Statewide blog

Statewide: July 13, 2012 Archive

< July 12, 2012 | Main | July 16, 2012 >

Fergus Falls residents rally to save historic building

Posted at 2:13 PM on July 13, 2012 by Dan Gunderson
Filed under: Government, Northwest Minnesota

fergusrtc_large.jpg
MPR file photo Dan Gunderson

A group trying to save the Regional Treatment Center in Fergus Falls hope 1,200 people show up on Saturday for an event designed to draw attention to efforts to save the historic building from the wrecking ball.

The event is called "Hug the RTC" and the idea is to ring the 1,600 foot long structure with people.

When it was built in the late 1800s the Kirkbride structure was considered a model of mental health treatment. In the 1930s it housed some 2,000 mentally ill residents, and employed hundreds of local workers.

The city of Fergus Falls has been trying for about a decade to find a developer to re-use the facility.

Tim LItt chairs a task force charged with finding a marketing firm to help sell the property to a developer. He says the group will recommend a firm to the city council on Monday evening. He hopes a renewed marketing effort will lead to a national search for interested developers for the project.

Over the years, several proposed re-developments fell through when developers couldn't come up with money for the projects they envisioned.

Litt says redeveloping the massive structure is a challenge because of it's size and the slow economy.

The state will pay the cost of demolishing the facility if a developer can't be found. Demolition is estimated to cost several million dollars.

The agreement with the state was recently amended to extend the deadline for demolishing the facility. Litt says under the current agreement, demolition must be complete by December, 2014 if the city can't find a developer for the property.

Deadlock on taxes will raise what most Minnesotans pay the government

Posted at 6:18 AM on July 13, 2012 by Michael Olson
Filed under: Economy, Government

By Colin Campbell

If Tax Debate Goes Unresolved Minnesotans' Paychecks May Take a Hit

With a tax-package set to expire in less than six months, Congress and the White House are in a debate over which income groups should continue to get breaks. If the deadlock endures, and a compromise isn't agreed to, middle-class Minnesotans could see their taxes go up by more than $1,200 next year.

Storified by Minnesota Today · Fri, Jul 13 2012 04:17:29

President Obama met on Wednesday withDemocratic leaders about his initiative, announced Monday, to renew theBush-era tax cuts for another year but end breaks for individuals making over$250,000 a year. With the media income in Minnesota at $57,243, according to 2010 Census figures, most taxpayers wouldn't be affected if Obama gets his wish and the breaks end for those making over $250,000. But if the Republican-controlled House refuses to pass the renewal outlined by Obama and the President stands by his promise to veto any extension that doesn't end the tax cuts for the highest earners, there may be a stalemate that lasts into 2013, past the date the taxes are set to expire. Such a scenario would lead to across-the-board tax hikes for all income earners --a result that would affect Minnesotans, rich and poor. 

undefinedNpr

The debate over the taxes has come up forrenewal votes once before during Obama's presidency and while he pushed for asimilar proposal during to 2010 debate to end breaks for the highest earners,he couldn't muster the 60 votes necessary to move legislation through theSenate. Unwilling to let the tax cuts expire as the economy was beginning torebound from the recession, Obama relented and renewed the breaks for all income earners.

This time around the President promises a strongerfight and a refusal to be bullied into passing signing any bill that doesn't end the breaks for people making over $250,000. Asked repeatedly during Monday's White House press briefing if therewould be a possible circumstances that would result in Obama renewing the taxcuts for all earners, press secretary Jay Carney was adamant that the Presidentwould not sign any such bill.
7/9/12: White House Press Briefingwhitehouse

"His position is clear. It is for $250,000"  -- White House Press secretary Jay Carney

If the current stalemate slogs past Jan. 1, 2013, the date the tax cut is set to expire, most Minnesotans will find themselves paying between $1,843 and $3,429 more intaxes next year. Also worrisome for Minnesota families is the child tax creditwhich would drop to $500 from $1,000 if the Bush-era breaks aren't renewed. Fora Minnesota family with three children that can be the difference of $1,500 a year.


On Twitter, Minnesotans echoed their respective parties' messages on the proposal. Democrats praised the president as bringing fairness to the tax code while Republicans highlighted the announcement as another example of the president's war on the wealthy. 


I applaud Pres Obama for standing firmly with America's middle class. GOP is holding middle class tax cuts hostage to breaks for the rich.Sheila Cachuela
Obama wants to change the Bush tax cuts to the Obama tax cuts. This is perfect example of Obama's Robin Hood economic plan.F. W. Reyn
RT @whitehouse: By the Numbers: 97: http://on.wh.gov/hPrp President Obama wants to extend tax cuts for 97% of small bus. http://pic.twitter.com/TQhCIZYFbobhume

Superior Zoo reopening; Wilderness vs cell tower; Bison return

Posted at 8:04 AM on July 13, 2012 by Michael Olson
Filed under: Around MN

Bill diluting mining rules passes U.S. House
Statewide: "Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN) says the measure will allow development in the PolyMet mining project to be expedited."

