School board closed door meeting.

The Duluth School board held a closed door meeting Tuesday night to sell Duluth Central High School. It sat for three years with a few buyers looking at but nothing the board wanted to deal with.   Now they have sold the building for 10 million dollars to a developer not being named as of yet.

Now two other schools looked in to buying the building Duluth Edison and Lake view Christian.  The school board refused to sell to them because they are "competing" schools.  First lets take edison, it is a private public partnership with 709 the school board allowed them to come here and are in partnership with them how is that competing?  Lake view yes is a private but the way I see it is already a school let it be used as such if you are not going to.

Now on to the closed door meeting I don't care what any one says, I hate closed door meetings now the school district will hide behind that they are protecting the developer and the citizens in realty you are only protecting your own butt.  It was a 7-0 vote.  You only have a closed for two reason, one for expelling kids and I get to protect the student.  Two to protect your self because you really don't want to hear from the citizens.

Council Vice President.

Well folks it's time of year where the Duluth City Council looks to elected new leaders to president and vice president.  There is a cat and mouse game taking place as we speak.   The two front runners right now are councilors Jay Fosle and Jennifer Julsrud.  Now there is potently for a even a third person to jump in the is for vice president.

For those that don't know normally all the "fighting" for these positions are normally done behind hind sence. When the election takes place it is normally a 9-0 for the seats because the council wants to show unity.  That said don't be followed there is a big game being played for these seats.

Joel and I talked about it on the radio show last night, if you have not listened to the show go and do so, we explain it well there.  You can find the show at www.blogtalkradio.com/duluthpolitics2.


Now councilors are already who they want to vote and most seem to have there minds made up one way or the other, there are two swing votes I believe right now on who will get the seat. Those councilors are Howie Hanson and Zack Filpovich.  The others I believe know who they will support. How I see it as of now:

For Councilor Julsrud are Russ, Krug, Larson and her self

For Councilor Fosle Sipress, and Gardner and him self.

Now the two swing votes will be courted for there vote.  This will be very interesting and it should be fun to watch as it develops.

Is there some one you want in the VP role then let the councilors know your thoughts as to why that person would be a good VP.

As far as president it seems like Larson would be the front runner for it and maybe the only to do so at this point.  

The Duluth Governors debate.

This post is not going to be at all about the debate that took place in Duluth this morning.  Fact is I did not go to it so at this point I don't know how it went.  This post will focus on the fact that the debate was missing something/some one.

Now I know that the chamber had been setting this up as a  debate between Governor Dayton and republican challenger Jeff Johnson.  Fact is they totally disregarded another choice for Governor and that was independent candidate Hannah Nicollet. Now it may not have been a big deal to some but for me it is, regardless of your political stand all major voices should be heard.  The independents does major status in Minnesota and there for should have had there candidate in this debate.  After all she was in the other two prior debates in Rochester and Moorehead Minnesota.


Not only was she in them but she did well in them according to many sources for all walks of the political life.  I just strongly believe that all candidates should have the right to take part in a debate.

Now why would the chamber not include her, I don't know for sure.  There sure are many possibility's, they have a political bend they wanted to protect?  The chamber does not believe she is in a major party or viable candidate.  Neither of these should be something the chamber should decide.  They don't like her?  Don't like the party?  ect....

The chamber said that they would not include her because it would be distrustful, to the other candidates.  What a complete joke.   The chamber made a bad decision in not allowing her to debate today, it angered many people again of all political aisles.  Many did not attend debate because of this.  

News and endorsing.

Okay folks here is the deal  I have been involved in media for 20 plus, in many ways from blogging,radio and politics.  Now I have a real issue with news papers and news cast endorsing/ fact checking.  There is a reason you are news.  Do your job and report the news.  

I don't feel that news papers should do endorsements, this is not news.  Fact is an "endorsement" by a paper just an opinion there is no news involved in this. Papers time in and time out tell you vote this way and here is a bit about the candidate, what they don't tell is how they came to decision.  They also do not tell who is making that decision nor do they tell where those people stand politically. I don't see anything news worthy in papers endorsements.

fact checking in a newscast, again this is not something that should be done in a newscast.  This is not news, what they are doing is threw a tv commercial of a candidate or party and saying if they believe it is true or not.  I fail to see how this is news.  I don't have a problem with them doing fact checking, the problem I have is where it is done.  If you want to have a community show that does where you say we   have taken this commercial apart and here is what we believe.  That said in that show if the station leans any way they need to make that information public.  

Blogging is completely different, this is where people share there thoughts and opinions. Quickly also there a talk shows on radio, these are different from news programs.  The show host and callers are sharing there opinions on issues, candidates ect...

This may come from my schooling and being involved in media for 20 plus years.  I just don't see any positives in this type of "news" broadcasting.  When is school you learn that news is just that news, you don't have a political lean.

Howie Hanson announces run for Mayor.

The first of a list of possible many people to announce their run for Duluth has been made.  It of course all depends on what Mayor Don Ness decides to do.  If he runs there will not be many people running, if he does not the list will be many.


Duluth City Councilor Howie Hanson announced last week he would run for in 2015.  Well there where rumours of him running for Mayor his early announcement has seemed to shock many folks.  The debate has been why announce before the 2014 elections is over?  It is a good question his short response has been because he wants the public to get to know him and where he stands on issues.  

Howie will be on the Duluth Politics radio show tomorrow night at 10pm central time.  You can listen to the here, www.blogtalkradio.com/duluthpolitics2.  We will talk about this and many other issues as well in his run for Mayor.

My plan for the show is he and I will talk for about ten minutes or so then I will open the phone lines for about 10 or 15 minutes for questions and he and will wrap up the show with more talk and close it out.

There was a facebook fire storm between Mayor Ness and Hanson as well it seems like Mayor Ness was not happy he would have to run against if he chooses to run again.  My question is should you not always expect a challenger?

Fall Fest turns in to political hot spot.

Fall fest this year turned in to a political hot spot.  Now during this great fall event at chester bowl there is normally a couple of politicians. It however is not a hot spot for many of the higher up seats, you get your local politicians city council, school board, county board from time to time.  You don't normally see state or federal candidates much there.

First let me say that fall fest is a great event held at chester bowl every year in late September, farmers market, food, music, and other vendors.   Fun time held by all who go to it.  This year saw an  political spectrum from the democrats and republicans. Both candidates for state house 7A where their, Jen Shultz and Becky Hall.  The DFL had a both there as well. The thing that does not happen much is the republicans got something right, and brought Stewart Mills (running congress 8th) Jeff Johnson ( running for Governor) at this event.  Now they where in town for the Ronald Reagan dinner.  However for them to realize that this event has hundreds to thousands of people and bring them to is remarkable, they never get anything right up here.

Mills and Johnson did not get to the event till about 2:30 or 3 as they where huge gun show in Cloquet . Still there where a lot people at the event at this time.  They also where there in support of 7A candidate Becky Hall who had a booth at the event.  They used there time wisely meeting with people threw out the park.  Just shocked they did this.  What it will mean for them is yet to be seen.  I can't say  Mills or Johnson have not been up here any more however :( .


Now on to a note for both 7A candidates get out of your booth more and meet and go to the people not wait for them to come to you as events like this.  There was far to much sitting and standing at your booth by both of you.

 

Mayor Ness to run again or not.

Man there are all kinds of rumors out there on what Mayor Don Ness is going to do.  My personal thought is he is not going to run again but I have no real knowledge of his intention. As the rumors grow about who might run for mayor and city council races.


Mayor list as I have heard:  City councilor's Emily Larson, Howie Hanson, Joel Siprss ( I don't think he will this time) but his name has been tossed around.  Chris Dalhberg, Becky Hall, Roger Reinhert, Scott Keenen ,Dan fanning, Dan Hartman, Todd Fedora, Jim Stauber.

Sorry for the lack of post as of late.

Hey folks sorry for the lack of post as of late, I have been very busy with work and many other things that I have neglected the blog, but I am hoping to start a regular post time soon.

Last nights Duluth City Council meeting recap.

Last night the Duluth City Council had a meeting, well if you want to call it that.  It seemed  more like a quick chat on how everyone was doing LOL.  The fastest meeting I can remember in some time 23 minutes.  That said there where a couple of interesting things that did take place.


One was Councilor Howie Hanson has decided to pull his idea of a city ran casino from the agenda for now.  Councilor Hanson will bring it up again at another time.  He said the timing was wrong right now but he does not believe fee's are away to solve the city's problems, I agree with that 100%.

The second is there seems to be some reprieve in the park point area and the what the plan is to "improve" the area.  There will be a group set up to make recommendations on what to do in the point area, they will have till December 2015 to do so and present them to the council.  This is great for the entire 3rd district and the point as people can start to heal.

This for the most part also kills the recall councilor Gardner BS as well.  Thank goodness for that, there are still a few on the point that will not give it up however most of the pointers have given up on it.  They are working to better the area as a whole.

