What Next in the GAM Saga?

The upcoming September 30 Board Meeting will address the GAM situation, which is turning out to be a total fiasco for the County. It's too bad, because the money Polk County has blown on legal fees would have gone a long way toward running the facility. Nevertheless, it is what it is, and we have to move forward from here.
My feeling is that the deal that was struck with Rice Properties was a sweetheart arrangement for Rice Properties. It was never in the best interests of the County, the residents, or the employees of the Golden Age Manor.
As our population ages, the services offered by the Golden Age Manor become increasingly important.
If Rice Properties could operate the Golden Age Manor at a profit, is there any reason why Polk County cannot operate the facility to break even? We don't expect the nursing home to turn a profit and help reduce our taxes, do we? We don't expect the Sheriff's Department to show a profit, or the Highway Department.
When Jim Drabek, a concerned citizen, brought the matter of the deed restriction to the attention of the County Board, he was treated disrespectfully and essentially ignored. I guess Mr. Drabek got the last laugh with the Appellate Court decision last week.
Gene Sollman also deserves credit for hanging in there in the face of some pretty vocal opposition on the Golden Age Manor Board. He did the right thing for Polk County.

Amery-Dresser Trail Becomes a Reality

After years of negotiation, litigation, hearings, planning and delay, it was amazing how quickly a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was approved by the Polk County Board that created the Amery-Dresser Trail.
Debbie Peterson, the head of the Parks and Recreation Department, assured the Board that no money from the County levy will be used to operate, repair or maintain the trail. The source of funds for trail development will be grants and other contributions from business and private sponsors. The DNR will take care of initial clearing and grading the trail for foot traffic. The MOA contemplates further improvements so the trail can be used for bicycling, provided grant money is obtained for that purpose.
My hope is that the Property Committee will keep its promise to "work co-operatively" on the Amery-Dresser Trail issue. Some members of the Property Committee may prefer to delay development of the Trail for non-motorized use, in hopes that State law will change to permit motorized uses on State Trails. We'll be keeping an eye on this.
The Amery-Dresser Trail is located within 60 miles of the Metropolitan Twin Cities, a major population center. The tourist dollars that a bike trail will bring into our area are significant. Business will benefit, and new businesses will appear. There is plenty of evidence to support this statement. Just look at similar developments in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and Lanesboro, Minnesota, where "Rails-to-Trails" just like the Amery-Dresser Trail have benefited their respective communities and the surrounding areas.
The benefit goes beyond economic. There are public health benefits, too. People will be able to get out and exercise on a safe trail separate from high-speed traffic on County Roads, particularly County Road F near Amery. Some folks will bike to work on the trail. Kids willl be able to bike safely to see friends or to go to school.
Recent surveys show that living on a bike path is second only to lakeshore property in popularity. Property values along the Trail will improve with development of the Amery-Dresser Trail.
This will be a gem that will make Polk County proud for generations.