The Duluth City Council voted 9-0 last night to save a 62 year old business. A business that would have had to close do to a new state law, the law dealt with adult enteranment. It was passed and signed at the last minute with few people knowing about it.
The council said they were in support of this because they did not want close a business no matter what type it was.
Here is part of the article from the Duluth news tribune.
City councilors voted unanimously Monday for an ordinance that also will effectively save the Club Saratoga, but not plans for adult entertainment at NorShor Theatre.
The ordinance was written by the city attorneys office at the direction of 3rd District Councilor Russ Stewart, whose district includes the 62-year-old club that features nude dancers. The measure simply extends the citys existing standards for adult bookstores to live adult entertainment. The ordinance also mandates where such businesses can be located.
We are trying to regulate this type of business in a reasonable manner, Stewart said.
The new language was required because of a state law passed in May by the Legislature that puts tight restrictions on where strip clubs can be located in cities. The Club Saratoga was found in violation of the law that says a club cant be within 500 feetof any residence or within 2,800 feet of churches and schools. However, the law provides an exception where cities can write their own superseding ordinances that can be more or less strict.
The city ordinance Stewart added to was updated last fall to prohibit adult bookstores from being within 600 feet of churches, parks and schools or within 400 feet of pedestrian plazas.
To read more go to http://duluthnews.com
Read more of my thoughts here, http://duluthpolitics.blogspot.com/2006/06/club-saratoga-to-be-saved.html This originalrgianal post about the issue.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Duluth Air show
The air show went off this past weekend. It was the first one that I have ever missed. My dad and I are normally two of the thousands of people that show up at this great event. My dad did however get a chance to go this Saturday.
Once again the protesters were there. What are they protesting? They believe that this and any air show represents support for war. Well most if not all air shows have war planes from both the past and present, it is not any air shows host to promote war. All most anyone will tell you that war is hell but it needs to be done some time and thank god we have the plans that can get the job done.
I guess each day there was about 15 protesters that feeled the need to get in many of the peoples faces that were attending the show.
This years high light was the Thunderbirds. Also on hand was a mig, the Duluth air base F-16's, there was also an f-15 that flew with many other, plans on the ground. There were a few other so called"war" plans that flew.
The Duluth air show also had many plans that had nothing to do with the military. There were like three stunt shows and the Red Barron Pizza squardern that does a great show.
These protesters take a great event and try to drake it down every year. Yet it is very hightly attained every year. These protesters first are way off base that this or any air show is a promotion for the military. An air show is to an event to see great acts that include military shows. If some one sees these shows and wants to join then good for them but it is not the point of any air show.
Once again the protesters were there. What are they protesting? They believe that this and any air show represents support for war. Well most if not all air shows have war planes from both the past and present, it is not any air shows host to promote war. All most anyone will tell you that war is hell but it needs to be done some time and thank god we have the plans that can get the job done.
I guess each day there was about 15 protesters that feeled the need to get in many of the peoples faces that were attending the show.
This years high light was the Thunderbirds. Also on hand was a mig, the Duluth air base F-16's, there was also an f-15 that flew with many other, plans on the ground. There were a few other so called"war" plans that flew.
The Duluth air show also had many plans that had nothing to do with the military. There were like three stunt shows and the Red Barron Pizza squardern that does a great show.
These protesters take a great event and try to drake it down every year. Yet it is very hightly attained every year. These protesters first are way off base that this or any air show is a promotion for the military. An air show is to an event to see great acts that include military shows. If some one sees these shows and wants to join then good for them but it is not the point of any air show.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
New fightline host.
The fightline program will have a new host starting Monday. Goerge Hansen will host the program that airs on KDAL 610 am from 5p.m to 6:30 p.m..
What happend to Brad Bennette? No he did not just go a way. He will have his own show starting Monday on Kdal from 10a.m. to noon. I don't like the name of the show, straight talk is the name of the show.
What happend to Brad Bennette? No he did not just go a way. He will have his own show starting Monday on Kdal from 10a.m. to noon. I don't like the name of the show, straight talk is the name of the show.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
County smoking ban.
I know that the county said they would not deal with this issue until the state had an opportunity to this next session. However I don't believe that will be the case. Look for the county to at least take a look at this issue soon.
There are a couple of reasons for this. One is because of the study released earlier in the week from the U.S. surgeon general. In the report it said that the second hand smoke was very harmful and there no longer could be an evidence against that.
I don't think anyone would say second hand smoke is good for you, however that is not what is at issue here. What I believe that issue should be is this.
government vs. Business and business should win. The government should not have the right to mandate what a business should be able to allow. If a business wants to allow smoking then they should be able to, if they don't want to have smoking then they should be allowed to do that.
If people were really concerned about smoking then they should talk to the owner and say hey do you think you could go smoke free, and if the owner had enough complaints they more then likely would.
The other reason I believe you will see as an issue soon is because this is an election year. There is only one Duluth commissioner up for election at this election and that is district one commissioner Fink. He believes for a smoking ban to hold any water every county around this area would also have to go smoke free and if they don't he would not support a smoking ban in the county. The left wing nut jobs could then use this as a political issue. This should not be a political issue.
There are a couple of reasons for this. One is because of the study released earlier in the week from the U.S. surgeon general. In the report it said that the second hand smoke was very harmful and there no longer could be an evidence against that.
I don't think anyone would say second hand smoke is good for you, however that is not what is at issue here. What I believe that issue should be is this.
government vs. Business and business should win. The government should not have the right to mandate what a business should be able to allow. If a business wants to allow smoking then they should be able to, if they don't want to have smoking then they should be allowed to do that.
If people were really concerned about smoking then they should talk to the owner and say hey do you think you could go smoke free, and if the owner had enough complaints they more then likely would.
The other reason I believe you will see as an issue soon is because this is an election year. There is only one Duluth commissioner up for election at this election and that is district one commissioner Fink. He believes for a smoking ban to hold any water every county around this area would also have to go smoke free and if they don't he would not support a smoking ban in the county. The left wing nut jobs could then use this as a political issue. This should not be a political issue.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Breaking News (well short of).
It seems as if the county could again be looking at the smoking ban issue again. More to come later today.
Just a reminder.
We are just but three days away from vaction. I can't wait it will be fun to bring our little girl up to ball club for her first time. Well it is her second but she was just three month old the first time.
Starting Saturday and going tell the 9th of July there will be no post on Duluth Politics.
Starting Saturday and going tell the 9th of July there will be no post on Duluth Politics.
Reaction to losing public saftey.
City Councilor Jim Stauber was stunned Tuesday evening to hear of the potential cuts. He said the 14 recommendations made in December by a council-appointed task force on the city's mounting retiree health-care liability -- estimated to be $300 million by 2014 -- made no mention of a reduction of the work force.
"I have no idea why the administration has chosen to do these cuts. I'm very shocked to hear this news," Stauber said. "I'm dismayed. It is the mayor's prerogative to do this, but why especially big cuts in public safety? We just had a tragedy (slaying) in Gary.... This is not the thing to be doing."
Councilor Stauber, No one know what the mayor is thinking. You are correct the task force would have never recommended laying off police and fire because they know that it would put yet another major problem on this city. The Mayor however does not seem to care our city.
Waller said he's losing 11 police officers, almost the equivalent of losing an entire shift -- which is made up of 12 officers.
"It's going to be a devastating blow to public safety," Waller said. "I'm concerned about response time. I'm extremely concerned about officers' safety because we have just the minimum numbers to staff the street now. I'm also concerned about the safety of each and every citizen.
"It's going to have a devastating effect on each neighborhood. It's going to impact services departmentwide, citywide. I'm extremely concerned about the impact it has on these individual employees. What a way to treat them."
Waller said one of the probationary officers involved moved from Florida to take a job here. Others left career positions with other departments to join the Duluth force. "This is going to impact our ability to attract qualified candidates in the future," he said.
I will not agree with Waller much but this time I do 100%.
"I have no idea why the administration has chosen to do these cuts. I'm very shocked to hear this news," Stauber said. "I'm dismayed. It is the mayor's prerogative to do this, but why especially big cuts in public safety? We just had a tragedy (slaying) in Gary.... This is not the thing to be doing."
Councilor Stauber, No one know what the mayor is thinking. You are correct the task force would have never recommended laying off police and fire because they know that it would put yet another major problem on this city. The Mayor however does not seem to care our city.
Waller said he's losing 11 police officers, almost the equivalent of losing an entire shift -- which is made up of 12 officers.
"It's going to be a devastating blow to public safety," Waller said. "I'm concerned about response time. I'm extremely concerned about officers' safety because we have just the minimum numbers to staff the street now. I'm also concerned about the safety of each and every citizen.
"It's going to have a devastating effect on each neighborhood. It's going to impact services departmentwide, citywide. I'm extremely concerned about the impact it has on these individual employees. What a way to treat them."
Waller said one of the probationary officers involved moved from Florida to take a job here. Others left career positions with other departments to join the Duluth force. "This is going to impact our ability to attract qualified candidates in the future," he said.
I will not agree with Waller much but this time I do 100%.
Public safety who needs it!!!!
Well it seems like once again our mayor has decided that Duluth does not need something. This time it is public safety. As he looks at laying off a whole shift of police and five fire fighters.
Here is part of the story from the Duluth News Tribune,http://duluthnews.com.
Nearly an entire shift of Duluth police officers and five firefighters could be out of jobs after Mayor Herb Bergson told his department leaders the city was laying off its probationary employees as a cost-saving measure.
Duluth Police Chief Roger Waller called the potential cutbacks "a devastating blow to public safety."
Bergson said the cutbacks would come from all city departments and could involve 25 to 30 employees. He said it's too early to calculate the savings of his plan to the city.
"I can say it's significant," he said. "I can say it's in the millions of dollars. The biggest savings, of course, is the commitment to retiree health care. The ironic thing is that it doesn't save anything today, but 30 years from now a mayor can look back and say, 'I'm glad that they did that' and be thankful."
This mayor is a joke, he does not seem to understand that Duluth has major crime problems that need to get worked out, before be come a St. Paul or Minneapolis. Duluth has the highest rate of crimes in city's or close to the same size. Yet the mayor is going to lay off police officers. It makes perfect sense does it not? Yeah right.
Here is part of the story from the Duluth News Tribune,http://duluthnews.com.
Nearly an entire shift of Duluth police officers and five firefighters could be out of jobs after Mayor Herb Bergson told his department leaders the city was laying off its probationary employees as a cost-saving measure.
Duluth Police Chief Roger Waller called the potential cutbacks "a devastating blow to public safety."
Bergson said the cutbacks would come from all city departments and could involve 25 to 30 employees. He said it's too early to calculate the savings of his plan to the city.
"I can say it's significant," he said. "I can say it's in the millions of dollars. The biggest savings, of course, is the commitment to retiree health care. The ironic thing is that it doesn't save anything today, but 30 years from now a mayor can look back and say, 'I'm glad that they did that' and be thankful."
This mayor is a joke, he does not seem to understand that Duluth has major crime problems that need to get worked out, before be come a St. Paul or Minneapolis. Duluth has the highest rate of crimes in city's or close to the same size. Yet the mayor is going to lay off police officers. It makes perfect sense does it not? Yeah right.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Duluth School district
It seems as if the Duluth School district is again in the process of a long range plan. This plan is to try to lay out in part if building should be closed or not.
