THE BLATNIK BRIDGE, NTEC, MINI GOLF AND MORE
AND I’M NOT PUTTING AROUND!!!
761. Hello everyone and welcome to today’s Blog. Lots to cover so let’s get started. And unfortunately, there is no shortage of nonsense. I want to start with a story about the population outlook for Wisconsin including Superior, with comments from the #1 Know-It-All, Mayor Jim Paine.
Wisconsin’s population projected to decline
By Evan Casey, Wisconsin Public Radio and Shelley Nelson, Superior Telegram
January 09, 2025 at 7:37 AM
SUPERIOR — A new projection from the state found Wisconsin’s population is expected to decline by nearly 200,000 residents by 2050.That’s largely due to declining birth rates and the aging of baby boomers, according to a Wisconsin Department of Administration report that uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 2020 the state’s population was 5.98 million. By 2050 that number is expected to decrease to 5.71 million — a decline of nearly 184,000 residents. The projection expects the state’s population to remain stable from 2020 to 2030. It’s then expected to decrease around 1% from 2030 to 2040, and just over 2% from 2040 to 2050.
Douglas County is projected to lose almost 9,665 people by 2050, according to the report. The county’s only city, Superior, is projected to lose 6,141 people, a reduction of 23% of the current city population of 26,751.
The report found the statewide decline is largely due to the “changing age distribution.”“In coming decades, Wisconsin’s largest generation, the baby boomers, will enter higher-mortality age groups,” the report said.
If the state were to maintain its population, it would “require a large unforeseen shift,” according to the report. That could be a “large decrease in mortality; a large increase in fertility,” or an increase in new migration to the state. John Johnson, a researcher at Marquette University Law School, called the projection “sobering.”
“Anyone who’s looked at birth statistics knows that people in Wisconsin are having fewer and fewer babies, and we’re not a hot spot for migration,” Johnson said.
Wisconsin’s population growth has stalled in recent years. A 2021 report from Forward Analytics found that from 2010 to 2020, Wisconsin’s population increased by 3.6% — the smallest increase in any 10-year period in the state’s history.
Dale Knapp, the director of Forward Analytics, said the state projections aren’t necessarily surprising to him.
“The only way that we’re going to see some of these numbers turn around is people moving here, people coming to Wisconsin from other states or other countries,” Knapp said.
Knapp said population decline will add to the state’s workforce shortage. That could be worse in the northern part of the state, Knapp said, where the projection found 16 counties across the state are expected to see a 15% or more population decline by 2050.
“Many of them are tourist counties,” Knapp said. “The workforce challenge is going to be enormous.” Johnson also said there will be a higher demand for services for older people in the coming years as more baby boomers retire. “Those services will be harder to provide, because there will be fewer working age people to provide for them,” he said.
The projected population decline will be more pronounced in some counties because they have different age distributions, according to the report. The report found “stable population” generally occurs when total fertility rates are around the 2.04-to-2.09 range. But Wisconsin’s total fertility rates have been around the 1.6-to-1.9 range from 1975 to 2020.
The median age of Superior residents is 38, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, and 17.5% of the city’s population is 65 or older. Countywide, 19.9% of the population is 65 or older, and the median age is 42.1 years, the 2020 census showed.
Superior has been focused on policy — from building housing to meet the needs of smaller families, rewriting its zoning code for housing and other amenities that make the community livable, and is now turning its attention to downtown spaces to make them livable as well, said Superior Mayor Jim Paine.
“We are building rapidly through multiple policies,” Paine said. He said the Vacant to Value programs developed have also created new opportunities for new and renovated housing in the city. Those programs offer people the opportunity to purchase city-owned land or houses for $1 under an agreement to build new or renovate homes for owner-occupied housing.
“The answer to increase your population is just to supply housing, but also to supply it in a way that benefits changing demographics, which is smaller families and a younger population that generally requires smaller spaces with more community amenities — parks, access to businesses and shops, access to work, safe neighborhoods,” Paine said. “So that’s what we’re doing.”