Beside the fact Councilor Gardner is up for election in 2015, and get this she is not running so there is no point for a recall just drop it those that want to see it threw the time is now to save face if you can.

Jennifer Schultz.

Jennifer Schultz is running for the 7A house seat and is endorsed by the DFL. It seems to me she has been very unclear on a couple of major issues facing Minnesota and that have a huge impact on Northern Minnesota.

The first is mining, if you go to her web site she says she is pro business but anti pollution.  That is great  so Jen what exactly does that mean?  People that claim to be close to her also say this is her position on mining and polymet. These same people have told she has not taken a hard position on polymet as of yet.  Well we are well into the election season you should have a position you are running on this issue.

Mining is to important  to Northern Minnesota to waffle on this subject.  I don't care what side she is on I just wish she would explain what pro business and anti pollution means and define where she is on polymet .

The second issues is the pipeline, I could not find anything on the web site about the issue so I send Jen and email.  I must say she has always been very fast in getting back to email questions and that is great in any person running for office so I must give her credit for that.  That said she says she is still gathering information about the matter and has not yet taken a stand one way or the other.  Now I can not and will not fault for wanting to learn more about the issue we should be doing this.  Here again however we are very late in the election and she has told a number of people what they want to hear.  She knocked on a friends door and they asked her about it and she asked them probing question to get a feel of where this person stood on the the issue.  This friend by the was for the pipeline.  She told them that she would support the pipeline because it is the best way to transport, and could have good economic impact for Minnesota.  Then tells another person I know that she is against it because of impact on the envorerment.

This is what we call flip flopping.  Where do you stand on the issue Jen?  Pick a side and tell everyone the same thing.

As far as her opponent Becky Hall it is hard to comment when she does not do much.

Events.

There are a few events I would like to mention this weekend.  I am also as a side going to start do a munch better job of updating my events page here.  If you have an event you would like published on that page send it to me in email to duluthpolitics2@yahoo.com.  It does not have to be a political event, all community events will be posted.  The only exception to this is if I strongly disagree to the event for some reason however that is highly unlikely to ever be the case.

The first I want to mention happens today at the Central Hillside Community Center from noon to 6pm, family fun event, free food music kids games and a fire truck will be on display as well.  It is the first ever midtown outreach BBQ.  This sounds like a really fun event I hope you will take it in today.


Of course today and tomorrow is the Duluth Air Show.  The Blue Angels are the head line act but there is so much to do and see at the show.   I don't have have to say much about it has been a staple every other here in Duluth and always is a great event.  The event take place at the Duluth Internal Airport all day long.  Plenty of great exhibits and air demonstrations to see.


Sunday is Hillfest I believe this is the fourth year I could and more then likely wrong about that but whatever.  Hillfest is another great family event that promotes you walking,biking, running, skateboarding to the event. It features music food and fun and runs 2-6pm.  It takes place on the sixth ave east and fourth street.

Recall.

So it seems like those behind the councilor Gardner recall are trying one more big push.  It seemed like the issue was going to die and there was no way they where going to get the signatures needed.

Now it seems like the recall are making one more push, this time taking to the Internet and facebook to try to get the young people on board.  More specially the skateboard group.  A group I feel that has been wrongly gone after, however the issue they are telling the skateboarding groups is not a reason for a recall.  The recall is trying to rally the skateboarders to there side saying look at the vote five years ago making it illegal to skateboard downtown and in canal park public side walks.

Let's clear a couple of thinks up.  First the ordinance did not just apply to downtown and canal park it is  city wide, many have the miss understanding  that is it just downtown and the canal.  Second it is not illegal to skateboard you can still use the street, this goes for bikes as well.  

Also let's be clear that councilor Gardner is very much for the skate board community, she would love to see another skate park in Duluth, bayfront park would be a great place to have one.

Skaters instead of falling for a trap by this organization to recall councilor Gardner what you should is talk to the parks and rec department and get councilors with you to create a good park for you to skate at.

A couple of big things.

I am going to blog about my interview coming up first.  The interview I am going have can heard on blog talk radio, www.blogtalkradio.comduluthpolitics2.  The second is a very interesting speaker you can go see.  I will give you a hint he has a big last name.

First I am honoured that this elected official is willing to Duluth Politics radio show, and wish many others would take the chance to do the same.  What better way to reach voters then getting on a radio show plus it's free does not cost anything for the candidate to do so.  

Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto will join me on the show Tuesday Aug.19th at 5:30 pm.  We will talk about a number of things, here primary win over Matt Entenza, a look a head to the general election, issues for the race and some of her accomplishments as auditor plus more.  

You can take part in the show as well, you can call in ask a question 1-516-387-1776 or email a question at duluthpolitics2@yahoo.com, or ask it on my facebook page and I will make sure to include it in the show.  

The second event is a DFL gathering but it is open to the public, just be respectful people.  Joe Kennedy will join Rick Nolan at Carmody's Aug. 28th from 11:30 to 1pm.  This should be interesting regardless of your political affilation.

Travis Silvers.

I wanted to give my thoughts on this race separate from yesterdays post.  The republicans had a primary for the 7B house seat.  There where two on the ballot, Travis Silvers and Carla Bayerl.  Silvers won the primary with 371 votes (57%) to Bayerl 275 votes (42%).  The total votes in that race was 646 remember that it will be an issue.

Travis Silvers has ran in many races and lost them all much like Becky Hall.  Silvers is nothing more then the poster boy for the old republican views up here in northern Minnesota.  It 's why he has no chance in the general election against Erik Simonson (DFL). Hall and Silvers hold on the old and everything wrong with the republican party here in northern Minnesota. 

 It's funny how the leaders of the party say they want new leaders with fresh views, yet when some one tries to do that they get beat down with in by the party leaders.  It's why I leaved the party a number of years ago.

It is sad to think where the party could be if they really cared, and listened to all that wanted to be involved in stead of just the few sheep they have leading the party in to the ground.  

Silvers got just 371 votes in the primary, yes it was a low turn out but it was on both sides yet Simonson who did not face a challenger got 1601 votes (100%) of the DFL vote.  Add the two vote totals of the republicans together and you 646 votes.  Simonson got better then twice the number of votes combined.  This race was over before it started. 

Good luck poster boy Silvers you are going to need it!!! 

Primary's are behind us and everyone kows who they will face.

So republicans last nigh sent Jeff Johnson on to the general election to face off against democrat Mark Dayton.  I think was choice the republicans could have made, Johnson who grew up is Northern Minnesota but cares nothing about it.Nor does he care about any other part of the state, he only cares and worries about the metro area.  Johnson will do nothing for the entire state of Minnesota, his efforts will only be on the metro area.

Johnson has proven that he does not care about state other then the metro and if elected that will be his focus.  I don't know how anyone in greater Minnesota could have voted for such a fool.  Johnson neglected all parts of Minnesota well campaigning.

Johnson won with 30% of the vote last night well the other three major candidates had low 20%'s of the vote.  The three split the vote of greater Minnesota.  Up here in our area the votes seemed to split between Honour (21%) and Seifert (21%).  Kurt Zellers who looked dead till late in the race got 24% of the vote, his focus became the metro and southern part of the state late in the race.

Johnson who was the endorsed candidate was very beatable by any three of these candidates the problem was that there was three candidates splitting the votes around the state.  I would have like to have seen Seifert and Honour get together and just have one of them run because if that would have happened there would have been a different result in the primary.

Dayton who had a primary but there was no real challenge there at all he won with 94% of the vote. This sets up the governors race with both major party's running a candidate I will personal will not support, so for a second straight governors election I will to a third party candidate.

The other big state wide race was on the DFL side and was for state auditor incumbent and the endorsed candidate Rebecca Otto won with ease over Matt Entenza. Many thought this race could be close, and Entenza was as well as he out spent Otto 2-1.  A very low voter turn out proved to do well for Otto who ran away with the race with 81% of the vote.  A big win over a challenger who did nothing but lie about what he could do if elected auditor.  I am glad that Otto called hims out on that, and she is clearly the best candidate for state auditor if you ask me.

Side note Minnesota State auditor Rebecca Otto will be joining me on the radio show soon, we are still working out the details on day and time but I will let you all know  when we get the interview set up.

In a local race for county board Steve Rukavina and Christin Ghujanen will face off in the general election.  The seat was held by Mike Forsman who decided he would not seek another term.  Rukavina had 52% of the vote well Ghujanen had about 25%.  This could be a close race because the third candidate in the race also had 22% of the vote.  Now if most of the people that voted for the third place candidate vote for Ghujanen this could prove to be an exciting race on the range.   It iwll be a race to keep an eye to see what happens over the next few months.

Get out and vote.

It is now 2pm you still have plenty of time to go to your polling place and vote.  It is of course primary day here in Minnesota.  There are a couple of key races tonight that will decide who goes to the general election in November.