Our school district along with the community has seen a decline in population, this bags the question does Duluth need three high schools? Do we need as many so called "community" grade schools, you are not guenteed to have a school near were you live. Your kids may just have to hope a bus and get to school that way, or you may have to drive them.
The school district needs to look at what they are looking at doing, there has been a lot of talk about going to two high school or even one. I would at this time support two and keeping options open to reopen the third down the line. I think if Duluth goes to just one high school they are saying we will NEVER grow and why try. Much like the range schools have done.
I believe Duluth with the right elected people can and will rebound from the funk we are in.
Our school district along with the community has seen a decline in population, this bags the question does Duluth need three high schools? Do we need as many so called "community" grade schools, you are not guenteed to have a school near were you live. Your kids may just have to hope a bus and get to school that way, or you may have to drive them.
The school district needs to look at what they are looking at doing, there has been a lot of talk about going to two high school or even one. I would at this time support two and keeping options open to reopen the third down the line. I think if Duluth goes to just one high school they are saying we will NEVER grow and why try. Much like the range schools have done.
I believe Duluth with the right elected people can and will rebound from the funk we are in.
The count down to vacation starts today.
Saturday we leave for vacation for a week. There will be no posting the week of July 1st-9th as we will be relaxing and having fun up at ball club lake up near deer river.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Club Saratoga to be saved?
It seems like a councilor is going to step front and try to save the club. Saratoga was tossed into the front line of a debate about the old norshore becoming a strip club.
A new state law made the norshore and the Saratoga illegal businesses. The fact is it does not matter what you think of these types of businesses, they are still that. The club has been around for 62 years and the state should have allowed to grandfather exciting club in but they did not do so. They did however allow for local government to override the state law if they so choice to do so. That is what councilor Stewart is going to try to do.
Here is part of the article from the Duluth news tribune,http://duluthnews.com.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT: A new city ordinance would save Duluth's oldest strip club but would not allow the NorShor to become one.
BY CHRIS HAMILTON
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
File/News Tribune
The Club Saratoga in Canal Park.
City Councilor Russ Stewart will try to save Duluth's only strip joint, the Club Saratoga, from a new state law.
Stewart, whose 3rd District includes the 62-year-old Canal Park nightclub, will present an ordinance to the City Council on Monday that extends the city's existing standards for adult bookstores to adult entertainment such as strip clubs.
"I just think what the state did is they solved a problem that didn't exist," Stewart said. "And in doing so, they forced us to regulate something that had not been regulated."
City Attorney Bryan Brown, who wrote the ordinance for Stewart, said he believes the adult bookstore language will allow the Club Saratoga to operate as it does now.
It is important to point out, this in no way would help the norshore. It only would save the club. I am in full support of this. After we are talking about a well established business that has no right to be closed.
Again it does not matter what you or I think of this type of business. They have a right to be around.
A new state law made the norshore and the Saratoga illegal businesses. The fact is it does not matter what you think of these types of businesses, they are still that. The club has been around for 62 years and the state should have allowed to grandfather exciting club in but they did not do so. They did however allow for local government to override the state law if they so choice to do so. That is what councilor Stewart is going to try to do.
Here is part of the article from the Duluth news tribune,http://duluthnews.com.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT: A new city ordinance would save Duluth's oldest strip club but would not allow the NorShor to become one.
BY CHRIS HAMILTON
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
File/News Tribune
The Club Saratoga in Canal Park.
City Councilor Russ Stewart will try to save Duluth's only strip joint, the Club Saratoga, from a new state law.
Stewart, whose 3rd District includes the 62-year-old Canal Park nightclub, will present an ordinance to the City Council on Monday that extends the city's existing standards for adult bookstores to adult entertainment such as strip clubs.
"I just think what the state did is they solved a problem that didn't exist," Stewart said. "And in doing so, they forced us to regulate something that had not been regulated."
City Attorney Bryan Brown, who wrote the ordinance for Stewart, said he believes the adult bookstore language will allow the Club Saratoga to operate as it does now.
It is important to point out, this in no way would help the norshore. It only would save the club. I am in full support of this. After we are talking about a well established business that has no right to be closed.
Again it does not matter what you or I think of this type of business. They have a right to be around.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
What should the city provide?
The city of Duluth is faces with some very serious issues and we need to take a good hard look at were we can make cuts and maybe even get rid of some programs that are duplicated by the State.
The city must provide these services, police, fire, and ambulance. They must also provide street up keep and maintains, this would include plow service in the winter, and street cleaning in the summer. I think it is also okay that the city controls the water and gas and services a like.
In a time when the city is facing major problems we do not need to be providing services such as golf courses, ski areas, and other like places.
We must look at eliminating duplicated services provided by the state, yes that means getting rid of the human rights commission. Duluth is the only city in Minnesota that has it's own office. There are also a number of services that need to cut or discontented.
The city must provide these services, police, fire, and ambulance. They must also provide street up keep and maintains, this would include plow service in the winter, and street cleaning in the summer. I think it is also okay that the city controls the water and gas and services a like.
In a time when the city is facing major problems we do not need to be providing services such as golf courses, ski areas, and other like places.
We must look at eliminating duplicated services provided by the state, yes that means getting rid of the human rights commission. Duluth is the only city in Minnesota that has it's own office. There are also a number of services that need to cut or discontented.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Kroc Center prices
I was just checking out the twin ports people magizen and came across an articale about the Kroc center. In it, it included fees I thought it was going to inexpensive to go to.
The daily cost is not all that much, at 5.00 for adults and 3.00 for kids, but the yearly plan is 325.00 for adults and $75.00 for children so much for not being expensive. It is the same as most gyms and work out centers.
What a joke I am beginning to think we don't need to fund this project.
The daily cost is not all that much, at 5.00 for adults and 3.00 for kids, but the yearly plan is 325.00 for adults and $75.00 for children so much for not being expensive. It is the same as most gyms and work out centers.
What a joke I am beginning to think we don't need to fund this project.
More thoughts on retiree health issue.
As Pat Anderson is about ready to speak at a chamber of commerce event here are more thoughts on the issue.
Is the city’s retiree health care “problem” really a problem or is just talk about nothing. We will try to discover that in this post. I believe however that the answerer is very clear. This is a huge problem, but again you make up your own mind.
It must be a big issue, here is why, Duluth has been used as an example in many news papers, as to what happens if retiree benefits are not paid for up front. They have not been small papers like the Duluth news tribune. In fact they have been big name papers like the Washington Post, USA today. We have also seen State Auditor Pat Anderson come and speak to this issue once and this next week will mark her second visit to discuss this issue.
When did this issue start? The retiree health care benefits were awarded to the workers more then 20 years ago. At that time there was not really a plan on how the city would pay for these benefits, and to this day there is no plan. This is why we have this issue in front of us today.
So is this the first time the city has known about the issue? NO, the city has known about from the beginning they chose to do nothing. However they could have done something many times. In 1998 the city was facing a very manageable unfunded liability of 34 million. In 2002 as nothing was being done it the liability grew to 178 Million dollars, and just three year later it sat at 279 million dollars. In four years 1998-2002 we say in increase of 144 million dollars in the unfunded liability. Then from 2002-205 it shot up just more then another 100 million dollars and now we are looking at an unfunded liability of 300 million. That is an increase of 266 million dollars in 5 ½ years.
This problem did not start under Mayor Bergson but it needs to end under his control. Duluth can no longer afford to have this unfunded liability. Here is a short timeline of this issue.
Information is taken from Connect Duluth media information packet from there press conference.
Is the city’s retiree health care “problem” really a problem or is just talk about nothing. We will try to discover that in this post. I believe however that the answerer is very clear. This is a huge problem, but again you make up your own mind.
It must be a big issue, here is why, Duluth has been used as an example in many news papers, as to what happens if retiree benefits are not paid for up front. They have not been small papers like the Duluth news tribune. In fact they have been big name papers like the Washington Post, USA today. We have also seen State Auditor Pat Anderson come and speak to this issue once and this next week will mark her second visit to discuss this issue.
When did this issue start? The retiree health care benefits were awarded to the workers more then 20 years ago. At that time there was not really a plan on how the city would pay for these benefits, and to this day there is no plan. This is why we have this issue in front of us today.
So is this the first time the city has known about the issue? NO, the city has known about from the beginning they chose to do nothing. However they could have done something many times. In 1998 the city was facing a very manageable unfunded liability of 34 million. In 2002 as nothing was being done it the liability grew to 178 Million dollars, and just three year later it sat at 279 million dollars. In four years 1998-2002 we say in increase of 144 million dollars in the unfunded liability. Then from 2002-205 it shot up just more then another 100 million dollars and now we are looking at an unfunded liability of 300 million. That is an increase of 266 million dollars in 5 ½ years.
This problem did not start under Mayor Bergson but it needs to end under his control. Duluth can no longer afford to have this unfunded liability. Here is a short timeline of this issue.
Information is taken from Connect Duluth media information packet from there press conference.
Mr. O'Brien may you rest in peace.
We here at Duluth Politics never posted anything about the murder of Donald O'Brien because we have nothing good to say about those that are accused of this murder.
With this news story in the Duluth News Trib we have to make a few comments. To read the whole story go to http://www.duluthnews.com.
Donald O'Brien never had the chance to open his Father's Day card. Instead, it sat unread next to an urn that contained his ashes Sunday.
Mr. O'Brien spirit was with us all yesterday. I know we here at DP thought about what the O'Brien family must have been going threw with out there dad. This the first one is always the hardest but it never gets easier. I am sure the Mr. O'Brien was with his family letting them know who much he loved them all.
Father's Day 2006 probably will be seared into the memories of David and Tina O'Brien -- Donald's 29-year-old son and 32-year-old daughter. They spent the day mourning with more than 100 people who came to pay respects to O'Brien at his funeral.
It is to bad to have to see such a great family have to go threw this troubling time. One a day that should have been filled with tears of joy, and a day filled with love and enjoyment it was not. The O'Brien family had to say good bye to there father on fathers day. It was a day filled with tears but those tears were not joyful.
Mr. O'Brien may god watch over you and your family.
With this news story in the Duluth News Trib we have to make a few comments. To read the whole story go to http://www.duluthnews.com.
Donald O'Brien never had the chance to open his Father's Day card. Instead, it sat unread next to an urn that contained his ashes Sunday.
Mr. O'Brien spirit was with us all yesterday. I know we here at DP thought about what the O'Brien family must have been going threw with out there dad. This the first one is always the hardest but it never gets easier. I am sure the Mr. O'Brien was with his family letting them know who much he loved them all.
Father's Day 2006 probably will be seared into the memories of David and Tina O'Brien -- Donald's 29-year-old son and 32-year-old daughter. They spent the day mourning with more than 100 people who came to pay respects to O'Brien at his funeral.
It is to bad to have to see such a great family have to go threw this troubling time. One a day that should have been filled with tears of joy, and a day filled with love and enjoyment it was not. The O'Brien family had to say good bye to there father on fathers day. It was a day filled with tears but those tears were not joyful.
Mr. O'Brien may god watch over you and your family.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Duluth Mayor will not run for re-election.
I did not get a chance to comment on this yesterday after he made the announcement. I will do so now.
Mayor Bergson called for a press conference yesterday, he said he would comment on the Connect Duluth press conference. He did nothing of a short, at that time. His announcement was he would not run for mayor again after his term was over. He said he would have to make tough choices do to the retiree health care issue. With these choices he will have to make he says will cause blood to be on the table and it will make it in possible for him to win again. He also said if he does not get this issue solved he would not have ran again. Bergson said he made a promise to Duluth in his first campain to solve this issue. If he could not he would not seek re-election.
