Opinion - The Timberjay

I would appreciate your vote for town supervisor

I am writing to ask for your support to elect me as one of your Greenwood Township supervisors on Tuesday, March 11. A little about myself…I was born and raised in Biwabik and grew … more

2/28/25

Town board sets policy, not the clerk or treasurer

I strongly encourage the citizens of Greenwood Township to vote in favor of Option B on March 11. The duties of township treasurer and town clerk are far too important to be a personality contest. We … more

2/28/25

Preparing to deploy troops against Americans

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, on “Fox News Sunday,” said firing of top military lawyers was about making sure “they don’t exist to be roadblocks to anything that … more

2/28/25

Time to re-examine our assumptions about each other

It’s such an interesting (and confusing) time. The polarization of nearly every choice we make — from what grocery store we shop at to what vehicle we drive to what clothing we wear … more

2/27/25

Are we getting the government we deserve?

Billionaires don’t get that way by being nice or looking out for other people. How do you think they got that way? Believing that these people are going to somehow make life better for … more

2/27/25

Correcting the record

At the last Greenwood Township meeting, during public comment, supervisor candidate, Steven Bradach, introduced himself with his family and work history since many of us had never met him. He … more

2/27/25

Trump is threatening our access to Canadian resources

Trump’s imperialistic and megalomaniacal threats to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S. if Canada does not permit its annexation is disrupting our long-term relationship … more

2/27/25

Vote for Thompson and Option B

I had a letter all set to submit in support of candidates Paul Thompson, Steve Bradach and support of Option B, all of which I continue to support, however, I am compelled to respond to recent items … more

2/27/25

Embracing the call of MAGA...or what does that abbreviation really stand for

I can hear subscribers’ jaws hitting the floor right now, shattering copious amounts of investments in dental care, at seeing such a headline from a Timberjay columnist, but please, read on … more

David Colburn | 2/27/25

Firing federal workers

Even for an administration that revels in cruelty, it is striking to see the letter sent by Elon Musk’s twenty-something minions at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, … more

2/27/25

America is now openly displaying its decline

The death of human empathy is one of the most telling signs of decay in a society. Over the years, the United States has produced dozens of organizations that have resources and talent to aid … more

2/21/25

Who’s in charge?

Elon Musk bankrolled Trump’s presidential campaign. Musk moved into Mar-a-Lago and became almost a member of the family. He invited Trump to the historic launch of his starship just after Trump … more

2/20/25

False charges were leveled against me

At the Feb. 11 regular Greenwood Town Board meeting, Paul Thompson and Steve Bradach, both candidates for elective office in next month’s township elections, lodged accusations against me and … more

2/20/25

Save our local health care facilities

The potential impact of the immediate federal spending freeze on Scenic Rivers is alarming. However, there is an even greater threat to our ability to receive health care in our … more

2/20/25

Yanking the rug from under our government

The list of potential harm from illegally defunding federal government programs is very long. If successful, this will most impact those Trump and Musk care the least about — the poor and … more

2/20/25

We have lost our moral compass

In 1977, about 20 people in Minneapolis decided to do something about the rise in death rates for children from poor, mostly African countries. They were appalled by the marketing tactic of the … more

2/20/25

Medicaid cuts

Rep. Pete Stauber needs to stand up for the Eighth District. He can do so by telling his colleagues in Washington, D.C. that the cuts to the Medicaid program currently under consideration by … more

2/20/25

Are our communities keeping us protected, respected, and connected?

Do you feel protected, respected, and connected in your community? If so, what creates that feeling for you? In my last column, I cited author Thomas L. Friedman urging us to “do with (not just … more

Betty Firth | 2/20/25

Baby, it’s cold outside; Or how to keep warm in the morning

I’m buried under four layers of covers. First, a forty-year-old lightly-tattered quilt given to me by my sister-in-law for a wedding gift. Not much to look at but it was handmade by her … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 2/20/25

Trump’s chaos

The impact of the utter chaos that has descended on Washington, D.C. over the past three weeks is going to start impacting the economy, and not in the way that Donald Trump would like you to believe. … more

2/13/25

Support for Option B

I am writing to express support for Option B for Greenwood Township. I was the treasurer for three years and am familiar with the job. I am also a retired CPA, so I was qualified for the position. … more

2/13/25

Ask Stauber to oppose cuts to special ed

If there’s one place where Pete Stauber should part ways with Trump, it’s on special education. HR 899 has been introduced in the House of Representatives to shut down the U.S. Department … more

2/13/25

Come see for yourself who to believe in Greenwood

I encourage every Greenwood resident to attend the monthly Greenwood Township meetings to see firsthand how our local leaders are serving our township (or not) and how meeting attendees behave (or … more

2/13/25

Elect decision makers and hire employees

We elect our township supervisors to make important decisions. With our vote ,we trust their skills to hire a fire chief, firefighters, EMRs, paving contractors, and even our snowplow drivers. They … more

2/13/25

Why are we bullying our neighbor to the north?

Several weeks ago, President Trump surprised many Americans and Canadians by suggesting that Canada become the 51st state of the U.S. He also suggested that we need nothing Canada makes, including … more

2/13/25