On the DFL side there is a hottly contested State Auditor's race between the incumbent Rebecca Otto and challenger Matt Entenza.  In a race you don't normally hear a lot about this one has really heated up.  Entenzaa has out spend Otto by about 2-1 in this race.  Both candidates have worked hard to get there names out there and say where they stand on the issues.

Entenza in promising things the office can not do.  Otto has been a good Auditor for Minnesota and I hope she can pull out the win tonight.  That said look for this to be a very close race.  

The republicans have a four way for Governor to challenger DFL governor Mark Dayton.  Some say no one will come to close to beating Dayton in November as in the polls Dayton holds about an 8 point lead over any republican challenger to this point, however we are a long way from November and after the primary tonight anything can happen.

The four competing tonight are Jeff Johnson (endorsed), Scott Honor, Marty Seifert and Kurt Zellers.  Zellers was at one point the front runner however for some reason has fallen off the pase and I would expect him to finish last tonight.  The other three could be very very close , like with in percentages points.  I think that said Johnson wins narrowly.  Second to Honor and then Seifert followed by Zellers.

You know if you think I am right or wrong go out and support who you think is best for the jobs at hand!!!!!


I am thinking of doing a radio show tonight with the results at 10pm so tune in for that.  www.blogtalkradio.com/duluthpolitics2

Food food and more food.

Duluth has seen a development of new food chains come in to our area over the last year or so.  It started earlier then that with noodles and company but they seem to have got the ball rolling.

A food explosion has hit Duluth, with a variety of new business  opening there restaurants here. Funny thing is I have not been to any of them yet so I am going by what people have said, but you can rest  a sured I will be hitting them up.  

Let me start with a new place for downtown Duluth, it is there second restaurant to open, and the only one of the "new" places I have tried.  Farley's, I have to say with all the good things I heard about it from people it was not my cup of tea.  My burger was burned to a crisp the service sucked and it was not busy, the fries where over done.  So for me I will never go back.  I have to say however people still say good things about in at the office I work at and seem to like it.  So all I can say is you try it and make up your own mind.

Parnera bread I must say I really really want to try this, I have never been to one but I will make my way up there soon.  I have heard nothing but good things.  I have heard there bread bowl soups are fab.   and many people have raved about there sandwiches.  Plus it is all fresh bread and goods can't get any better then that.

Chipotle mexican, all I can say is I love mexican so I am sure I will love this place.  Have heard nothing but great things and you can't get in the place I have heard.  The burritos are as big as fist and taste great I understand.  

The other place I need to mention is a place I just say on facebook called food service.  A young man is making fresh sandwiches, salads and sides and making lunch boxes for delivery. This is a neat idea he says the lunch box cost ten dollars or so a person and for delivery there is a minimum order of 5 and he can delivery 30 miles away starting in downtown Duluth.  Check out his menu at www.foodserviceduluth.com.   The shop is located in side the encounter building at there kitchen.  I don't know if you can just go in and order a sandwich or not.  I have to get a hold of the owner and ask.


Now let me say this as far as jobs I think it is great for people starting in the work forces to get jobs at the above places or such areas, however Duluth needs more mid level paying jobs.  There it is.

Not much going on, well......

Sorry for the lack of post as of late, however as far as issues there has not been much going on in the news.  That said there has been a few things in the political world as far as campaigning  going on.

First it is interesting now that Becky Hall republican 7A candidate has finally gotten off her butt to do some door knocking.  A person involved in her campaign said Becky made this decision only because it was getting close to primary time, even with out a primary she now feels it is important to get out and door knock and get signs up.

100 days out from the election and you just get started does any one else see anything wrong with this type of campaign?  It maybe to little to late for her now, but only time will tell.  This is a race that really could have been a close race as many democrats have said to me that they don't like there current 7A candidate Jen Schlutz.

It seems many people in the DFL feel she would not represent this area and she is an elitists, here is the thing I have heard it from a number of DFLers and many of them are high profile DFLers but right now they either vote for a green candidate or not at all.

Becky's lack of campaigning has heard her big time.

The Rick Nolan  Stuart Mills race is very interesting right now as a dead heat and I don't think many DFLers expected this type of showing from Mills.  Now let me say this the campaigning has started to get ugly already. Mills was doing a great job of framing him self as a family person and a common man, now however the very latest ad has been ugly against the incumbent.  I understand that push however I think it is far to early for that people may get turned off.

Radio show tonight.

Joel Heller and I will take to the air again tonight to talk about politics here in Duluth and the area.  The show will at air live at 10pm central time.  We will talk about a number of things we have a couple things in mind, the closed council meeting will be one.  Also races that involve candidates running for 7A, also the Franken race and maybe even the Governors race and more.  There will be one topic that will prove to be interesting and that is that the republican party fighting with in the party.

Closed meeting.

So the city of Duluth is set have a closed door meeting Thursday.  I hate the idea of closed door meetings, I know some times they are needed but I am not sold that this is one of them.

The reason they say for the closed is to discuss the idea of a city ran casino.  The push comes from council president Linda Krug, saying that she believes talk would need to take place on the legal aspects of the current battle with the current casino operation.

Now my concern is that the council will use closed meeting when ever they want and that may just be my pessimistic side of me.  All you have to do is look at the school board they have closed meeting all the time.

Thoughts on a city ran casino.

Sorry for the lack of post as of late but with my new job hours it is hard to post but I will when I can, it is also hard to go to meeting however I still will keep updated on all the issues as I will watch the meeting on the net on the city's page.  So councilors don't think for one minute you are off the hook LOL.


Now just some general thoughts on a city ran casino.  I love the idea of a city ran casino to compete with found duluth, and as a source for revenue for our roads again remember it would be a for profit casino so first and for most it would need to make money.

With that in mind my first thought is that the city needs to take a go big or go home approach on this.  Meaning it can't what our current casino is, it needs to be bigger and better then that, much like black bear is.  It needs to have a buffet and a concert hall along with all the slots and and black jack tables.  A bingo hall and poker room would be a huge plus as well.  We need to consider competing with black bear because just having another small casino like the one we already have will not draw people to a new one.


Where should it be, right now councilor Hanson has said he would like to use the DECC.  Well I like that idea I do have a couple concerns with it, as of now the city has it set up so any moneys collected in the downtown water front areas needs to stay there, meaning that only roads in that area would benefit from the casino as of now.  Yes the city could change that.  My other concern is what part of the DECC is it going to take?  If he means DECC the big arena part where are all the things that go there now going to do, I would have to lose the boat and home show or see them have to down size the shows.  If it is in the DECC there is a lot of space however.

A talk show host has floated an idea to have it in West Duluth however there is a problem there as well if you have to far out no one will go that far as we know most of this action takes place downtown and perhaps should stay in that area, maybe you look for a big enough building downtown to develop.  I don't know the answer as of yet but lets look at and see the best place to develop a large casino in Duluth.

Now I don't believe the casino would have to have a hotel in it however they could run specials with a hotel in the area.

James Oberstar airport.

Just my two cents on this issue of what airport should be named the James Oberstar airport.  Duluth and Hibbing are both looking for that honor. 

Fact is it should be Hibbing he is from there and lived there, grew up. Yes I know Duluth is the largest city and airport terminal in the district however I just think it would be a more fitting at the Hibbing airport. 

That's it!

The Mayor

Well if you listened to the radio show last we you all know that I was out of town this last at a camp with my daughter. That is why there was no action here or on the radio show last week, if you have not yet checked out the radio please do so at www.blogtalkradio.com/duluthpolitics2

Now on to the post, Mayor Don Ness made an interesting post on his face book about a week and a half go now, basically saying he MAY NOT run for re-election.  That said it is still unclear as to what his plans are he may still run, we are a ways out yet till that final decision needs to made.  Mayor Ness has been a very popular mayor in the city.  Many have said he would be very hard to replace.  Well I may not agree all the time with the Mayor he has done some good things for the city, he also has done some questionable things as well.  As I said before his legacy seems to be a mayor who relies on fees on thinks that should be paid for out of taxes.  He however has been very good with tourism and redeveloping some areas of town many of them are  still in works.

Mayor Ness has said he is getting tired of the lies being told about many issues and other issues he is burned out.  Yet he said he has some projects he would like to see develop.  Now I believe at least at this point that Mayor Ness will not run but again this may change.  If he does not run however it will open the flood gates of people that will run for mayor.  I have heard many names some of which I can't say others I can and will toss out there.  I have real reason to believe that Mayor Ness won't run again because some of the names I have heard are his own cabinet people.

Some names I will toss out there right now are Chris Dalhberg, Jim Stauber, Becky Hall ( if she does not win the 7A seat).  A number of city councilors names have been tossed around as well Jennifer Julsrud, Emily Larson, Linda Krug, Sharla Gardner.Some people have expeced interest also but at this time I can't and won't tell you who.  Plus I am sure the list will grow as time passes. 