Mayor Bergson said that his DWI and other troubles had nothing to do with him not running for re-election. We find it hard to believe that his troubles had NOTHING to do with his decision.
It seems to most people this was a surprise, why? I don't know. This is not a shock to me at all. This Mayor has done little to fix the retiree health care issue, he now has a chance to make tuff choices he spoke of.
Mayor Bergson called for a press conference yesterday, he said he would comment on the Connect Duluth press conference. He did nothing of a short, at that time. His announcement was he would not run for mayor again after his term was over. He said he would have to make tough choices do to the retiree health care issue. With these choices he will have to make he says will cause blood to be on the table and it will make it in possible for him to win again. He also said if he does not get this issue solved he would not have ran again. Bergson said he made a promise to Duluth in his first campain to solve this issue. If he could not he would not seek re-election.
Mayor Bergson said that his DWI and other troubles had nothing to do with him not running for re-election. We find it hard to believe that his troubles had NOTHING to do with his decision.
It seems to most people this was a surprise, why? I don't know. This is not a shock to me at all. This Mayor has done little to fix the retiree health care issue, he now has a chance to make tuff choices he spoke of.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
concerts in downtown
The greater downtown council to host a concert seris on Thurday's it starts this week.
Here is the list of acts,
Rock the Block begins Thursday
NEWS TRIBUNE
The Greater Downtown Council is launching its Rock the Block concert series Thursday.
The Urban Hillbilly Quartet will play from 5 to 7 p.m. on the 300 block of west Superior Street. The free concert is the first of six that will be presented every other Thursday until Aug. 24. Each concert is free and runs from 5 to 7 p.m. The other acts are:
June 29: Midnight Ride on the 100 block of west Superior Street.
July 13: Dazy Head Mazy on the 200 block of west Superior Street.
July 27: Umbrella Bed on the first block of west Superior Street.
Aug. 10: High Bridge Flyers on the 100 block of east Superior Street.
Aug. 24: The State Champs on the first block of east Superior Street.
I have only heard of one of these groups before and that is midnight ride.
Here is the list of acts,
Rock the Block begins Thursday
NEWS TRIBUNE
The Greater Downtown Council is launching its Rock the Block concert series Thursday.
The Urban Hillbilly Quartet will play from 5 to 7 p.m. on the 300 block of west Superior Street. The free concert is the first of six that will be presented every other Thursday until Aug. 24. Each concert is free and runs from 5 to 7 p.m. The other acts are:
June 29: Midnight Ride on the 100 block of west Superior Street.
July 13: Dazy Head Mazy on the 200 block of west Superior Street.
July 27: Umbrella Bed on the first block of west Superior Street.
Aug. 10: High Bridge Flyers on the 100 block of east Superior Street.
Aug. 24: The State Champs on the first block of east Superior Street.
I have only heard of one of these groups before and that is midnight ride.
Sue Jeffers Interview
Give us a brief background on your self.
My name is Sue Jeffers and I am a 49 year old mother of three fantastic children. Two are in high school and my oldest in going to be a junior in college. I know first hand that raising children is a full time job and one of my greatest accomplishments. For the last 27 years I have owned and operated my small business in Minneapolis, MN near the University of Minnesota. I have been involved city politics including being a head election judge. I have volunteered at my children’s schools and in our church as well as various committees for my business community, the University of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis. My energy, enthusiasm, common sense and problem solving abilities add to any organization I am involved in. My sense of humor has turned mundane or divisive meetings into successful, workable ideas that usually ends with successful solutions.
What qualifications do you have that would make you a good Governor?
I am a citizen of Minnesota. I am over 25 (by a long shot), a resident and have no skeletons in my closet. For 27 years I have run my small business in one of the most business-unfriendly cities in the nation. My lack of political experience is what I consider one of my best qualifications to be the next governor of the great state of Minnesota.
There isn’t any lack of experience at the capitol, and look where that’s gotten us. Our legislators know how to move a bill through the process that the people of Minnesota don’t even want. They know how to keep the special interest groups happy, so they keep contributing to their campaigns. Experienced politicians have the ability to compromise away a brilliant idea into such a mediocre bill, the general public is left wondering what happened.
Is anyone looking out for the taxpayer? I will. Our founding fathers envisioned a citizen-led government of part-time legislators who would do their civic duty for a short time, and then go back to their private lives. I am not a career politician and that is what will make me a great governor.
If elected what would be your top priority?
The taxpayer. My priority is to reduce the size and expense of government. This begins with auditing all levels of government and holding each accountable to the taxpayers for every dime they spend. Eliminating failed and redundant programs and merging same-purpose bureaucracies will streamline government to allow more funding to the issues we care about. Top priorities will include: education, public safety, transportation, affordable health care and Minnesota’s economic health.
Minnesota, like many states faces budget problems. What would you do to have a balanced budget?
Some things never change. Minnesota does not have a budget problem, we have a spending problem and our current elected officials have become the problem not the solution. They refuse to close the checkbook as they continue to "feed the beast" also known as our state budget. Our most recent state budget is up 8% to $30.5 billion, the largest in state history. This year’s bonding bill is another billion dollars, all under a Republican governor. We were told be happy, the Dem’s wanted to raise it 11%. In my book, not good enough, certainly not good enough to reelect for another term.
We deserve better. Balancing a budget, from households to small or large businesses, to all levels of government, means living within your means. I support a Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, limiting government spending growth to population and inflation. If the money isn’t there, we don’t get to spend it.
5. Both of Minnesota’s pro sports teams want a new stadium. The Minnesota Twins got theirs this last session. Do you believe that there should have been a referendum?
Of course. It’s only right that the citizens of Hennepin County, who are being asked to pay for the stadium have a say in it. The law requires no less. 50 Republicans voted to pass this bill. The only stadium which has voter approval received no funding (Duluth).
How much should the state fund for pro teams stadiums?
I do not favor using public money to fund private business. It is the function of government to provide certain infrastructure to support new construction. Roads, public utility connections, sewage and rainwater runoff, for example. Other than that, I believe Tim Pawlenty had it right back in 1997, when he said, "We’re not going to subsidize billionaires to provide millionaires with a place to play baseball."
This is just one of the empty campaign promises Tim Pawlenty vowed to champion for conservative voters when we rewarded him with our votes four years ago. We have laws in place to protect the taxpayers from exactly what happened. Yet some of our republican elected officials chose to ignore those laws and bypass the voters wishes. They should not be rewarded with our votes again.
What are your thoughts on a Stadium being funded by corporation or a company? (Would this be a better way to fund a stadium?)
Absolutely. Professional sports are a private enterprise, which should be privately funded. If the business model doesn’t support the required infrastructure, the business model is faulty, and must be fixed. Professional sports will never get their financial houses in order if the taxpayers keep subsidizing them.
Duluth and this whole area has been losing jobs for many years. What would you do to try to attract business to this area?
The question is why would a company want to do business in Minnesota? There are some key ingredients to making a business-friendly environment. We are falling short on several. An infrastructure has to be in place to support commerce. A sound transportation plan is needed to handle the volume of traffic generated by new business. That means un-congested roads with the capacity to support growth. Taxes must be at a reasonable level so Minnesota businesses can be competitive with other states. Regulations must be based only on sound scientific facts, and they must be uniformly applied. Many start-up businesses require an educated, skilled labor force. In the long term, our schools must be up to the task of providing a solid, competitive education to future workers. With an educated workforce, proper infrastructure, low taxes and fees, and reasonable regulations in place, new and expanding employers will be attracted to the area.
Minnesota has many people move here because of our social programs ( i.e. Welfare, housing programs, food stamps) . This adds to the fiscal problems of the state. We need clear guidelines of who qualifies. Residents only?
Our generosity works against us. There is a need for a safety net, to catch people who fall on hard times, and help get them back on their feet, but it can’t be used as a means of indefinitely supporting people who are able to provide for themselves. Welfare reform helped take us a couple steps in the right direction, but subsequent changes in social services at many levels have taken us backwards again. We have again turned welfare in to a career option for those who know how to work the system.
What if any of these programs would you make changes to?
All of them. The goal has to be to offer a hand up, not a hand out. The criteria must be changed. Residency requirements must be implemented.
What if any would you or could you eliminate?
Many are redundant, we must determine which ones work and implement them statewide. Eliminate the ones that are not working and consolidate programs that duplicate effort. There are many examples of small programs that are effective, which have a cousin program with the same purpose that doesn’t work. The one that produces results would get more funding. The other would be cut, or absorbed by the effective program.
What do you think the number one problem facing the State is? What would you do to fix it?
Expecting the government to solve all of our problems. This means none get solved. Right now, the State of Minnesota is the single biggest employer in the State of Minnesota. Government is eating up too many resources, and not producing anything. We must hold all levels of government accountable for how our tax dollars are spent.
Anything else you would like to add to this section.
People in Minnesota deserve better, they deserve a champion who will solve the issues voters care about. We deserve elected officials who will remember why they were elected, what they promised to do once elected and will listen to the wishes of the people who put them in office.
What is your hope for the State?
To restore the trust and respect residents have for elected officials to respond to issues voters care about. To solve the tough issues before they are out of control (pensions, immigration, social services, regulations, fees) and before these issues become even more expensive to solve.
Do you feel that your run puts the party in any turmoil?
Not at all. Setting aside the fact that both major parties are already in turmoil, the Republicans have the problem of voters wanting to stay home, I give them a reason to come out and vote.
The Republicans also have the problem of offering up a candidate who is "not as bad as the other guy." Is this really a reason to vote for a candidate?
The Democrats have no message. They will do anything to win, no matter who they put on the ballot. The third parties lack the political machine and with a deck firmly stacked against them, face an uphill battle. It’s not unheard of for a Republican who isn’t endorsed to win the Primary in Minnesota. Whatever the outcome, there will be one Republican candidate, and the party will unite behind that candidate.
As an aside, government has no business financing campaigns; I also plan to eliminate the campaign refund program. Sorry folks, you like a candidate, use your own money to get them elected, Minnesota has other needs for that money.
What has been the best part about running?
Visiting all parts of the state and meeting all the people and hearing their stories. Minnesota really is a wonderful and beautiful state. I appreciate it all the more for having met more of my fellow residents, and seeing more of the cities and towns. I have learned so much about issues I never had reason to look into before. It is an amazing experience.
What has been the worst part about running?
The shocking waste of money at all levels of government. I repeatedly say, if the general public only knew what goes on behind the scenes they would support term limits tomorrow. We should be able to trust our elected officials to do the right thing for the residents our state, it isn’t happening.
Also troubling is the audacity of many public officials and how out of touch they have become with the people of Minnesota. Too many ignore laws, facts, and truth.
I love the parades, except when it rains. I am more comfortable in my jeans than a business suit and those high heels are not conducive to the kind of schedule I am keeping.
Reader Questions.
Do you think Minnesota has a problem with Illegal Immigration? What do you think the State needs to about illegal immigration? Don (St. Cloud)
Yes Minnesota has a problem with illegal immigration. We can know how many cell phones, cars, and cows we have in Minnesota but we have no idea how many illegal immigrants live in the state. The estimates range from 20,000 to 85,000. How can this be?
