Northern Minnesota Voters Guide 2012

Voters Guide 2012 From The International Falls Journal:

Each of the candidates in races were limited to 500 words in their total responses to the following:
1. Briefly summarize your personal background and experiences.
2. Why are you running for office?
3. What are your priorities?
4. Why are you the best candidate for this office?
5. Is there something else you want to tell constituents about

Full Article Link: http://www.ifallsjournal.com/news/elections/voters-guide/article_e1d78492-03f2-11e2-bc27-001a4bcf6878.html?fb_action_ids=3399457964819%2C3399353402205&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=.UGY4Wf7OJWo.like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%223399457964819%22%3A418924944821526%2C%223399353402205%22%3A350192765071171}&action_type_map={%223399457964819%22%3A%22og.likes%22%2C%223399353402205%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map={%223399353402205%22%3A%22.UGY4Wf7OJWo.like%22}

Precious Waters Flotilla Runs Aground In The 8th District Of Minnesota

Aurora Councilor Dave Lislegard and mining supporters converged quickly to meet the Precious Waters Flotilla Group on Friday, Sept. 22. At its first intended launch point, the precious waters flotilla group ran into opposition from those mining supporters in Aurora, Hoyt Lakes and surrounding iron range communities. Four adult anti-mining supporters showed up. It is interesting to note that these anti-mining folks showed up with a car and used a cell phone both of which are made with iron ore and precious metals. One would have to wonder where they believe these objects come from.  Local property owners were not willing to allow this group to trespass their property and local law enforcement was called to enforce this. Many good points of discussion were brought up to consider that should be thought through in a realistic manner. There is quite a bit of that not happening in certain environmental circles.

First Video Here: Mining Supporters In Place To Greet The Precious Waters Flotilla Group.

Law Enforcement in place to keep things civil and prevent trespassing by this group.

Second Video - A Discussion of issues took place which can be viewed here in this video: 

   

Time For The "Flotilla" To Hit the road and go paddle elsewhere.

Background Article Related to this interaction. Mesabi Daily Article: Mining supporters successfully raised trespassing issue; trip to Twin Cities doesn’t begin in Aurora. http://www.virginiamn.com/news/article_e7652bc0-0529-11e2-b519-0019bb2963f4.html

Minnesota Politics And 8th District Bicycle Riding, Anderson and Cravaack Lead The Way.

It turned out to be a very nice day today, Aug. 4, 2012. Our family took the trip over to Hibbing to participate in the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail bicycle tour from Hibbing to Virginia. This is not particularly consequential but along the way I did an informal survey of the number of political  and other signs along the route. Many thanks to the volunteers of the Mesabi Trail ride by the way. A very nice job done by everyone and it is very much appreciated!

The number one sign in the 8th district race on this route was Jeff Anderson. Following was Congressman Chip Cravaack. Third was Rick Nolan with a sign on the east end of the range and a few scattered around the Hibbing - Chisholm area. What should really worry Tarryl Clark supporters was that I didn't see a single (not one) sign of hers the whole stretch from Babbitt-Embarrass to Hibbing. At least the TV stations are making some money from her campaign.

It also seems that folks over there support mining as well. I did see a fair number of the "We Support Mining" signs.

The last thing that was interesting besides the beautiful views on the bike ride was the amount of construction happening. Along the trail was what looked to be a Magnetation operation with recycling and reclaiming of old tailings piles for the iron within to say nothing of the jobs generated.

By Mountain Iron, you can see Minntac in operation and the wind generators in operation along the side. These generators use iron and the precious metals involved in upcoming mining projects on the range.
Menard's has recently opened in Virginia supported by the mining dollars the industry provides. There was a lot of traffic in Virginia today.

Another  large building is going up near Virginia. I believe this is the new P&H (Joy Global) facility which assists the mining industry throughout our area and is a worldwide company.

You  can see the signs of change and prosperity all around us if you look close enough. Let's keep the ball rolling in the right direction this election season and elect pro mining candidates. Congressman Cravaack and candidate Jeff Anderson come to mind as the best options for jobs. I'd hate to have to watch this die on the vine with incorrect policy in the future.

BWCA land swap: Star Tribune Off Base Again.

Editorial By Tom Rukavina:

To say that the editorial "Scrutiny needed on BWCA swap" (July 16) was filled with inaccuracies is being kind.

BWCA land swap: Newspaper's all wet

Article Link Below: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/163781446.html?page=1&c=y#

We Support Mining! Signs Are Available For Minnesota

If you would like to show your support for responsible mining in Minnesota and the communities, schools, people and the jobs that mining supports you can act now!