Look at the list there are already 7 names plus at least four I know of that may also toss there names in.  All of these people would be well qualified to be mayor regardless of what you think of there politics.  There are two I would personally not want to see but hey so be it.  Others I would like to see are many, but a couple of names to toss and talk about Howie Hanson and Jay Fosle both current councilors, what about Todd Fedora? 

It will be interesting over the next few month to see what develops, and I will follow here for you too.

This next election will have huge impact on what dirction our city goes as a possible new mayor also six council seats will be up along with a couple of school board seats. 

This recall of 3rd district city councilor is about three things.

Okay so I have talked about the recall of councilor Gardner a lot, and I believe it is a joke to be doing this to her.  The group is hiding behind behind public safety. The only two public safety issues they can hand their hats on are the fire hall, the redevelopment of the s curve.  This comes down to three things.

Now lets just take those two issues first.   Councilor Gardner did all she could to save the fire hall on park point in public and private meetings with the Mayor but with no success it was closed by the mayor and a council approved it well Gardner voted no on it.  She still did what she could to try to save it.  The Medlins who are the ones sackifical lambs on this for the park pointers are right actions speak louder then words.  It's clear they our no one on park payed attion to what councilor Gardner did to try to save the fire house. If they did they would know how much work councilor Gardner did to try to save the fire house on park point.

Second is the s curve it don't matter because it is not getting moved it did not pass the council.  Yes well  councilor Gardner supported the development and voted for the council as a whole did not It don't matter because there is not a public safety issue here sense it is not going to take place.  The other thing is councilor Gardner was at many meetings about the small area plan for park point and heard your worries but she voted one way because she thought it was best for the city.  It is a policy vote get over your self's.


Now I said this is about three things, the first being public safety we talk about that above.  The second is an issue you may not hear any where else but here. It has to do with one citizens fight to protect her right to have lights up at Christmas time.  Now as far as I know that council has had not meeting on this nor holds a position on it and maybe not even know that the administration is pushing this.   Sense Bentlyvillie was moved down to Duluth the city (administration and Mayor) have been going after a park point property owner to not do her Christmas light display.  They have put much pressure on her to stop even threatening the idea of a year long fee just to put up such displays on private property.

See the Mayor and administration well they say they love the lights around town don't want "competition" to bentlyvillie.  Now her house on park point has been a destination of Duluthian's and tourist a like to see the lights at Christmas time because she spends the time putting the light up and has apple cider and a warming house and Santa, plus it's a great place to go see lights for Christmas.  This fight however seems more between the Mayor and this owner however this owner may have some feelings about the council wanting to get involved in it.

The third reason is selfish amount the pointers and that is the not in my back yard with development and like projects.

What this recall boils down to is the pointers are upset about the small area plan for the point and don't know how to deal with indifference's so instead of seeking a real solution they run to a recall.  Sick makes no sense lets run a good councilors name threw the mud and we wonder why people don't want to run for city council or anything.

Last episode of duluth politics radio show.

The last episode of the Duluth politics show is a must listen.  Joel Heller and I had a great discussed a number of issues.  We talked about Mayor Don Ness's post on face book about being tired and possible not running for Mayor again. We also talked about this recall of 3rd district city councilor Sharla Gardner and much much more.  You can listen to it www.blogtalkradio.com/duluthpolitics2.

3rd district councilor Gardner to be recalled?

Well well well look at there, another politician could be in trouble and is for sure facing some heat.  This time it is a Duluth City Councilor.  3rd district councilor Sharla Gardner has found her self in hot water with some of her constituents.

Some park point residents have started a petition to recall 3rd district councilor Gardner. They are saying they are using public safety as there grounds for removal.  They have a web site www.recallcouncilorgardner.org.  They have sited a few issues as to why this recall is needed from there point, the lose fire on park point, some issues with the corps of indurnearys and US Army base, along with not listening to the citizens of the 3rd district.


Gardner believes these charges to be uncalled for, saying that she has done everything to protect the point. She said she fought to keep the fire hall on the point but not able to do so.  I must say she did everything she could keep the fire hall open but it came down to what the administration wanted to do.  She did in fact fight to protect the hall but this was the Mayors choice not the councils.

This recall seems silly to me.  The park pointers are made about the way councilor Gardner voted on the park point small area plan and they choice to do this instead of talking to her and seeing why she voted the way she did.

I will have more on this later.  But I ask that if you see this petition please don't sign it, there is no marred these claims.

Becky Hall

Becky Hall  republican candidate for 7A house seat running against DFLer Jennifer Shcultz.  Now my thing with Becky run this time well still early, she does not seem to be doing much or not as much as Jen is as I am out talking with people Jen is out all the time and the citizens don't hear from Becky.  It is a concern I have heard from people all over the district.

The other is Becky's website www.hallinthehouse.com has no stands on the issues.  Why? This where a lot of people go today to find out about a candidate.  Her site also has no place for upcoming events meet and greets and such info, where you could talk with Becky.  I guess I don't see the point of the site pretty plan and non-user friendly as far as information.

Jennifer Schultz stand on poly-met.

Jennifer Schultz is running the 7A house seat being vacated by long time representative Tom Huntly, she has the backing of the DFL.  Now I was concerned about her stand on mining because I have heard  rumours that her stand in well suspect to what side she is on.  Regardless of what my thoughts are on mining, here is my reason for this post.  She seems to either not really have a stand on this issue or is flip flopping.

I sent an email a few weeks ago asking for her stand on this issue, I of course got the normal response and that was my stand on the issue is on my web site.  Well it is interesting that is/was not there. It has not been updated.  It now says she is favors mining, before it said I am pro business and anti pollution, that statement is no longer there.

 What exactly does I am pro business anti pollution mean?  It sounds like there is no real stands on mining.  It is almost a cop out answer or a typical response from a politician.

Now I have heard from a number a people that when she ran for the DFL nomination she was running hard against poly-met, well others have told me that her stands has always been she is pro mining anti pollution.  What is real Jennifer?  What is your stand on mining and poly-met?  The people of 7A have the right to know.

Food not bombs.

Well Monday afternoon I was at the library killing time tell the city council meeting and saw a poster on the board that said food not bombs. It caught my eye and I though what would this be about?  Well what the poster said, was come an get free food out side city hall that night from 5:30 to 7.  I did not see who was behind the event but thought, hey it sound interesting.  I will go up there and troll around.

I got up there about 5:45 I walked by looking and saw about 15 kids, as the event went on I would there about another 15 or so people came.  They had food everyone was eating, but the interesting thing is there was no sign(s), no one speakers or such.  What heard was no talk about war or stopping it or anything just a lot of every day conversation and laughing.    Of those 30 or so people most of them where young, I would say in high school or just out of high school only 3 or so people older meaning 30-50.

I guess my question is what was the point of this event?  It accomplished nothing, No one knew what was going on, I had a number of people trying to get in to the council ask me what it was.  With out sign's or even talking about an issue what good did you do?

I agree war should not be our primary response. Hey I must say if your point of the event was to block the stairs of city hall so people could not get in you did a great job.  Maybe the sign I saw at the library should have said we will hand food not a bomb, which is a good thing cause I would not want you blowing up your people.

If you did not get an chance to listen you still can.

If you did not get a chance to listen to last nights interview with Harry Welty, you still can.  Listen to the on demand show at www.blogtalkradio.com it was very interesting.

A city ran casino?

Could the city of Duluth be running a casino?  If the proposal by councilor Howie Hanson is accepted it could.  Well there is a lot that would need to happen before it ever came true.

It seems from last nights meeting anyway that councilor Hanson has drafted a resolution for the city to ask that state legislator to allow the city to enter into the casino business. Hanson said it should be on the agenda in two weeks.

Now if it is passed by the city council it is only asking the state legislators to look in to the issue and see if it is something that could be done.  It would have to be approved by them for it to even come to true.  Look at the troubles that canibarry park has had to get a casino there over the number of years.  I think it will be a very tough sell but one I think is worth going for.

Why would councilor Hanson want to do this, well as you all know we have lost our funding for streets from the tribal casino here in town. This would basically replace that funding for a long term plan.  Now the casino would have to make money for this to happen.  I don't think that would be much of a problem with the right people running it.  I think however you would have a casino that would rival or be like black bear not the current one we have here.

I do want to mention that I think the place for the casino should be up for debate on where the best place for it is.

I hope that the council has an open mind on this.

Radio show tonight.

A reminder that the Duluth Politics 2 radio show will be on tonight.  We will have Harry Welty on to talk about the Art Johnston investigation.  The show will take place at 10pm central live on blog talk radio, you can also call in and ask questions.

The show can be heard at www.blogtalkradio.com then search for duluthpolitics2.

Street fee accepted.