Illegal immigrants cost the state government approximately $180 million dollars per year and another $6 million to keep those who have committed crimes in our prisons. Schools, hospitals, affordable housing, police forces, prisons, even some entire towns are overwhelmed. We need to establish residency requirements for social services, tougher penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and eliminate sanctuary cities. Violent criminals belong in jail and/or should be deported.
Fundamental changes in how legal immigration works are also needed to address this problem. There are a very limited number of visas issued each year for immigrants, and the path to citizenship can be long and torturous. Streamlining our system will provide a legal, documented path for hard working families to move to Minnesota, become productive members of society, and make better lives for themselves without straining our infrastructure.
Why run against Tim Pawlenty? Jeff (Duluth)
I had hoped Tim Pawlenty would be the conservative he promised us he would be back when I worked on his campaign four years ago. He has let us down. His track record proves it. Pawlenty’s tenure as governor started out strong, and has been declining ever since. His term hit a new low in the last session, raising taxes, and pushing through public subsidies for a stadium without voter approval. I am a better candidate who will work to further sound conservative principles.
Do you believe marriage is to be between a man and a women? Would you veto any bill favoring this? Mary (St. Paul)
I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman and should remain so. I would not veto a bill which protects the definition of marriage.
What will you do to insure that the whole state has good jobs? Mike (Duluth)
Wishful thinking, Mike, but I can make it better. If businesses paid less business and property taxes and applicable regulations were based on sound fiscal and scientific principles companies could pay higher wages, expand and hire more people. If our children were better prepared for college or trade schools more would attend and graduate better prepared to handle jobs that pay well. Our state should not be in the business of providing jobs. Private enterprise should. Currently the state of MN is the number one employer in the state. The federal government ranks second. That would change under my watch. My focus on jobs creation will be in the private sector.
Sue, Why did you seek the endorsement of the Libertarian Party, then attempt to challenge Governor Pawlenty for the endorsement of the Republican Party? You have always claimed to be a republican, so why did you flirt with the Libertarians? Erik (Duluth)
Erik,
I went to the Republicans first, second and even third. They asked me to run for House, Senate, City Council and most recently for Martin Sabo's seat in the 5th Congressional District just a couple months ago. I was encouraged to run for any office except governor. I personally met with various members of the Republican Party including Chair Ron Carey. First asking what happened to our Republican principles, then informing him of my intention to run for governor and to finally to challenge Tim Pawlenty from within the party.
As the Republicans continued to vote more like the Democrats, and the Republican leadership made it clear that they would not allow me to run for governor, I looked for other options. I share the Libertarian belief in smaller, more affordable, effective government. I share the belief in the Constitution, common sense and personal responsibility. I want a candidate who will work to further conservative beliefs not compromise away our rights and liberties. I won’t settle for a mediocre candidate because he (or she) “isn’t as bad as the other guy” or has an R behind their name. I want the best candidate.
As I got my campaign going, I came to realize that the Republican state executive committee doesn’t decide who can run as a Republican, the delegates do! Or, that’s how it’s supposed to work. The Republican Party leadership was successful in keeping me out of open debate at the 7 of the 8 Congressional Endorsement Conventions and at the Republican State Convention. One convention had the courage to stand up to the party and say, “we welcome the debate, step right up.”
I will now take my case directly to the people, and let them have their say. I will proudly be the Republican to lead the party in the conservative direction I believe most Minnesotans strive for.
My name is Sue Jeffers and I am a 49 year old mother of three fantastic children. Two are in high school and my oldest in going to be a junior in college. I know first hand that raising children is a full time job and one of my greatest accomplishments. For the last 27 years I have owned and operated my small business in Minneapolis, MN near the University of Minnesota. I have been involved city politics including being a head election judge. I have volunteered at my children’s schools and in our church as well as various committees for my business community, the University of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis. My energy, enthusiasm, common sense and problem solving abilities add to any organization I am involved in. My sense of humor has turned mundane or divisive meetings into successful, workable ideas that usually ends with successful solutions.
What qualifications do you have that would make you a good Governor?
I am a citizen of Minnesota. I am over 25 (by a long shot), a resident and have no skeletons in my closet. For 27 years I have run my small business in one of the most business-unfriendly cities in the nation. My lack of political experience is what I consider one of my best qualifications to be the next governor of the great state of Minnesota.
There isn’t any lack of experience at the capitol, and look where that’s gotten us. Our legislators know how to move a bill through the process that the people of Minnesota don’t even want. They know how to keep the special interest groups happy, so they keep contributing to their campaigns. Experienced politicians have the ability to compromise away a brilliant idea into such a mediocre bill, the general public is left wondering what happened.
Is anyone looking out for the taxpayer? I will. Our founding fathers envisioned a citizen-led government of part-time legislators who would do their civic duty for a short time, and then go back to their private lives. I am not a career politician and that is what will make me a great governor.
If elected what would be your top priority?
The taxpayer. My priority is to reduce the size and expense of government. This begins with auditing all levels of government and holding each accountable to the taxpayers for every dime they spend. Eliminating failed and redundant programs and merging same-purpose bureaucracies will streamline government to allow more funding to the issues we care about. Top priorities will include: education, public safety, transportation, affordable health care and Minnesota’s economic health.
Minnesota, like many states faces budget problems. What would you do to have a balanced budget?
Some things never change. Minnesota does not have a budget problem, we have a spending problem and our current elected officials have become the problem not the solution. They refuse to close the checkbook as they continue to "feed the beast" also known as our state budget. Our most recent state budget is up 8% to $30.5 billion, the largest in state history. This year’s bonding bill is another billion dollars, all under a Republican governor. We were told be happy, the Dem’s wanted to raise it 11%. In my book, not good enough, certainly not good enough to reelect for another term.
We deserve better. Balancing a budget, from households to small or large businesses, to all levels of government, means living within your means. I support a Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, limiting government spending growth to population and inflation. If the money isn’t there, we don’t get to spend it.
5. Both of Minnesota’s pro sports teams want a new stadium. The Minnesota Twins got theirs this last session. Do you believe that there should have been a referendum?
Of course. It’s only right that the citizens of Hennepin County, who are being asked to pay for the stadium have a say in it. The law requires no less. 50 Republicans voted to pass this bill. The only stadium which has voter approval received no funding (Duluth).
How much should the state fund for pro teams stadiums?
I do not favor using public money to fund private business. It is the function of government to provide certain infrastructure to support new construction. Roads, public utility connections, sewage and rainwater runoff, for example. Other than that, I believe Tim Pawlenty had it right back in 1997, when he said, "We’re not going to subsidize billionaires to provide millionaires with a place to play baseball."
This is just one of the empty campaign promises Tim Pawlenty vowed to champion for conservative voters when we rewarded him with our votes four years ago. We have laws in place to protect the taxpayers from exactly what happened. Yet some of our republican elected officials chose to ignore those laws and bypass the voters wishes. They should not be rewarded with our votes again.
What are your thoughts on a Stadium being funded by corporation or a company? (Would this be a better way to fund a stadium?)
Absolutely. Professional sports are a private enterprise, which should be privately funded. If the business model doesn’t support the required infrastructure, the business model is faulty, and must be fixed. Professional sports will never get their financial houses in order if the taxpayers keep subsidizing them.
Duluth and this whole area has been losing jobs for many years. What would you do to try to attract business to this area?
The question is why would a company want to do business in Minnesota? There are some key ingredients to making a business-friendly environment. We are falling short on several. An infrastructure has to be in place to support commerce. A sound transportation plan is needed to handle the volume of traffic generated by new business. That means un-congested roads with the capacity to support growth. Taxes must be at a reasonable level so Minnesota businesses can be competitive with other states. Regulations must be based only on sound scientific facts, and they must be uniformly applied. Many start-up businesses require an educated, skilled labor force. In the long term, our schools must be up to the task of providing a solid, competitive education to future workers. With an educated workforce, proper infrastructure, low taxes and fees, and reasonable regulations in place, new and expanding employers will be attracted to the area.
Minnesota has many people move here because of our social programs ( i.e. Welfare, housing programs, food stamps) . This adds to the fiscal problems of the state. We need clear guidelines of who qualifies. Residents only?
Our generosity works against us. There is a need for a safety net, to catch people who fall on hard times, and help get them back on their feet, but it can’t be used as a means of indefinitely supporting people who are able to provide for themselves. Welfare reform helped take us a couple steps in the right direction, but subsequent changes in social services at many levels have taken us backwards again. We have again turned welfare in to a career option for those who know how to work the system.
What if any of these programs would you make changes to?
All of them. The goal has to be to offer a hand up, not a hand out. The criteria must be changed. Residency requirements must be implemented.
What if any would you or could you eliminate?
Many are redundant, we must determine which ones work and implement them statewide. Eliminate the ones that are not working and consolidate programs that duplicate effort. There are many examples of small programs that are effective, which have a cousin program with the same purpose that doesn’t work. The one that produces results would get more funding. The other would be cut, or absorbed by the effective program.
What do you think the number one problem facing the State is? What would you do to fix it?
Expecting the government to solve all of our problems. This means none get solved. Right now, the State of Minnesota is the single biggest employer in the State of Minnesota. Government is eating up too many resources, and not producing anything. We must hold all levels of government accountable for how our tax dollars are spent.
Anything else you would like to add to this section.
People in Minnesota deserve better, they deserve a champion who will solve the issues voters care about. We deserve elected officials who will remember why they were elected, what they promised to do once elected and will listen to the wishes of the people who put them in office.
What is your hope for the State?
To restore the trust and respect residents have for elected officials to respond to issues voters care about. To solve the tough issues before they are out of control (pensions, immigration, social services, regulations, fees) and before these issues become even more expensive to solve.
Do you feel that your run puts the party in any turmoil?
Not at all. Setting aside the fact that both major parties are already in turmoil, the Republicans have the problem of voters wanting to stay home, I give them a reason to come out and vote.
The Republicans also have the problem of offering up a candidate who is "not as bad as the other guy." Is this really a reason to vote for a candidate?
The Democrats have no message. They will do anything to win, no matter who they put on the ballot. The third parties lack the political machine and with a deck firmly stacked against them, face an uphill battle. It’s not unheard of for a Republican who isn’t endorsed to win the Primary in Minnesota. Whatever the outcome, there will be one Republican candidate, and the party will unite behind that candidate.
As an aside, government has no business financing campaigns; I also plan to eliminate the campaign refund program. Sorry folks, you like a candidate, use your own money to get them elected, Minnesota has other needs for that money.
What has been the best part about running?
Visiting all parts of the state and meeting all the people and hearing their stories. Minnesota really is a wonderful and beautiful state. I appreciate it all the more for having met more of my fellow residents, and seeing more of the cities and towns. I have learned so much about issues I never had reason to look into before. It is an amazing experience.
What has been the worst part about running?
The shocking waste of money at all levels of government. I repeatedly say, if the general public only knew what goes on behind the scenes they would support term limits tomorrow. We should be able to trust our elected officials to do the right thing for the residents our state, it isn’t happening.
Also troubling is the audacity of many public officials and how out of touch they have become with the people of Minnesota. Too many ignore laws, facts, and truth.
I love the parades, except when it rains. I am more comfortable in my jeans than a business suit and those high heels are not conducive to the kind of schedule I am keeping.
Reader Questions.
Do you think Minnesota has a problem with Illegal Immigration? What do you think the State needs to about illegal immigration? Don (St. Cloud)
Yes Minnesota has a problem with illegal immigration. We can know how many cell phones, cars, and cows we have in Minnesota but we have no idea how many illegal immigrants live in the state. The estimates range from 20,000 to 85,000. How can this be?