Signs are available from the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota. You can contact them here to request a sign.

http://www.taconite.org/contactus.php

Related link: Become a supporter on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/wesupportmining


Why is this important to Minnesota? 


In Minnesota, the iron mining industry contributes to the local communities, region and state through jobs, production taxes, education programs and scholarships.
Minnesota’s Iron Mining Industry Statistics*

Direct employment	4,215 individuals
Average wage and benefit package	$100,000/year
Total hours worked:	8.9 million hours
The region's mines provide the highest paying technical jobs in the region.
Industry vendor employment	13,000 individuals
Iron mining is the main economic engine of the region - making other businesses and jobs possible
Financial impact	$3.1 billion/year
Minnesota's mining industry is ranked number one in gross product output - adding more than $3.1 billion annually to the regional economy. Domestic iron ore production is important to the security of our country.

Taxes
Production tax	$73.1 million payable 2012
Royalty payments	$34.3 million payable 2012
$49 million was paid in 2012 to state education programs by Minnesota's mining industry
K – 12 education	$36.6 million/year**
University of Minnesota trust funds	$12.4 million/year**
*Source: Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, 2012 **Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Department of Revenue, 2012
Looking forward
$94.1 million in production taxes estimated for 2013 - a $20 million increase. Production taxes are paid in lieu of property taxes. The increase is due to a three year average dropping 2009, which was marked by low production due to recession.
Estimated taxes from 2012 production, payable 2013:	$94,100,000
Distribution to Range schools:	$15,843,000
LGU's, counties, IRRRB and others:	$78,257,000

Does the DFL need a reality check in Congressional District 8?

A good read from Examiner.com for those of you voting.

The DFL's actions suggest that the DFL has written off destinations like Barnum, Bigfork and other parts of the district. Is it because they know that they only control Duluth and the North Shore. The DFL's actions suggest that the DFL understands that their fidelity to the anti-mining, anti-logging environmentalists is hurting them with Iron Range voters.

Chip Cravaack stays in touch with his constituents

Full Article Link Here:
http://www.examiner.com/article/chip-cravaack-stays-touch-with-his-constituents

Who best represents the Range? Conservation Minnesota or the GOP?

Article From True North:

This is a must read if you wish to have a job in Northeast Minnesota. Have a look at who and what is behind the scenes in the politics of Northeast Minnesota.

Conservation Minnesota, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy are targeting the proposed PolyMet mine near Hoyt Lakes and the proposed Twin Metals mine near Ely.

The bottom line is this: The Rangers can vote for DFL candidates that align themselves with anti-mining special interest groups from the Twin Cities. Otherwise, they can vote for GOP candidates that will vote to improve the economy on the range.

Full Article Here:

http://www.looktruenorth.com/48-limited-governement/local-control/19681-who-best-represents-the-range-conservation-minnesota-or-the-gop.html

Chip Cravaack & Local Republicans Campaign Hard In Northeast Minnesota - Democrats a No Show

Local Republicans showed up in force to campaign in Babbitt, Minnesota for votes. There wasn't a democrat candidate to be found on June 24th at the Peter Mitchell Days Parade which is very interesting in Northeast Minnesota. The Cravaack supporters definitely made it known that they will support mining here which is good to know. Other Republicans campaigning for votes were local Jim Tuomala and Jennifer Havlick. The Republicans of this area don't appear to be taking any votes for granted and it is good to see they are receptive to the needs of it. Babbitt, Minnesota is located near Ely, Minnesota and both have a rich history in mining and is a way of life in the Northeast of Minnesota.

Cravaack Passes ‘Buy America' Steel Amendment, Defends Industry From Attacks to Gut 2/3 of American-Based Production

Our current Eighth District representative is working to improve our steel industry.

Cravaack Passes ‘Buy America' Steel Amendment, Defends Industry From Attacks to Gut 2/3 of American-Based Production

Cravaack Announces Feb 28-Mar 5 Mobile Offices

“These mobile offices will provide residents throughout the Eighth District an opportunity to meet with members of my staff and discuss matters that are important to them,” said Cravaack. “Providing exceptional constituent services is a goal I and my staff take very seriously. Mobile offices help us maintain close and essential contact with the people we serve. If the good people of the Eighth District cannot come to us, we will come to them. It is my privilege to have provided my constituents access to mobile offices in over 140 different Minnesota cities and Townships since this past June.”

Cravaack Announces Feb 28-Mar 5 Mobile Offices | Northeast Range, Minnesota

Visit Congressman Chip Cravaack's Website for more information: http://cravaack.house.gov/