In the summer of 1995, I worked a three month internship at The Warroad Pioneer, which I'm sorry to say has since ceased operation. This was the first professional newspaper that I worked for in my career, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. I had only worked at Bemidji State University's newspaper for about a year and half before landing the internship. At The Pioneer I gained experience in sports, feature, beat and government reporting. I designed pages, took and developed photographs and was responsible for community relations. The best part is that I remain friends with the owners nearly 30 years later.
Aug. 15, 1995
By Devlyn Brooks
Weeks ago, the Roseau County Commissioners struck a compromise in which the interior exposed burnished brick material that was going to be used to construct the new courthouse was voted down in favor of keeping several other deducts.
At this past week's county commissioner's meeting, the Board voted to once again reinstate the burnished block into the new courthouse construction project.
According to Commissioner Dick Jackson, the commissioners started thinking about putting the burnished block back into the project at the pre-construction meeting that was held July 23. He said that at that meeting, the project's architect Thomas Vecchi recommended that the commissioners reinstate the burnished block.
The Board also received a letter from Vecchi on July 27 stating he would recommend the Board "reconsider" their decision about the burnished block because:
"The typical construction cost bids came in over $200,000 under budget and estimate."
"The $36,000 Deduct Amount, which represents 12,000 square feet of burnished concrete block or only $3 per sq. ft., does not represent a good value for all the interior exposed 'burnished' concrete block which will be eliminated."
"The regular concrete block (painted) will present a serious ongoing maintenance problem with necessary repainting of the concrete block, every three years minimum."
"The $36,500 cost for the interior exposed 'burnished' concrete block will be amortized in just a few years in saved maintenance costs alone."
"The burnished concrete block is a handsome and durable building component which will aesthetically enhance this building and will keep its luster and appearance for the life of the building."
In conclusion, the letter stated, "We highly recommend that you reconsider and reinstate the interior exposed burnished concrete block for this project."
Chairman Doran Horner told the Board that he had changed his opinion about the burnished block.
Horner had missed the meeting when the courthouse bids were awarded and was not able to vote on which deducts to accept or reject. At the next meeting, he told the Board he would not have accepted any of the deducts.
However, at this past week's meeting, Horner said that he had talked to too many people in the "building business" who recommended accepting the burnished block to reject it a second time.
Horner then asked each commissioner how he felt about reinstating the burnished block.
Commissioner Glenn Darst said that reinstating the burnished block would be cutting the project close to the cap that was set for the total cost. With the burnished block there would only be about a $23,000 leeway.
Commissioner Orris Rasmussen said that he agreed with Horner that the Board should accept the burnished block.
Commissioner John Spina said that he was going to "stick to his guns," and say no to the burnished block.
Jackson was also in favor of reinstating the block. "I'd like to see it in there. I think the public feels like they would like to have something they can be proud of."
After all the dust settled, Commissioners Jackson, Rasmussen and Horner voted in favor of reinstating the burnished block. Commissioners Spina and Darst voted against reinstatement.
The rest of the morning, the Board met with various county department heads to begin the first round of budget talks for the 1996 budget. The budget discussions will continue at this week's meeting and into September, Auditor Anne Granitz said.
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