Illegal immigrants cost the state government approximately $180 million dollars per year and another $6 million to keep those who have committed crimes in our prisons. Schools, hospitals, affordable housing, police forces, prisons, even some entire towns are overwhelmed. We need to establish residency requirements for social services, tougher penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and eliminate sanctuary cities. Violent criminals belong in jail and/or should be deported.
Fundamental changes in how legal immigration works are also needed to address this problem. There are a very limited number of visas issued each year for immigrants, and the path to citizenship can be long and torturous. Streamlining our system will provide a legal, documented path for hard working families to move to Minnesota, become productive members of society, and make better lives for themselves without straining our infrastructure.
Why run against Tim Pawlenty? Jeff (Duluth)
I had hoped Tim Pawlenty would be the conservative he promised us he would be back when I worked on his campaign four years ago. He has let us down. His track record proves it. Pawlenty’s tenure as governor started out strong, and has been declining ever since. His term hit a new low in the last session, raising taxes, and pushing through public subsidies for a stadium without voter approval. I am a better candidate who will work to further sound conservative principles.
Do you believe marriage is to be between a man and a women? Would you veto any bill favoring this? Mary (St. Paul)
I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman and should remain so. I would not veto a bill which protects the definition of marriage.
What will you do to insure that the whole state has good jobs? Mike (Duluth)
Wishful thinking, Mike, but I can make it better. If businesses paid less business and property taxes and applicable regulations were based on sound fiscal and scientific principles companies could pay higher wages, expand and hire more people. If our children were better prepared for college or trade schools more would attend and graduate better prepared to handle jobs that pay well. Our state should not be in the business of providing jobs. Private enterprise should. Currently the state of MN is the number one employer in the state. The federal government ranks second. That would change under my watch. My focus on jobs creation will be in the private sector.
Sue, Why did you seek the endorsement of the Libertarian Party, then attempt to challenge Governor Pawlenty for the endorsement of the Republican Party? You have always claimed to be a republican, so why did you flirt with the Libertarians? Erik (Duluth)
Erik,
I went to the Republicans first, second and even third. They asked me to run for House, Senate, City Council and most recently for Martin Sabo's seat in the 5th Congressional District just a couple months ago. I was encouraged to run for any office except governor. I personally met with various members of the Republican Party including Chair Ron Carey. First asking what happened to our Republican principles, then informing him of my intention to run for governor and to finally to challenge Tim Pawlenty from within the party.
As the Republicans continued to vote more like the Democrats, and the Republican leadership made it clear that they would not allow me to run for governor, I looked for other options. I share the Libertarian belief in smaller, more affordable, effective government. I share the belief in the Constitution, common sense and personal responsibility. I want a candidate who will work to further conservative beliefs not compromise away our rights and liberties. I won’t settle for a mediocre candidate because he (or she) “isn’t as bad as the other guy” or has an R behind their name. I want the best candidate.
As I got my campaign going, I came to realize that the Republican state executive committee doesn’t decide who can run as a Republican, the delegates do! Or, that’s how it’s supposed to work. The Republican Party leadership was successful in keeping me out of open debate at the 7 of the 8 Congressional Endorsement Conventions and at the Republican State Convention. One convention had the courage to stand up to the party and say, “we welcome the debate, step right up.”
I will now take my case directly to the people, and let them have their say. I will proudly be the Republican to lead the party in the conservative direction I believe most Minnesotans strive for.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Connect Duluth press conference.
About 30 people attend a press conference today. That dealt with the retiree health unfunded liability.As Duluth Politics talked with members of the group many thought that there would be more people. There however was a little problem with what time it was to start. Things like this happen from time to time.
A couple of people to note that were not there to see what the group had to say.
Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson ( he was however spotted heading the direction of the Pioneer bar) I am not saying that was were he was going but he was headed that way.
Duluth Chamber of Commerce
Duluth city Councilors
City Staff
It is important to point out if these people really cared don't you think they should have at least shown up and heard what the group had to say at the conference. Don't give me the lame excuse that they will see it on the news.
Just a couple of highlights from the conference. This week the liability will hit the 300 million dollar mark. This is not a good mark. If and well nothing continues to be done the retiree health benefit liability will continue to grow. It will contunue to give this city major problems.
The mayor has said he supports the task force recommendations. Yet to this point not one has been fully implemented,it has been over 6 month.
More to come on this later. Duluth Politics received a media packed which has a lot of information in it.
Duluth needs change. It truly time to elect new people to office.
A couple of people to note that were not there to see what the group had to say.
Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson ( he was however spotted heading the direction of the Pioneer bar) I am not saying that was were he was going but he was headed that way.
Duluth Chamber of Commerce
Duluth city Councilors
City Staff
It is important to point out if these people really cared don't you think they should have at least shown up and heard what the group had to say at the conference. Don't give me the lame excuse that they will see it on the news.
Just a couple of highlights from the conference. This week the liability will hit the 300 million dollar mark. This is not a good mark. If and well nothing continues to be done the retiree health benefit liability will continue to grow. It will contunue to give this city major problems.
The mayor has said he supports the task force recommendations. Yet to this point not one has been fully implemented,it has been over 6 month.
More to come on this later. Duluth Politics received a media packed which has a lot of information in it.
Duluth needs change. It truly time to elect new people to office.
Interesting sites.
As I was surfing the net today, I found a couple of interesting sites. Here they are.
The worlds smallest political quiz,http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html. Take it and find out were you really fit in today's world of politics you maybe surprised.
Also if you have not heard about this site you may want to check it out. It is a site dedicated to pulling our political world more to the center, instead of so far left or right. Unity08 can be found at www.unity08.com .
The worlds smallest political quiz,http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html. Take it and find out were you really fit in today's world of politics you maybe surprised.
Also if you have not heard about this site you may want to check it out. It is a site dedicated to pulling our political world more to the center, instead of so far left or right. Unity08 can be found at www.unity08.com .
Check out our sports page.
Duluth Huskies stop there longest lossing streak. Find out how many games the lost before picking up a win last night at our sports page.
Roelisbuger hurt in a crash read our thoghts on this also at our sports page.
http://duluthpoliticssportpage.blogspot.com
Roelisbuger hurt in a crash read our thoghts on this also at our sports page.
http://duluthpoliticssportpage.blogspot.com
Retireee press confrence today
Connect Duluth is holding a press confrence today at city hall it will start 12:30. It is to deal with the retiree health care problem facing the city of Duluth. If you can come the press confrence please do so.
Tuesday, June 13, 2005 is the date when the City of Duluth’s retiree health care liability meets the $300 million mark.And what have our elected leaders done? There was no update for last night’s city council meeting from the administration, if that tells you anything. There have been three actuarial studies done, dating back 1998. Only recently, when the solutions may be insurmountable for the glorious city of Duluth, has the issue gotten attention.
Please join us Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall for a rally to communicate your concern about the future of Duluth. Inaction is a symptom of apathy. Inaction leads to a deeper hole. Inaction creates a legacy for our children that will only be more troublesome.Please join Connect Duluth on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall. Please help us communicate our concern. Go to www.connectduluth.com and click on our Opinions/Editorials link for the information that will be presented to the media.Connect Duluth
Tuesday, June 13, 2005 is the date when the City of Duluth’s retiree health care liability meets the $300 million mark.And what have our elected leaders done? There was no update for last night’s city council meeting from the administration, if that tells you anything. There have been three actuarial studies done, dating back 1998. Only recently, when the solutions may be insurmountable for the glorious city of Duluth, has the issue gotten attention.
Please join us Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall for a rally to communicate your concern about the future of Duluth. Inaction is a symptom of apathy. Inaction leads to a deeper hole. Inaction creates a legacy for our children that will only be more troublesome.Please join Connect Duluth on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall. Please help us communicate our concern. Go to www.connectduluth.com and click on our Opinions/Editorials link for the information that will be presented to the media.Connect Duluth
Monday, June 12, 2006
Softball time
Well it is Duluth area softball time. There season starts tonight. My wife and I are invovled in this great sport and we both umpire games as well.
There are four classes for youth softball class a, 1, 2, 3,and 4. I don't remember the age groups for those classes but your kids can start at a young age and play all the tell they are done with high school.
There is still time to play if you want to sign up email me at duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com and we will get you going. They play all over the city, eveyrone can play.
There are four classes for youth softball class a, 1, 2, 3,and 4. I don't remember the age groups for those classes but your kids can start at a young age and play all the tell they are done with high school.
There is still time to play if you want to sign up email me at duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com and we will get you going. They play all over the city, eveyrone can play.
News paper accounts of Hatch endorsment.
Well it seems like the Duluth News Tribune lies about the endorsment of Hatch. There headline Sunday read this: Hatch wins DFL backing. Well the Star tribune's headline read this: Hatch grabs endorsment. The Poineer Press was still a day late and a dollar short as they were reporting on Klobuchar's endorsment.
Why do I say the DNT lied about the Hatch endorsment? This maybe nit pickie however the word Wins is far from correct.
Here is a list of words the DNT should have uesed instead.
Naps
grabs
steals
recieves
gets
bullies
protects
This list could go on and it will but I want to say this here. Mike Hatch did a lot of questionable things at the convention. He will contunie to do them on this campaing if people don't question him about it. Hatch has little respect for anyone.
The list contunies.
gets by default
recieved by default
stabs
There are more and I will add to this list later.
Why do I say the DNT lied about the Hatch endorsment? This maybe nit pickie however the word Wins is far from correct.
Here is a list of words the DNT should have uesed instead.
Naps
grabs
steals
recieves
gets
bullies
protects
This list could go on and it will but I want to say this here. Mike Hatch did a lot of questionable things at the convention. He will contunie to do them on this campaing if people don't question him about it. Hatch has little respect for anyone.
The list contunies.
gets by default
recieved by default
stabs
There are more and I will add to this list later.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
DFL Convention
Becky Lourey did not have a good show at all at the convention. Steve Kelley did well but dropped his bid for the endorsement late on Saturday. Kelley delivered a moving speech as he conceded the nomination to Mike Hatch.
I believe it is time for Lourey to drop out, she had a poor showing at the convention and these are the radicals that should vote for her. The convention is dominated by the radical left. Again the people that attend the convention are the ones you would think would support her. They said no we don't want you.
Lourey take my advice and drop out.
I believe it is time for Lourey to drop out, she had a poor showing at the convention and these are the radicals that should vote for her. The convention is dominated by the radical left. Again the people that attend the convention are the ones you would think would support her. They said no we don't want you.
Lourey take my advice and drop out.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Whine whine
What a joke in stead of whining do some investigating. It is called road work. That is why the parade was on a different route.
This lady whining about the parade in the paper today, http://www.duluthnews.com
Venue for Memorial Day
parade was disappointing
I visited Duluth the last weekend in May and looked forward to attending the Memorial Day Parade. What a disappointment.
After we finally found a place to park and walked quite a distance, with elderly relatives, we finally found a place to watch the parade.
The parade was great, but Superior Street from 27th Avenue West to Wade Stadium had to be the worst place to have a parade. The dirty industrial area did little to showcase beautiful Duluth.
The last parade I attended in Duluth was in West Duluth. Since then, the streets have been redone and it is so clean-looking. With as beautiful as Duluth is, I just wondered why they chose to have this year's parade in such a lousy place.
PATTI JONLAND
STREATOR, ILL.
