Our View: Townships show us democracy at home
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George Bernard Shaw was riffing on Thomas Jefferson when he once wrote: “Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.”
Are we deserving?
There is one way you might answer that question this month. You can take part in an annual township meeting on March 12.
Yes, national politics gets all the ire and fire these days, but don’t take your most-local government for granted. Townships are the epitome of democracy, the oldest form of representation in the country. At the annual meeting you can learn about the local budget and how much it will cost you. And you will see just where that budget money is going. It’s mostly for road upkeep, but there can be some surprises as well.
Our advice? Call up your township clerk and ask what’s on the agenda that Tuesday. Here’s a handy list.
Atkinson: Deborah Braye, 715-394-6624
Automba: Krystal Milczark, 218-260-8520
Barnum: Kristina Asperheim, 218-393-5130
Beseman: Sara Kachinske, 218-390-0909
Blackhoof: Kimberly Carlson, 218-393-0399
Eagle: Deb Switzer, 218-340-1968
Holyoke: Rosanne Haynes, 218-393-1645
Kalevala: Gail Langhorst, 218-565-8252
Lakeview: Douglas Suhonen, 218-341-9769
Mahtowa: James Haley, 218-269-0932
Moose Lake: Donna Kirk, 218-590-7214
Perch Lake: Lora Eames, 218-391-9178
Silver: Mark Carlson, 218-464-7043
Silver Brook: Alieca Johnson, 218-269-2059
Skelton: Linda Loons, 218-389-6976
Split Rock: John Josephson, 218-428-4659
Thomson: Rhonda Peleski, 218-879-9719
Twin Lakes: Sue Chapin, 218-384-8166
Wrenshall: Judy Korby, 218-269-9350
