Air show trouble?

I saw this first on Almost on the Range blog, http://almostontherange.blogspot.com.

I think Erik and I have a diffrent way of looking at this. They way I look at will be expressed here, to see Erik's thoughts go to his blog. Erik believes that Kern is bulling the area home owners. I don't see that way as much.

I first want to take this police overtime issue for Hermntown. The City has asked Duluth to help pay and we said no, we will use some of our cops to help with airshow travel but will not pay. Then the city went to the air show staff and asked for help they also said they would not pay for city over time. Why should they have too? I don't believe they should have to. Many other events cost a city tons of money for police issues as well. Yet they are not asked to help pay for any of it.

The second issue I want to discuss is the airshow and if people should be able to watch it for free. The answear is apsolitly not. I don't care if you live near the airport or not, it does not give you the right to watch for free. Or if you go to a near by parking lot such as Harley Davidson, or pull over on the side of the road. This event cost money to put on and all that watch should pay to do so. You have to no right to watch the event with out paying for it.

Here is the editroil by the a Duluth staff writer.


Residents resist requests to vacate
BY JANNA GOERDT
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER


MONACO AIR DULUTH AIRSHOW

Allison Pagnac has scheduled three days off work in early July to stay home and enjoy the Monaco Air Duluth Airshow from her yard.

She has no right to watch this event from here home. Nor does anyone else that lives near the airport. Again this event cost money to put on. You need to pay if you want to watch.


Much of the action would happen right over her head, as Duluth International Airport is close to Pagnac's home on Lavaque Road in Hermantown.
But when Monaco Air Duluth Airshow President Ryan Kern came to the Pagnac's door this month, he said the Pagnacs, along with five other nearby families, must vacate their homes for the air show on July 7, 8 and 9, following Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
If they don't, "He said the (St. Louis County) sheriff would escort us out of our homes," Pagnac said.

The fact is Kern is right by regulations these areas are to be vacated. Why? because of the events on the airshow it allows for these regulations to be used. I am not sure that the sheriff will escort people out or not, but I believe they have the right to, with use of the regualtions.


But Hermantown police Chief Dan Perich said no law enforcement agency has the power to force people from their homes so that a private event can proceed. Perich said he has heard from several residents on Lavaque Road who said they were threatened with a temporary eviction.
"We can't, aren't and won't remove people from their homes," Perich said. "There's nothing we can do about it."

Notice this is Hermantown police Chief how has no respect for the show at all. You can in fact with use of regulations remove these people do to what the show effects. The fact is this is based manily on millitary based plains.

Several of Pagnac's neighbors, including 90-year-old Viola LePard, are elderly and can't easily leave for the day.
The six families on Lavaque Road next to the airport are in the "air show box," a zone the FAA wants cleared in case an air show act, such as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, goes awry.
That's a standard practice during any air show, said David Boe, public relations director for the air show. He noted the Thunderbirds require a larger box than past air show acts.

Please keep in mind that this is realy for saved issues.

"They more or less want to rent our land to crash in," said Brent Pagnac, who lives next door to his parents. Brent Pagnac has not agreed to leave his property during the air show.
Neither has LePard.
"I can't leave my home for those many days," she said. "I just can't leave my home. I can't drive too far."


Kern could not be reached for comment on the alleged eviction threats.
Boe said that as far as he knew, no one from the air show told residents they would be temporarily evicted if they didn't voluntarily leave.
"We can't do that," Boe said. "Even law enforcement can't do that. We will do all we can to make this work."


There has been ongoing friction between some air show employees and Hermantown officials over the city's costs to manage the event. The Hermantown City Council recently passed a resolution stating the city's intent to bill the air show for about $4,000 in police costs, though city officials conceded they couldn't force air show officials to pay.
Perich said he will send as many Hermantown police officers as necessary to handle traffic and security during the air show, whether or not the city is compensated.

In a letter dated April 13, Kern offered the Lavaque Road families a free pass to the air show for July 8 and 9. They also would need to be gone July 7, when the Thunderbirds practice.
By signing and returning the letter to have the tickets mailed to them, residents would agree to vacate their homes from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
Two day passes aren't much compensation, Pagnac said. A one-day advance general admission ticket costs $14.

"Anyway, I don't want to go to the air show," Pagnac said. "I probably couldn't afford to eat at the air show for two days."
Neither Kern nor Boe said they knew what would happen if residents refused to leave during the air show. In past years, just one or two homeowners were involved.
"There's never been a problem before," Boe said.
"We have to work with them," Kern said. "We need to figure it out. I haven't had follow-up conversations with all people, but the ones I did speak to were extremely cooperative."
Pagnac doesn't know of anyone who has agreed to leave their homes in exchange for free tickets.
Lavaque Road resident Ole Ustad, 86, said he and his wife, Anna, haven't decided what to do when the air show rolls around.
"At my age, I don't like leaving the house for too long," he said. "We're just waiting to see what happens."

When asked if the homeowners might be financially compensated for their lost time, Kern said, "We have not yet given any consideration yet as to what we can do. I asked people to get back to me at the end of the month."

ordiance 60 takes it's time.

Ordinance 60 update.


It seems that this ordinance is just taking it's sweet old time. I was told by a city councilor the other day this maybe tabled again. This time because of a councilor not being able to attend the next council meeting. It may also be because of the Duluth Chamber and the wording changes.

It is also very possible that is a combonatin of both these.

Don't forget to check out our sports page. We have a few articales about the Minnesota Twins, we are also going to die sect the NFL draft starting tomorrow. www.duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com

Giuliani to liberal for some conservitives?

This little bleerp is from newsmax,http://newsmax.com


"Pollsters and pundits contend that former New York city mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who supports abortion and gay rights as well as tough gun control laws, is too liberal for the conservative Republicans who tend to dominate the presidential primaries."


What are your thoughts. I know Giuliani is who I want to be the republican nominnee. I do have some conserns about some of his stands on issues, but I think you will never agree with some one all the time.

More on the Chamber and ordinance 60 part 1

I received an email from Duluth Chamber President David Ross the other day regarding ordinance 60.

In my email to him I asked how many non-profits they had in the Chamber. The reply was that they had about 117 non-profits. He also said that he was not sure what this had to do with ordinance 60.

I explained to him in an email this morning that is may be a big part of why they oppose the ordinance and here is why.

If you remember back on the first vote of this ordinance councilors Johnson and Gilbert put our a resolution two days before the council was to vote on the ordinance. What was the reason of the resolution? Simple it was protect the staus quo, and to protect special interest groups mainly non-profits.

This may have been part of why the Chamber is not wanting the council to pass this ordinance.

The Chamber is rethinking if they would still oppose this ordinance or not, based on word changes they have suggested.

Duke Skorich does not want to hear from everyone.

Well well look at that!!! We must have been banned from posting on Dukes blog, we went to post today and there was not letter verification for us.

It seems that Duke really does not want to hear from everyone. He always claims that he does.

Chamber holds up ordinance 60.

Ordinance 60 was tabled last night to the Duluth Chamber of Commerce. The chamber claims that they did not have time to look at the ordinance close enought.

Come on this has been a huge issue for three month going on four. The amended ordinance has been there for two weeks. Yet the chamber has not had time to look at it.

Give me a break a group claiming to be as big as they are should have had plenty of time to look at this ordinance.

Have your wondered who is a chamber member find out here:http://www.duluthchamber.com/other/membershipdirectory.aspx.

What are your thoughts on the Chamber, and this issue?

Hanson's to built new station.

Last night the Duluth City Council okayed the Hanson's to built there new building right next to a house.


Many councilors said that the Hanson's did a great job with environmental issues. My question is what about the Toon's and the house issue. It must be okay to infringe on homeowner rights?

It seemed like the council did not even listen to the Toon's last night. What a joke.

rally recap.

Well tonights rally went off, and we had a ton of people. Oh wait there was no one there, except for me. The other two contributers to this blog did not even show up and it was there idea to have the rally.

The ordinance remained on the table anyway. Not the point I am sick of people complaining about an issue yet when you are called apon you do nothing about it. You must all think that they city is in great shape as everyone refuses to do anything to change the staus quo.

I did however meet two people that came to cover the rally and I enjoyed the converstation I had with them. If they are interested in more information about me or what I feel about this ordinance they can email me at our email address and I will responde as soon as I can. The email address is duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com


Duluthians need to take a more active roll in goverment.

John ( sick of people just whinning and doing nothing about it.)

trouble with blogger today.

We have had trouble everytime we try to post with blogger today. We have tried to post many topics for discussion today but have been unalbe to.

This is in fact more of a test to see if it is working yet.


We will post either after the city council meeting tonight or tomorrow.

Remember the rally tonight at 6p.m. for ordinance 60.

More on this later.

Former Minnesota Viking Moe Williams place the race card and say's he is sorry if he affend anyone in Minnesota after the sex boat. What a joke. More to come on this later tonight on our sports page, check it out later. www.duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com

False hope for DECC expansion?

So the senate can't decide what it wants to do about the DECC and other's project's. Just one day after the senate decided not pass the DECC expansion tax they then turn around and pass to allow the tax.

Is this a false hope for the DECC or is it a step in the "right" direction?

Based on the way our local reps have been working so hard for this project. I can't but help think it is false hope for the DECC expansion.


