In the headlines
Local logger and Orr businessman Tim Olson
endorsed for Congress
Delegates at CD8's annual convention were proud to endorse Orr native Tim Olson in his campaign to unseat Jim Oberstar. Olson was a co-owner of the family business, Olson Logging Inc. and later of Northern Lights Timber and Lumber, both in northern St. Louis County. That led to positions on the Boards of Directors for both the Duluth-based Center for Economic Development and Associated Contract Loggers. Olson also served the community as a basketball coach for his former high school team, the Orr Braves.
In his nomination speech, Olson said, "This country belongs to the people, not to the government. I'm running for this office because I believe that I can effect the kind of change that will restore character, integrity and respect back to the public offices that were established to serve the American people, not the other way around."
On April 15, the Cook News-Herald covered his endorsement, calling him a "REAL" challenger to Oberstar, the 35-year incumbent who was elected to replace the retiring John Blatnik. That House seat has been held by Democrats -- first Blatnik, then Oberstar -- since 1947. In an editorial, the News-Herald decreed that Oberstar "has had his job assured for so long that the only time we see him is when there is a photo opportunity or a 4th of July parade."
Arrowhead region residents may remember Olson as the stand-out player from the Orr basketball team that went to the state tournament in 1976 and 1978. Olson was one of five finalists for the 1978 "Mr. Basketball" award. In addition to hoops, Olson excelled in football and was voted as a First-Team All-American and Regional Most Valuable Player. His love of sports continues to this day and he can still occasionally be found on one of the area's many great golf courses.
Tim's wife Lori has been a teacher in the Mountain Iron - Buhl school district for the past 27 years, currently teaching Health and Physical Education. She has also been a union officer for 10 years. Tim and Lori have a son, Brock, in college at the University of North Dakota. In addition to his studies, Brock plays golf for the Fighting Sioux.
To learn more about Tim Olson and his stand on the issues, please visit his website:
www.olsonforcongress2010.com
About CD8
CD8 covers the northeastern part of the state, stretching from the northern exurbs of the Twin Cities all the way to the Canadian border. Some of the top industries include mining, timber, agriculture, shipping, and tourism. The Mesabi, Vermilion and Cuyuna iron ranges -- which once produced 80% of the world's iron ore -- all lie within CD8's borders. The Mesabi range mines continue to produce taconite, an important commodity in today's global economy. The city of Duluth is home to the largest freshwater port in the world, where much of that taconite is shipped to steel mills near Lake Erie, or to Europe or Asia.
CD8 is home to some of the most beautiful scenic areas in the Upper Midwest: Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the North Shore of Lake Superior, Lake Vermilion and the Brainerd Lakes recreation area. More than 800,000 boats are registered in Minnesota and on any given summer weekend, you'll find many of those roaming the thousands of lakes within CD8. Minnesota is also known for having more golfers per capita than any other state, and many of the best courses can be found in CD8.
Fishing at sunset on South Sturgeon Lake, near Hibbing, MN.
Photo © Lars Hammar: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7603557@N08/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Congressional District 8
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Caroline Soyring,
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Don Waller,
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PJ Richardson,
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Workers in an early underground mine near Virginia, MN.
Walking trail at Rush Lake, Crosslake, MN.
Photo © Brian Faas.