Glassel on Overregulation!

In a time before zoning and governmental interference with private enterprise, two well known, local business ventures were established. Sven’s Shoes and Eichten’s Cheese Shop.

In today’s anti business climate, neither would exist.

Sven’s is a classic example of starting small and building as you grow. A close look at Sven’s building reveals the stages of his growth, from a small house to a fairly large retail and manufacturing facility, employing several people.

Joe Eichten’s harebrained scheme has turned into a local legend. From cheese to bison to gourmet restaurant.

25,000 cars, possibly 40,000 people a day drive through South County on Highway 8. All we need do, is remove the anti business restrictions and let our local entrepreneurs take advantage of the traffic count as Sven’s and Eichten’s have done.

We don’t need to waste taxpayer dollars luring business to the area. All we need do is loosen some of the anti-business restrictions currently in place.

If we get government off the backs of our local business owners and prospective entrepreneurs, create a business friendly environment, the business tax base will increase and we will prosper once more.

Agriculture has historically been a major economic activity in Chisago. As the overall economy shifts and changes, we ought not to lose sight of its value to contribute to the overall good of our area. What are some of the things you think we can do to retain agricultural activity and enhance the rural character of the area?

The people of Chisago County are its greatest natural resource. It is our people that provide the rural character of the area.

Many city folks work a lifetime to become one of us by purchasing a piece of land and building their dream with us.

Chisago County farmland, while beautiful and picturesque, is marginal at best, when compared to farms in Southern Minnesota.

Much of our county is better suited to raising kids than corn.

It is simply not possible to subsidize a local farmer to the point where he can compete with farms elsewhere.

We ought not lose sight of the fact that Government does not own this farm land. It is owned by private citizens and its owners know better than we, its best purpose.

We need to get government off the backs of our farmers and let them determine for themselves whether to raise corn or sell pieces of their property to others to raise kids.

Either way, we all prosper.