Ironwood Township discusses Carnegie Library funding letter

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — The Ironwood Township Board of Trustees discussed a letter sent to local residents regarding fundraising for the Ironwood Carnegie Library during a meeting Monday.

Trustee Kevin Lyons asked resident Kit Malloy if she had received the letter from library director Elaine Erickson. Malloy attended the last meeting with a group of residents asking if it could help both the township and library in having contracted services again after the contract was voided earlier this year.

According to Lyons, the letter sent within recent weeks had “not factual” information in it. Lyons said the letter claimed the library lost around $32,000 in funding because it was no longer having a contract within the township.

However, with the $2,300 the township would have provided, plus penal fines from Gogebic County, the library would have only received around $17,203.

“I’m sorely disappointed she mislead township residents with this letter,” Lyons said.

Other board members discussed there was no need to mention the township in the letter at all.

“I get this letter every year, which is their annual fundraising letter,” trustee Kathy Maki said. “There was no need to mention us in there. She could have worded the differences in funding so many different ways, but instead, she chose to attack the charter township of Ironwood again, which was disheartening.”

Malloy commented on the township’s side of the library issue, and said she would relay the messages to the resident committee to see if something could be done on the library’s end to clear up any miscommunications or misconceptions.

“If (Erickson’s) goal is to have something changed next year, this is not the way to do it,” trustee Steve Boyd said. “ ... It’s not honest and counter productive.”

The board thanked Malloy and the residents’ efforts in working on the library issue, and wanted to clear up the “false information.”

Indianhead Convention Center

The board was asked to pass a resolution of support of a proposed casino and convention center on Indianhead Mountain.

Board members expressed questions about the economic impact of the center, specifically related to Ironwood Township and asked if Wakefield Township Supervisor John Cox could attend the township board’s next meeting to answer any questions.

The matter was tabled.

Planning Commission

Three application letters were received for an open position on the Ironwood Township Planning Commission.

Township residents Leroy Johnson, Darrin Kimbler and Rudy Grbavcich all applied, and Kimbler was selected to take the position.

Grbavcich is currently the alternate on the commission, according to board members. Supervisor Alan Baron said there is not statutes or ordinances saying alternates have to be selected for open positions.

Board members commented on Kimbler’s qualifications and believed a “new set of eyes” would bring something new to the commission.

“He lives here not, and has different views,” clerk Gayla Salmi said.

“He has attended quite a few commission meetings and is very well spoken. He often comments on things he has seen in other places, and has quite a few ideas for the township.”

The board approved Kimbler unanimously.

Other business

On Saturday, area children are invited to attend the annual Christmas for Kids event at the township office. Treasurer Jyl Olson-DeRosso told board members the event starts at 10 a.m. and Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to noon.

“There will be free hot dogs, beverages and cookies and is open to all kids, not just kids in Ironwood Township,” Olson-DeRosso said.

For more information, call the township offices at 906-932-5800.