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
It’s been a while since John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service.
“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,” he said, challenging every American to contribute in some way to the public good.
That doesn’t mean a person needs to run for political office, or give up their high-paying job to join AmeriCorps: it simply means we all should do our part. Volunteer to plant flowers in the spring, chaperone school trips, help with the July Fourth celebration, pick up trash while you walk, or join a club that will provide both companionship and volunteer opportunities.
Another great way to give back is by serving on the various boards and commissions that advise your local elected officials. In the case of Cloquet, there are many, and they are suffering from a dearth of volunteers.
City administrator Tim Peterson issued a plea to civic-minded citizens after he thanked all the board and commission members who were reappointed after they volunteered to continue serving.
“It takes a whole lot of community members to keep everything running; their input is invaluable,” he said. “So we certainly appreciate everyone that has stepped up in the past and is now moving on to do something else.”
There are openings on the Planning Commission, Parks Commission, and the Citizens Advisory Board, which helps the police department with regard to hiring, firing and disciplinary actions, among other things. The Cloquet Area Fire District position was filled Tuesday: a shout-out to Doug Wolf for stepping up. As Northwoods Credit Union president/CEO and a former volunteer firefighter, he will be an asset to CAFD.
To learn more about these positions, check out the city website at cloquetmn.gov and find “Boards and Commissions” on the “Our City” tab for descriptions of each board. For more information, call Cloquet City Hall at 218-879-3347 or email [email protected].
Don’t worry if you don’t live in Cloquet — every governmental entity and nonprofit organization across the county has a need for volunteers. And volunteering is a two-way street: it makes one feel good while contributing to the public good.
