No, Journel Staff, every one is not optimistic, about the last invester group nor are they optimistic about the current investor group. From unofficial polls, I would say about a third of the mill workers are not at all optimistic, a good number of the remaining are afraid to voice their oipinions on the matter and that leaves a minority of mill workers that will come out strongly in favor of the current plan for their future. Some of them, no doubt, would not vocally approve if they had a crystal ball they could read the future with. In addition to the mill workers, the other 20,000 residents in the area are well aware of the past benifits and the harm the mill has done to the community in every respect. The majority of residents in this community are well aware of the danger of not only further involvment of the mill in this community and the even greater danger of the further loss of jobs if any further part of the mill would shut down without the city and county doing more to lessen the blow of this happening. Do not be so flipant with your unfounded idea that the loss of the "will sheeter" was a loss. The stronger the mill is the stronger the mill is-- and thats not necessarily a good thing. After all, its the entire community, all 20,000 to 30,000 of them, that are affected by this mill not just the 850 workers in the plant. Even the little guy, while maybe not understanding all the details, certainly understands, as you do, investment groups do not run companys for any thing other then to sell or put the quickest buck in their pocket they can. They could care less about the union workers, the community, or anything but the quickest sure bet buck they can put in their pocket and will feed you all the doggie bones they can to get you to sell your soul to the devil, for sure. Thats why they call them "Investment Groups". Your darn lucky you have a union here to protect what they have or you would really see what would happen without them. the local union, I think, is the only thing that is keeping this county and city afloat. You can agree or disagree, like or don't like unions, and I agree that somtimes they make mistakes just like every one else, but you have nothing and I mean nothing at all if they were not trying to keep the most they can for whats left of Mando. And-- in the end they will probably loose the battle to China.

Sorry the area where the mill is bigger than that, but the plan is still to invest and put the federal civic complex on the river, sorry.

Everything is a guessing game. The good news is that for a short time we will have some construction workers in town. This will give the motels, restaurants, gas stations etc some much needed business. Every little thing will help until something bigger comes along(if ever).

Anton- Like your ideas but the Snowball analogy won't work, remember the "MAYOR" said the Falls wasn't cold anymore. Here is a thought- tear it down and put the FALLS back in INTERNATIONAL FALLS (Miss Stury - Remember?, NO Abbreviations for I. Falls). Then when tourist come we can be proud and show them something besides a blue building.

You know so many things that have been done are so simple to fix. Instead of Chamber of Commerce people working at a business after hours they should have the chamber office open on the weekends. The new chamber head is a people person with alot of business experience so maybe things will get better. Go back to what worked and that was Ice Box of The Nation and Ice Box Days. Sure we can add new exciting stuff but we can't take the weather away so highlight it and make it better. I never heard what is happening with Rocky and Bullwinkle. Maybe the Daily Journal can do an update. Add some seasonal stuff and try to advertise in some different areas such as major magazines. Send some better representives to the sport shows. If you don't have any, advertise for some. I would love to go and talk about our area and I am sure there are others. Just a few thoughts on such a beautiful day.

Its not so bad kay. In 18 months one family was afraid to come here, one is trying to leave but nobody will help him go because they want him to stay, one today says they will leave next year but thats a long way off, and Kelli and her husband moved here last month and have not said one bad thing. I have been all over the world except the Antarctic, where I hear shopping "Really" sucks, and never forgot home in International Falls, Minnesota. If you ever wore a dress, I would be a bit concerned as I am sure you would be if I wore "Tux". Shopping is just fine here, not the Mall of America, to be sure but just fine. All my shopping seems to be adequately done at the Gateway at Kabetogama, Rogers Corner and the Forestland, Local drug stores, bait stores and Ronnigs and Menards. In fact, there is far to much of a selection at a couple of them stores and that taxes my brain sometimes. Easy and simple is just fine with me and easy and simple is what we have to offer. Clean, fresh air, walleye, lots of berry picking, good hunting and women that don't need to wear dresses when they go shopping at the grocery store...it don't git no better then that.

I have friends and relatives from the Baudette Warroad area that come to the Falls to shop. The draw for them is on the westside of town Menards, Kmart. They get the supplies they need go get groceries eat at Hardees and go home. There is nothing to draw them to the downtown area. Sad but true. If we had the big draw to our area other things could spring and grow. Knowing the history of the business' that couldn't make it no one wants to invest their money at this time. The old saying "it takes money to make money" is so true. Where that will it come from is anybodies guess.

This is good commentary, keep it up,it is sensitive not negative.