News tips.

Email: duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com

Friday, November 30, 2007

New poll is up.

The new poll is up. Check it out, it is new the bottom of the page. Scroll on down and vote!!!!

Mayor elect Ness showed his true colors.

Mayor elect Don Ness ran his campaign on bringing the community together. He also said that he will bring responsible spending back to city hall. Mayor elect Ness showed his true colors at the council meeting Monday night.



He showed that all of his promises were just that. He could care less about the average Duluthain. He is just going to spend your money and tax you out of your house. That was made way to clear on Monday night. The mayor elect did nothing but vote to raise our taxes and increase utility rates. The taxes will not benefit us at all either. They raised storm water run off by 17% and sewer rates went up 11%. Never gave a reason to why he voted the way he did. Like it or not that is what you get.

I wonder if this silent but deadly treatment is what he will take into the Mayor's office. If this is the type of Mayor he will be then we are in for a long four years. We may want to hang on to our wallets. The type of mayor that is needed now is one that can and is willing to work with a limited budget. To this point it is very clear that Mr. Ness is not willing to do this.

What is clear is that he wants to raise taxes so the city has money to fund unneeded things. These projects may indeed be good, however when you don't have the money you need to take a look at if they are needed.

He showed this again on Monday night with two other votes. One of the two votes was to not override the Mayors veto of the housing investment fund. Whether the fund is a good thing or not is debatable. I think it is in theory but I have some issues with it. Mr. Ness did not vote in favor or over ridding the veto because he thinks the project is a good one. It also helps many people out.

This is true however when we are in a budget crisis we need to focus on the core issues. I hate to say it but this is far from a core issue. The fact of the matter is our streets and sewers are falling a part. The police along with other emergency services are in need of man power and equipment.

The second vote was on if we should conduct yet another feasibility study for a high speed train to connect Duluth with the Cities. The study only cost us tax payers a small amount of $40,000 dollars.

Keep in mind we have already had three studies done. All of them said the project would not be a good one for Duluth to get involved in. I guess it is a classic case of "if you don't succeed; try, try again". This time we can all rest assured that the study will have the "right" results. The study will be conducted by the railroad authorities from many counties.

Mr. Ness said this was a critical vote and we need to support it because we have in the past. It is the wave of the future he said. Calling for a huge come back for trains.

Simple fact of the matter is this project will just be yet another fish tank . I mean G.L.A. ( Great Lakes Aquarium). The numbers will fall well short of the predictions and we will do nothing but subsidise the train.

Post coming.

I am working on a couple of posts regarding Monday night's council meeting. They are going to be must reads so come back and check them out.

These post are taking longer then I wanted but it will be worth your time.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

new blog

A new blog is up. It is going to focus on bring tid bits from blogs ran about Duluth to one area. This will alolow you to check out what people are saying quick. Then if you you wnat to you can read there whole thoughts on that blog when you get a chance to.

The hope is as well that it will bring bloggers closer together

Unfoutantly Mayor elect Ness is serious.

When I first this comment on Perfect Day Duluth I thought he can't be serious about this one. http://www.perfectduluthday.com/2007/07/another_candidate_to_consider.html. The comment deals with increasing our taxes. To read the whole story he tells click on the link above.



Now it comes out that it is not one of the first things he wants to do when he gets in the mayors office. He is already starting the ball on it\. It was on last nights agenda but did not get mentioned. It stayed on the table. These are the type of project we can't afford to be getting involved in at this time. Not only that but I don't see why we should pay more taxes to make the city a music and art town.



I am all for the music and arts however if they want something then they need to go get it, by them self's. Raise money do what it takes but stay out of the tax payers pockets.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Is this Councilor serious?

I don't know if you got the chance to watch or listen to the council meeting tonight. There were a number of things that I could not believe were coming out of some of the councilors mouth. This is just one of them.

They were talking about a resolution to override the mayors veto from this last week. It was dealing with funding for housing investment fund. Well the discussion was going on council President Russ Stover implied that we should pay more in taxes for our roads. When an easement is done the citizen's should pick up more of it then they do, Stover said.

I can't believe he expects us to pay more of what a city is to provide. He believes funding the housing fund, fish tanks ect... is more important the our roads, police, fire. This is basically what councilor Stover said. It is unbelief able one would think this way.

Sorry for no post

I apologize for not posting at all this last week. However a couple of things happened first my Grandma passes away on Monday. This was the main reason for not posting.

Here is were I need to say a couple of things. Even when my grandma was 90 years old. Never take life for granted you never know when your day will come. Keep your family close to your heart at all times. Grandma thanks for the great times we had. You will be missed.

Thank you to those have send there prays and well wishes already. They mean so much at a time of lose.

The second reason for no post this week is a little thing called Thanksgiving. I hope you all had a great one.

Just for the record the funeral is tomorrow so I may not get a chance to post.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Meeting canceled.

Tonight's Duluth City Council meeting has been canceled. The special meeting was have the council vote on accepting the contract. That would then put the ball in the AFSCME union court. If would force them to make a move.
The union would have three choices vote on the contract now. Either except it, don't except it, go on strike.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

"We are watching"

We are watching the group that is supposedly watching the St. Louis County board. The group is nothing but a joke.

I have never seen such a politically motivate group hit behind an issue. The issue they are hiding behind is the harassment. The group claims that some members have had issue's with this. Yet nothing has been proven and they have had ample time to prove it.

Monday, November 12, 2007

This story is why we don't name wild animals.

Okay here is why we don't name wild animals or make friends with them. http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=54144&section=homepage

After all it is deer season. Gook Luck hunters.