Paine said while the methodology of the report is solid, he is still skeptical that the next census will reflect Superior losing population. After all, hundreds of housing units have been added since the 2020 census and housing prices have soared since 2020. It’s something that wouldn’t happen if people didn’t want to live in Superior, the mayor said.
“I’ve been reading demographic projections for years now in government and they’ve been wrong every time,” Paine said. He said they tend to show trends but he believes the city’s population will grow by the 2030 census. Paine said the report doesn’t take into account what is happening in the economy and climate change, which affects some areas harder than Superior.
“COVID was a major disruptor with many more people being able to work remotely, and 100% remote positions can live anywhere,” Paine said. “Somebody could be working in Los Angeles or New York and living in Superior, Wisconsin. We’re already seeing some of that with folks migrating from the Twin Cities.” Meanwhile, Dane County is among the minority of counties with anticipated population growth — from 561,504 residents in 2020, to 779,265 in 2050 — a 38% increase.
Nationally, the Congressional Budget Office is projecting the population will increase from 342 million people in 2024 to 383 million people in 2054.
762.
COMMENTS
As I have been saying on many of my Blogs, the population of Superior has been declining for many years including those since possibly the Worst Mayor of Superior ever, Jim Paine took office. So let’s analyze the brilliant, almost genius like comments that “Jimmy Neutron” contributed to what seems to be a very well researched article.
#1 Paine said:
Superior has been focused on policy — from building housing to meet the needs of smaller families, rewriting its zoning code for housing and other amenities that make the community livable, and is now turning its attention to downtown spaces to make them livable as well, said Superior Mayor Jim Paine.
I SAY:
What a pile of crap. As usual, no facts or figures to support his statement. And every time this city rewrites a code it’s just to make our lives more miserable. I don’t see or want the city to build anything. Leave that up to investors and developers. If there is a need or demand they will fulfill it. That’s how it works. But if they feel that a city is indifferent or not business friendly, they will go elsewhere to invest and build.
# 2 Paine said:
“The answer to increase your population is just to supply housing, but also to supply it in a way that benefits changing demographics, which is smaller families and a younger population that generally requires smaller spaces with more community amenities — parks, access to businesses and shops, access to work, safe neighborhoods,” Paine said. “So that’s what we’re doing.”
I SAY:
Yup, more crap. What exactly are you doing? Where did you cut and paste that statement from? Again no facts to support what you just said. Maybe you took that from one of your textbooks from the great schooling you had.
# 3 Paine said:
Paine said while the methodology of the report is solid, he is still skeptical that the next census will reflect Superior losing population. After all, hundreds of housing units have been added since the 2020 census and housing prices have soared since 2020. It’s something that wouldn’t happen if people didn’t want to live in Superior, the mayor said.
I SAY:
You guessed it, more crap. Look at the chart. What would lead you to believe that after years and years of population decline that the numbers and pattern will change. Keep in mind this article was written Jan 9, 2025. That’s only a few weeks after you got those infamous tax bills. Do you think that maybe people who might have been thinking of moving here were discouraged by that whole mess? You said the following: “hundreds of housing units have been added since the 2020 census”. Facts and figures please?
# 4 Paine said:
“I’ve been reading demographic projections for years now in government and they’ve been wrong every time,” Paine said. He said they tend to show trends but he believes the city’s population will grow by the 2030 census. Paine said the report doesn’t take into account what is happening in the economy and climate change, which affects some areas harder than Superior.
I SAY:
Yep, that’s a Megacrap for sure. Paine said: “I’ve been reading demographic projections for years now in government and they’ve been wrong every time,” Well if anybody would know about government being wrong every time, Jim Paine would be an expert on that. He then said: “It doesn’t take into account what is happening in the economy and climate change”. Note to Paine. On November 5, 2024 “Climate Change” was declared a HOAX. Having said that, people do move because of weather and it’s usually northerners moving south for warmer surroundings. I don’t know about you, our readers, but I have never met anybody who has moved anywhere because of climate change. And by the way do you think he has “Been reading demographic projections for years now”? I don’t. I think there is a better chance that he’s been reading more comic books than “reports”.
