Browsing Category Douglas County

Douglas County, WI: The Wild West of Wisconsin Politics

Welcome to Douglas County—where the trees outnumber the people, and local politics make reality TV look boring. Nestled in the rugged beauty of northern Wisconsin, Douglas County is where Lake Superior crashes against the shore, deer outnumber residents, and everyone’s got an opinion on how to fix the roads (spoiler: they never get fixed).

Home to the city of Superior—aka Duluth’s scrappier sibling—Douglas County is a patchwork of small towns, sprawling forests, and enough community boards to make your head spin. Whether it’s figuring out who actually runs what, our political scene is a mix of passionate arguments and good old-fashioned Midwestern stubbornness.

create an image that depicts a lush forest scene in Superior, Wisconsin, filled with tall, untouched trees and wildlife, symbolizing a protected natural area. In the foreground, Mayor Jim Paine stands with an exaggerated, welcoming smile, holding a sign that reads “Forest Saved!” Behind him, a hidden scene reveals a riverfront property owned by his family members, complete with houses, a paved driveway, and a large barge grounded in the river, humorously contrasting with the intended bird sanctuary. Uncle Fred and Cousin Freddy Jr. stand beside the property, giving thumbs up, while a faded “Bird Sanctuary” sign is visible, but crossed out. The satirical, cartoonish style emphasizes the irony of public land being used to address private family interests, hinting at the theme of “public good” versus “private favor.”

Mayor Paine’s Forest Land Swap: A Controversial Deal Favoring Family Interests in Superior, WI

in City Hall City of Superior on Share

Let’s discuss the latest from Superior, Wisconsin, where Mayor Jim Paine has a big idea to save the forest. However, this plan could benefit his family! With 60% of the Superior Municipal Forest as a State Natural Area, it appears noble. Yet, Uncle Fred and Cousin Freddy Jr. could gain from lifting a conservation easement on their prime riverfront property. Is this really about protecting public land, or public land for private gain? Dive in to uncover the truth!

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A visually striking depiction of a contentious city council meeting in Superior, Wisconsin, centered around the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) controversy. The scene shows a tense, packed chamber with divided attendees—some holding signs supporting clean energy and others backing reliable power infrastructure. At the forefront, Mayor Jim Paine stands at a podium, his expression a mix of conviction and defensiveness, with stacks of documents labeled “Environmental Concerns” and “Family Land Deal” on a table nearby. Behind him, an abstract rendering of a natural gas plant looms in the background, emitting faint smoke trails that form question marks in the air. Corporate representatives and city council members sit on opposite sides of the room, exchanging sharp glances. The atmosphere is charged, reflecting a battle between environmental ideals, corporate interests, and political controversy.

The Mayor, the Power Plant, and the Family Forest Deal: Rights, Rhetoric, and Responsibility

in City Hall City of Superior on Share

The ongoing battle over the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center in Superior, Wisconsin, highlights the clash between corporate rights and environmental stewardship, raising critical questions about transparency, integrity, and the motivations of public officials like Mayor Jim Paine. As stakeholders weigh the environmental impacts against economic benefits, this complex dispute underscores the challenges of balancing clean energy initiatives with corporate constitutional protections.

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