This Week in History

10 years ago...

Citing both environmental and economic concerns, Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan has expressed opposition to the Enbridge Sandpiper pipeline,

Noland spoke of concerns about route that threatens environmentally senstiive areas. It cuts through vulnerable northern wetlands, porous sandy soil and water tables used for drinking water.

“There’s no economic reason why the Sandpiper can’t be rerouted to avoid environmentally fragile areas,” Nolan stated.

25 years ago...

The Cass County Board has decided to continue to levy up to $560,000 annually to create a pool of funds to cover principal and interest on future capital improvement bonds..

While no one objected to the continued levy, what attracted flak were portions of the Capital Improvement Plan itself, notably converting the courthouse lawn to parking.

A petition against conversion contained 50 signatures, mostly county residents, and a few visitors. Attendees also asked the board to consider other options before relocating the historic Leech Lake Chamber Building and Museum to expand the courthouse.

50 years ago...

While Shingobee and Leech Lake township voters approved the referendum on financing improvements for the Walker Area Airport, voters from Turtle Lake did not pass a similar referendum.

That means the city of Walker will have to pick up Turtle Lake Township’s share of financing, along with aproximately $30,000 tht previously had been set as the city’s share of the $500,000 project.