Fist I need to say this. I consider Mayor Ness to be a great friend. We may not always in fact offend agree on politics but that is okay. Politics should never stand in the way of a friendship in my eyes.
The Mayor and I grew up right next door to each other. We played all the time, we shared great times and I think we still do and can. When we talked tonight we expressed how we have always been very pleasant with each other. He also expressed how sometimes when I write he does not think it is always nice. I am always willing to listen if anyone including Mayor Ness wants to know why I said something the way I did just ask. Emailing is the best way to get a hold of me duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com .
There is only two people that are not allowed two post. I think they know who they are. This is because of the they conducted them self's.
Now onto what this is suppose to be about the speech from tonight. I thought it was a very good speech. The intend of the speech was to energize the city and the people in the room. It delivered in an up lifting way. To me the the speech was much like a coach giving a big pep-talk to his team.
I think the intend was of the speech was very successful. After the speech was over I talked to many people and they had nothing but good things to say. At least most people did.
The content that was good for his political view. If you agree with his vision or not at this point does not matter. It was very much along the lines he wants to move this city.
If I was to grade the speech I would give it a B.
Next I will get into what was said and if I like that as much as the deliver of the speech.
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4 comments:
As a coach and teacher, I take offense to the negative connotation in your blog about Mayor Ness's speech. Coaches and teachers are a very important part of any community, Duluth included. Coaches TEACH fair play, how to be competitve, learning how to win and lose. Teachers provide us with the ability to read, write, create, and everything we need to be successful beyond school. Both coaches and teachers use motivational tools to achieve success for their athletes and students. America's greatest leaders are teachers and coaches. Mayor Ness, a former athlete, coach (and student/ teacher)understands this philosophy and clearly was SUCCESSFUL in using this to (in your words) "energize the city", a city that is in desperate need for energy and positive thinking. One only needs to attend a UMD hockey game or city council meeting to see that complaining or having indifferences has become the best way to describe many Duluthians. Hopefully the war between Mayor and Council will end. Mayor Ness, who has been a player, captain, and leader of many successful teams is trying to bring people together and motivate the city to rebuild and rejuvenate. He understands that sportsmanship, competitive desire, hard work, (and motivating others to work hard around you), creative thinking, and (most importantly) team work are the principles of a successful team, family, AND city. I am certain he learned that from the many wonderful coaches and teachers that we each had growing up in Duluth. Many people sacrificed time and energy to teach us those principles, which should make Mayor Donny Ness one of the most successful mayors in Duluth's history.
I reciieved this message via email. I am posting even though it is much like the above post, by the same person. I will comment later.
Let me start out by saying that I am a coach and teacher. I have been a
coach for many years at the youth, high school, and college level. I
also consider myself a good friend of Donny. Although the years and
commitments to family, life, and work have allowed us to drift apart, we
do occasionally run into each other and I know that in a pinch he would
always be there for me if needed and vice versa. Below is a response to
Mr. Rathe's blog post. Also, I would like to make a few comments to Mr.
Stahl.
I will start with the article in Today's paper. Normally I do not
delve deeply into politics and Mayor Ness can assure you that I did not
take any part in his campaign (sorry Donny). But after watching his
speech on television last night I was impassioned, excited, and wanting
to do more for Duluth ( a city I cherish and love). I had heard enough
negative things about Duluth and its health care situation, its
mayor-council wars, and mostly (from my young graduating athletes from
St. Scholastica) its lack of quality jobs for young college graduates
wanting to stay in the city they had become attached (like all of us who
have spent any time here). So when I read the front page article I was
disappointed, frustrated and even angered. When I turned to the back
page, read Mr. Rathe's comments, I knew I had to respond. A city in
desperate need of a leader, a clean cut, hard working, team player. We
have what we need. A real homegrown talent, a mayor who believes in
Duluth, who loves the people, who understands how to lead and has his
finger on the heart beat of the city.
Mayor Ness understands that Duluth has become a city filled with
cynicism. He understands that many people have begun to give up on
Duluth being a vibrant city again. He understands that without
motivation, excitement, and exuberant leadership... no plan will
succeed. So he chose (correctly I might add) to follow the path (and
even quote) of one of our countries great leaders JFK and speak not
about nuts and bolts but about passion, love for this city, and belief
that it once again can be a great city and destination for young
graduates seeking quality employment. His plan was to attack this
speech like a coach, like a teacher and he nailed it! Therefore,
reading the paper, seeing the cynicism in your writing was frustrating.
Clearly you do not understand what this city needs, you do not have your
finger on the pulse of this city. Mayor Ness gets it and I hope more
people watched the speech than read your article, because you clearly
missed a great motivational speech, made by a person who I believe will
be a great leader. He has already proven himself as a great councilor,
great athlete, tremendous captain, an excellent family man, and an even
better friend to many many people!
Please read my below post (awaiting Mr. Rathe's approval) on the Duluth
Politics blog site:
As a coach and teacher, I take offense to the negative connotation in
your blog about Mayor Ness's speech. Coaches and teachers are a very
important part of any community, Duluth included. Coaches TEACH fair
play, how to be competitive, learning how to win and lose. Teachers
provide us with the ability to read, write, create, and everything we
need to be successful beyond school. Both coaches and teachers use
motivational tools to achieve success for their athletes and students.
America's greatest leaders are teachers and coaches. Mayor Ness, a
former athlete, coach (and student/ teacher)understands this philosophy
and clearly was SUCCESSFUL in using this to (in your words) "energize
the city", a city that is in desperate need for energy and positive
thinking. One only needs to attend a UMD hockey game or city council
meeting to see that complaining or having indifference has become the
best way to describe many Duluthians. Hopefully the war between Mayor
and Council will end. Mayor Ness, who has been a player, captain, and
leader of many successful teams is trying to bring people together and
motivate the city to rebuild and rejuvenate. He understands that
sportsmanship, competitive desire, hard work, (and motivating others to
work hard around you), creative thinking, and (most importantly) team
work are the principles of a successful team, family, AND city. I am
certain he learned that from the many wonderful coaches and teachers
that we each had growing up in Duluth. Many people sacrificed time and
energy to teach us those principles, which should make Mayor Donny Ness
one of the most successful mayors in Duluth's history.
Thank you for your time,
Dave Reyelts
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Asst. Men's Soccer & Track and Field Coach
(218) 723- 6603
dreyelts@css.edu
Dave:
I fail to understand were you found my comment to negitive about Teachers and coaches. All I said is he sounded like a coach or a teacher. Not that big of a deal. There was not negitive meaning behind it.
Now onto Mayor Ness. As I have said in my post. We don't agree a lot but there are times we do as well. I grew up next to Donny so you don't need to give a big speech on how nice of a person he is. I like Mayor Ness as a person and like I said I consider his to be a friend. That does not mean I am not going to say when I think he is wrong on an issue, it also does not mean I will give him postive feed back when I feel he deserves it. I will do both at great lenght. Health discussion and disagreement is a postive. It helps lead to solutions.
Dave: I gues as far as the Duluth News News Tribune story goes, I fail again to see were Brandon did anything wrong. The front page was what he said 3/4 of the back page was more quoets from his speech. Then there was my comments and former councilor Stewart's comments.
Brandon did what he was supose to do. He covered the speech and outlined what Mayor Ness said. He then interviewed people. When he interviewed he did what he was supose to. You interview "both sides" people that are more likly to agree with Mayor Ness Stewart and those that are more likly to not agree wtih him. In this case it was me.
As I said I thought the news story was very good.
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