A tax bill that includes provisions allowing Duluth to add 0.75 percentage points to its bar and restaurant sales tax passed the Minnesota Senate on Thursday, a day after it was defeated.
The legislation allows the City Council to impose the tax, which would bring the total sales tax on food and drinks in bars and restaurants to 9.75 percent.
The city plans to use money from the tax increase to pay its share of a proposed $67.4 million

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center expansion.
The turn of events in the Senate offers a glimmer of hope for the proposed DECC expansion, which hasn't had an easy time at the Legislature.
Also in the bill are provisions allowing sales tax increases for the cities of Hermantown, Cloquet and Ely.


The 37-30 vote came a day after the Senate voted the bill down, 35-32. The bill's authors got the support they needed by stripping provisions to increase state taxes on commercial and industrial properties.

Read the whole article at here, http://duluthnews.com

The world against the little guys.

It ison a like this day that I can't help but feel very small. The city as you know if you read this blog is dealing with ordinance 60, an ordinance that I have whole heartily endorsed along with the others that contribute to this blog.

Today the Chamber of commerce sent out an email to our Mayor and the city council. Asking that this ordinance not pass. They are claiming it would hurt development in the city. They ask instead that the council just use the guidelines but not pass this ordinance.

If you remember the first vote councilor Stauber said I in a demeanor of such I don't need to stinking ordinance to tell me how to vote. This is not true the council has shown time in and time out that they do need this ordinance.


This brings up the rally, Duluth Politics is sponsoring this rally. We were going to cancel it but we will not. We have a small amount of people that said for sure they will be and some other's hoping to be there as well. It is our hope now more then ever that people come out and join this rally.

Here is the info you need for the rally.

Were: Out side of City Hall.

When: April 24th when this ordinance will be up for vote again. The rally will start at 6p.m. and go tell just before 7 when the meeting starts.

Why: To show the council that we need this ordinance.


Again please come and bring a friend or two. Also if you have any questions please feel free to contact us at duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com .


The Chamber and developers, along with the city administration have all teamed together to try to defeat this. Lets stand up and be heard it is time for the little guy to get noticed.

We need to take control of our city.

Chamber email regarding ordinance 60.

Thanks to Connect Duluth, Duluth Politics retained a copy of the Chambers email.

Connect Duluth can be found on the web here, http://connectdultuh.com


Here is the email from the Chamber to the Mayor and City Council regarding ordincance 60. We will have commantary on this email either later tonight or tomorrow.

Look the Chamber does not even know it is an ordinance they say resolution instead. They could at least get ordinance right.


City Councilors and Mayor Bergson:


The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce often encourages the city council to>
be fiscally conservative regarding the stewardship of city resources.> We are convinced the council desires to restrain spending when the city> enters into any kind of development agreement. The Chamber also> understands the council has at times been strongly encouraged to vote on> development agreements without adequate time to consider all the> specifics and ramifications of particular agreements. We understand the frustration this kind of pressure creates. As such, we congratulate you for your motivation in proposing and considering Resolution 05-060-0. Thank you for bringing these issues to light.


Yet, we are concerned with the unintended consequences passing Resolution 05-060-0 may create. We do not believe it is prudent to> pre-determine how and when the city should commit to participate in a> development. As elected representatives, it is your duty, on a case by case basis, to refuse to approve development agreements when not given> adequate time or information. We also expect you to eliminate those> agreements that are too risky. In doing so, you properly protect the citizen taxpayer. Resolution 05-060-0 may also hamper the city's ability to acquire> property at the lowest possible price. Given the dynamic nature of business negotiations, gaining public approval to spend the highest> amount possible before making an offer will only help the party from> which the property is being purchased. Simply stated: property owners> would be motivated to refrain from selling until the city offers the maximum pre-approved amount for the sale.

We also believe Resolution 05-060-0 may increase development agreement costs given the re-opener clause. In this case, the city would be> protected from unforeseen consequences. Unfortunately, in reality, it will pay those costs upfront. A private party will simply enter an> additional cost into the agreement, building in a cushion to cover these> unforeseen costs rather than risk re-opening a potentially political> contract. Alternatively, the clause may dissuade developers from> participating in projects that may be to the city's economic advantage. The Chamber commends your willingness to address the problems associated> with development agreements. We believe that you - and future councils> - should view every development proposal with the intent reflected in Resolution 05-060-0 firmly in mind.

Nonetheless, we believe that> passing Resolution 05-060-0 will ultimately cause increased costs and> create more problems than it addresses. For these reasons, we oppose> the ordinance and we encourage you to do the same.

Thank you for considering our appeal.

Respectfully submitted,David Ross

Doing hand stands.

The DECC project is dead DEAD and dead again.

I am more then likely one of the few doing hand stands today!!! I was very proud of my no vote on the DECC expansion when Duluth held it's referendum. I did not like the way we were to fund the project. It appears as if the DFL senate agrees with me. The did not pass a bill that would have allowed this.

Here is just part of the article in the Duluth news tribune. You can read the whole article at http://duluthnews.com.

"A bill authorizing the city of Duluth to add 0.75 percentage points to its bar and restaurant sales tax was defeated 35-32 Wednesday in the Minnesota Senate.
Part of a bigger omnibus tax bill, the sales tax provision is needed to pay the city's share of a proposed $67 million Duluth Entertainment Convention Center expansion.
Duluth voters endorsed the tax increase by a nearly3-1 margin during a nonbinding citywide referendum in February."


I did not support the DECC project, I think if is very important to notice how our local officials that said they were for this are turning there backs on Duluth. If you want to elect the same people into office that go against the mority vote on most issues then keep voting DFL, and if you want Duluth to continue to decline in population keep voting DFL.

If you want a change you need to elect different people into office.

Again I am more then happy it appears that this project is done for, I however am not happy with the back stabbing of our local elected officials.

If the DECC really wants the expansion I have an idea for them. Go get a corporate sponsor that will pay for it all. Maybe you could get the Duluth news tribune to do it and you could call it fish wrap arena. In all seriousness get a corporate sponsor.

Welcome Home

A small group of men returned home from the Iraq war on Tuesday. These six served a six month mission in Iraq and are part of the 148th fighter wing here in Duluth.


The six that went and returned home safely are as follows. Tech. Sgt. Casey Sanders, Staff Sgt. Derek Bertram, Staff Sgt. Daniel Williams, Staff Sgt. Patrick Hayes, Staff Sgt. Son Ly and Senior Airman Samuel Lask.

Thank you very much for your service and welcome home.

Why the city of Duluth should have fought to keep the Ten Commandments on the it's property.

This link is why Duluth should have fought to keep the Ten Commandments on city hall property. Yet the council choice to chicken out.

Check out the link for more info. Let us know what you think.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060419/ap_on_re_us/ten_commandments_monument

Paper reacts to Dayton as one of the worst senators.

Most you know that Time Magizene have named Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton one of the top five worst Senators. They did this for many reason's.

Here is what our Duluth news paper things of that. What a joke just like the paper is.

Dayton needn't give Time of day to magazine's criticism
So the magazine that named Hitler and Stalin as men of the year has deemed that Sen. Mark Dayton doesn't live up to its standards of leadership. Good for Dayton.
In what must have been a slow news week, Time named the Minnesota Democrat one of the five worst senators, ridiculing him for temporarily closing his Washington office in 2004 after a terrorism scare. "The 99 other senators had access to the same intelligence and kept their offices open," the know-it-all newsweakly stated.
So what? Based on far more dubious intelligence, a majority of those 99 other senators -- and not Dayton -- voted for the war in Iraq. Regardless of your feelings about the war, Dayton's office evacuation didn't cost the lives of 2,377 American servicemen and women.
Time also chastised Dayton for saying the Mayo Clinic is "worth a whole lot more than the whole state of South Dakota," though Dayton, ever the gentleman, apologized for the remark.
The magazine's choice for best senator?
Republican Thad Cochran of Mississippi.
We're sure he's worth every bit of his $8,000 donation from Jack Abramoff.

What is this? A joke?

This is a joke right? Who cares I hope some one does buy the paper and then maybe we will have some real news.

Check this out, let us know what you thing.

http://savethenewstribune.com/

Don't have car trouble in the Twin Cities!!

Hopefully you don't have a problem with your car in the Twin Cities or surrounding areas.

The auto mechanics represented by Teamsters union 974 down in the cities are on strike. At issue is is pay and reclassification of some jobs among other issues union leaders said. The strike put a damper on car dealerships in the cities as they now struggle with how to mange there shops. This includes oil changes and other routine maintains done to cars. As about 1,400 workers walked off there jobs Monday.

This could have a huge effect on the Twin Cities. I hope you don't have car troubles down there and have to bring your car to a dealership as it looks like it will be hard to have any work done on it.

Just some questions to spark converstation.

With gas on the rise again, now at 2.85 a gallon I was just wondering if this changes anyones plans?


Will you drive differently? Will you not go as far on a summer vaction? What other effects does this have on your life, if any?

Harry Welty who cares?

Harry Welty after 35 years of being a republican leaves the party and goes to the Democrats.

For those that don't know Harry Welty was a formor school board member. He writes for the reader weekly, and also has his own blog and web site. He of course does snow sculpters in front of his house every winter as well.

