PEQUOT LAKES COUNCIL HEARS CHAMBER PLEA, SURVEYS

The Pequot Lakes City Council talked mostly about the future of Highway 371 at Monday night's meeting. The council heard a presentation by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, survey information from Region Five Development Commission officials, and a recommendation from a school superintendent. Pequot Lakes School Superintendent Rick Linnell told the council he favors the through-town Highway 371 route. Linnell said without overpasses, the bypass option would cause serious safety concerns and the through-town option would better control traffic speed. Region Five Director Cheryal Hills said her organization interviewed 600 people in August and called 306 in October. 44% of those called preferred the bypass and 37% liked the through-town route. In a survey of business owners, more than half said they preferred the through-town route and roughly 35% said they liked the bypass. The council told the Brainerd Dispatch it will make a final decision at its December 18th meeting.