Wilderness advocates advance case against AT&T tower on edge of BWCA
Statewide: "The Friends of the BWCAW will continue a case against telecommunications giant AT&T that challenges the company's plan to erect a 450' cell phone tower on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness."

Our view: Welcome back, zoo
Duluth News Tribune: "Another nugget of normalcy returns to flood-ravaged-but-still-here Duluth today with the reopening of Lake Superior Zoo."

DNR partners with zoo to conserve bison
Prior Lake American: "The DNR will work with the Minnesota Zoo to cooperatively manage a genetically-pure bison herd at Minnesota state parks and at a zoo exhibition. A herd of more than 100 bison currently reside at Blue Mounds State Park in southwestern Minnesota."

Franken-sponsored campaign disclosure bill to get vote next week
MinnPost: "The U.S. Senate is set to vote on a campaign finance disclosure bill co-authored by Sen. Al Franken next week, though Republicans have objected to such efforts in the past, complicating its chances of passage."

Deadlock on taxes will raise what most Minnesotans pay into the government
Statewide: "With a tax-package set to expire in less than six months, Congress and the White House are in a debate over whichincome groups should continue to get breaks. If the deadlock endures, and a compromise isn't agreed to, middle-class Minnesotans could see their taxes go up by more than $1,200 next year."

Wilderness advocates advance case against AT&T tower on edge of BWCA

Posted at 7:30 AM on July 13, 2012 by Michael Olson (1 Comments)
Filed under: Environment

Value of wilderness, ubiquity of cell phones at heart of cell tower dispute

The Friends of the BWCAW will continue a case against telecommunications giant AT&T that challenges the company's plan to erect a 450' cell phone tower on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Storified by Minnesota Today · Fri, Jul 13 2012 05:28:13

We are appealing the #BWCA cell tower case to the MN Supreme Court. http://www.friends-bwca.org/2012/07/friends-requests-supreme-court-review-of-cell-tower-ruling-by-minnesota-court-of-appeals/ Thanks to everyone for your support!Friends of the BWCAW

MPR News: Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Executive Director Paul Danicic said the group's petition argues that the Minnesota Court of Appeals misinterpreted the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act by ruling that the tower would only affect a small area of wilderness.


"This sets us up on a slippery slope for the Boundary Waters wilderness character because every lake in the Boundary Waters is protected as wilderness by state and federal law," Danicic said.


AT&T has argued that the tower is partly a safety issue because it would allow hikers in the wilderness to call 911 for help during emergencies.


But Danicic said that AT&T has other options.


"Why can't we do this in a way that meets the needs of residents in the area, and even wilderness users if that's what they're after, and respects the natural scenic vistas that are treasured by so many people?" Danicic said.


The group expects the Minnesota Supreme Court to respond to the petition by fall.

Here's the filing:
Proposed AT&T cell tower visible from within the BWCA faces new legal challenge from @FriendsBWCAW http://bit.ly/BWCAW-tower-SCMinnesota Today
Proponents of the tower say it would bring added safety for paddlers should they need assistance getting out of the wilderness area. They also say it brings an enhanced quality of life for locals. 
Ely Echo Editorial had GREAT insight into cell tower RT @mntoday Proposed AT&T cell tower visible from within the BWCA http://bit.ly/BWCAW-tower-SCHeidi Omerza
Ely Echo: "To be clear, we like having people come here and enjoy all that the BWCAW has to offer. And if you take a look at what the younger generations are interested in today, you can start with a cell phone." 
Minnesotans expressed a divide on the appeal.
Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. @FriendsBWCAW: We are appealing the #BWCA cell tower case to the MN Supreme Court. http://www.friends-bwca.org/2012/07/friends-requests-supreme-court-review-of-cell-tower-ruling-by-minnesota-court-of-appeals/Hollee Coombe
Fighting the good fight. http://fb.me/107j5WuNLemilie hitch
The bullies are back again. Friends of the Boundary Waters go to MN Supreme Court. http://www.kare11.com/news/article/982920/14/Group-asks-MN-high-court-to-hear-BWCA-tower-case-Nancy McReady
@wkbt Telling all my friends to rally behind striking down the BWCA tower. Shame on you AT&T, shame on you!!George Watson
Off to the BWCA. Hopefully twitter is still here when I get back. #peaceout http://pic.twitter.com/znD8adubCharlie Landis

Comment on this post

July 2012
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31        


Master Archive

Recent Entries

Services

Minnesota Public Radio ©2013 All rights reserved