So it trunes out that he decided to change parties because he does not care for President Bush and how many in the republican party view him. Who Cares? I don't I never really could stand Harry, I did not affen agree with him. He is not realy a democrat either Harry does not know were to belong. He should start his own party and call it the dumb ass party. He could be the only member.

City pays huge amount of overtime.

Overtime pay for the city employees have gone up sense Bergson took over. Why now the city wants to take a look at it and see what can be done about the overtime pay. Public works, Police and fire, Parks and Rec. All have a huge overtime pay rate for the 2005 year.

Now four month into 2006 the council is questions this. The reason that so many of these departments have so much over time is because one of the first things our Mayor did was put a hiring freeze on city employment. This making everyone in the city have to work overtime. I am sure some of the workers enjoyed the big checks, there is just one problem with it. This city already faces major budget problems. The Duluth News Tribune makes the hiring freeze seem like a good thing. They say the city's budget is in the black because of the freeze, this is not true even if we would have hired more people to help such as police and fire the city would have been better off.

The News trib has an article read it here,http://duluthnews.com

Post moved up.

A couple of post were moved to near the top of the blog today.

KB's corner and the rally post for ordinance 60.

Please note the date to reply if you are interested in the rally post a message or drop us an email.

Kb's corner was moved up because I like the topic and have yet another experice to share soon.

Duluth business climet.

I was at a business meeting yesterday afternoon with some people that call hope I can now call friends. Anyway after the meeting and before as well we discussed many issues and topics. Topics included personal and of course politics.

When we were talking about politics I was explaining what I thought jobs Duluth should have and we could focus on. Keep in mind that the people that I was meeting with are from the cities.

They of course understand some of our politics up here but can't fully because they are not here day in and day out. Just like I understand issues they face down there but can't fully understand as I am not there all the time.

Again back to the topic at hand. As we were talking I said that Duluth needs jobs and we need to focus on these areas. Health Care and Airline. It appears like we will lose the airbus station here. However Duluth could and should still be an area for airline work. We need to focus on the health care industry as well. A third on that I thought of after we were done yesterday was computer and high tech jobs.

Why don't we do this? Well there are many reasons. One of the biggest is we continue to elect the same people that choice to do nothing for this City. You hear all the time from our elected officials Duluth has the people that know how to do this work and we need to focus on these jobs yet nothing is done about it year after year.

Businesses want to come here but don't because of the issues that the city put on the them before they can even get here. Then there are the issues they must jump over when they are in. We are not a business friendly city.

Rally for ordinance 60.

A rally to be held at city hall April 24th.

What is the rally for? To support ordinance 60.

Were? Out front of city hall.

When? April 24th, the next city council meeting. When they are to vote on the issue.

Why? It is time to stand up for what is right. Many citizens feel this is importain and we need to show the council we want this passed.

Time? 6p.m. tell just before 7 p.m. when meeting starts.

If you would like to be part of this rally please email us at http://www.duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com .

You can also leave a message here.

If you are interested in coming to the rally please email us or leave a messege here by Thursday!!

New KB's corner

I've been thinking about customer service lately. Part of my
job is training people in how to interact with customers, so
I'm sensitive to both really good and really bad service.
What's your experiences lately in our community? Let me tell
you about a couple of mine. Last week I went into the
Electric Fetus to buy some music. I wanted something
different for a road trip my hubby and I are taking. I
picked up a CD and asked the clerk if he knew anything about
it. He answered "No, not really. It's a collection of jam
bands doing Talking Heads music." and walked away. Hmmm..I
was a little disappointed, as I could read that information
from the cd jacket. I then walked up to the counter and
said, "Well, I don't know...I love Talking Heads, I guess
I'll try it." He looked up and said, "Do you like the
Greatful Dead?" I replied, "No...I hate that noodly music!"


He then chuckled and gently said, "That's what jam bands
play, the noodly music. And frankly, if you like Talking
Heads, you should just get some Talking Heads." I answered,
"I thought "jam" meant more hard edged!" Now I had the
information I needed. He saw the lightbulb go off and rushed
around the counter to pick out several other selections. He
gave me lots of options and I ended up buying two used cd's
and one new. Wow...he turned out to be great!

The next experience was at a local restaurant. I'd left a tip on the
table and went up to pay cash for the tab. The
waitress/cashier asked, "Do you want your change?" Now, I
hate that! If I wanted to give it to her, I could do that
after she gives it to me. But now she's shilling for a
tip...tacky. And...she's assuming perhaps that I didn't
leave one on the table. So...what's your good/bad service
story. Perhaps someone will learn something from this!

Duluth School district to deal with budget problems again.

You don't hear much about the school district in news. You always hear about what our city council has done or will be doing, as the school board and the district just do there business with no real reporting done on them.

Once again the school district will face some major choices and the process will start on Tuesday night at the board meeting. The district again faces budget problems do to declining population.

Nearly $1.5 million in budget cuts and more than $1 million in new spending will appear before the Duluth School Board on Tuesday for approval.


From restructuring the elementary school day to enhancing school security, more than two dozen recommendations will be voted on Tuesday, months ahead of when budget changes have been approved in past years.


District staff, board members and community members have submitted and discussed countless budget recommendations during the past four months as the district sought a solution to its $1.5 million deficit. The district's total general fund budget is about $88 million.
The deficit is the result of declining enrollment and of the cost of living outpacing state funding, Superintendent Keith Dixon said.

To read more go here: http://duluthnews.com

Thoughts on the Hanson's service center issue.

As most of you know there is a debate going on about a local business that wants to rebuild in it current location. Hanson's Auto Service has to redesign there property do to a State road project on Trinity road.

What is the debate about? With the remodeling that Hanson's must do they have to go farther back which interfere with a house and the home owners don't want to sell. The house was not taken by the State. The owners of the house are claiming that there property will depreciates if Hanson's auto service is allowed to do what they want to.

Both sides have talked and have not been able to settle on an agreement to this point. The Hanson's have said they will put up a fence and a few other things to try to separate there property from the home owners. I don't believe that the home owners like that.

Well I listened to the debate at the council meeting on Monday I came to wonder a number of things.

What is it that the owners of the house want? It does not seem like they want to stay there. It seems like that they just wont more money then Hanson's is offering. What I understand is that the Hanson's are offering market value, why should they offer more.

The Hanson's have also said they the business has been there for 50 years, that is true however when they say this they make it seem like they have owned it all that time. This is not true in fact they have only had if a short time. I don't remember how long about 5 years or so. The owner that sold it had it for some time. Why is that they make it seem like they have had it all this time.

Anyway this is a tuff one for me I am not sure what I think. My head says that this seems fishy it is almost like emanate domain. On the other hand I feel for the Hanson's you must remember this is all because of the a State project.

Are we to belame?

Duluth Politics is disappointed by the turn out once again at the city council meeting last night. We bloged about here and got email responce saying we were right about ordinance 60 and how much we need it. We heard all around town how people were calling and emailing there councilors to reconsider there votes. Other blogs had lots of talk about the issue as well.


Yet when this came up again last night there was two people to speak on the issue. One against the ordinance representing the union workers and one for the ordinance. The fact of the matter is if we want to change we have to force it. This means we need to show up at the council meetings, we can't just email and call. Yes that is always a help but the council needs to see faces in the chamber on Monday nights.


The high powered goverment groups, and special interested groups seem to gather all the time. Duluth it is now our time we need to take a stand from here on out. Not just on this issue but all that you believe is importain to our great city.

I am beginning to think that maybe we are to blame for what is going on in the city, we need to take a more active roll in our goverment. I don't care if you speak at the council meeting or not showing up means a lot. The meeting don't start tell 7pm.

Ordinance 60 update!!!!

At first it seemed like no one cared about this when it failed 6-3. That was not the case we here at Duluth Politics were fluted with emails about how upset people were it did not pass. There were other blogs that people were just a upset as well. People were mad enough that they emails and called there councilors asking that they would reconsider there vote. Did it work?

The answer should come tonight at the council meeting. We received word that this will come up to a vote again tonight with some minor changes. Lets hope that ever ones work did some good this time. I hope that the vote is 9-0 in favor of the ordinance this time.

Okay so here is the deal with ordinance 60 as it sits. It seems as if the community's calls, emails and blogging did nothing at this point. All the council did tonight was axcept councilors Stauber amendment to the ordinance, then they TABLED it!!!

Well councilors made comments about the amendment imporoving the ordinance they were not ready to vote because most of them only had a couple of days to look it over.

Were are all the blogers that are upset over this. YOU NEED TO SHOW UP AT THE COUNCIL MEETING!!!!!!!

Time for Pawlenty to go?

What a load of crap. Sense Governor Pawlenty took over he has been the lead on many issue nationally and state wide that have only improved our state. What you don't like Ms. Lucking is that he cut add to save money and you don't want to say that.

I also noticed in your letter or support for Kelly you beat up Gov. Pawlenty for jobs but say no were in your letter how Kelly will improve this.

This letter is just more hate from the left supported with no facts.

