Letters: Vote 'yes' to sales tax

Pine Valley is the crown jewel of Cloquet’s parks. It is my most favorite park. I go skiing, running, and biking at the park. But it needs some loving support, which is why I support the 0.5% sales tax for Pine Valley and the accompanying 0.5% sales tax for the ice arena. As told to me, together they will not exceed 0.5% over 10 years or when their predetermined dollar amounts are reached, whichever is first — time or money.

Many people from outside Cloquet come visit both Pine Valley park and the ice arena and spend money in Cloquet. The other night when I was leaf blowing the mountain bike trails, more than half the people I talked with about the sales tax were from outside Cloquet. The sales tax includes them in supporting and improving these two park gems. Without the sales tax the support falls back on our property taxes.

These sales taxes will allow us to invest in some big-ticket items that have seen better days: refurbish the ski jumps, remodel the chalet, improve the parking lot and entrance, and modernize the ice making system in the ice arena.

I urge you to vote yes on both the Pine Valley and ice arena sales tax temporary increase.

Tim Krohn, Cloquet

President, Friends of Cloquet Parks