So as I thought the city council did in fact pass the street fee ordinance last night.  The vote was 6-3 with councilors Krug, Gardner, Sipress, Larson, Russ, and Julsrud supporting it.  Those that voted against where Fosle, Hanson, and Filipivich.  It was interesting to listen to the debate all of the councilors said they did not support it yet they did, why?  Well the reasoning basically was because they could, and that it started the process.  Your kidding right?


So as it sits right now the fee is set at $5.00 a month, the monthly fee this year will raise 1.2 million and on a full year will raise 2.8 million dollars a year for years.  This is so little it accomplishes little to nothing for roads.  The fact is that if the city wants the fee to be proactive the fee would have to $15 a month.  Here is the thing, this fee could come up as early as November of this year.  What my thought  is that this fee will not stay at $5 this year, it will be increased to at least the original $8 this month.  I would not be surprised if it goes to $10 a month.

Now lets talk about the council conversation that took place last night.  I must say I don't know what crack pipe councilor Julsrud is smoking off of.  She said last that your local streets are now apparently a national issue. Yes that's right lets pass what should be a city issue and core tax service the city should provide.  She said streets around the country are in poor shape, yeah so that is each city's problem to deal with.  One other thing that came up was approaching the state to see if they could set up a city gas tax many of the councilors brought this up.  Now this would at least be a bit of a user tax, that anyone that drives would be paying including citizens and tourist.  But it is a still a tax, here is my question if we go that way, instead of having all of Duluth pay for bike trails, why don't you put in place a user fee?  That will never happen but it should work both ways.

Now on to a councilor I really respect, and that is councilor Joel Sipress.  We may not always agree but we can respect each others opinions and talk about the issue civil.  He said the city last local government aid it received from the state, it also has lost the casino money.  This is true but they knew both of these where going to happen over month and years.  Yet the administration or council choice to do nothing about or come up with a plan to combat that. Sorry but that lays on you elected officials not the citizens. You are the ones that dropped the ball on that.


The other interesting issue brought up by councilor Howie Hanson was to make a for profit casino that is city ran.  It is an interesting issue and I will talk more about in a different post.

City administration going behind councilors back?

Well I have thought this for years, now it seems to be very true in today's city council and I would guess past as well.  I would not only guess that this is administration going behind councilors backs but also councilors going to behind councilors backs.

Well I don't know specifics of the case and maybe I don't have too. The fact is that the administration has done this many times.  This is by far the first time that administration has either informed people that don't need to know or told one councilor one thing and then said complete opposite else where.  It is sad that this has to happen in our local politics.

The case of the missing police report

I have talked with a number of attorneys about assault cases. One thing they say is very helpful no matter what side they are representing.  A police report could either hinder or help the person accused of the assault.  It is a critical thing that an attorney would like to have in an assault case.

Now in the school board and Art Johnston issue the police where not called and there is not a report nor at this point is there any medical recorders that are at least public.  If there was an assault on two people why where the police not called?  Well the attorneys I talked to knew nothing about this about this case they gave me a general answers as to why this maybe the case. There where a few different things that could be case here they said.

One would be that the school board has the right to investigate this with in.  They have the right to not call the police and do an investigation with an out side law firm.  That the attorneys still said a police report would have been helpful in gathering the facts of the case, and what went on.  In a public place where this assault was to have happen they feel the police should have been called by some one.

I asked them was the ball dropped by both sides, their response was yes.  They thought was if a real assault did take place the police should have contacted the police, on the other side of the coin if there was not an assault a police report could stop the non-sense of an investigation or court case. The lawyers where keen on a police report either way if there where to represent in a case.

I have been waiting for more information on this but have not gotten back yet, if I will post a part two.  I am not holding my breath to hear back however as I asked questions of the administration and it seems that they don't want to say boo on this issue.

The Truth is out there some where.

• Please note I will take a position on this on this issue on the blog.  I am going to give you the information that I learn about as a journalist.  

So the Duluth School Board meet tonight for a regular meeting.  This was the first meeting after the board put forth a resolution to investigate member Art Johnston on June 10th, by a 5-2 vote. With members Welty and Johnston voting no to investigate.

There was not a lot said about the issue at the meeting tonight at least by the board members. Member Johnston did make a comment when it came to approving the minutes of the June 10th meeting.  He said that board chair Mike Miernicki should not have voted as he is one of the people making allegations against him.  Miernicki did not over see the meeting because of that reason but he did vote for the investigation.  That said member Johnston also voted on this issue now he is the one being investigated maybe he should not have voted either, just cause he is involved in this issue.  I don't know   but it's just a thought that maybe no one involved should have voted on the issue.


When it came time for public comment a number of people did speak on behalf of Art Johnston.  The first speaker brought a sign with him, it said fire Gonseth who is the superintendent.  Paul King of Duluth brought up what I think is a great point, if there was in fact an assault why where the police not called?  He said that this issue could have been dealt with local with the PD instead of a length and costly investigation.  He also asked to have Gonseth removed and said he should not be sitting where the board members are as he is not an elected person.  Many of the other speakers brought up these same points.  The other rally cry was that he represents the  4th district and should be allowed to do so.

Now there was a resolution tonight to approve a civility code of conduct it had nine points they are as followers:

• pay attention
• Listen
• Be inclusive
• Not gossip
• Show respect
• Be agreeable
• Apologize
• Give constructive criticism
• Take responsibility.     
• 
  

Member Johnston said that this a joke for the board to be approving when they don't follow, it is just a piece of paper he said.   Johnston said with the things done to him and others over the years is prove that the board does not follow these rules, so why approve them?

A reminder what this is about from both sides.  The superintendent and board members position is that member Johnston said there was an assault , also race comments where made.

Member Johnston says that this is an attack on him and his family because of stand against the administration over the years he has been on the board.

The truth is out there some where and this blog will report what we learn, I will not share my opinion on here but I will on my radio show on blog talk radio.  

Don't forget to the check the radio show.

I have am just getting started with the radio show but check it out.  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/duluthpolitics2 

I will have another show tonight talking about the school board investigation Art Johnston.

Art Johnston to be investigated. (introduction story)

Okay all I don't know a lot about this issue.  I do however want to get it out there, and will continue to work to find facts on this.

I heard about this today and rushed to the board meeting, after hearing about it.  Art Johnston is being investigated by the district.  It passed the board today by a 5-2 vote, with members Johnston and Welty voting no on the investigation.

Not knowing much about the issue I wanted to talk to Art Johnston first to get his stand on it, I then talked to member Welty.  I was going to talk with others but they where gone by the time I had a chance to get to them.

Now both Mr. Johnston and Mr. Welty said that this personal hunt against Art and his family because of his stands and tough questions on the red plan and other finical issues.  Mr. Johnston said that his wife was kicked out of East high school and not allowed in her room and has not been back.

The attorney that is going to do the investigation I thought was very closed on what is going to take place in the investigation.  He said that this investigation may never go public even after the it concluded.  That is wrong the public should always have the right to know what is going on.  Bot h during and after.

I like that Mr. Johnston wants to this to be an open investigation and he will be letting people know what is going on in the investigation.

This is investigation is going to cost a lot of money and maybe we should be concerned about spending our money on the children was another  thing that Mr. Johnston brought up and I agree with that.

The water cooler talk around this has been on going today and I will have more on this as it comes in for sure.

Just to be clear I hold no position on this investigation as of yet.

When thinking of city council

Hey everyone just was thinking about this and had a great conversation today with a friend.

If you ever do think of running for political office here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Can you raise money council money needed to be competitive district seat 5,000 at large 10,000 
• Can you develop a good group of workers from the ground up. This includes a manger, treasure, and volunteers. 
• Will your view point be one that can be excepted? 
• Do you have thick skin?   

Just some things to think about? If you want to run for local office.

A couple of other things last night.

Last night council president Linda Krug said that people are only allowed to speak once, which I don't ever remember being the case in my 21 years involved in Duluth politics. I can't even count how many times I have signed up to speak on more then one resolution at meetings and it has never been issue.  With that said I think it does need to be with in reason but is a person wants to speak on two or three resolutions they should have that right.  A citizens voice should never be silenced.

The person was allowed to speak, for a second time after that comment. Funny thing nothing was when I spoke for a second time, nor should it have been.  If there is a case that you are allowed to speak at the council meeting once then that needs to be removed now.

This statement also goes for city councilors because president Krug also likes to only allow people who agree with what she wants.  As a conversation goes on and councilors want to say something or add to what they have said, if you don't agree she will say we will move to a vote or use another cop out.

The other thing I found interesting is apparently the council no longer excepts friendly amendments, not sure when that happened.  My question is why not?

Happy and not not happy at the same time.

Wow what a city council meeting that happened Monday night.  I am pleased as could be on one point and not happy with another.

The two major issues brought on a huge crowd to the council chambers.  I am happy with one of the issues and that is rank choice voting, the other one that I am not happy with is the street fee issue.