This lady whining about the parade in the paper today, http://www.duluthnews.com
Venue for Memorial Day
parade was disappointing
I visited Duluth the last weekend in May and looked forward to attending the Memorial Day Parade. What a disappointment.
After we finally found a place to park and walked quite a distance, with elderly relatives, we finally found a place to watch the parade.
The parade was great, but Superior Street from 27th Avenue West to Wade Stadium had to be the worst place to have a parade. The dirty industrial area did little to showcase beautiful Duluth.
The last parade I attended in Duluth was in West Duluth. Since then, the streets have been redone and it is so clean-looking. With as beautiful as Duluth is, I just wondered why they chose to have this year's parade in such a lousy place.
PATTI JONLAND
STREATOR, ILL.
Sue Jeffers
I have been in contact with Sue Jeffers in private emails the last few days. There for I am not going to share the emails. I do how ever have a few things to share with my readers. Mrs. Jeffers is going to run against governor Tim Pawlenty in the primary election.
I emailed Mrs. Jeffers basically asking her why in the world would you run against Pawlenty? I also expressed at that time, that I was glad the republican party did not let her speak at the convention. I also asked her about ties with the another party.
I was very impressed with her response back to me. She was very nice as well as took the time to explain were she was coming from. The thing I found most interesting was that she said the republican party has been asking her to run for many things in the past. Which included the 5th CD just a month ago or so. I know don't see were she has ties to another party, like some blogs say.
I emailed Mrs. Jeffers basically asking her why in the world would you run against Pawlenty? I also expressed at that time, that I was glad the republican party did not let her speak at the convention. I also asked her about ties with the another party.
I was very impressed with her response back to me. She was very nice as well as took the time to explain were she was coming from. The thing I found most interesting was that she said the republican party has been asking her to run for many things in the past. Which included the 5th CD just a month ago or so. I know don't see were she has ties to another party, like some blogs say.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Ordinance 60
Well last night at the DEDA meeting city councilor Greg Gilbert changed his vote once again. This time from yes back to no. I believe now that ordinance 60 has no chance at this time of becoming policy. It now sounds like the council is not even going to try to override the Mayor's veto.
I hate to let this issue go, I hope the conversation keeps going. Duluth is the only city in Minnesota that does not have some kind of plan intact dealing with Development.
Back to Councilor Gilbert, his yes vote at the council meeting was a sham. He knew he was not going to support this at the DEDA meeting and he knew that would kill the ordinance.
This is yet another example of why things need to change.
I hate to let this issue go, I hope the conversation keeps going. Duluth is the only city in Minnesota that does not have some kind of plan intact dealing with Development.
Back to Councilor Gilbert, his yes vote at the council meeting was a sham. He knew he was not going to support this at the DEDA meeting and he knew that would kill the ordinance.
This is yet another example of why things need to change.
Monday, June 05, 2006
As I sit and think.
Duluth has many problems. We do in fact have a good size crime problem. This problem is trying to be covered up by the police Chief, and other city hall officials. Duluth has a retiree health care problem that could render this city into bankruptcy. Duluth has no new jobs that pay well coming in. The city has a few new jobs all of which are low paying and are not intended on keeping young people in Duluth. This only adds to an already declining population.
There are many other problems that can be added to this list feel free to do so if you would like too.
Anyway I have thought how did we get in this position and why?
In this I have thought back to who has run the city. The answerer is that the DFL has run this city for many years.
Currently our city council looks like this.
Greg Gilbert (DFL)
Don Ness (DFL)
Laurie Johnson (DFL)
Russ Stover (DFL)
Russ Stewart ( Green Party) but he is very conservitive in many issues as well.
Roger Reinert (DFL)
Garry Kruase (DFL)
Tim Little (GOP)
Jim Stauber (GOP)
The council has had this kind of a make up for more then 20 years. Out of a 9 member council it has always been dominated by the DFL which continues to run this city into the ground.
This need to change, the mood of the city and how it is run needs to change and it needs to change soon. If it does not we will start seeing the the billboards that say will the last one out turn out the lights.
The Mayor's office has also been dominated by DFL in the last 20 years.
When are people going to wake up and relies we can't afford to keep electing the same kind of people.
There are many other problems that can be added to this list feel free to do so if you would like too.
Anyway I have thought how did we get in this position and why?
In this I have thought back to who has run the city. The answerer is that the DFL has run this city for many years.
Currently our city council looks like this.
Greg Gilbert (DFL)
Don Ness (DFL)
Laurie Johnson (DFL)
Russ Stover (DFL)
Russ Stewart ( Green Party) but he is very conservitive in many issues as well.
Roger Reinert (DFL)
Garry Kruase (DFL)
Tim Little (GOP)
Jim Stauber (GOP)
The council has had this kind of a make up for more then 20 years. Out of a 9 member council it has always been dominated by the DFL which continues to run this city into the ground.
This need to change, the mood of the city and how it is run needs to change and it needs to change soon. If it does not we will start seeing the the billboards that say will the last one out turn out the lights.
The Mayor's office has also been dominated by DFL in the last 20 years.
When are people going to wake up and relies we can't afford to keep electing the same kind of people.
I just heard this on news this
I don't know if there any story's in the paper about this or not. Anyway I heard it on the news today on the radio.
Here it is: A man was seriously hurt when he put gas in his washer instead of soap. The guy laundry door was blown open by the explosion. The guy is 40 plus years of age.
You would have thought he knew better. What an idiot.
Here it is: A man was seriously hurt when he put gas in his washer instead of soap. The guy laundry door was blown open by the explosion. The guy is 40 plus years of age.
You would have thought he knew better. What an idiot.
Baby's first birthday party.
Our baby's turned one today as many of you know by now. We had her birthday party on Sunday.
It was a great day. We had a lot of people over. Ate some food had some fun. Our daughter had her very own birthday cake that she played with and smashed and ate some as well. It was fun to watch her have fun with that. It was funny at first she was scared to play with it because we would say no, but we did not so she had a blast with it. That was the point.
I have some great photos in the camra when I fugure out how to put them on here I will. She got a lot of nice things for her first birthday.
Thanks to everyone how came and made her first birthday a great event.
It was a great day. We had a lot of people over. Ate some food had some fun. Our daughter had her very own birthday cake that she played with and smashed and ate some as well. It was fun to watch her have fun with that. It was funny at first she was scared to play with it because we would say no, but we did not so she had a blast with it. That was the point.
I have some great photos in the camra when I fugure out how to put them on here I will. She got a lot of nice things for her first birthday.
Thanks to everyone how came and made her first birthday a great event.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Happy Belated Birthday.
Yesterday was our daughters first birthday. I was going to blog about her party we have set for Sunday but I thought I would wish her happy birthday now as well.
Your mommy and daddy love you!!
Isn't she cute?
Ordiance 60 still in the news.
Why is it that so many people don't understand ordinance 60? Is it because they just don't want to?
Here is part of the letter that Pam Kramer a head a non-profit again on the groups that wants the staus quo. To read the whole letter go to http://duluthnews.com, then to letters to the editor.
Consistent with our interest in promoting housing and community development projects aimed at revitalizing Duluth's neighborhoods, we believe that the enactment of Ordinance 60 would tie councilors' hands and potentially prevent needed investments of all kinds, including small to moderate-sized ones that could have substantial payoffs for low-income Duluth residents (e.g., projects that include affordable housing, as well as for local businesses and nonprofit seeking help to develop innovative and potentially socially and environmentally sustainable enterprises). While we understand the need for city councilors to have access to good information on projects up-front, city councilors also need flexibility to deal with each individual situation rather than a "cookie cutter" approach that the ordinance would have created.
With ordinance 60 there is still room for flexibility, it was not intend to shut out a process it was to make that process better for Duluth.
It seems like those that oppose ordinance 60 don't relies that this ordinance is sound policy why is that?
That easy because they are non profits and others that are already get fat chunks of money with out questions. This ordinance bring to light many issues the city needs to solve when dealing with development.
Here is part of the letter that Pam Kramer a head a non-profit again on the groups that wants the staus quo. To read the whole letter go to http://duluthnews.com, then to letters to the editor.
Consistent with our interest in promoting housing and community development projects aimed at revitalizing Duluth's neighborhoods, we believe that the enactment of Ordinance 60 would tie councilors' hands and potentially prevent needed investments of all kinds, including small to moderate-sized ones that could have substantial payoffs for low-income Duluth residents (e.g., projects that include affordable housing, as well as for local businesses and nonprofit seeking help to develop innovative and potentially socially and environmentally sustainable enterprises). While we understand the need for city councilors to have access to good information on projects up-front, city councilors also need flexibility to deal with each individual situation rather than a "cookie cutter" approach that the ordinance would have created.
With ordinance 60 there is still room for flexibility, it was not intend to shut out a process it was to make that process better for Duluth.
It seems like those that oppose ordinance 60 don't relies that this ordinance is sound policy why is that?
That easy because they are non profits and others that are already get fat chunks of money with out questions. This ordinance bring to light many issues the city needs to solve when dealing with development.
Paying to park and eat?
The other night my wife and I went to famous daves for the Duluth Huskies meet and greet. As most of you know it is hard to find a place to park in canel park. She thought well I will just park in the lot by famous daves. Hopefully there is no one there charging you to park. Well there was.
My wife brought up a good point. Why do you have to pay to park to go and eat? After all we were going to into famous daves. I can't am guessing there is not to many people happy about having to pay to park, and then go and eat.
I know yes again it is hard to find a parking spot in canel park. I don't know what the solution is. I can tell you what it is not. It is not to build a parking ramp. If people want to park in a ramp park in the DECC and walk over to canel park.
My wife brought up a good point. Why do you have to pay to park to go and eat? After all we were going to into famous daves. I can't am guessing there is not to many people happy about having to pay to park, and then go and eat.
I know yes again it is hard to find a parking spot in canel park. I don't know what the solution is. I can tell you what it is not. It is not to build a parking ramp. If people want to park in a ramp park in the DECC and walk over to canel park.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Kroc center all but done?
It seems like many on the Kroc center board feel it is a done deal. The applications was sent to Chicgo for final aproval from the Salvation Army. The board seems to think Duluth will get the okay with no problem as long as we agree to pay our small portaion of the project. This would be 7.2 million dollars of a 50 million dollar project.
Some councilors had questions a few weeks ago, and ones that need to be answeared before we move forward with this project I believe. Other councilors just don't like the project namly because of what the building looks like. Councilor Greg Gilbert holds issue with a cross on the out side of the CHAPLE building.
By the end of June, Duluth Salvation Army officials expect to overcome several sticking points with the city and move ahead with the proposed Kroc recreation and community center in West Duluth.
Maj. Mark Welsh and Kay Biga, chairwoman of the Duluth Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center advisory committee, made the predictions Tuesday during a meeting with the Duluth News Tribune's editorial board.
Salvation Army officials submitted their project application more than a week ago to their territorial bosses, who hold the purse strings for much of $50 million-plus construction, maintenance and operating costs. They said Duluth is almost a shoo-in for the center, which would be paid for by the McDonald's Restaurants fortune, as long as the city holds up its end.
However, the Duluth City Council still must finalize its previous $7.2 million pledge toward the 85,000-square-foot complex at Wheeler Field on Grand Avenue. Some councilors appear reluctant to finish the deal until they get a number of guarantees from the private Christian nonprofit.
"A lot of things don't happen until push comes to shove, and I think we're at that point now," Biga said.