FINAL COMMENTS
764. The one thing the article doesn’t touch on is the politics of Wisconsin. This state is plagued with terrible Mayors and equally bad City Councils. Superior, Madison. Milwaukee, Sheboygan and the list goes on and on. High taxes, lousy weather and awful local politicians. Think about it. Anyway we all just read Paine’s responses and I feel like I just fell into a pool of hippo shit. Nauseating, devoid of facts or as I would call it, the usual from our always uninformed Mayor. I know the picture above is sickening, but I’d rather look at that than listen to another Mayor Paine childish rant. And that leads us to our next story which just broke on Thursday Feb 20th.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE
TRUMP VS PAINE
LAST ELECTION RESULTS
77,284,118 Votes
4,432 Votes
Trump administration seeks to fast-track Nemadji Energy Center
The proposed power plant in Superior is among projects deemed eligible for expedited review. By Danielle Kaeding / Wisconsin Public Radio February 20, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Permits for hundreds of energy projects may be fast-tracked by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Trump administration, including plans for a pipeline project in the Great Lakes and a fossil fuel plant in Superior.
The Army Corps designated the projects as eligible to receive an emergency permit following President Donald Trump’s executive order that declared a national energy emergency. They include a roughly $1 billion gas-fired power plant in Superior proposed by several utilities. Enbridge’s proposal to build a $750 million tunnel to house Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lakes Michigan and Huron, is also on the list.
The agency has previously fast-tracked permits in emergencies, such as natural disasters. Federal regulations say the Army Corps can expedite permits if it would create “an unacceptable hazard to life, a significant loss of property, or an immediate, unforeseen, and significant economic hardship” to follow the agency’s standard process.
Beth Wallace with the National Wildlife Federation said in a virtual briefing Wednesday the fast-track plan is part of an effort to circumvent the permitting process. “We are urging members of Congress to not allow permit rubber-stamping or sidestepping to expedite the interests of Enbridge in this case and to, first and foremost, protect the interests of people and wildlife in the Great Lakes,” said Wallace, the group’s Great Lakes climate and energy director.
La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative, Minnesota Power in Duluth and Basin Electric Power Cooperative in North Dakota want to build the Nemadji Trail Energy Center, or NTEC, as they shift away from coal and invest in renewable energy.
“It really is not much of a surprise, but that doesn’t mean that this is anywhere near an approved project,” Superior Mayor Jim Paine said. “This project still has insurmountable hurdles.”
The Superior City Council has denied local approvals for the project, and utilities still need to reapply for a state air permit. Environmental groups Clean Wisconsin and the Sierra Club have also asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear their case challenging utility regulators’ decision to approve the plant’s construction.
Clean Wisconsin spokesperson Amy Barrilleaux disputed Trump’s claims the plan would unleash American energy. “What we’re really going to be doing is unleashing the worst impacts of climate change and air pollution in communities all across this country,” Barrilleaux said.
Environmental groups point out the plant would impact around 55 acres of wetlands and produce nearly 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. The federal Rural Utilities Service has said the plant would also reduce emissions in the region by about 800,000 tons each year by displacing coal plants. Lake Superior tribes have also raised concerns about the project’s effects on treaty rights and the remains of tribal ancestors near the site.
In a statement, Dairyland Power spokesperson Katie Thomson said the plant is an example of critical infrastructure projects that have faced permitting delays nationwide. “The facility was originally scheduled to be in service this year,” Thomson said. “If that timeline had been met, the Superior region would be within months of having a state-of-the-art facility supporting greatly increased renewable energy generation while yielding family-supporting jobs and $1 million/year in new tax revenue to the city and county.”
Thomson said the power cooperative is reviewing whether the emergency permit designation may affect plans to build the project.
Other eligible projects
Enbridge’s Line 5 runs 645 miles and carries up to 23 million gallons of oil per day from Superior to Sarnia, Ontario. In a statement, Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner noted the company first applied for a permit with the Army Corps in 2020 for the proposed tunnel, calling it critical energy infrastructure. The project aims to reduce the risk of spills in a 4-mile span of the 72 year-old Line 5, which has been damaged by anchor strikes in recent years.
