Opinion - The Timberjay

Continuing the work to protect the BWCAW

The election of Donald Trump means that America’s public lands will be on the chopping block for the next four years. Pete Stauber’s re-election puts the Boundary Waters and the greater … more

12/5/24

Many share the view of the EPSG

In his letter last week, “Misinformation is increasing antisemitism,” Charles Marsden accused the Ely- Palestine Solidarity Group (EPSG) of spreading misinformation and increasing … more

12/5/24

Another way to manage money, or one less bump on the road to bliss

One evening while washing dishes, I happened to hear a radio broadcast of a conversation between Kai Ryssdal, host of Marketplace, and a renowned financial guru. The interview was about a … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 12/5/24

How Dems lost the working class

In the wake of Trump’s election victory last month, Democrats would do well to re-examine their 2016 presidential primary and how it laid the groundwork for the party’s fall from grace … more

12/5/24

Watching the creeping fascism in America

As we watch the next federal administration taking shape and observe actions of the current American government, we should recognize fascism gaining influence. I use an accepted definition of fascism … more

11/26/24

Misinformation is increasing antisemitism

Members of the Ely Palestine Solidarity Group don’t realize that there has never been a country named Palestine. For centuries preceding World War I, the entire Middle East was under the … more

11/26/24

Universal school meals

At a time that we traditionally give thanks with a meal shared with friends and family, it’s worth making note of another way that food is making a difference in the lives of many Minnesotans. … more

11/26/24

Eugene Coolidge had no kids...

Families tend to create their own traditions for celebrating the Thanksgiving holidays. The tradition in my family when I was growing up was Thanksgiving dinner “at the farm” in Plymouth, … more

Catie Clark | 11/26/24

Delivering real relief for northern Minnesota: Property tax reductions for the Range

Northern Minnesota has a rich history built on the backbone of Taconite Mining. For generations, this vital sector has powered our local economy, sustained our communities, and supported … more

Grant Hauschild/Dave Lislegard | 11/26/24

Don’t expect predictable foreign policy in Trump’s second term

The voters have spoken, and Donald J. Trump will be the 47th president of the United States. With a Republican-controlled Senate and strong backing in the House, Trump will be in position to … more

Lee Hamilton | 11/26/24

Thank you to the Ely voters for supporting education yet again

I am thrilled to share the wonderful news that our community has come together to support our students, educators, and school programs by passing the capital project levy authorization. This … more

11/21/24

Sprint medic program is not the answer

Last week the Timberjay reported that the Tower City Council was “skeptical over cost of sprint medic pilot project”, particularly the $200 charge to the area ambulance service each time … more

11/21/24

America’s promise at risk of slipping away

Last week’s editorial offered a very good history and analysis of how of the electoral college subverts democracy. Another issue has been how the chosen electors never exercise their … more

11/21/24

Thanks to all who helped with the hurricane relief

We would like to thank the generosity of the Cook Thrift Store for donating four bags of blankets and winter clothing, as well as the Tower Food Shelf’s donation of winter clothing, and all … more

11/21/24

Free market failure

Around the country, Americans can expect to start paying a lot more for electricity— and it won’t be due to the transition to renewable forms of energy. The rise in the installation of … more

11/21/24

Conservatives conquered new media in the election

For all the furor created when both the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times decided not to make endorsements in the presidential election this year, as WaPo owner Jeff Bezos suggested, it was … more

David Colburn | 11/21/24

Biden-Harris show us how mature patriots respond to an election loss

Can you believe it? The Democrats forgot to rig the election! Truth is, just as in 2020 the election was free, fair, and unrigged. I’m sorry Harris didn’t win, but I’m proud that … more

11/15/24

Trump’s victory

Donald Trump’s victory last Tuesday has sparked the usual Democratic handwringing that happens whenever an election doesn’t turn the way they had hoped — and centrists and the … more

11/14/24

I’ll keep singing ‘til the end

As a musician, I think I can now empathize with the band on the Titanic. I’ll keep playing, hopefully to provide some comfort, but the truth is we’re all going to drown. We had a chance … more

11/14/24

The Second Coming of the New Pariah

For those of us who voted blue, last week’s election results were a catastrophe of the highest order. We don’t think of the current president-elect as a savior who will restore … more

11/14/24

Thank you, Kamala!

In the end, she showed us grace, dignity, love, and respect for democracy and country, resilience, and her depth of compassion. She promised a safe, peaceful transition of the executive branch … more

11/14/24

America still not ready for a woman?

In my post-election funk, I’ve been trying to get my head around how things went so horribly wrong, how my country would prefer a candidate such as Trump. And it seems obvious, at least to me, … more

11/14/24

Trump needs to take climate change seriously this time

The latest world climate meeting, COP29, is currently in progress and one would hope that Trump or one of his associates would attend in preparation for his new administration. If he does not … more

11/14/24

Three new veterans homes in one year: Minnesota is stepping up to support its veterans

ST. PAUL – Ahead of Veterans Day, Governor Tim Walz released the following op-ed on the state’s commitment and efforts to support Minnesota’s veterans: As a 24-year veteran of … more

Gov. Tim Walz | 11/14/24

Take a deep breath and then, another...

Six days after the election, feeling baffled about the results and uncertain about the future, I turned to a dear friend for her wisdom. Mary Alice Harvey, 98 years old, was a Quaker in utero, her … more

Betty Firth | 11/14/24