Still unresolved, said City Attorney Bryan Brown, are contracts with the city of Duluth over shared facility use, a land sale, development agreement, constitutional issues and the replacement of current facilities that will be supplanted. He hesitated to put a timeline on the process but said the city and Salvation Army exchanged a draft use agreement last week.
There should be little consern about the land sale and land use these I believe will be easly worked out. What has become a sticking point for some councilors and citizens is what is going to happen with the tennise courts, along with the bocce and horse areas? This is a very fair question. Who will pay to move and or replace these areas that are used by many people.
"I think we've made significant progress," said interim Chief Administrative Officer Julio Almanza.
Councilors have expressed support for the project but recently questioned the budget, entrance fees, size of the cross on the building and whether non-Christians can hold meetings in the center's community rooms.
The Salvation Army made it very clear that the Kroc center will be opened to everyone regarless of your faith or lack of it. The only issue the Salvation Army has is if a group wnates to meet there that is anti salvation army. Then that group would not be allowed to meet at the Kroc center. That is more then lodical to me.
Welsh said the center will have a cross on the building but officials haven't decided where or how big it will be. As far as who can hold meetings in the complex, he said the Salvation Army hasn't written a policy yet, but he doesn't anticipate turning anyone away.
Some councilors had questions a few weeks ago, and ones that need to be answeared before we move forward with this project I believe. Other councilors just don't like the project namly because of what the building looks like. Councilor Greg Gilbert holds issue with a cross on the out side of the CHAPLE building.
By the end of June, Duluth Salvation Army officials expect to overcome several sticking points with the city and move ahead with the proposed Kroc recreation and community center in West Duluth.
Maj. Mark Welsh and Kay Biga, chairwoman of the Duluth Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center advisory committee, made the predictions Tuesday during a meeting with the Duluth News Tribune's editorial board.
Salvation Army officials submitted their project application more than a week ago to their territorial bosses, who hold the purse strings for much of $50 million-plus construction, maintenance and operating costs. They said Duluth is almost a shoo-in for the center, which would be paid for by the McDonald's Restaurants fortune, as long as the city holds up its end.
However, the Duluth City Council still must finalize its previous $7.2 million pledge toward the 85,000-square-foot complex at Wheeler Field on Grand Avenue. Some councilors appear reluctant to finish the deal until they get a number of guarantees from the private Christian nonprofit.
"A lot of things don't happen until push comes to shove, and I think we're at that point now," Biga said.
Still unresolved, said City Attorney Bryan Brown, are contracts with the city of Duluth over shared facility use, a land sale, development agreement, constitutional issues and the replacement of current facilities that will be supplanted. He hesitated to put a timeline on the process but said the city and Salvation Army exchanged a draft use agreement last week.
There should be little consern about the land sale and land use these I believe will be easly worked out. What has become a sticking point for some councilors and citizens is what is going to happen with the tennise courts, along with the bocce and horse areas? This is a very fair question. Who will pay to move and or replace these areas that are used by many people.
"I think we've made significant progress," said interim Chief Administrative Officer Julio Almanza.
Councilors have expressed support for the project but recently questioned the budget, entrance fees, size of the cross on the building and whether non-Christians can hold meetings in the center's community rooms.
The Salvation Army made it very clear that the Kroc center will be opened to everyone regarless of your faith or lack of it. The only issue the Salvation Army has is if a group wnates to meet there that is anti salvation army. Then that group would not be allowed to meet at the Kroc center. That is more then lodical to me.
Welsh said the center will have a cross on the building but officials haven't decided where or how big it will be. As far as who can hold meetings in the complex, he said the Salvation Army hasn't written a policy yet, but he doesn't anticipate turning anyone away.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Minnesota's Mr. Right to return home?
It seem as if Jason Lewis (Minnesota's Mr. Right) will be coming home.
Jason left Minnesota and his old radio station KSTP in 2003 for warmer weather, and work at a radio station in North Carolina.
Jason Lewis says that his departure of the NC. station is not related to presure from any politision or the station managment. It is a personal one that he made with his family.
Here is an story from the star tribune,http://www.startribune.com/459/story/448638.html
Jason left Minnesota and his old radio station KSTP in 2003 for warmer weather, and work at a radio station in North Carolina.
Jason Lewis says that his departure of the NC. station is not related to presure from any politision or the station managment. It is a personal one that he made with his family.
Here is an story from the star tribune,http://www.startribune.com/459/story/448638.html
There will be no post.
Duluth Politics will be getting ready to head of town Thursday and then will be out of town tell Monday.
We may have some post on Thursday but after that we will not post tell Monday or Tuesday.
We may have some post on Thursday but after that we will not post tell Monday or Tuesday.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Happy day!!!!
Well as you know by now ordinance 60 passed last night.
It was a long hard fight. The ordinance passed by a 5-4 vote. Councilor Gilbert changed his vote from no to yes and councilor Stover changed his vote from yes to no.
The ordinance started almost four month ago. Then to last night it seemed that ordinance 60 was going to fail. When councilor Stover changed his vote, because with out him it seemed like there would be no chance.
Councilor Gilbert said nothing in the council debate, so it seemed like when you counted the votes it would be a 5-4 vote to turn down ordinance 60. Then when the vote was taken at first it was not a roll call. Then when asked if you support the ordinance I thought I heard Gilbert say I, then to a roll call it confirmed that he did support the ordinance. It passed then by a 5-4 in favor.
This was long process, but with the results I am happy.
It was a long hard fight. The ordinance passed by a 5-4 vote. Councilor Gilbert changed his vote from no to yes and councilor Stover changed his vote from yes to no.
The ordinance started almost four month ago. Then to last night it seemed that ordinance 60 was going to fail. When councilor Stover changed his vote, because with out him it seemed like there would be no chance.
Councilor Gilbert said nothing in the council debate, so it seemed like when you counted the votes it would be a 5-4 vote to turn down ordinance 60. Then when the vote was taken at first it was not a roll call. Then when asked if you support the ordinance I thought I heard Gilbert say I, then to a roll call it confirmed that he did support the ordinance. It passed then by a 5-4 in favor.
This was long process, but with the results I am happy.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Ordinance 60.
A look back at ordinance 60.
Here is part of our fist post on the ordinance.
We hope all nine members of council will keep an open mind on this. As I read this ordinance , we think we are about 50 - 50 on it right now I am going to the meeting tonight to get more info on it. This could form what Duluth business claimed is going to be from here on out. Everyone needs to show an interest in this.
Then the next day after the council meeting regarding this ordinance we were for the ordinance and have been eversensee then. This ordinance has been though a lot but it needs to pass.
The only way this ordinance will pass is if PEOPLE SHOW UP at the meeting. The meeting starts tonight at 7 p.m. and is help on thethirdd floor of city hall.
Here is part of our fist post on the ordinance.
We hope all nine members of council will keep an open mind on this. As I read this ordinance , we think we are about 50 - 50 on it right now I am going to the meeting tonight to get more info on it. This could form what Duluth business claimed is going to be from here on out. Everyone needs to show an interest in this.
Then the next day after the council meeting regarding this ordinance we were for the ordinance and have been eversensee then. This ordinance has been though a lot but it needs to pass.
The only way this ordinance will pass is if PEOPLE SHOW UP at the meeting. The meeting starts tonight at 7 p.m. and is help on thethirdd floor of city hall.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Kroc Center part 2.
Councilor Gilbert has a huge problem with the chapel having a cross on it.
All we have to say to this is it is a CHAPLE what would you expect it to have. There is no issue of church and State here at all Gilbert get over it.
The Mayor even said it does not matter what the building looks like.
All we have to say to this is it is a CHAPLE what would you expect it to have. There is no issue of church and State here at all Gilbert get over it.
The Mayor even said it does not matter what the building looks like.
Kroc Center
Duluth Politics attained the special meeting regarding the salvation Army Kroc Center last at city hall.
I think the council along with many were very surprised that the rep for the Kroc Center had little answers. He laid out what the building would look like but other then that offered no real answers to any question.
The center needs to get it's act together if they want the city to put any more money into this project.
There were some serious questions asked last night that were not answered.
Here is a great piece in todays DNT, it outlines many of the questions. http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/14617715.htm
I think the council along with many were very surprised that the rep for the Kroc Center had little answers. He laid out what the building would look like but other then that offered no real answers to any question.
The center needs to get it's act together if they want the city to put any more money into this project.
There were some serious questions asked last night that were not answered.
Here is a great piece in todays DNT, it outlines many of the questions. http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/14617715.htm
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Must read.
We will have comments on this later, but it is a must read.
This is in regards to the Myaor breaking the law by, giving the report to the DNT. It is from a State employee.
Regardless of his intent, mayor broke law
BY JIM NOBLES
I am responding to your May 14 editorial, "Probe into Bergson leak is waste of city money,"about the controversy concerning Mayor Bergson providing a classified draft audit report to the News Tribune. You trivialized the central concern by characterizing Bergson's offense as a "who-cares misdemeanor." I think your readers deserve a more thoughtful consideration of the issues involved.
In 2005, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor investigated how state grants were being used by the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling. In the interest of efficiency, we agreed to review grants to the council from the city of Duluth (a task that would normally fall to the State Auditor's Office, which audits local governments).
Following standard audit practice and state law, we allowed the affected organizations -- the council and the city of Duluth -- to review and comment on the draft report before it was finalized and made public. Minnesota law clearly says that a person who receives a draft audit report from the Legislative Auditor is obligated to protect it from "unlawful disclosure" or be subject to penalties in the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
The draft report sent to Mayor Bergson on May 20, 2005, prominently displayed the following notice on each page: "Under Minnesota Statutes 3.979, subd. 4, it is unlawful to disclose any part of this draft to anyone not authorized to review it until it is released by the Office of the Legislative Auditor." A letter addressed to Mayor Bergson accompanying the draft emphasized the obligation and specifically said he was not authorized to show the draft to anyone except a city employee.
On May 27, 2005, both an article and editorial concerning the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling and OLA's draft report appeared in the News Tribune. Shortly thereafter, Bergson took responsibility for providing the draft audit report to the paper and apologized to my office. While I appreciated Mayor Bergson's response, the fact is he did violate Minnesota law -- a law that serves a good purpose.
In essence, the Legislature classified draft audit reports as "not public" to facilitate an orderly and fair audit process. Legislators -- and I would hope the News Tribune -- expect auditors to thoroughly and thoughtfully consider all of the evidence before issuing a report. There is little value in having auditors dribble out preliminary findings that are subject to change. An audit report should not be a work in progress but a fully considered professional judgment on well-established facts. Indeed, legislators themselves do not receive -- and do not want -- draft audit reports.
Of course, I realize that you are in the news business and beating your competition to a good story is a daily goal. Nevertheless, I think you should show greater regard for the audit process and the law.
JIM NOBLES is the legislative auditor of the state of Minnesota.
This is in regards to the Myaor breaking the law by, giving the report to the DNT. It is from a State employee.
Regardless of his intent, mayor broke law
BY JIM NOBLES
I am responding to your May 14 editorial, "Probe into Bergson leak is waste of city money,"about the controversy concerning Mayor Bergson providing a classified draft audit report to the News Tribune. You trivialized the central concern by characterizing Bergson's offense as a "who-cares misdemeanor." I think your readers deserve a more thoughtful consideration of the issues involved.
In 2005, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor investigated how state grants were being used by the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling. In the interest of efficiency, we agreed to review grants to the council from the city of Duluth (a task that would normally fall to the State Auditor's Office, which audits local governments).
