releases: http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/mille-lacs-county-times-nolan-hears-wish-lists-sees-areas-he-can-help
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/mille-lacs-county-times-nolan-hears-wish-lists-sees-areas-he-can-help | Mille Lacs County Times: Nolan hears wish lists, sees areas he can help | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Mille Lacs County, city and township leaders appeared to be getting in the Christmas spirit Friday, Dec. 4, because they came to the Mille Lacs County Courthouse with wish lists that could make their communities better places to live, work or navigate. The lists werent compiled for Santa Claus, but U.S. Congressman Rick Nolan, who represents Mille Lacs County and the rest of Minnesotas 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. It was a jovial gathering with Nolan sitting at the dais of the board room of the Mille Lacs County Board with County Commissioners Genny Reynolds, DaveOslin, Phil Peterson and County Administrator Pat Oman. In the audience were the countys engineer Bruce Cochran, land services Michelle McPherson, economic developments Richard Baker, and community and veteran services Beth Crook. There were representatives from the cities of Isle, Pease and Princeton, as well as some township officials. Nolan appeared receptive to many of the challenges of the local units of government and some of the plights they were facing. On a number of occasions, Nolan replied to presenters with the words, We can help you with that. Cochran discussed wetlands delineation programs and the difficult process it was for the county to receive millions of dollars in federal aid. The process needs streamlining, Cochran said. Cochran also discussed funding for road projects and the window in which a project is identified and applications for funding are due. Nolan said there are executive orders that can be issued to help the county with the problem. If you have an individual problem, dont hesitate to call us. Sometimes we know of a fix over and beyond what the average person might be aware of, Nolan said. And when it comes to local projects, Nolan welcomes calls on those, too, he said. I like to roll up my sleeves and work on small projects even if its just a 10-mile trail, he said. One area of conversation that got a lot of talk was the Malone Island Bridge in Isle. Its a 1964-era bridge connecting Isle to an island with 60 to 70 properties. The bridge is in disrepair with its replacement in need of funding. Theres money available for projects like the bridge, Nolan said, and at the end of the day its a worthy and essential project. Well weigh in on it with you, Nolan said. Well help it get funded. Beth Crook, with the county community and veterans services, presented Nolan with data showing that Mille Lacs County is unique in terms of the number of out-of-home placements of children it manages. The placements are 15 percent of the countys tax levy, she said. Nolan listened with a very interested ear. Jeff Hansen, the clerk of the city of Pease, talked about water and sewer issues and the problem a lack of adequate services plays in the failure to attract development. Pease does not have fire protection in the city, and because of disrepair, its 500 gallon water system can hold just 250 gallons of water. The city is seeking funds to build a water tower, Hansen said. Nolan said he would help Pease, too. Princeton Community Development Director Jolene Foss told Nolan about a 200-acre parcel thats ready for development in that city. She also welcomed help in connecting the citys industrial parks and talked about the development of a potential new roundabout on Highway 95 north of Wal-Mart. Foss also talked about regional trail systems leading in and out of the city. Nolan pledged trail assistance through a recently passed federal transportation bill. Richard Baker, who heads the countys economic development efforts, talked about challenges with obtaining grants for the Soo Line Trail in the Onamia and Isle areas and the Great Northern Trail between Princeton and Milaca. Nolan offered the review of grant applications before they are submitted to help with the approval process. Baker also discussed a 600-acre regional park Milaca is attempting to establish and a 40-acre trail for 4-wheel vehicles in the Isle area. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |