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March 29, 2005
News Briefs
Minnesota moves to Canada
State legislators Richard Cohen and Matt Entenza, both Democrats, introduced a bill yesterday that would allow Minnesota to succeed from the union and become a part of Canada.
Minnesota would be added to the province of Manitoba, making it the largest province in the country.
“We’re just so tired of the Bush administration,” Cohen said. “We feel that Minnesotans would be better represented by the government of Canada than they are here in the United States.”
The measure would have the state capital moved from St. Paul to Baudette, which is right on the border of Minnesota and Canada. The capital of Manitoba is Winnipeg, just north of the Minnesota-Canada border.
“We didn’t plan on moving the capital from the St. Paul, but after some initial talks with Canadian legislators, we feel that it would be best for both regions,” Entenza said.
Discussion with Canada has just gotten underway, he said, but things are running smoothly.
“The prime minister [the Right Honorable Paul Martin] has been very receptive to our concerns,” Cohen said. “He believes that the day has come for states in the union to start sending a message to this administration that we don’t agree with its policies.”
Owner of Midway Books sees the light (rail)
Local bookstore owner and former vehement opposer of Midway light rail Tom Stransky has officially
declared his support for the controversial plans to bring light rail to the area.
For years, Stransky has displayed antiąlight rail signage, but now that he has decided to “jump on the bandwagon’” of light rail travel, the familiar orange graffiti signs now bear messages such as, “Light Rail is the Best Rail,” “Rail Me Lightly, Baby,” and “Midway Wants Light Rail, Too!!”
As to why he made such a sudden change in opinion, Stransky had only this to say: “The wife and I sat down one day and realized the boatload of money we would make were light rail to come right on by our little bookstore. From then on, we were sold!”
The bookstore is now selling a book about the benefits of light rail.
“We’re selling it at a 100 percent markup,” Stranksy said. “I wanted to be able to contribute to the solution after being a part of the problem for so long.”
If plans go as scheduled, light rail will be constructed in 2010 along University Ave. next to the bookstore, and Stransky will become the first successful independent bookstore owner in history.
Midway Motel moves out
The owners of the Midway Motel closed the sale of the motel last night to Conrad Hilton, owner of the
Hilton hotels chain.
The deal left the owners of the motel with several million dollars. The development plan is to put a quaint version of the typical large Hilton hotels.
Said Hilton: “I wanted to have a location in an area where more modest people vacation. I thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce them to the high life, what it’s like to wine and dine with the big boys.”
Rumor has it that Paris Hilton, Hilton’s daughter, will be running the motel as a pet project, and has announced that the motel will retain its hourly rates.
Posted by msveum at March 29, 2005 01:16 PM
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