Local view: Story ignored Floodwood’s positives

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The front-page article Nov. 17 (above) about how the tight economy is pushing Floodwood “to the brink” was disturbing. The story left the impression Floodwood no longer has anything to offer.

The most important thing about a small town like Floodwood is its heart and sense of community. We are a community with excellent school facilities, the only Police Department for miles, a Fire Department and ambulance service, and, most importantly, people who care. A community is not just businesses and government. Floodwood and the surrounding townships have so many wonderful people who volunteer to work at our many events: May’s Farm and Garden Day, July’s Catfish Festival, August’s Southwest St. Louis County Fair, September’s Fall Color Festival and November’s Christmas Shopping Night, among others. Also, when a community member deals with a severe illness or a devastating home fire, our people pitch in to help, staging benefits; there always seems to be great turnouts.

In addition to downtown businesses, Floodwood has an industry, Mat Inc., just west of town that employs many local people. A quality quilt shop just east of town is widely known by quilters. And just down the road is a challenging golf course. These and many other businesses were started by Floodwood people with ideas and with the gumption to forge ahead and to transform their ideas into reality.

We have two local weekly newspapers. Floodwood has an Ages Center where young and old can use computers and enjoy many activities. Floodwood doesn’t have city parks, as such, but you will find a great Riverwalk, a campground and a multitude of outdoor activities including snowmobiling, hunting and fishing.

Bridgeman’s isn’t our only restaurant. We have three other year-round places and one seasonal one, offering choices from subs, burgers, and pizzas to steaks and seafood.

Yes, it is difficult for a small city to exist without a large tax base, and some very small cities face a bleak future. But Minnesota Public Radio and the News-Tribune seemed to be looking for the worst this month, neglecting the positive aspects about the Floodwood community.

Alice Rosenholm lives in Halden Township, near Floodwood.

Tags: local view, opinion, editorials, floodwood, business, money