“However, after nearly five years, the project still awaits action by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on an environmental impact statement and a permitting decision,” Kellner said. Michigan officials have granted approvals for the project.
Environmental groups and tribes are challenging approval of the tunnel project. The company is also locked in legal battles with the state of Michigan and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa over shutting down and removing Line 5 from the bottom of the Great Lakes and the tribe’s lands in northern Wisconsin.
The Army Corps also identified six additional eligible projects in Wisconsin, including a We Energies project to remove wires and poles over the Fox River. The utility’s spokesperson Brendan Conway said no wetland or waterway impacts are expected to occur.
COMMENTS
765. So “Pee-Wee” Paine wants to take on Donald Trump. Geez, I wonder who’s gonna win that fight? The man of “Not” his word is now in a tough spot that he created when he changed his vote on NTEC. I don’t see how this ends well for him and those other dumb-ass Mayor bootlickers AKA City Councilors that joined him by also changing their minds which include Jenny Van Sickle, the Mayors wife and Ruth Ludwig who both changed their vote. So we went from 2019 when City Council voted unanimously to approve the project to where we are today. If nothing else, this should be interesting to follow these two titans (well at least one of them is) of politics fight this out. In one corner President Donald Trump and in the other corner, Mayor Pee-Wee Paine. Any one want to place a bet on who will win? Now on to our next story.
This is from our friends at Soupnutz.net.
FEBRUARY 4TH CITY CLOWNCIL MEETING – NEW STUDY: LEAD POISONING IMPAIRS DECISION-MAKING
—JUST LOOK AT SUPERIOR CITY CLOWNCIL!
“Welcome to Superior, Wisconsin, the town where Mayor Jim Paine prioritizes bus-driving contests over clean drinking water, and the city council moves faster on mini-golf leases than public health crises.
Yes, you read that right—Mayor Jim Paine won a plastic traffic cone in a bus-driving contest, while residents are still drinking lead-contaminated water.
Mayor Jim Paine: Award-Winning Bus Driver, Budget-Burning Politician
Before tackling the trivial issue of toxic water, Mayor Jim Paine proudly announced:
“I won a bus-driving contest in Duluth! The Golden Cone now belongs to Superior!”
A cone. A literal plastic cone. Meanwhile, Superior’s water system still belongs in a Superfund site.
What did the city council do? They clapped.
Deep Thoughts from the Clowncil
Councilor Van Sickle, who never questioned Mayor Jim Paine’s reckless spending of ARPA funds, suddenly became a financial watchdog:
“We don’t have enough information yet. What if Superior Water, Light & Power mismanages the funds?”
Oh, NOW we care about spending?
Where was this concern when Mayor Jim Paine burned through ARPA money like a kid with birthday cash?
Meanwhile, Councilor Sweeney added his usual insight:
“I have 27 questions, but I won’t ask them all right now.”
Narrator: He absolutely did.
And then, a rare moment of clarity from Councilor Elm:
“Wait… why isn’t Superior Water, Light & Power here?”
Oh,
you expected them to show up? No, no.
Even they know the City Clowncil is a waste of time.
Meanwhile, in More Important News: Mini-Golf!
While the
lead poisoning crisis sparked endless debate, the council
approved Captain J’s Mini-Golf lease in record time:
- $500 rent increase
- Approved in 30 seconds
- No discussion, no hesitation, no questions
“Oh yeah, sounds good.” – Councilor Graskey, an intellectual
So, to recap:
- Lead pipes? Let’s argue for two hours.
- Mini-golf? Approved instantly.
Clearly, this town has its priorities straight.
Final Verdict: Another Meeting, Another Waste of Oxygen
After two hours of government theater, here’s what actually happened:
- Mayor Jim Paine is now the Michael Jordan of Bus-Driving.
- Mini-golf is secured for future generations.
- Lead pipes? Still full of lead.
