
It is quite likely that 100 years ago today, Anna Dickie Olesen was on the road, in some city in Minnesota far-flung from her permanent residence in Cloquet. Olesen, known here as a strong advocate toward compensation for 1918 fire victims, parlayed her speaking skills into a campaign for U.S. Senate. She was the first woman to run for a national seat with a major party endorsement. As a Democrat, she faced great odds in unseating the incumbent, Republican Frank Kellogg. But because of her oratory skill, she rose up in the Democratic ranks and...
In my decade-or-so as a Cloquet city council member, a few people stand out in my mind as highly-engaged citizens — outspoken, positive, and passionate about our community. They’re absolutely tenacious. One of those tenacious people is Pete Radosevich. Over his many years as a local resident, he’s stepped up time and again to rally for changes, support (and operate) local businesses, raise a family, and work hard to make the place we live a little better for us all. When I heard he was running for office, I thought: It’s about time. As an atto...
I am writing to urge my fellow neighbors to support my son, Jeff Dotseth, in his quest to be our next representative in District 11A. When Jeff decided to run for office, he warned me that people who supported his opponent would say things that I should just let slide because that is, unfortunately, how politics works. Last week, the Pine Knot News published a letter that really ticked me off. It suggested that my son did not have strong ties to the Kettle River area. That is just not true. Dotseths have lived at his current Kettle River...
Every campaign letter I read tells me that XYZ candidate is “dedicated to working families and solving the complicated problems of our state and country.” People of Minnesota, ask yourself: Who was running the show when the police precinct was burned to the ground in Minneapolis. Who was running the show when small businesses owned by hard-working families were lost during those riots? Who was running the show when big-box stores remained open and small businesses owned by families were forced to shut down. Who is running the show on the fed...
If you’re a rock-solid Democrat or a hardcore Republican, this letter is not for you. This letter is intended for those people who care about our country and who are independently minded — sometimes voting red, sometimes blue, and sometimes not voting at all. This group of people is key to the upcoming election. The rock-solid Democrats and the hardcore Republicans consistently vote their party line. Approximately equal in number, they more or less cancel each others’ votes. The group in the middle, the independents, are vital to the upcom...
I’m writing in support of Pete Radosevich for state representative in Minnesota House District 11A. In deciding to support him I did two things. First, I talked to Pete and asked questions. What stood out most was that he promises to represent all the people in the district. He didn’t promise what he couldn’t deliver. He might sometimes have to compromise in order to find a solution to an issue that will meet the needs of most of the people in the district. That was an honest answer. Second, I tried to find out what his opponent stands for....
On Sept. 22, 2022, Pete Radosevich, a lawyer, was a defendant in a civil case of fraud involving a 104-year-old woman (Myrtle Olsen). The case number is 09-CV-19-1442, Carlton County District Court. He agreed to a settlement. Full disclosure. Pete R is part owner of the Pine Knot and a candidate for the House of Representatives District 11A. Vote Jeff Dotseth. Tony Sheda, Wrenshall...
Sheriff Kelly Lake is the consummate law enforcement professional. Having been appointed sheriff in 2005, she has continuously and successfully held that office being reelected four times. During her tenure she has earned the respect of the community, and she has become an extremely important leader in the Carlton County judicial system. I steadfastly support Sheriff Lake as she is a great leader, respected and the right person for the job as our sheriff. Bottom line: she has done a very good job and earned the privilege to be reelected. I...
We have a choice. Join me in voting for Ryan Wilson for Minnesota state auditor. Ryan is head and shoulders above our current auditor, given his education, work background and integrity. As a voter and taxpayer I am tired of the rash of scandals involving waste, fraud and abuse in government programs. Ryan will be an auditor who restores accountability and transparency of government finance. LeRoy Bergstrom, Cloquet...
This November, we have important choices to make while completing our ballot. One of our choices is to decide who the sheriff of Carlton County will be. The office of sheriff has many responsibilities in a wide variety of areas within our justice and public safety systems. The sheriff is responsible for operating and maintaining 911 services within the county so our fire, EMS, and law enforcement officers have the ability to communicate while responding to all types of emergencies. Another facet of the sheriff’s responsibilities includes p...