Minnesota needs new leadership
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has now presided over what I feel is the greatest reduction in personal income in Minnesota and one of the state's greatest increases in unemployment.
His policies have been disastrous for our state.
We need new leadership, a governor who can take us back to the top of state ratings. Sen. Steve Kelley understands that creating strong transportation infrastructure, making sure that the uninsured don't drain the economy and supporting excellence in education are the foundations for a strong, competitive Minnesota. His leadership will put Minnesota back on top where it belongs.
CARRIE LUCKING MINNEAPOLIS

Source: Duluth News Tribune.

This comes from Duluth People website at http://duluthpeople.com

Duluth City Council President Roger Reinert (right) has taken a job with St. Mary's Duluth Clinic Health System, as a provider recruiter."I am primarily responsible for filling Family Practice positions at the 22 SMDC clinics," Reinert said in an e-mail message. "I used to work at UMD in the Medical School which specializes in Family Practice, and with a program called the Rural Health School which focused on small town Minnesota clinics. So this position is very similar to work I have done in the past."


This does not answere any questions about when he was hired or how long or when the job was posted? There are others that have been asked as well, for more on the go herehttp://almostontherange.blogspot.com.

Now remember I am one that does not yet see this as a conflict of interest, but it sure could become one. Tonight is a good example, with the vote on ordinance 60.

Ordinance 60 as it reads now.

Here is ordianance 60 as it reads now with the amendements.



05-060-O REPLACEMENT 2
ORDINANCE NO. __________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE, 1959, AS AMENDED; ADDING ARTICLE XXXIV - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
BY COUNCILOR STEWART:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That the Duluth City Code, 1959, as amended, be amended by adding a new Article XXXIV to read as follows:
Article XXXIV. Regulation of development agreements
and business subsidies.
Sec. 2-179. Policy.
It is the policy of the city of Duluth to engage in appropriate business development and physical development activities, but only in compliance with law, this ordinance, and reasonable standards for the honest disclosure of costs and revenue sources to the public. The city should not agree to pay for activities or structures unless the maximum cost thereof is set out in the agreement.
Sec. 2-180. Definitions.
(a) Development agreement means any promise between the city, DEDA, a city department, city agent, or city official acting in his or her official capacity and at least one other party, which agreement at least one of the parties intends to be legally enforceable, and which agreement has, as a significant purpose, the accomplishment of economic development goals and activities addressed in Chapter 469 of Minnesota Statutes, as it may be amended, and which agreement is related to a physical development. In order to be a development agreement, it must be an agreement whereby the city intends to contribute money or resources to a project in order to encourage, assist, subsidize, financially support, or develop commercial investment, land development, employment, or business activity within the city of Duluth for the purpose of benefitting the local economy or tax base. It includes an agreement with a not for profit corporation, a government agency, or any other party. It includes an agreement whereby the city agrees, as part of a development project, to alter or build public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, including a tourist attraction, but does not include the contract for actual construction of the improvement. It includes an agreement for a business subsidy. It includes a change to, amendment of, or a part of, a development agreement. It does not include a contract for general community betterment, such as a grant agreement for a state financed social program, or an agreement to build or repair public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, that is not related to a specific economic development project;
(b) Physical development means construction or alteration of real estate, including buildings, structures, and infrastructure, whether or not for public use;
(c) Public activity summary means a document, on a form approved by the finance director, which contains the following information about the development agreement:
(1) A brief statement that describes the project;
(2) The public purpose of the development agreement;
(3) Identity of each party to the development agreement;
(4) Describe any public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter under or pursuant to the development agreement;
(5) A good faith estimate, based upon information currently available, of the total cost to all parties of completing the project, including interest, professional fees, financial fees, bonding costs, the value of donated land or property and, for each item, identifying the source of the estimate;
(6) A good faith estimate of the greatest possible total expenditure by (cost to) the city, including the value of land or property donated by the city, but excluding a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingencies, under the proposed development agreement;
(7) A good faith estimate of a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingent costs, such as environmental response or regulatory penalties, that were not included in (5) or (6) above, or, if none, the reason why no contingency fund is included;
(8) The estimated actual total gross expenditure (total disbursements) by the city and/or DEDA under the proposed agreement, including business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, use of the contingency fund, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc;
(9) The estimated total net expenditure by (cost to) the city at the time that the project is constructed, accepted, and operating ((8) above less money or property received by the city from other sources or under the development agreement for use to finance the project);
(10) The amount and source, by fund if applicable, of each revenue to the city that will be used to pay the expenditures that make up the total gross expenditure (total disbursements) shown in (8) above;
(11) The good faith report by the city chief administrative officer, his or her designee, or the city auditor that each amount and source identified in (10) above is available for use at the time needed under the proposed contract, and has been secured and encumbered for the proposed use or, if not, what source of funds will be used for the project in place of the planned for funds if they are not available, or if the money is to be received as reimbursement for costs actually paid, an explanation of the extent to which the city can be sure that it will receive the money);
(12) Tax base impact information required for a proposal under Article XXXI of this chapter, or its successor, and a statement of the estimated or calculated amount of annual ad valorem tax that will not be available for general use, which otherwise would be, as a result of tax increment financing of the project under the agreement;
(13) The party or parties responsible for paying any costs of the project which are not paid by the city or DEDA;
(14) The good faith report of the chief administrative officer or his or her designee that the proposed agreement is for the entire project and that costs in excess of those reported are not expected, and the policy or agreement that governs how and under what conditions the contingency funds can be used.
Under some circumstances, law requires business subsidy forms and procedures.
Sec. 2-181. Public activity summary required.
Whenever a development agreement that has an estimated actual total cost (as defined in Section 2-180(c)(8)) in excess of $100,000 is presented for review or approval to any elected official, city board or commission, Duluth economic development authority, or city council, it shall have attached to it a public activity summary that substantially conforms to this Article. The public activity summary, or a corrected or updated one, shall also be filed with the clerk as a public document. The city council shall not vote on any development agreement, or part or amendment of one, unless the most current public activity summary applicable to the development agreement has been on file with the clerk as a public document for at least five days before the date of the vote.
Sec. 2-182. Requirements for a development agreement.
Any development agreement entered into by the city shall:
(a) Contain a clear statement of the maximum actual total gross expenditures (total disbursements), including all costs, fees, business subsidies, pass through money, use of contingency fund, grants, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc., required to be made by the city and/or DEDA under the development agreement;
(b) Identify each funding source for the city or DEDA’s expenditures under the agreement;
(c) Not obligate the city or DEDA to do an act or construct a structure the total cost of which is not included in the total expenditure described in (a) above;
(d) Not obligate the city or DEDA to furnish a service, structure, value, or thing to another party to the contract which is not limited by an enforceable and stated cost maximum as set out under Section 2-182(a), above;
(e) If the development requires the city to take an action or provide any improvement or alteration other than providing funding including, without limitation, business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, tax increment financing, or donating land or other property to the project, etc., identify the actions or public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter pursuant to the development agreement;
(f) Set out the conditions and procedures for use of the contingency fund;
(g) Contain a re-opener for the parties to renegotiate if force majeure or mutual mistake prohibits performance.
Sec. 2-183. Remedies.
If any development agreement that does not conform to the requirements of sections 2-181 or 2-182 of this Article, or the successor of each, is entered into, then the city may cancel the development agreement, or the authorization to enter into the development agreement, at any time within 30 days after the last city council vote on authorizing the agreement, or part of it, or, if the council did not vote, within 30 days after the last day a party executed the agreement. During that 30 day period, such a contract can be cancelled and rescinded by (i) written notice to the other parties from the mayor or the mayor’s designee, or (ii) by written notice approved by the council by resolution, or (iii) by ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction. If a development agreement is cancelled and rescinded, the city or DEDA will be responsible for performance of the development agreement up to the date of cancellation. An intentional violation of this Article is punishable as set out in D.C.C. Section 1-7, or its successor.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its passage and publication.

Ordinance 60

So I know we here at Duluth Politics have been talking about this a lot the sense it came up months ago. Ordinance 60 in councilor Stewart's name, it deals with how the city will spend it's money dealing with developers. The other important issue to remember is that it is only developers that come to the city for assassinate that would have to follow this ordinance.

The first attempt of this ordinance failed by a 6-3 vote, but now the council has a chance to redeem it;s self. The question is will it?

At first it seemed like no one cared about this when it failed 6-3. That was not the case we here at Duluth Politics were fluted with emails about how upset people were it did not pass. There were other blogs that people were just a upset as well. People were mad enough that they emails and called there councilors asking that they would reconsider there vote. Did it work?

The answer should come tonight at the council meeting. We received word that this will come up to a vote again tonight with some minor changes. Lets hope that ever ones work did some good this time. I hope that the vote is 9-0 in favor of the ordinance this time.

Help us help our community.

Okay here is why it is a lite week on Duluth Politics. We are working on putting together a group of conserned citizens that want to take an active roll in Duluth Politics.

We have not yet decided if we are going to be a political action commity or not. We have to find out the steps of what that is. However wheather or not we are a "political action" committee or not a large group or even a small group can acomplish a lot.

Why do you think there is special interest groups? Why do they get what they want?

It is time that the "normal" citizen has a say in what goes on in our community.

This group would be non-partizen and have no party afflation to any one party or group. If you are interested in joining or would like more infomation you can leave a message here and some one will get in contact with you.

Also look for infomation regarding a meeting coming soon.