And let’s not forget:
The same city officials who let Mayor Jim Paine burn through ARPA funds without a second thought are suddenly experts on responsible spending.
Superior, WI: Where Winning a Traffic Cone is More Important Than Clean Drinking Water.
766. I hate mini golf. Why? When we lived in Florida there is Mini-Golf places all over and my wife and kids used to go to them frequently and they all really enjoyed going but not me. Why? Because my wife would beat me almost all the time and her and the kids seemed to get great joy in that. And the worst part of it they made sure I didn’t forget even to this day.
Anyway, I looked up the Council meeting for Feb 4, 2025 and I found this letter on the city’s website that Mayor Paine signed on November 13, 2024. Here it is:
MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 13, 2024
To: Mayor Jim Paine and the Common Council
From: Jason Serck, Planning Director
RE: Lease Agreement- Captain J's Miniature Golf November 19, 2024
It is requested that the Common Council approve Lease Agreement Amendment III for Captain J's Miniature Golf on Barker's Island.
Introduction
1. Captain J's Miniature Golf has been operating on Barker's Island since 1982. The current agreement will be extended and rent payments have been renegotiated.
Background
2. Captain J's Miniature Golf has been a fixture at Barker's Island but has suffered a downturn in business due to the economy and the discontinuation of harbor tours originating from Barker's Island. Nonetheless, the mini golf operation is niche that is not offered elsewhere in Superior, and it offers an economical recreation option for both residents and visitors.
Captain J's has recently invested capital to improve and upgrade their operations, while still keeping their prices affordable for families.
The rent has been renegotiated to three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), annually, from the previous two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). The term will be extended through December 31, 2028.
Conclusion
3. It is the Planning Department's recommendation to approve Amendment III for Captain J's for the revised rent and extension of the Lease Agreement. Captain J's Lease Agreement Amendment Ill 1.
This was recommended and signed by Mayor Jim Paine.
MORE COMMENTS
767. This story caught my eye because it says a lot about our Mayor. Let me explain.
#1
He signed this letter only a few weeks before the city sent out the property tax bills and ruined Christmas for many residents. It is my belief that he knew how bad the increases were before he signed this letter. And if that’s not bad enough they voted for it on Feb 4, 2025. That’s only 4 days after your first property tax bill was due and many of you are struggling with your January credit card bills. And by the way you might want to cut back on, or completely eliminate this year’s summer holiday. The second half of your tax bill is due July 31.
#2
He goes on to say that Captain J's has been a fixture here and has suffered a downturn in business due to certain factors. He acknowledges that they are niche that is not offered elsewhere in Superior, and it offers an economical recreation option for both residents and visitors. Captain J's has recently invested capital to improve and upgrade their operations, while still keeping their prices affordable for families.
#3
The rent has been renegotiated to three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), annually, from the previous two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). The term will be extended through December 31, 2028.
#4
It is the Planning Department's recommendation to approve Amendment III for Captain J's for the revised rent and extension of the Lease Agreement. Captain J's Lease Agreement Amendment Ill 1.
This was recommended and signed by Mayor Jim Paine.
You can see the actual here:
https://www.superiorwi.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042025-1019
COMMENTS
768. I thought about how to break this down and I think the best way was to take their letter and just tweak it a bit. Here it is:
DATE: November 13, 2024
To: Mayor Jim Paine and the Uncommon Council
From: Jason Serck “Du Soleil”, Planning Director
RE: Hostage Agreement- Captain J's Miniature Golf November 19, 2024
It is requested that the Uncommon Council approve Ransom Agreement Amendment III for Captain J's Miniature Golf on Barker's Island.
Introduction
1. Captain J's Miniature Golf has been operating on Barker's Island since 1982. The current agreement will be extended and rent payments have been renegotiated. Did they really have a choice? LOL-Jason
Background
2. Captain J's Miniature Golf has been a fixture at Barker's Island but has suffered a downturn in business due to the economy and the discontinuation of harbor tours originating from Barker's Island. That sucks eh? Too bad, so sad. We still want that extra 500 bucks. Nonetheless, the mini golf operation is niche that is not offered elsewhere in Superior, and it offers an economical recreation option for both residents and visitors. Captain J's has recently invested capital to improve and upgrade their operations, while still keeping their prices affordable for families.