First lets talk about about the good, rank choice voting failed tonight by a 5-4 councilors Hanson, Foslie , Filipovich, Julsrud, Russ. Those that voted for it was Larson, Sipress, Krug, Gardner.

Now there where about 15 people that spoke on this issue 8 of them tied with fair vote Minnesota, the others against the resolution.

I was supper impressed by councilors Julsrud and Filipovich there knowledge of the issue and question why we are rushing tiring RCV.  Also councilor Hanson was very impressive tonight he held his ground and would not let the council president Krug run him over.

Now this issue is far from over regardless of council president Krug says.  She went on a tantrum about the council closing the talk about RCV.  That is not true this issue can be brought up again.  This issue is far from over, the Charter commission is on the clock and in the sights of fair vote Minnesota.

There is a lot more on this issue but we will talk about on the Duluth Politics radio show.

Now on to why I am not and this will be simple too.  The street fee was not voted on tonight.  You might say well that is a good think possible right?  I say no because I think there where the votes tonight to vote down the street fee, but third district councilor Sharla Gardner but and end to that.

Gardner introducted an amendment to the ordinance now it made a big change to the ordinance meaning that it was the first so it had to be tabled tell the next meeting.  Now with this amendment I think that it could possible pass with this amendment.  I like the amendment but still hate the ordinance of impolimenting a street fee.

More on the on the radio show as well.  Tune in to blog talk radio Tuesday night time not sure but I will let know here and on face book when that is out.  I want to line up some guest if possible.

A couple of other interesting things going on at the meeting tonight.

So we all know about the two big issues at the council meeting tonight at 7pm.  Here are a couple of other things I found interesting at the meeting tonight.

First the city of Duluth is doubling the contract amount for hot mix street fill. The old amount is 325,859.60 the new amount we buy would be 717,069.60.  Now many of you may say well no big deal this is the stuff we use to fill pot holes so it is a good thing.

Well here is my problem with it, as we fill pot holes we don't properly pack this hot mix into the hole.  Well we do use a hand held roller to attempt to pack the hot mix in it does not work.  So cars run over the hot mix before it has a chance to settle in and it gets pushed out by the car tires and with in a couple of weeks we are back fixing the same pot hole because the hot mix is no longer there.

What is the point it we are back filling the same hole in a couple weeks.  I like the hot mix because it works well when used correctly. It is our procedure that fails not the workers that do this, they do great with what they have. We must look at have a better system to pack the hot mix down or it will be a continued waste of money.  Even a light motorised  roller would work okay to pack it in.

Second is spirit mountain. They are asking for the line of credit from the city to be increased from 900,000 to 1,200,00 which is an increase of 300,000 for this year.  Why well if you ask city administrator David Mongromery just because there is new head coming into spirit mountain and he does not want them to have any short fails to deal with.  Plus the last couple of seasons have been rough because of cold weather for the skiing season.

I don't know I have some real reserve in just handing out money like this.

Things.

Well this post is to cover just a couple of real short simple things. Also coming today is some more post about thoughts on the council meeting tonight.  

First thing speaking of the Duluth City Council meeting we need you there if you are against the street fee and rank choice voting.  The meeting starts at 7pm in city chambers at city hall.

The last thing is the radio show has hit the air on blog talk radio check it out.  The next show is set for tomorrow night however depending on when I get home from tonights council meeting it maybe tonight at 10 pm central time.  Simply go to www.blogtalkradio.com and search duluth politics2.

The page also has a direct link to it when I am on the air. Follow me on facebook to get those notices.  Also you can always email me at duluthpolitics2@yahoo.com or duluthpolitics2@gmail.com.

Duluth Politics hits the air.

So this blog will also now have an internet radio show that goes along with it.  I will blog and do a radio, the show will take place on blog talk radio www.blogtalkradio.com. I am working on setting up the first show for Sunday, I don't have a time but will let you all know when it will air.  Use the link and search for duluthpolitics2.

Duluth Politics to hit the internet radio seen.

This blog will remain but we also will be doing an internet show on Duluth Politics stay tuned for more information to come soon.

President Krug.

Duluth City Council President Linda Krug has got to go.  I don't know if there is away or not to remove her as council president but if there is it sure needs to be looked at.  She has no business running a council meeting she is out of control with power and has no knowledge of how to run a council meeting.

She has been the worst of the worst over the last number of years for sure.  There has been many times where they can't legal talk about an issue or amendment because it has not been legally indroducted but they just start the converation.  There has also been so many points of orders at council meetings I have lost track, as I said before I have wanted to stand up so many times and yell point of order or some rule that should be followed well she has been councilor president.

She also uses her power as president to shut others councilors up. Take last night agenda meeting as just one example. The purpose of an agenda session is to ask question about an ordinance or resolution but you are not suppose to make general comments well last night she established that they where going to allow comments at the meeting.  Yet when councilor Hanson wanted to make a statement he was not allowed to because it did not agree with her stand (RCV).  This is not the first time it has happened this way.  If you don't agree with her then you are told to shut up.  She uses this with citizens as well what happened to respecting others councilor Krug?

It is time for you to be removed as council president or do the right thing and step down I know that will not happen because you are looking to run for Mayor in 2015.

RCV down street fee here it comes!!!!

I must really applaud all the councilors that have reservations about rank choice voting.  It's shows that you want home work to be done first on the issue before you push it down the citizens throats this should always be the case on issues, to many times it is not.

I must comment councilor Julsrud for asking why now, well other councilors are as well she is one that really wants to know why the hurry on this.  Council President Linda Krug said it is because there is no local elections this year.  What she does not say is there they will be a huge mayoral election in 2015 which she plans on running for.  She wants it in place for the 2015 election because it will benefit her.  There is a reason you are pushing this councilor Krug be honest with the people.  Something I have seen you can't do a lot of.

RCV is never a good system of voting if you ask me.  It will have an adverse consequence on voting in Duluth and any where it was to put in place.  It is a very hard system to grasp many will tell you it is simple you just rank your candidates by choice, but it is not that easy there is alot more behind it as the process unfolds votes are distributed to other candidates ect...   It also most is like playing politics with play money.
To me it makes your vote me little.

RCV hopefully will Monday night and one councilor has said they believe it will by a 7-2 vote but rest a sure I will do everything I can to make it does not make it Monday night, I would encourage my readers to do the same by, emailing and calling councilors and telling them in your own words as to why RCV is a bad deal for Duluth.

If you are a democrat in Duluth it could be very harmful to your party as well just saying.  I won't however tell you why at this point that will come at a later time like after the vote on Monday.

Citizens bend over and get to pay another fee this time for streets it appreares that the council has the votes to pass this fee.  Now the council said they working on a different way to pay for streets but what they are proposing for Monday is a fee not a different way then what has been talked about in the past.  This fee would be set at $5.00 for this year but it could be adjusted every year up or down, lets be honest it will never go down it will only ever increase if anything.  One councilor said that this new process does put pressure back on the casino but I don't see how that is.  This fee will simple help run more people out of town.  It also will effect the very citizens that the council claims to want to protect the seniors.  These folks have a fixed income (but don't we all) this will make them have to decide between food and rent or a house payment.

It's unfortunate but I do believe the fee passes Monday and that the light fee will not be sunsetted so we will have both of them on our bill.

Rank Choice Voting.

Tonight at the Duluth City Council agenda meeting the council talked about rank choice voting (RCV).    Well what is it?  It is a way of voting simply put there would be no primary races in the city politics any more if this was to take place.  You would rank your top three choices for office.  It sounds simple but it really is not that easy there is a lot more that goes in to it, and you can read more here startibune.com/20130915rank-choice-voting/.  This will give a little bit of an idea how it works.

Funny think it was asked how RCV worked when a councilor was appointed to the council, there was no answer to that question, other then to say that is not what we did.  That comment was made by councilor President Krug, well Krug fact is that is what you did however you did not know what you where doing.  It is not our fault you where clueless.  The council did in fact use RCV when appointing Sipress to the council at least that is what you said at the time promoted to the tv stations and news papers.

Now on to tonight, the council is going to ask on Monday that the charter commisen review and make recommendation regarding adoption of rank choice voting for city elections. RCV has been discussed in Duluth politics for a few years now, that said it never really gained any momentum.  Now it seems to be set on a fast track by some councilors.  Many councilors have asked why it is being talked about now, well that is a great question.  It has an easy answer we have a mayoral election coming up next year 2015 and it seems that the seat will be open.  I am laying all bets that current Mayor Don Ness does not run again.  Leaving open the seat for city councilors and others to run for the open seat.  Well two that support RCV are set to run for Mayor they are council President Krug and councilor Larson.

Any chance that this is the reason the RCV is coming up?  I think so, it could be very benifisol to them to have RCV on the books.

I will have more on this later tonight or tomorrow so check back.

DQ rumors put to rest.