Ordinance 60

I have had three source tell me that the council is considering the ordinance again. Not only are they reconsindering it but it appreas that it could pass with some ease.


Why is this happening? The community has jumped all over the councilors. Demanding answears and that they listen for once to citizens and not special interest groups.

We will keep you updated as we get more info on this story.

Decc expansion dead?

It seems like it will be an uphill clime for the DECC expansion. The house is elected to give just over 3 million to the DECC expansion project. Well the senate decided not to put it in there bonding bill at all.


I could care less about the DECC expansion, I voted no on the referendum. I hope in a way the state does not live upto it's end, why because then maybe people up here will wise up.

We have been so poorly represented by our elected officails all of wich are democrats. The republicans have done what they could to support this project. Now the democrats that live and represent this area decide no to support the DECC project.

Councilor Reinert at SMDC, is it a conflict of interest?

Some memberes of the community are reporting the councilor Reinert is now working at SMDC and claiming this to be a conflict of interest, with past votes.


If this is a new job for him it could not be considered a conflict of interest in past votes. Now if he has been at this job for a while and voted on SMDC projectes then this would be considered a conflict of interest. My understanding however is that is a newer job for him.

When a vote does come up dealing with an SMDC project or anything tied to SMDC then he better not vote. At that time it would be a conflict of interest.

If did work for SMDC when votes came up on there projects then it would have been a conflict of interest and the community should be upset.

We will keep our eye on this developing story.

More info here, http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com/cgi-bin/blog1.cgi

ordinance 60 not dead yet...

It has been a little more then a day that the council meeting has gone by. I am still mad as hell about ordinance 60 in councilor Stewarts name.

I emailed all the councilors and no one has replyed back except for councilor Stewart. What a shock!!!!

This is such an important issue for Duluth and it would help our city immensely.

I have it on good authority that it is not over and it will be brought up again soon. I hope we get more people out to support this issue this time around. Contact your councilor and the at large councilors. The focus has to be on councilors Litte and Stauber, I still can't believe they did not support this.

There is more discussion going on about the issue here,http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com/cgi-bin/blog1.cgi

ps. Read the new kb's corner it is another great on, it is just a few post below this one.

Open question?

Councilor Ness asked a great question last night at the meeting. This question came do to one of the speakers comments on ordinance 60. She noted the tech village as a failer to the city.

Councilor Ness asked, why people keep bringing that up as a failer to the city of Duluth?

Now I am not sure that I consider that building as a failer however I see how some people could feel that way.

The big reason that I think a lot of people see the building as a failer is because it has not developed into the tech villiage it was intended to be. With a huge job creatation in tech fields.

The tech villiage has changed it objective at least three times that I am aware of.

I don't think most people feel the colleges putting computer labs in the villiage are a benifit to the city. The fact is the colleges would have put these some were on campuse is they did not put them in the villiage.

Here is why the building is ( could be considered) a success.

The building is full with businesses. They may not be what people expect but at least the building is just about full.

The building is newer and looks a heck of a lot nicer then most down there currently, because of that it brings in some business to all of downtown. There are people going to the building to use what it offers and work as well.

What are you thoughts? Do you consider the tech villiage as a failer or not?

More on council meeting last night.

Okay so we continue with my rant of the council meeting, and ordinance 60.

It seems like many councilors did not even want to consider this. They all seemed to closed minds.

I want to know who got to them? Why and who are councilors Gilbert and Johnson protecting? Perhaps the biggest thing I want to know is what does the council want? We can't afford that status quo. Councilors what do you want to do about this? What are your expectations?

Why didn't councilors Little and Stauber vote for this? Who got to them?

I ask any councilor that voted no on this to please reconsider it. I would ask that you allow conversation to continue on this.

Coucil rant part1!!!!

So at last nights city council meeting ordinance 60 in councilor Stewarts name came up to a vote. You know the one that I have been telling you all about. The ordinance dealt with how the city would help developers.

There was also a last minute resolution tossed into ambush this ordinance by councilors Gilbert and Johnson. The resolution was just more of the status quo, so if that was to pass we would just do the same old.

9 p.m. or so rolls around and they finally get to the ordinance and resolution as they took them both at the same time. One of the most disappointing things was there was no one to speak on the issue. This is an issue that would help the city immensely. I believe there were only three of us that spoke. Two in favor of councilor Stewarts ordinance and one against it. The one against it was tied to development.

Then it was time for council debate, councilor Stewart opened that up with some comments on why his ordinance should be supported, and comment on the resolution as well. Both were very start to the point and correct. Then councilors Gilbert and Johnson spoke on behalf of there resolution. Both said they brought it forward because of people in the community but both failed to say who they were protecting. I believe these two councilors should say who it is that they are protecting.

Councilor Johnson said she felted attacked by councilor Stewart and others, (me). The fact is we did not attack we said what was the truth and that some times hurts. Councilor Johnson also said that this resolution was not a surprise, when in fact it was. She had plenty of time to make councilor Stewart and the community aware that she was going to bring forward a resolution. Yet she and councilor Gilbert waited five days tell it came to a vote, to bring that forward. One speaker said it best when she said something to the fact that she was ambushed and did not know that there was a resolution on the table. I would like to know what councilors Johnson and Gilbert have to say about that?


There were other councilors that I was very disappointed in as well, councilors Little and Stauber who I thought would be in support of this were not. Councilor Stauber came out and said in a nutshell that he did not need an ordinance to help him vote. The fact of the matter is that is not true. It is very clear that everyone on the council Stauber included needs this plan. The council has proven it can not make smart descions when it comes to some of these developments.

By now you can more then likely tell the out come of the vote, it was 6-3 not to support the ordinance. The resolution also failed by the same count.

The council should be ashamed of there action last night. Councilor Stewart needs to be commented on his efforts for this ordinance. There will be more to come on this later today.

New KB's corner.

This is a great read, yet another great by kb to bring attenion to an issue that does get much.


Kb's Corner, Racism in Duluth

According to one of the regular bloggers on the Duluth Citizen's Blog there is no more racism in Duluth.Hmm...quite a statement. Here it is in his words, and I'm guessing he's not a "person of color". JBBP writes: "I am sickened by how certain individuals like to keep throwing up race, sexual orientation, gender, and whatever cards that do little else but revictimize the classes of people they are supposed to represent.

This latest lawsuit paints people with one big wide brush, trying to make it appear that Little Stores wouldn't hire this guy because he's black, when in fact a background investigation revealed that he had a criminal record." (What he fails to tell the reader is that the criminal record was not a consideration what so ever when the decision was made not to hire this man. Little Stores did not know about that background, I'm not saying that it's right to withold information, but it was not a basis for their decision.) "It makes it appear that racism is alive and well in the City of Duluth, when in reality, it's not." (I really don't know how he can make this claim. Being an Indian woman, born and raised here, I can assure you that racism is very much a part of life inDuluth. One example that I found quite obvious is within a certain high school, I have been told by school staff that if a white student gets in trouble the parents are called first, but if it's a black student, the first call is to the police. Now, if that's not racism, I don't know the definition of the word. This information came to me from avery reliable source. Also, from personal experience, I lost a job once because the district manager did not like Indians. This was before the Human Rights Commission, but it was racism none the less. I don't think that someone who has never experienced racism is in any position to state thatit's not a reality for those of us who deal with it regularly.) He goes on to say:

"The ones who are keeping racism alive are those who take and make opportunities to make something out of nothing, as in this case, and who want to rehash bitter days that are done and gone, such as the Clayton-Jackson-Macghee Memorial." Now, how would this "keep racism alive?" Because we do not want history to repeat? Because we want people to examineacts that were so repugnant, and based soley on the color of these men's skin? Racism is alive because white people with power choose to act on their predjudice. So, I'm interested in hearing if anyone else out there really thinks that racism does not exist in Duluth. Or, do you think it does? Are you someone who might face it? Comeon, I don't want to hear that someone from the majority white population is pissed off because they don't want to hear about it anymore. Face the predjudice, how do you treat people of color. And I'm not talking about that one special black dude or the indian guy that's your personal friend.I'm talking about the person who comes into your shop, or is walking down the street towards you late at night. What goes through your mind..and why?

Do you buy into the stereotypes, do you think I'm just a lazy drunk Indian? Or am I your vision of Pocahantas? It's interesting to think about why this man on this blog is so defensive about racism.

Bergson: DECC is top prioty.

Mayor Bergson stresses DECC expansion to lobbised at the capital yesterday. Mayor Bergson said that it is very importain to stess this project.


He also said we need to lobby to the DFL lead senate. I wonder what he will say in upcoming interviews, will he walk around the DFLers not putting the DECC in the bonding bill? Will he attack the senate?




Bergson stresses DECC project in lobbying effort
MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT: A cadre of Duluth and St. Louis County residents lobbied lawmakers Monday in St. Paul.
BY SCOTT THISTLE
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
ST. PAUL - As many as 400 people from Northeastern Minnesota visited the state Capitol on Monday asking lawmakers for a moment of their time to talk about the issues important to Duluth and St. Louis County.
Making the rounds in lobbying teams, groups visited with individual lawmakers, thanking them for their support and asking them to back the bills important to the region.
Top among them is an effort to draw $33.7 million in state financing for a $67.4 million expansion of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
Mayor Herb Bergson told a group of would-be lobbyists that the most important task was impressing upon lawmakers the importance of the DECC expansion. The project would bring a new 6,630-seat ice arena and 700-car parking ramp.
The DECC message was especially important in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party-controlled Senate, Bergson said.
"Of all we do, that is the most important thing we can do," Bergson told the lobbyists.

