COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 36 NO. 13 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
TRASH AND TREASURE: St. Croix River cleanup contest includes river-inspired prizes . PAGE 7
Council considers boat wake posting at Log House Landing BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A Scandia resident wants to see the city do more to reduce boat wakes on the St. Croix River. Following a presentation on the damage erosion from boat wakes can cause, Pam Plowman-Smith, who lives on the river near Log House Landing, asked the Scandia City Council last week to post an enlarged version of the National Park Service “Slow – Minimal Wake” rule at the landing. After Councilman Jerry Cu-
sick raised concerns with the posting, the council tabled the issue until its Sept. 4 meeting. John Goodfellow, who preceded the discussion with his study titled “Wakes on The Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway,” noted that while the National Park Service wake regulations are noted on maps and other literature distributed about the river, there isn’t clear consensus on the rules among the park service, the two states departments of natural resources, or the law enforcement agencies. Likewise, most river-goers are
unaware of the wake restrictions. Goodfellow recommends that the Lower St. Croix River Management Commission, which jointly manages the riverway, should take up the issue and focus on educating the public about the effects of boat wakes. Plowman-Smith’s proposed 48-by-32-inch sign would have taken up Goodfellow’s recommendation a beat earlier and begun the process of educating boaters immediately. Cusick, a retired Washington County Sheriff’s Office commander, argued that without a
clear consensus on the rules, putting up additional signage would make things more difficult for law enforcement agencies. “It’s a good thing, but we all know it’s not enforceable,” Cusick said. “I’m just not supportive of putting up a bigger sign unless there are teeth behind it.” Plowman-Smith tried to negotiate with the council to edit her proposed sign language to something more amenable, but ultimately the council agreed to seek further guidance from the park service before taking
up the issue again. Goodfellow seemed to agree with that approach. “[Putting up a sign now] you’re just doing it as a town, and that doesn’t seem efficient,” he said.
Budget discussions begin Scandia may be looking at an increase to its annual tax levy in 2020, following consecutive years of flat increases from 2016-2019. The initial budget calls for a levy of $2,476,046, a 9.7 percent SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2
New website offers insider’s view of Marine BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
A new website will help visitors to Marine on St. Croix find shops, restaurants, trails, parks, and anything else they need to build the experience they’re seeking. The site’s creator, Marine resident Charlie Anderson, said he hopes visitmarine.com benefits both tourists and businesses. “When I’m downtown inevitably I see people wandering around,” Anderson said. “They
KARA HAKANSON | COURTESY EMPTY SPACE
A crew gathered in Marine on St. Croix last week to shoot scenes for a film currently titled "Empty Space."
Film crew shoots in Marine BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
A film crew took to Marine last week, shooting at a home, Ostlund’s Marine Garage and Nita Mae's Scoop. Currently titled "Empty Space," the plot centers around Matthew, who, after waking up and finding that he is completely alone, attempts to find his girlfriend in an empty town. The screenplay was written by Madeline Silton, who is also directing and co-producing with Molly Worre. David Schnack is
the director of photography and the film starrs Tiffany Cornwell as Catherine and Andrew Stecker as Matthew. The crew chose Marine because producer Worre knew Marine filmmaker Gayle Knutson, who helped coordinate shooting locations for “Empty Space.” “We loved the look of the town and thought it really fit with what we were going for in regards to aesthetic,” Silton said. Silton was born and raised in Minneapolis, and now lives part time in St. Andrews, Scotland. “I have been very active in the
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film community in Minneapolis,” she told the Messenger. She started as a production assistant on commercial sets for Target and Best Buy, and has now worked for commercial sets and independent films, both short and feature length. This is her directorial debut. Marine was also the backdrop for Knutson’s film “The Wagon,” shot in 2017 and released this year. “The Wagon” will screen August 10 at the Square Lake Film and Music Festival, followed by a Q&A with Knutson.
Marine resident Charlie Anderson said he wanted to make a website that offered a glimpse of Marine’s best features
want to know what’s here. Most people know about the General Store, but maybe not about the Mill Site or HWY North, or the trail down to the river. “I was hoping if I could put together something that was visually appealing and an overview of everything awesome about our town it would be a resource to those planning to visit.” Although Anderson sits on Marine’s city council, he noted that this is not an official city project. “I didn’t create this as a council member,” he said, “but as a resident.” SEE WEBSITE, PAGE 2
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