Arrowhead Indivisible

Happy Earth Day from Mother Earth Outfitters!

Jen Shultz of Duluth, former DFL challenger to Rep. Pete Stauber, may have lost her election bids to him, but she continues to challenge Stauber.

This time, it's in the public sphere through a tour of Arrowhead Region town halls. Stauber refuses to attend town halls for fear of facing the embarrassing truth telling that reveals his lack of concern for his constituents as he sits cravenly by and watches autocrats destroy U.S. democracy. Emphasizing her commitment to civic engagement, Schultz said, "Tonight it's about hearing your stories."

We offer 5 highlights from the Grand Marais town hall and its audience of about 100 people. Click the below to learn more about Practicing Democracy.

https://www.practicing-democracy.org/ourwork

With 90 percent of Cook County forested, the cuts to the U.S. Forest Service personell--by one estimate 40% have been furloughed or forced into quitting due to unacceptable pay and working conditions--one consequence is clear. "There are going to be a lot of messy outhouses," one comment. Service is so severely cut that permits for the BWCAW are not available for pick up at the Grand Marais USFS office when they typically become available May 1. Instead, paddlers will have to go to the Tofte office.

Education funding is chief among the common goods now under assault, according to Cook County Commissioner Ann Sullivan--with no pushback from Stauber--is education. Cuts to special education and Title I greatly endanger local budgets and offer little help to local units that must pay for them. In addition to reduced classroom resources, funding is reduced for meals to nourish children in need.

Firewise funding protects our 3 million acres in Superior National Forest from devastating wild fires. But cuts in staffing reduce trail management, curtail wild fire management programs, and make the county extremely vulnerable to loss. Said Sullivan: "We're all feeling really nervous about the coming fire season."