Source: Duluth news tribune, http://duluthnews.com

Is DECC expansion project dead??

Well it seems that many in Duluth could be upset at our local state senators. Some of us are not.

Tom Bakk and Yvonne Prettner Solon were among those that voted to accept the bonding bill. Okay so what is wrong with that? It did not include the DECC expansion project.

The DECC, Mayor Bergson and many others must not be very happy with there vote. You must remember however the referendum that was Duluthians voted on was a non binding vote, (yet another reason I did not like it) .

In case you don't remember the wording of the referendum question here it is.


DECC Expansion Food & Beverage Sales TaxReferendum Question
If the state of Minnesota allocates enough funds for the project to go forward and to pay for up to one-half of the cost of a new arena for concerts, conventions, hockey and other events at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), then should the city of Duluth seek permission from the legislature to pay for part of the remaining cost by increasing the existing sales tax on food and beverages purchased in Duluth bars and restaurants by .75 percent (7.5 cents per ten dollars spent), subject to the following conditions:
(a) The tax increase would only take effect if the state allocates money for the project to go forward and to pay up to one-half of the project costs; and
(b) The state approves the new tax; and
(c) The tax is only in effect for the period of time needed for it to raise enough money to pay off the cityÂ’s portion of the project cost?
A “yes” vote means you favor funding the new arena in this manner.
A “no” vote means you do not favor funding the new arena in this manner.

Yes referendumrndum passed overwhelmingly, that however does not mean that State had to put it in it's bonding bills. Nor does it mean our local rHave have to vote for the DECC expansion or even make sure it is in the bills.

Both Bakk and Solon did say they supported the project but when it comes down to it they really must not have. I think this makes it hard for the DECC to get it's expansion.

I think it may also have a toll on Bakk and Solon we will have to wait and see.

New web counter.

New web counter for our site, so we have to start our count all over again. it is to bad because we were nearing 3,000 vistiors with are old counter. That is okay we will do it again with this one no big deal. lol.

The new counter is located near the bottom if you care to check it out.

Doran droppes out of race.

Kelly Doran annouces he has dropped out the governors race, http://kellydoran.com.

Doran said he had to drop out because of family issues. He also said that recent poll numbers had nothing to do with him dropping out. He added he may not be done in politics.

That leaves just four democrats left to challange republican Governor Tim Pawlenty.

The question might be this, will anyone else drop out before the primary? If so who will it be?

Doran was born in Duluth but grew up in the Cities.

City council meeting Tuesday...

A source is telling us that councilor Stewarts ordinance will be up for a vote on Tuesday, also Councilor Johnson has introduced a resolution that is in support of special interest groups. These groups want to keep that status quo.

Councilor Strewarts has done a great job of putting together a great ordinance that could help our city and he needs to commanded for that. This ordinance has teeth and spells out what developers can expect. Mean while Councilor Johnsone resolution is just a recommendation and does nothing new.

05-060-O REPLACEMENT 2
ORDINANCE NO. __________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE, 1959, AS AMENDED; ADDING ARTICLE XXXIV - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
BY COUNCILOR STEWART:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That the Duluth City Code, 1959, as amended, be amended by adding a new Article XXXIV to read as follows:
Article XXXIV. Regulation of development agreements
and business subsidies.
Sec. 2-179. Policy.
It is the policy of the city of Duluth to engage in appropriate business development and physical development activities, but only in compliance with law, this ordinance, and reasonable standards for the honest disclosure of costs and revenue sources to the public. The city should not agree to pay for activities or structures unless the maximum cost thereof is set out in the agreement.
Sec. 2-180. Definitions.
(a) Development agreement means any promise between the city, DEDA, a city department, city agent, or city official acting in his or her official capacity and at least one other party, which agreement at least one of the parties intends to be legally enforceable, and which agreement has, as a significant purpose, the accomplishment of economic development goals and activities addressed in Chapter 469 of Minnesota Statutes, as it may be amended, and which agreement is related to a physical development. In order to be a development agreement, it must be an agreement whereby the city intends to contribute money or resources to a project in order to encourage, assist, subsidize, financially support, or develop commercial investment, land development, employment, or business activity within the city of Duluth for the purpose of benefitting the local economy or tax base. It includes an agreement with a not for profit corporation, a government agency, or any other party. It includes an agreement whereby the city agrees, as part of a development project, to alter or build public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, including a tourist attraction, but does not include the contract for actual construction of the improvement. It includes an agreement for a business subsidy. It includes a change to, amendment of, or a part of, a development agreement. It does not include a contract for general community betterment, such as a grant agreement for a state financed social program, or an agreement to build or repair public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, that is not related to a specific economic development project;
(b) Physical development means construction or alteration of real estate, including buildings, structures, and infrastructure, whether or not for public use;
(c) Public activity summary means a document, on a form approved by the finance director, which contains the following information about the development agreement:
(1) A brief statement that describes the project;
(2) The public purpose of the development agreement;
(3) Identity of each party to the development agreement;
(4) Describe any public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter under or pursuant to the development agreement;
(5) A good faith estimate, based upon information currently available, of the total cost to all parties of completing the project, including interest, professional fees, financial fees, bonding costs, the value of donated land or property and, for each item, identifying the source of the estimate;
(6) A good faith estimate of the greatest possible total expenditure by (cost to) the city, including the value of land or property donated by the city, but excluding a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingencies, under the proposed development agreement;
(7) A good faith estimate of a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingent costs, such as environmental response or regulatory penalties, that were not included in (5) or (6) above, or, if none, the reason why no contingency fund is included;
(8) The estimated actual total gross expenditure (total disbursements) by the city and/or DEDA under the proposed agreement, including business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, use of the contingency fund, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc;
(9) The estimated total net expenditure by (cost to) the city at the time that the project is constructed, accepted, and operating ((8) above less money or property received by the city from other sources or under the development agreement for use to finance the project);
(10) The amount and source, by fund if applicable, of each revenue to the city that will be used to pay the expenditures that make up the total gross expenditure (total disbursements) shown in (8) above;
(11) The good faith report by the city chief administrative officer, his or her designee, or the city auditor that each amount and source identified in (10) above is available for use at the time needed under the proposed contract, and has been secured and encumbered for the proposed use or, if not, what source of funds will be used for the project in place of the planned for funds if they are not available, or if the money is to be received as reimbursement for costs actually paid, an explanation of the extent to which the city can be sure that it will receive the money);
(12) Tax base impact information required for a proposal under Article XXXI of this chapter, or its successor, and a statement of the estimated or calculated amount of annual ad valorem tax that will not be available for general use, which otherwise would be, as a result of tax increment financing of the project under the agreement;
(13) The party or parties responsible for paying any costs of the project which are not paid by the city or DEDA;
(14) The good faith report of the chief administrative officer or his or her designee that the proposed agreement is for the entire project and that costs in excess of those reported are not expected, and the policy or agreement that governs how and under what conditions the contingency funds can be used.
Under some circumstances, law requires business subsidy forms and procedures.
Sec. 2-181. Public activity summary required.
Whenever a development agreement that has an estimated actual total cost (as defined in Section 2-180(c)(8)) in excess of $100,000 is presented for review or approval to any elected official, city board or commission, Duluth economic development authority, or city council, it shall have attached to it a public activity summary that substantially conforms to this Article. The public activity summary, or a corrected or updated one, shall also be filed with the clerk as a public document. The city council shall not vote on any development agreement, or part or amendment of one, unless the most current public activity summary applicable to the development agreement has been on file with the clerk as a public document for at least five days before the date of the vote.
Sec. 2-182. Requirements for a development agreement.
Any development agreement entered into by the city shall:
(a) Contain a clear statement of the maximum actual total gross expenditures (total disbursements), including all costs, fees, business subsidies, pass through money, use of contingency fund, grants, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc., required to be made by the city and/or DEDA under the development agreement;
(b) Identify each funding source for the city or DEDAÂ’s expenditures under the agreement;
(c) Not obligate the city or DEDA to do an act or construct a structure the total cost of which is not included in the total expenditure described in (a) above;
(d) Not obligate the city or DEDA to furnish a service, structure, value, or thing to another party to the contract which is not limited by an enforceable and stated cost maximum as set out under Section 2-182(a), above;
(e) If the development requires the city to take an action or provide any improvement or alteration other than providing funding including, without limitation, business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, tax increment financing, or donating land or other property to the project, etc., identify the actions or public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter pursuant to the development agreement;
(f) Set out the conditions and procedures for use of the contingency fund;
(g) Contain a re-opener for the parties to renegotiate if force majeure or mutual mistake prohibits performance.
Sec. 2-183. Remedies.
If any development agreement that does not conform to the requirements of sections 2-181 or 2-182 of this Article, or the successor of each, is entered into, then the city may cancel the development agreement, or the authorization to enter into the development agreement, at any time within 30 days after the last city council vote on authorizing the agreement, or part of it, or, if the council did not vote, within 30 days after the last day a party executed the agreement. During that 30 day period, such a contract can be cancelled and rescinded by (i) written notice to the other parties from the mayor or the mayorÂ’s designee, or (ii) by written notice approved by the council by resolution, or (iii) by ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction. If a development agreement is cancelled and rescinded, the city or DEDA will be responsible for performance of the development agreement up to the date of cancellation. An intentional violation of this Article is punishable as set out in D.C.C. Section 1-7, or its successor.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its passage and publication


Why should people support this: This is key for our city, we may not have bad developments such as the GLA were the city just has to keep putting money in to it. At very least the city would have only had to put a small amount of money and then they could have washed there hands of the project if this would have been in effect at the time.