So we just thought that we would raise the rent and Captain J's can just pass this cost to their customers and make it less affordable for them because that’s how we roll baby! Why? Because we can.
The ransom has been renegotiated to three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), annually, from the previous two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). The term will be extended through December 31, 2028.
Over the course of the lease that works to about 45 cents a day. Even though we have a multi million dollar budget and we did absolutely nothing to deserve a raise in rent like the fact the population is dropping every year because we are doing a shitty job attracting new residents. And we have been busy chasing businesses out of the city as well. We also have been busy raising taxes so people will have less disposable income and that also should hurt your business. So good luck on that.
Most of us, including me and City Council have never signed the front of of a check or created a job. But don’t worry about that, we know what we are doing. The Mayor said so. Remember his comments about SWLP? We also believe that all people who own a business are millionaires. You are a millionaire aren’t you?
I know you could spend that money more wisely than we will but I really don’t care and if you want to bitch about it, I will make your life a living hell.
Conclusion
3. It is the Planning Department's recommendation to approve Amendment III for Captain J's for the revised ransom and extension of the Hostage Agreement. Captain J's Lease Agreement Amendment Ill 1.
This was recommended and signed by Mayor Jim Paine.
Love and kisses- LOL-Jim
770.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When I first read this letter, which was written by the city, it reminded me of living in Canada in the 90’s when the country was going through a very serious recession. Thousands of businesses were writing their landlords, me included, looking for rent relief. But as I said, this letter came from the city and they are pointing out the problems that Captain J's was having. So what’s the solution? Raise the rent of course. Only a socialist/communist thinks like that. And then the 10 City Councilors just go ahead and agree like the goofballs they are. And for what? A lousy 500 bucks, or 45 cents a day. And two other things they don’t mention is there have been several articles stating that the Twin Ports and Twin Cities are expecting a softer tourist season this year. Could we call that the Tampon Tim effect?
Who knows, but a new report has just come out stating that around 40% of people regardless of party spend their money in stores, on products and on leisure and travel based on their politics which by the way is something I take into consideration myself.
Wouldn’t have been nice if the city would just left the rent the same or even reduced it by 500.00 (45 cents a day)? Politics are also about optics and the optics here are awful. They just pulled a number out of their ass and that number was 500 bucks. In case you were wondering that’s a 20% increase.
771. I don’t know about you but I find it quite disgusting how these politicians are so addicted to your money. This story was never about 500 bucks, it was about the mindset of Mayor Paine and this City council. Their lack of curiosity, common sense and thought process is quite frankly, scary.
But I believe the most important thing for not just for Captain J's, but for the entire city is the effect of the Blatnik bridge construction. Over the years many of my businesses have been subject to construction projects. Some small, some medium and some catastrophic. The one thing they all had in common is they were all business killers. I think the Blatnik bridge one might be mega catastrophic. It is supposed last four years.
If the city doesn’t get it right from the onset it could be disastrous for the city. It really comes down to the flow in and out of both cities. The time it takes from point A to point B. Superior can’t afford to lose a large segment of Duluth’s business for that long. Our leaders need to get it right from day 1.
And if I’m only half right about the effect of the Blatnik bridge on local businesses, I don’t feel the current Mayor and City Council and administration are equipped to guide this city through what could be the biggest business and job killer that has hit this city ever. I’ll talk more on this on the next Blog.
FINAL WORDS
772. That’s it for today’s Blog. On the last Blog and the one before that, I said:
“On the next I will be talking taxes, fake news and local politics featuring “Tooler Elmo” AKA Tylor Elm and “Jenny Van Popsicle” AKA Jenny Van Sickle and a lot more. I promise all that and my fascination with nicknames too”.
But this time I really mean it. And unlike Mayor Paine, I take full responsibility and I’m not blaming anybody but myself. I would like to blame someone else but I can’t think of one.
Thanks, Brian