Saved a life today?

I may have saved some ones life today. A male in his 20's came in to my place of work today. He asked to use a the phone. I dialed the number he wanted me to and he said this in a message.

hey it's ( the persons name) I respect what you said, but I am going to Chester bowl and we will see what happens from there. I care about you guys.

This male that entered the store was out of it. He was walking very strange and he could hardly stand. His eyes we have shut.

I called 911 right away after he left the store and said I think a guy is going to commit suicide. I then went on to tell the dispatcher what had happened. He said they would get a cop out to look and if needed they would get back in contact with me.

When I left work today I had not heard anything. I hope they were able to find the gentleman and give him the help he needs at this point. I lost a friend a number of years ago well in boy scouts to suicide and it is not a good thing. I have also had friends that have wanted to kill them self's in points of there lives. It is something I don't fully understand. I sure do understand about being down but not so badly you think you should not be on this earth.

From the time I lost my friend in scouts I have said I am going to do everything I can to watch out for my friends and people in general. Many times the signs are very hard to spot. This time it was easy to see this guy was at least thinking about committing suicide.

I hope what I did today was a good thing and I hope it works out for this person.

If I hear anything I will pass it along. I have some more thoughts that will come in a different post.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Duluth Citizens blog shuts down?

What is up with that. Just hours ago I was there and now as of 7 p.m. todnight there is a message saying they have stopped the blog. they claim that there was no presure from anyone but I wonder if that if true.

If anyone has any info please let me know. If you wish it not to be published just say so and I will not publish it. You can contact me at duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com

New Poll is up.

A new poll is up. The poll askes this, Are you happy with the election results?

Again the poll is near the bottom of the page.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

New things.

A couple of new things for this blog. There is now a poll, It will change weekly, however this one is only good for a couple of more days. This question deals with the mayors race. Who will you support? Charlie Bell, Don Ness or a write in. It is near the bottom of the page with the links.

Speaking of links I have a new blog Team Rathe bowling, clearly it is about bowling. I have added it to a new link to pages also near the bottom of the page. I will be adding other links to this area as well. If you want to check out the new blog here is the link www.teamrathebowling.blogspot.com. There is not much there yet as I just started it.

Friday, November 02, 2007

I found this funny.

Well travailing a couple weekends ago to Fountain Bay, I saw some interesting signs here in town. The one I found most interesting was a political sign for Jeff Anderson. Now I have seen his bill boards but not this one tell then.

What it says is this. It's time for a change vote Jeff Anderson. At least close to that. Here is what is funny. If he is elected nothing will change. He brings what the current council already is. He would just be another yes vote for everything wrong with Duluth.

when we returned home we had a piece of mail that read the same as the billboard did. All I did was laugh and toss it away.

Predictions: School Baord 2nd district.

This race could be an interesting race. It pits long time candidate for political offices Harry Welty against Judy Seliga-Punyko.

I don't know much about Judy. I have meet her once when she ran for school board four years ago. Other then a very brief conversation with her I can say to much about her stands. I know she is for the red plan with out a vote. I will do a search and try to find a web page were I can get more info about her. Look for more info to come soon on her.

It appears as if Judy has been on boards and such for the school board to plan long range activities for the school district. She also has been a lobbyist for the school district on the state and Federal levels. Here is a link to the story:http://www.duluthbudgeteer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=20996&section=News . Once there you can also read Harry Welty's interview.

It seems to me that Judy is more concerned about the buildings then the students.

Harry Welty was a board member for 10 years. Well on the board he showed great understand for the issues that came up for a vote.

Those that have read this blog for a while will know Harry and I don't agree politically offend. I have however a new respect sense I interviewed him back when he ran for congress in '06.

Harry has a great grasp on many issues. His experience with the school board is second only to current board member Tim Grover. Harry is running this time mainly because he is against the red plan. He believes like many do we should be able to vote on the plan.

The paper has endorsed Judy for this race. What will DP do?

I don't believe this race will be that close. I am thinking along the lines of a 60-40 %.

My vote would be: Harry Welty

Prediction: Harry Welty

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Crime in Duluth

Regarless of what the DNT says crime in Duluth is up. Mr. Bell is right we are attracting the less desiralbes that other communitys don't want.


More to come later.

Election Predictions: School Board 3rd district.

I will kick off my predictions with this school board race. There will continue tell we reach the mayor's race. I will try to do a couple a day or so. Please remember my predicted winner is not nessicerly who I am voting for that will be included in the post however.

The third district Duluth School board race pits two candidates that have ran against each other before. Current board member Tim Grover and challenger Deb Anderson. These two candidates faced off four years ago. Were Mr. Grover won re-election.

Time Grover: A long time board member. By far the longest sitting member on the board. His experience with school related issues is second to none. Mr. Grover has seen the ups and the downs of the Duluth Public schools as a board member and has dealt with them very very adequately.

Deb Anderson: Has little experience dealing with school issues. She was however employed by the school district for a long time before retiring just a short time ago. Deb looks to bring her views of what is bad with the district to the board. She has an agenda.

Both candidates are against the red plan. Both feel that we have the right to vote on the issue.

It seem like Mr. Grover is not out that pounding the pavement. Well Mrs: Anderson is working hard her signs out number Mr. Grover big time. I don't know if it is a lack of interest on Mr. Grover's part or just feeling defeated.

As this is my district I would ask you all to support Tim Grover his experience and knowledge is second to none. He has done nothing to hurt the district he is one of the few that has worked to keep us a float.

My vote: Time Grover



Prediction: Deb Anderson