The city needs lay out what it is willing to spend it's money on, we can't just go into everprojectct and fork over money like it is on a money tree, this would help with that process.

Again it looks like this will come to a vote Tuesday night everyone needs to be there in support of councilor Stewarts ordinance. The meetinstartses at 7p.m.

The city needs to know the cost of projects.

Here is a great piece about Councilor Stewarts ordince. It is written by Bob Hansen.

The source is the Duluth News Trib,http://duluthnews.com


City needs to know costs of projects upfront
Commentary by BOB HANSEN
When we purchase anything, we want to know its total cost. Duluth City Councilor Russ Stewart has offered the same information for city projects through a proposed city law. Ordinance 60 is expected to be considered by the council Tuesday.

The ordinance would require any city of Duluth development agreement to be accompanied by an information sheet that states the project's costs, the maximum amount the city can spend, and the source of the funding.

Duluth needs this ordinance because experience has shown that through inadvertence, manipulation or lack of straightforward information, city leaders sometimes make bad decisions.
Would any sensible councilor vote to obligate the city to pay operating costs that the city cannot control, forever, without a limit on the amount? The council did this when it voted for the aquarium deal.

Would any sensible councilor vote to use all, or almost all, of the state money the city receives to fix streets to build skywalks? The council did this when it built the tunnel to the Radisson. And councilors are looking to do it again with the new skywalks east of Lake Avenue. How many more years will we be without state money for streets because the city is using that money for skywalks? The city designates them as bridges over streets, thus relating them to street repair.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise to build a parking ramp without a cost limit for construction and purchase of the property via eminent domain, and without the funding secured? The city did that with the ramp being constructed behind the Voyageur Motel on First Street. Up to an additional $9.6 million will be required for the project because of bonding and operation cost mistakes. Additional construction costs could be another $2 million.

Would a sensible councilor vote to promise to build millions of dollars of skywalks without funding and with no backup plan should requests for state and federal funding not be successful? The city did this when it approved the skywalk extension to the new St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic cancer center. Now, general fund dollars from property and sales taxes, along with other tax money, may be used to pay millions for the skywalk -- along with our state street money.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise a private company that notified the city it would expand in the city if the city gave it $45 million? The city did this as part of the Northwest Airlines maintenance base deal. Northwest Airlines did not expand and could not claim the money. Reality is the city had no way to quickly raise that amount of money and was discussing the selling of the water and gas utility to fund it.

The proposed Ordinance 60 will provide upfront answers for both councilors and the public. All parties will understand what the councilors are voting on and the maximum cost to the city and its taxpayers. Ordinance 60 will assist the city in better managing our money.

KDAL loses another great.

So it seems like KDAL will lose another great voice this leaving midwest with no good talent. You will have to listen to idiot windbags like Ray and Bruce oh boy I am excited. Say good bye to midwest.

KDAL when they hire new people don't seem to care about what they once had. The new voices of KDAL and there other stations are hard to listen too.


One of Duluth's most familiar and beloved radio voices will fade from the airwaves early this summer.
Rik Jordan plans to hang up his microphone June 20, after more than 27 years on the job at KDAL-610 AM. Jordan is co-host of the Twin Ports' top-rated morning show with Pat Cadigan and provides color commentary for UMD Bulldog men's hockey broadcasts.
The 58-year-old Jordan said he'd probably continue to broadcast indefinitely were it not for his faltering eyesight.
"I want to retire while I'm still able to drive a car and go fishing," he said.
Jordan lost sight in his left eye at 16, when he was struck by a hockey puck. The retina in his right eye has become detached five times, and in 1992, Jordan was left completely blind after an unsuccessful attempt to reattach it.

Rik Jordan is one of the greats. I can't belame him for wanting to leave so he can enjoy the rest of his life well he can see. It must be hard to know soon you will not bealbe to see much of anything. I remember back in the 90's when he had to leave the UMD annoucers desk for hockey it killed him. He was able to return for this year and do some of the games but it was nost the same. The main voice of the bulldogs was Bruce and he was bad.


Rik will be missed.

So here is a question who will get UMD sports next year? Anyone know?


Don't forget to check out our sports page,http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com

Aslo a great new post located a few post below this on KB's corner. Check it out.

Congressman Obey in Superior on Friday.

The angrey old man will be in Superior Friday.


Congressman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) will participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Lake Superior Community Health Center's new facility at 10 a.m. on Friday.
The center is locatate at 3600 Tower Avenue in Superior.
The new facility expands the health center's ability to provide affordable health care services for the Twin Ports and rural Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland counties, including clinical care, preventative care, dental care, physicals and anticipatory health education and guidance.

source Duluth News Trib,http://duluthnews.com

IRS wants to sell your tax return info.

This is scary, they have no right to sell anyones tax return infomation for any reason, or purpose. What would be the point of this. If they did sell your information who is to say that only these two groups would get it?

Everyone needs to watch this, what are your thoughts on this?

In a move that threatens the privacy of federal income-tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service is proposing that accountants and other tax-return preparers can sell information from returns to marketers and data brokers.


The change in IRS policy was included in a set of proposed rules that the Treasury Department and the IRS published in the December 8 Federal Register.
IRS officials portray the changes as "housecleaning measures needed to update outmoded regulations adopted before it began accepting returns electronically," the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.


IRS rules currently prohibit tax preparers from selling returns to third parties for marketing purposes.

For more on this story go to, http://newsmax.com

New KB's Corner.

Here's an interesting story, intended to generate discussion. The National Center for Men has prepared a lawsuit, nicknamed Roe v. Wade for Men. The lawsuit was filed in US District court last Thursday on behalf of a 25year old man ordered to pay child support for a child that he and his ex-girlfriend had. He contends that she told him she was sterile and after they had unprotected sex she became pregnant. He says that since she repeatedly assured him that she would not become pregnant and she knew he didn't want a child that he should not be responsible to pay$500 a month in child support. The National Center for Men is hoping that this will start a dialogue about the right to choose for men. The details of the story are athttp://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/03/08/fatherhood.suit.ap/So...what do you think? How much choice should a man have?Should he be able to legally opt out of fatherhood? Should he be able to tell a woman she must adopt out the child or get an abortion? Should he be able to tell a woman she cannot get an abortion? How is this case so different from the hundreds of men who walk away from their obligation every day, through divorce or simply because they will not be a full time father? How many single fathers do you know?How many single mothers? It's an interesting story, with alot of potential for discussion. What about the child in this case, how would you feel if this was your father?

As my b-day approaches I never thought.......

Well March 22nd is approaching so what? That means it is my birthday and I get yet another year older. Yet one more year closer to the big 30.

I have affen wondered were I would be at that time, even with a couple years to I still think about it.

politically I never thought I would be a republican. I grew up in a household and family that was very strong DFLers. Some would be rolling over in there graves today if they knew I was a republican.

My change started in high school, when I met Chris Dalhberg. At the time he was running for the city council. Later ran against Jaros a couple of times. I listened to him talk about the issues that faced the city at that time and was very impressed.

I volunteered on his campaing and worked hard to help him. From that point on my change continued in to the republican that I am today.

Poor chose of words.

I saw this on an ap story.


"I made sure both in 2000 and 2004 that the president had other options. I mean, I didn't ask for this job. I didn't campaign for it. I got drafted," Cheney said on CBS television's "Face The Nation."

Cheney uses poor use of words. Yes Mr. Vice President you may not have asked for the job but you could have said no when you were asked. The fact is you did not get drafted you did have a chose.

Pat Anderson in Duluth Tuesday.

State Auditor Pat Anderson will be in town Tuesday. She will speak at Blackwoods on London Road. I believe it startes at 5:30 tonight. She will talk about the health care issue that Duluth is dealing with, among other issues.

The event at blackwoods is sponcerd by Connect Duluth. I believe it is a fund raiser for the group I am not sure what they are asking for a donation.

My understanding is that there will be some food and a cash bar as well. I will pass on any further information I get.

Lourey has no clue what to run on.

Here is another great editroal from today's paper.


Lourey's vote reveals shaky campaign platform
Becky Lourey's Senate vote equaled no vote ("Sen. Lourey casts lone vote against funeral protest ban," March 17).
We can all sympathize and grieve for family and friends lost in Iraq. But the senator and gubernatorial candidate needs to build a political platform on something other than the death of her son.
Thank God for the other 58 votes.
RON IANNELLI GRAND RAPIDS

This writter is correct. Does Lourey even have a plat form to run for governor. Ever interview I hear with her, all she does is talk about the war.