Well I have heard a lot of rumors on the DQ property on Central Entrance, and to why has not opened.  Well here is the truth.  Owner of the building Gordon Grant's wife died this winter and that is why it will not open.  Grant is looking to sell the property.  The rumor of DQ asking to move to orange juilies is not true or anything else going around about him.  So just stop the drama people.

Mr. Grant I am sorry for your lose and hope you are doing okay.

Grant said about DQ that she was the queen of the business.

There has been some interest in the property from fast food restaurant's and if he was to sell to them they would tear down the building and rebuilt.  If you want to own a Dq franchise now is your chance at least for a little bit.

Well I was relaxed... that did last long!!!!!

Well this weekend was great, I was able to get away Friday to Tuesday and Tuesday night went to the Duluth Huskies home opener and not the Duluth City Council meeting I will get in to why in a bit.

It was so relaxing to not have a phone or anything like that and just relax and spent time with family and God out in the great north woods for a few days.  Got some fishing in and caught a lot of fish, alot of sun and fun.

I thought man I am so relaxed now I would get up tight for a while, well that is not the case it the relaxation does not even last a whole day after returning home.  Why well I chose not to go the Duluth city council meeting because I was told by some councilors that the street fee issue would not be brought up at this meeting.  So I thought nice I will take just one meeting off here over the last few month I have been to them all and go the Duluth Huskies home opener as I have not missed an opening game at the wade for the huskies.

Well I listen to Brad Bennett's show Wednesday and he is talking about the street fee issue and the council talked about it at the meeting.  What they want is a $5.00 fee for street improvement and there is also an ordinance that goes along with  it.  I will do some checking and see what the whole plan is but the point is some councilors told me this would not be on the agenda.  It is clear we can't trust our elected offcials.  What happend to the day that we could heck that we could trust anything anyone told us?

The resolution deals with the fee of $5.00 a month and that would be greater for business owners, what about non-profits? what is there fee doe they pay it at all?   The fee would be added to your water and gas bill to help pay for streets.

Councilor Fosle has an amendment calling for an end to the street fee sooner then it was to end.  

President Linda Krug.

As I said in a post earlier the council are a mess.  This lays with the person who runs them, and that is council president Linda Krug this year.  She seems to have little to no idea on how to run a council meeting.

Just go back to the last city council meeting for a couple of examples.  The May 12th city council has two big screaming examples of this, the first was an amendment to a resolution, the second the closing of the council meeting.  I don't remember what resolution it was but councilor Gardener had an amendment to it.  She read the amendment then conversation started about it right away. Wait what are you not suppose to have a second to the the amendment before you start talking about the amendment.  Yes you are and who had to bring that first time councilor Zack Flipovich.  He was not able to bring this up till at least 10 minutes in to the conversation of the amendment when he was called on to speak.  Also when there is an amendment you are just to speak on that yet councilors where also talking about the resolution or just about the resolution.

Second came the end of the meeting. The meeting was in fact a long, many staid it was 2nd longest in 20 years, and your point is what?  The meeting needs to be completed with councilor comments then ended with an adjournment and vote.  That did not happen President Krug kept saying she was tired and wanted to go and end the meeting.  When she closed the meeting with out a vote which needs to happens she told a councilor Mr. Montgomery  they don't need to speak it's late.  She then ended the meeting with out a vote and when she wanted to.  I did not she was ruler of the council, I thought there where rules to follow but maybe there is not these days.  That seems to be the case anyway.

As I said the council meeting have seen a slip in the way they are suppose to be ran the last number of years, this years being the worst.  I can't tell how many times there have things done wrong by the council President Krug.  The council really needs to start calling her out on this, we need a meeting ran the right way.  If it is not it makes it hard to follow on radio and tv, not to mention even at the meeting it's self.  It also is what is right.  There are rules to running a council meeting and that should be followed at all times.  

It's sad that this council president does not seem to care about the rules.

Better late then never right?

Well I promised to have a blog yesterday but was unable to do so because of technical issue with the computer.   Most of the blogs are written from my home computer very few are done at the Duluth Public Library. Why is that important information?  Well I guess it's really not LOL.  However yesterday I guess I should have spend some quality time at our library, in stead of unproductive time at home.

At any point here is the post, yesterday in the Duluth News Tribune there was an article about the street fee being put on hold.

The council was going to hold a special meeting last night so there could be a second reading at the following council meeting Next Tuesday.  Council President Linda Krug said that the plan just is not ready for prime yet.  So what does this mean?, well we again have no real idea because the council is mum on what the plan they are discussing is.  I have heard that the new plan maybe a one year fee then a tax increase.  Wait what is this not pretty much the same thing, I think so.


It seems at this point according to councilor Krug there just is not enough support for the ordinance that is being thought about. I would hope that this type of thinking with fee's and tax increase would never have the support of council.  Please note I have also heard that there is or could be as many as two resolutions and at least one ordinance.

Councilor Sipress made mention that city already has a 5 dollar fee for street lights again something they should cover with current taxes.  Sipress has some concerns about another fee.  President Krug says a fee would be better then a tax increase because it is right now and you don't have to wait.

Here is my thing on that we as citizens can't afford to pay more in fees/taxes for thing the city should provide already.  I understand that money is tight right now in the city however it is even tighter in every day life. The city duplicates many services that the state already provides why?  Another thing even when the city did receive money from the casino for roads 80% was taken for other things.  Again why when this money was dedicated for roads and if you would have used it for that we our roads would not be in such disarray.

Victory

Yes we did it victory............ but wait hold on something is still going to be done right?

The special city council meeting has been canceled and it was reported on the Brad Bennett show that Mayor Don Ness is not accepting  the street fee as a viable way to pay for street repairs.  That said I really ask you all to use caution because the issue still needs to be addressed some how.  The streets remain in poor shape and money is thin.

I want our streets to be in good shape but not at the tax payers expense, except for taxes that we currently have.  We need to continue to try to find a way to fix our streets and I as a citizen will continue to do so.

The City of Duluth web site has been updated to Monday's meeting being canceled.  Thank you all that took a stand on this issue.  Your calls emails and showing up at the meetings worked.  Yes this blog was part of that, yes I am taking some credit LOL.

Again stay involved this is not over it can't be over.  Something still needs to be done.  Be involved in you government on more then one issue.

Special Duluth City Council meeting.

The Duluth City Council will be having a special council meeting on Monday May 19th at 1pm central time, the meeting will take place in the council chambers room 303.  The meeting will foucus on the street issue this blog has been focusing on.

You bet I will be there to hear the plan they have come up with.  My question is how many others are going to be able to make it at that time.  Yes I know it is a special meeting and they have to do it when they can however 1pm on a work day is insane.

I sure hope a lot of people can show up at this meeting.  Please come if you can.

Other meeting that will take place to follow and be at then for the street issue.  5/22 agenda session 5:15pm and the council meeting Tuesday 5/27 at 7pm.  Note the day is Tuesday not Monday because or the holiday.

Running Duluth City Council Meetings.

So I have followed Duluth City Council meetings for many years.  In do so I have noticed a steady decline in how the meeting are ran.  More so in the last two or three council presidents.  That said the current President is the worst Linda Krug seems clueless on how to run a city council meeting.  

There are a number of things that point to this.  The first there is no flow ever to a meeting it is a complete mess.  The council has seemingly fallen away from any type of rules for there meetings.  The meeting should follow the rules layed out in Roberts rules of order.  I am not sure the Krug or many on the council know what this is.

I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to jump up and say point of order or or rule violations it is sad and sickening that the council President can't run a meeting correctly.  Not only that it has to be almost impossible to follow on radio or pac tv if you don't have a copy of the agenda.

Whole sheets of rain.

Went in to the city council meeting last night at 5pm for the committee and council meeting.  It was not raining that hard, man left early around 9pm and it was pouring sheets.  Inside the council there was a wind storm.  The council chose to have pete and re-pete show up a lot.  Again I don't I hate when the councilors all feel the need to say the same thing over and over again why do you need to repeat it 8 or 9 times. Just vote on the issue.  This is a waste of time and needlessly extends a meeting.  Look at last nights meeting at least four resolution drew comments from at least eight councilors all saying the same.   This extending the conversation to 10 to 15 minutes per resolution.

Now on to the meeting notes.  First I must say this about the park point issue that was tabled.  Council President Linda Krug said before the meeting started that they would table that resolution (9-0 vote) and the they would not allow speakers.  I don't like that even when tabling citizens should have the right to be heard, what should have been before tabling is a suspend of the rules to hear from speakers on the issue.  Now the group that came to speak could have said okay with the table we will just have one person speak but they did not even get that opportunity.  Just a bad presidency I think.

