I attended the public hearing on November 3 at Forestview, and after listening to the discussion, I feel compelled to share my own thoughts.  I write as a longtime resident, the CEO of a local business, chair of many local community projects, and proud family member of a near century-old local family business. 

I did not grow up in the Brainerd Lakes.  I married into it.  I was born in the Cities, on the banks of Minnehaha Creek.  Like Baxter, I grew up surrounded by nature and modern niceties.  I first came to Brainerd in 2000 to recruit for the Army.  In the early 2000s, many complained of the “Baxterdization” of the Brainerd Lakes, fearing the negative impact of expansion in our up-north respite.  I shared those concerns at the time, and still miss the trees we lost, but I see now that Baxter has brought a new dimension to the Brainerd Lakes that has, on balance, improved our community. 

The Highway 371 Bypass project has been presented as an opportunity to capture $58 million in public funding.  I urge us to pause and discern.  As Scripture reminds us in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”  This verse doesn’t condemn wealth itself.  Rather, it warns us of what happens when our choices are ruled by it.  I fear we may be being seduced by the glitter of a soon-to-explode financial opportunity with unintended and unpopular lasting consequences.

Please don’t let fear or a false sense of urgency drive too quick a decision.  Rather, let’s allow wisdom, discernment, and long-term vision lead instead.  It was said in the 1970s, “don’t eat the marshmallow.”  Let’s show the self-control to explore better options.

Brad Pieper, Brainerd