Senate Lourey you need to relize that you are running for a state office not only a state office but the highest office the State has. You need to tell Minnesotains what you are going to do for them and how you will do it. Not that the war is wrong and you can't stand President Bush.

This is not about the war nor is it about President Bush. This is about Minnesota.

Check out our sports page at http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com, also read KB's corner a few spots below this post.


More at the Duluth Trib web page,
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/editorial/14141499.htm

Sled Dogs racing.

This was in the Duluth news trib today as an opion.

Give me a break, these dogs are treated better then most humans are. Yes a dog gets hurt here and there but that happens in all sports.

The mushers owners of these dogs care so much about there dogs, the on site doctors at the stops are the best in the world.


Iditarod sled dogs lead cruel lives
I have information to add to the March 15 commentary about the cruelties associated with the Iditarod sled dog race ("The Iditarod hurts dogs, so why use it to teach?").
Last year, I took a cruise to Alaska. On one of the side trips I was horrified to see hundreds of dogs tied to barrels with 6-foot chains. Our tour group was nonchalantly told the dogs were "in training" for the Iditarod. It was presented as something of which tourists would approve. Everyone around me was aghast and shocked. Who knew?
Promotions for the race make it seem like the dogs are living the life of Riley. But I believe they are treated like nothing more than equipment. I believe they're warehoused like garbage, never knowing a kind word or a gentle hand.
I appreciated the informative column, especially because not everyone will see what I saw with my own eyes.
JAYNE MORRIS LARGO, FLA.

Country fest line up.

Are you ready for some great country music? Duluth country fest has a good line up.

Duluth contry fest annouced and it is a great line up.

Duluth contry fest is part of the fourth fest celebration at bay front park.

Duluth fourth fest is set for Saturday and Sunday July 1st and 2nd. Saturday acts include She-Daisy, blue county Brian McComas Wayne Renn. With headline act The Charlie Daniels Band.

Sunday is a jam packed day of good artistes Josh Gracin, Warren Brothers, John Corbett, Shannon Brown. Local group Midnight Ride. The headliner that night is Terri Clark.

Tickets are $53.00 for a weekend pass and $38.00 for a day pass.

Remember to check out our sports page. All the sports you want, here is the link:
http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com

DNT's agree with Lourey. They are trieing to keep her bid for Goveernor a float.

Well it seems as if the Duluth News Tribune is one of the few that agree with Lourey on ban against funeral protest.


Lourey's vote against ban on pickets is a vote for freedom
Mother carries on her son's battle with lone opposition to protest ban
While few lawmakers seem to get it, there is one mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who understands that no matter how repulsive and vile pickets are at the funerals of servicemen, the protesters' First Amendment rights must be assured.

She along with the paper need to relize this was not a ban on protest per say. What the bill does is say you need to be so far away. This is a good and if no one see's you protesting even better.

You may ask what would be the point of protesting then. This is something you would have to ask these sick groups that feel the need to protest at funerals.


It's not just any mother. State Sen. Becky Lourey, a Democrat from Kerrick who's running for governor this year, cast the lone vote in opposition to a Minnesota Senate bill to ban protests and picketing at funerals and memorial services. Her son, 40-year-old Army Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Lourey, was killed in May when his helicopter was shot down in Iraq.
"He always said that freedom of speech, our Bill of Rights, our way of life -- that's what he wanted to protect," Lourey told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after last week's 58-1 vote.
Her words echoed those repeated in this space ever since Minnesota, Wisconsin and at least 12 other states began to adopt or consider laws outlawing funeral protests earlier this year. The measures are in response to the Rev. Fred Phelps and followers of his Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. The church, which has no affiliation to any larger denomination, protests military funerals because, Phelps and his followers say, God is killing American troops as punishment for the nation's acceptance of homosexuality.

This is not a matter for free speech, they still have every right to there free speech and there also have there right to protest. They are just being asked ( or told by law) that they be respectful and stay a way from the grieving family member and friends.


The pickets have taken place in Anoka, Minn., Hudson, Wis., Princeton, Minn., and elsewhere. A threatened protest this month at the Superior High School funeral of a U.S. Marine never materialized. Phelps' followers said they stayed away because authorities threatened arrest. In fact, everyone from the Wisconsin attorney general on down indeed did make that promise, which would have enforced existing disorderly conduct laws a day before Wisconsin's protest ban was scheduled to take effect.


Sen. Paul Koering, a Republican from Fort Ripley, is correct that Minnesota must send "a message to these people that their actions are not welcome at funerals." However, infringing on the First Amendment right of free speech is not the way to send that message. Court injunctions and laws already in place, including disorderly conduct laws, are proven effective in keeping the despicable protests at bay. It certainly worked in Superior.


Lourey said she knew her vote could "cause pain to other mothers." Politically speaking, it could cost her the DFL nomination, or if she does prevail in that arena, votes in the general election in November. We'll refrain from playing political handicappers any more than we will offer any gubernatorial endorsement at this early date. But for voting her conscience and, more importantly, making an effort to protect the rights of us all, she deserves commendation.

Group calls on Johnson to resign.

One group is calling for Senator Dean Johnson to resign.

This is after his comments and maybe some conversations with high ranking cour officials. I am not sure that what he did warrants him resigning.

Here is the link if you would like to see what the group is saying.



http://www.johnsonresign.com/

DNT can't count.

Duluth news tribune lies about the crowd for a rally calling for the end of the Iraq war.

Around 250 people marched in Duluth this afternoon calling for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. This is the opening of the news story,http://duluthnews.com.

The Duluth Police report that there was only about 100 people there. All other news media from what I heard also reported about 100 people at the rally. All you had to do it is see the news to know there were no more then 100 people there.

The DNT lies again but what would you expect.

Check out our sports page at www.duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com. Also check out KB's corner located a few post below this one.

EBT talk 2

Earlier this week, well I was at work. A guy came in and brought some things, and used his EBT card. We struck up a conversation.

Jack ( will be his name for this purpose), said I just need a little help for now. I said yeah I understand that. Jack says to me well you know there just is no jobs out there. I said well you know we are hiring, and we get a lot of people asking for applications. The very next question he asked me was how much does it pay. I told him and he said well I guess I will keep looking.

My thought was again well you are not above working here. I don't understand why people think this way. I know some people may want so much an hour but if you can't find anything in that will pay that take anything. At least you will have some money coming in. You can always continue to look for a better job.

Jack then says he has been looking for a job for month now and can't find anything. I asked what he was looking for and he said he did not know, he would do anything. He kept saying you know it if tuff to find a job there just is nothing. My reply was well you can always find something. It may not be what you want but will would be something for a while anyway.

He then said yeah but I don't want to be a burger flipper, or any type of a telamarking job. I just said well good luck to you.

Jack seemed like a very nice person, but he did not seem like he wanted to try to even look at jobs that pay less then he desired. If you don't have a job you should be happy with almost anything. Jack seems to be on of those that could be on EBT for years because it grows on him.

The conversation did make me understand that some people need help for a while. Now I knew that but as I listened to him talk about how he lost his job, I thought wow he does need help. However the fact is he could take a job at burger king or anywhere but he will not.

I don't understand this thinking.


Read our sports page at http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com, also don't forget about KB's cornor located a few post below this one. KB Duluthian brings a diffrent prespective to our blog.

Thank you readers!!!!!!

Thank you readers. We have received emails today saying you listened to the St. Judes radio thon. Not only did you listen but you became a partner in hope.

I hope you all realize that what you have done is help the research at the hospital and all over the world including right here. Both St. Mary's and St. Lukes use there research.

Others have said they have made one time donations to it as well. Please keep giving if you can anything helps.

The radio thon goes tell 7p.m. tonight. Again listen on B 105 105.1 or online at http://kkcb.com.

Lourey lone vote against funeral protest.

Here is a surprise, okay maybe not. You would think that Senator Lourey would realize more then anyone the importance of protecting the family's that are suffering from a death of a son or a daughter in the war.

Yet she chose to vote no to protect these family's from protest. Keep in mind the bill does not say they can't protest because they can. The bill says they would have to be so many feet away from the funeral.

State Sen. Becky Lourey, whose son was killed in the war in Iraq, cast the only vote Thursday against a Minnesota Senate bill to ban protests and picketing at funerals and memorial services.


Lourey, a Democrat from Kerrick who is running for governor, did not speak out during the Senate debate on the protest ban, which stemmed from a series of demonstrations at military funerals across the country.

Yet she knew the whole time she would vote against a bill most everyone supports. This bill is nice because family's may never have to see the protesters. This is a good thing for those that are hurting because of the lose of a loved one.

But in a later interview Lourey said she believed her son fought and died for American freedoms that include free speech for protesters, even when the protesters' speech is considered hateful and ugly to most people exposed to it.

Wait just a minute here, you and your sons have said this war is not about protecting anything. You all believe this war is about one thing, and that is unjustified.

Yet now you get a chance to say my son fought to protect free speech, please give it Becky.


Don't forget to check out our sports page http://duluthpoliticssportpage.blogspot.com.

Also KB's cornor is a great read on this blog. Kb's cornor is located just a couple post below this one.


Yet one final reminder, if you can please help St. Judd's children's hospital today. The radio thon is on and today is the last day. To listen to the radio tune to B 105 105.1 on the fm dial or http://kkcb.com.