Second was the opportunity for citizens to speak, I took the opportunity to speak on the street fee again, yes councilor Julsrud I will not shut up and go away.  In fact I brought up last night and restated my opinion that this would drive seniors out of homes or they would have to make drastic changes to the way they live.  Many of the seniors live on "fixed" incomes you are making chose food or streets. Many of the councilors have championed for seniors yet any chance they get they vote for things that harm these citizens.  I also mentioned we now have no idea what the plan is for streets.  I have asked the councilors what is the current plan in email only getting stay tuned back.  Mum seems to be the word on this issue currently keep the citizens in the dark till it's in writing and the council has it's mind made up regardless of what the citizens have to say.

Then came many of the pete and re-pete issues.  resolutions 0214, 0215, 0226 all dealing with low income tax money from the state, now the council needed to accept these resolution for them to be able to continue in the process.

Two of the three did pass the first 0214 this project was for the gateway tower redevelopment.  This project has 150 units 80 will remain as they stand 70 will be made available to those who have jobs and make entry level pay.  The discussion here was mainly about management.  It passed 7-2 councilors Hanson and Fosle voting no on it.

The other that was the Krozy bar redevelopment ick is all I can say this building needs to come down.  The conversation also was about management, the developer did say Eric Ringsred would have nothing to do with the building.  Councilors also talked about having to take back that area of town.  bring up perhaps low income can't be isolated to that area of town.  They did however pass it 6-3.

Other interesting conversation for the developer the building is 127 years old and was building that has always been on that houses low income folks.  It will have 40 units 4 of which will homeless units.  the remaining will be workforce units. The building fell victim to the a fire in 1910.

Events.

Once again people I want to remind you all if you have an event coming up please email it to me and I will post it on our events page.  You may even make the front blog page with your event as well.  You can email at duluthpolitics2@yahoo.com or duluthpolitics2@gmail.com

Tonights council meeting.

Well I stated in my last blog that the meeting may not be very exciting tonight as I did not have my agenda copy with me at the time.  Well I am not sure it will be an exciting meeting are they ever? It could be a long a meeting depending on speakers and council comment.

One thing that always bothers me on some resolutions councilors feel the need to comment the same thing over and over again, for example each councilor or a large number of them feel the need to say they support a resolution and why even when there where no speakers on the issue and such.  We get it you support why not just vote on it, instead of killing 15 minutes on it like a dead horse.

Now on to tonight's meeting.  The big issue will be the park point issue.  I still think that will be tabled and if there is the council thinking I hope they let the residence know this so there are not a bunch of speakers on the issue tonight.  That said I would encourage some to speak and let the council know why you don't like the project. Now if the council does not want to table it and takes a vote tonight I also hope they let the people know this as well because then more speakers should sign up.

Well the issue does not directly impact me, it is one that could if you go down to the park point area in the summer.  Like many of us do on our few nice days here in Duluth LOL.  I love park point it is a nice place to have a picnic and enjoy the water and relax.

I don't like the current plan, because of the little bit I have read on the issue.  It seems like it could put residence of park point in some issues where people may interfere with there property never a good idea.  The road mess with this also sounds much like the project done up in the miller hill mall a few years ago and it is a mess that many will get confused about.

The other issue is the kozy and other building that could be redeveloped.  I have one thing to say about the Kozy knock in down.  Don't spend any money on it oh wait the city already has.  So not worth it.

A bit more on a transparent city council.

This is a little more about a transparent city council, I wrote about a few post back you can look back and read that post if you would like to.

I find it interesting that I have asked a number of city councilors to keep up to date on the street fee or asked them questions about the issue and have not gotten a response. Yet the council wants you to believe they are willing to communicate with everyone.  They also want you to believe they listen to everyone, even when it is clear they don't.

The councilors I have asked to keep me updated or asked questions to and got no response from are councilors Linda Krug, Sharla Gardner.  If you read this before this UPDATE please read the following:

I did in fact get a response from Councilor Larson, thank you very much for that.  Sorry I did not check my spam email and for some reason it was in there that has not happened with a councilor email before.  That said however she did not disclose any of the ideas to me she did however say that they should be released to the public hopefully early next week.  I look forward to seeing them and letting the council know my thoughts.

Again thank you councilor Larson for the response  I do appreciate it.

It's laughable that the council wants people to believe they are transparent.

It's council meeting eve.

So it's council meeting eve do you know where your councilors is?   Tonight at I sit here and write this blog we are about 1 hours away from the Duluth City Council meeting.  Well I presume our councilors are tucked in their beds fast a sleep one could only make that a guess.

Well I don't expect tomorrows meeting to be all that exciting because I think the major issue will be tabled (Park Point).  I do however think there maybe a number of speakers against this the issue.

Other issues that could be interesting are the resolutions with the new Marciues building.  My only questions for that are how long will the sky walk be closed for and will it be public once again after the project is done.  I sure hope so because I use that part of the sky walk all the time.

The other thing that I am sure will be brought either on the agenda (it was not on at of the Thursday agenda session) is the street fee.  That said City Attorney Gunner Johnson said they are working as fast as they can on the issue.  He did not think there would be anything Monday however it was possible, not likely.  I can tell you if there is nothing on the agenda it may be brought up when the citizens can speak at the beginning of the meeting.

Just a quick note.

Many of you know I have been blogging for many years now.  I started with a Duluth Politics blog  back in 1997 I did that for a few years then moved mostly to facebook pages (blogs).  I wanted to come back to a more approtie blog site and start again with a new Duluth Politics blog.  In between I have done Duluth, national, regional and more blogging. So blogging is nothing new to me.  

I must say this one ( that was my own blog) not a number of people on it, has the fastest start and most comments by facebook or email.  I love it and want to thank everyone for reading the blog.  The feed back in email, facebook, and on the street has been great.  

Thanks happy reading and discussing whether it be here on the blog, email, facebook ect.....  

I just wanted to point out how much fun this is for me and I am very glad about the feed back and I hope you enjoy the blog as well. 

A transparent city council?

The Duluth City Council says they that they are want to be transparent and willing to listen to the people that elected you.  You encourage people to come and take part in the process.  Yet when a major a facing our city like finding money to improver our streets come up.  You do a 180.

The council held a agenda session today, where they talked about the street issue at the end of the meeting.  They talked in very vague terms.  Not letting an idea what they are discussing on the issue.  We have no idea what is being written as ordinances and resolutions.

We only learned today that there will in fact be ordinances and resolutions about this issue.  No thought by the council of saying what they ideas are the council are thinking about.  How is this transparent? Even in email the councilors don't give any idea of what is going on with the issue.  Don't you think the ideas should be shared with the public before they are written so we all know what is going on?

Open letter to Jennifer Julsrud.

This is an open letter to Duluth City Councilor Jennifer Julsrud.  Well I was going to email her my thoughts, I think it is also important to make it aware to the public her comments at the last city council meeting.  I was taken back by them.

Councilor Julsrud,

I was a bit shocked at the comments you made at the end of the 4-28-14 council meeting, so much so that it has taken to long for me to be able to write you in a some what respectful way.

You said about the street fee issue.  I am excited to bring this to the council level and see what there thoughts are.  For those citizens we have heard you, I ask that relax a bit.  Later you said me and the councilors will figure out a solution.  Please note these are not direct quotes but they are close.

What happened to civility?  The council is suppose to be all about.  I guess it is okay for you to say to the Duluth citizens just relax, translation go away and shut up.  We will take this issue, I (Julsrud) don't care what you have to say.

Must I point out that you and the other councilors where elected by us the citizens, I think you should listen to what we ask of you.  It is clear by your comments that you are not willing to listen. You want what you want.  The arrogance of you comments can not go un-noticed.  Councilor I will never go I will never shut up, nor should any Duluth citizens and for a council to make that type of a comment is sad.

By implying you don't want citizen involvement ( unless they agree with you. Then it okay for them to say something.)  you have done a huge dis-service for the people of the 1st district and all of Duluth

Thanks

John Rathe

Duluth Mn

Street fee talk from reader's John Ramos.

I like to pick the reader weekly, I don't many times agree with there stands however I like reading it because they have a lot of things you don't hear else where and now they have added a number of new people one of them is John Ramos.

I have always respect John and well we don't always agree his knowledge of city issues are second to none. He is one of the best in reporting because he takes the time to find out what is going on and he not just use press release and little snippet's.  He is one of the few that goes out and does the work when reporting on issues.

In his first reader column he talks about spirt mountain it is a great commentary and ask you all check it out, but he also writes about a couple of other things in there one is the street fee and he takes on a councilor, Howie Hanson.

He says that Hanson is not a team player why? Well because he has came out and said he will not vote for a fee or a tax on the street issue.  This makes him a enemy according to Ramos, because he is not a yes man to the Mayor on this issue(team player).

 Really Mr. Ramos I contend that Hanson is in fact a team player, he is team Duluth, he is standing up for the people he said he would, unlike the Mayor and some other councilors.  Mr. Ramos also is trying to charitize Hanson as some one who is mean and demanding because Hanson feels the city should already have the money for this as it is a essential service of the city.