Following standard audit practice and state law, we allowed the affected organizations -- the council and the city of Duluth -- to review and comment on the draft report before it was finalized and made public. Minnesota law clearly says that a person who receives a draft audit report from the Legislative Auditor is obligated to protect it from "unlawful disclosure" or be subject to penalties in the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
The draft report sent to Mayor Bergson on May 20, 2005, prominently displayed the following notice on each page: "Under Minnesota Statutes 3.979, subd. 4, it is unlawful to disclose any part of this draft to anyone not authorized to review it until it is released by the Office of the Legislative Auditor." A letter addressed to Mayor Bergson accompanying the draft emphasized the obligation and specifically said he was not authorized to show the draft to anyone except a city employee.
On May 27, 2005, both an article and editorial concerning the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling and OLA's draft report appeared in the News Tribune. Shortly thereafter, Bergson took responsibility for providing the draft audit report to the paper and apologized to my office. While I appreciated Mayor Bergson's response, the fact is he did violate Minnesota law -- a law that serves a good purpose.
In essence, the Legislature classified draft audit reports as "not public" to facilitate an orderly and fair audit process. Legislators -- and I would hope the News Tribune -- expect auditors to thoroughly and thoughtfully consider all of the evidence before issuing a report. There is little value in having auditors dribble out preliminary findings that are subject to change. An audit report should not be a work in progress but a fully considered professional judgment on well-established facts. Indeed, legislators themselves do not receive -- and do not want -- draft audit reports.
Of course, I realize that you are in the news business and beating your competition to a good story is a daily goal. Nevertheless, I think you should show greater regard for the audit process and the law.
JIM NOBLES is the legislative auditor of the state of Minnesota.
This Mayor will do anything.
This Mayor sure is trying to do anything he can to "help" the homeless isn't he. What a joke. He will not look at the real issues this city faces.
Again you will never bealbe to solve homelessness in a city it needs to solved at a national level first.
This is part of the article in today's paper, http://duluthnews.com
That's how the well-known Duluth American Indian and environmental activist said she became a "poster child" for affordable housing and homelessness.
Three years ago, her 33-year-old husband died suddenly. Six weeks later, Bird, who lives on government disability payments, was homeless because she could no longer afford their apartment. Soon she returned to drinking.
Again you will never bealbe to solve homelessness in a city it needs to solved at a national level first.
This is part of the article in today's paper, http://duluthnews.com
That's how the well-known Duluth American Indian and environmental activist said she became a "poster child" for affordable housing and homelessness.
Three years ago, her 33-year-old husband died suddenly. Six weeks later, Bird, who lives on government disability payments, was homeless because she could no longer afford their apartment. Soon she returned to drinking.
check out our sports page
We don't write a lot on the sports page but we have some interesting thoughts there now up about the superior speedway. Check it out at www.duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com .
We will post more on the sports page this summer as our local and othere sporting events get going.
We will post more on the sports page this summer as our local and othere sporting events get going.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Here is part of the debate.
Gilbert said he met with a Salvation Army representative last week. He was pleased with the mix of recreation, community and service facilities, he said.
Gilbert said he was not shown the artist's rendering of the exterior.
"If it looks overtly like a church from the outside, that is something we would have to take into consideration," Gilbert said. "I think that makes a difference. We know we're not fooling anyone and there is a spiritual aspect there, and it's OK. It's when it crosses the line."
Does it really matter all that much, what the outside looks like? If it resembles a church is that not okay? If it does not resemble a church that would be okay as well I don't care what the outside looks like.
The Salvation Army WILL NOT push religion on anyone.
Gilbert said he was not shown the artist's rendering of the exterior.
"If it looks overtly like a church from the outside, that is something we would have to take into consideration," Gilbert said. "I think that makes a difference. We know we're not fooling anyone and there is a spiritual aspect there, and it's OK. It's when it crosses the line."
Does it really matter all that much, what the outside looks like? If it resembles a church is that not okay? If it does not resemble a church that would be okay as well I don't care what the outside looks like.
The Salvation Army WILL NOT push religion on anyone.
Kroc Center ready?
The Kroc center to be located at wheeler field is almost ready. The money is there and now the salvation army just needs the city to once again approve this project.
It seems like there could be a small debate growning on this however. We here at Duluth Politics ask that this be approved again. More on the debate to come later.
The Salvation Army almost certainly will come through with $40 million to build and care for a Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in West Duluth, the nonprofit's local leader said Tuesday.
"If the city can affirm they are going to give us that money (its previous $7.5 million commitment), that gives us a 100 percent possibility," said Maj. Mark Welsh of the Salvation Army in Duluth. "Obviously, the city's pledge is the key thing to the whole project."
to read more go to http://duluthnews.com
It seems like there could be a small debate growning on this however. We here at Duluth Politics ask that this be approved again. More on the debate to come later.
The Salvation Army almost certainly will come through with $40 million to build and care for a Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in West Duluth, the nonprofit's local leader said Tuesday.
"If the city can affirm they are going to give us that money (its previous $7.5 million commitment), that gives us a 100 percent possibility," said Maj. Mark Welsh of the Salvation Army in Duluth. "Obviously, the city's pledge is the key thing to the whole project."
to read more go to http://duluthnews.com
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
For give me.
I am so excited, I grew up watching the WWF now the WWE world wrestling entertainment.
I grew watching such greats as Hulk Hogan, Andrea the Giant, George the animal Steel, among many others.
The reason for this post is because the WWE is coming to Duluth for a show. This is not just any show however, it is Summerslam. So what you ask?
Summerslam is a Pay Per View, that in the past has been one of the best shows. I am not sure how Duluth landed this but we got it and it can only be a great thing Duluth. There will be people from all over coming to watch this event.
I for one can't wait, I am so excited.
I grew watching such greats as Hulk Hogan, Andrea the Giant, George the animal Steel, among many others.
The reason for this post is because the WWE is coming to Duluth for a show. This is not just any show however, it is Summerslam. So what you ask?
Summerslam is a Pay Per View, that in the past has been one of the best shows. I am not sure how Duluth landed this but we got it and it can only be a great thing Duluth. There will be people from all over coming to watch this event.
I for one can't wait, I am so excited.
Well we were right.
The Duluth Chamber will not support ordinance 60 no matter what. The information was given to use in an email from a chamber member.
What a joke the meeting that councilors Stewart and Stauber had with the Chamber was just to try to make the chamber look good.
This ordinance needs to pass. I know the chamber and some others believe that this will hurt the city in working with developers but it will not. If this ordinance passes it will go into effect and developers will complain in the first couple of times. Then it will just be business as usual with ordinance 60 in effect.
What a joke the meeting that councilors Stewart and Stauber had with the Chamber was just to try to make the chamber look good.
This ordinance needs to pass. I know the chamber and some others believe that this will hurt the city in working with developers but it will not. If this ordinance passes it will go into effect and developers will complain in the first couple of times. Then it will just be business as usual with ordinance 60 in effect.
Thoughts on the retiree health care issue.
It is time that the city and the unions get together for discussion. They are suppose to be in talks now yet many of the city councilors don't believe that the union is even at the table yet.
The unions and the city are suppose to have a settlement done by the end of this year.
Here is what I believe the city and the unions will have to discuss. The city is going to have to go and say you the union have to agree with concession, this can not be a give and take period.
The unions will not like that but it needs to be done. Maybe some were down the way many years later the unions could get something for doing this.
The city and the Mayor needs to be very clear and very hard with this however other wise it will not work.
This is were most money will be made up in this issue.
The unions and the city are suppose to have a settlement done by the end of this year.
Here is what I believe the city and the unions will have to discuss. The city is going to have to go and say you the union have to agree with concession, this can not be a give and take period.
The unions will not like that but it needs to be done. Maybe some were down the way many years later the unions could get something for doing this.
The city and the Mayor needs to be very clear and very hard with this however other wise it will not work.
This is were most money will be made up in this issue.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Here is another reason that ordinance 60 is good.
The city of Duluth is considering passing a TIF district for a housing project that is going to be availble for family and indivials that78,000 dollars. This is well over what the city is use to subsidizing wich is around 50,000 for housing units.
There is a great articale on this as well at http://almostontherange.blogspot.com.
This is yet another great reason we need ordinance 60.
There is a great articale on this as well at http://almostontherange.blogspot.com.
This is yet another great reason we need ordinance 60.
Friday, May 12, 2006
What a waste of time!!!
The City of Duluth has been famous for this. They have time in and time out talked about renaming a streets.
It is a complete waste of time, no one cares. Now they want to rename a street after Bob Dylan yes a great prefomer. However we can honor him in many other ways, then renaming a street. What a joke.
If the council feels that is must rename a road I would ask that they don't rename road like London Road, or Superior Street ect.. These are roads that mean so much to Duluth and to rename them would be a shame.
The City faces major issues, yet the city feels like it must talk about renaming streets.
Here is the article from the Duluth news Tribune today.
'Honorary Bob Dylan Drive' less than meaningful tribute
A Bob Dylan Drive survey, conducted over the weekend during Duluth's Homegrown Music Festival, was far from scientific. Participants were, after all, concert-goers in drinking establishments. Still, its results were noteworthy.
Nearly 70 percent indicated that if the city of Duluth were to rename a street for Dylan, it ought to be London Road. Only 13 percent opted for downtown's Michigan Street, as had been proposed in February by City Councilor Don Ness and others. Nearly 300 votes were cast.
Ness said yesterday he plans now to introduce a resolution, leaving it up to his fellow councilors to choose the street, if they choose to honor one of Duluth's most famous sons at all.
Here's hoping they do. Honoring Dylan -- who was born Robert Zimmerman in Duluth's St. Mary's hospital in 1941 and lived the first six years of his life in Central Hillside -- is a gesture long overdue. A Grammy Award-winning icon of folk and rock music, Dylan and his connection to Duluth ought to be celebrated. Renaming a highly visible public street would be an appropriate celebration.
But selecting an obscure or out-of-the-way street, such as Michigan Street, or paying tribute in a half-hearted way would no tribute at all. It would be an embarrassment.
"My intent would be just honorary," Ness told the News Tribune yesterday of his Dylan-naming plan, meaning if London Road is the choice, it'll still be London Road. No one would actually have to call it Bob Dylan Drive. Who claims to live on Rudy Perpich Memorial Highway?
"It would be ridiculous," Ness argued, "to rename all of London Road and to make all those people change their addresses."
No, it wouldn't. It would be reasonable to phase in a name change so businesses, residents and other London Road property owners could warm up to the idea and have time to use up stationery and other materials printed with their addresses.
London Road is a good candidate because it's home to the old Duluth armory where Dylan saw Buddy Holly and the Crickets in 1959, which 40 years later he mentioned as an influence on his storied career. Part of London Road is also Minnesota Highway 61, immortalized in Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited."
Councilor Ness is absolutely correct is stating: "Our recognition of Bob Dylan's roots in Duluth is also a recognition of the talent that is born in our community every day. Duluth is a community that values music and art. It is part of our heritage. ...The spirit of artistic freedom and expression that Dylan represents is alive, well and thriving in Duluth."
Last week, 120 local bands and 300 area artists proved the vitality of the city's arts scene. Naming a street for Duluth's greatest artist would prove it even more.
Come on if you truely want to rename a street lets do for some one that lives here and cares about the city.
Here is my idea, rename a street after our Mayor, you could call it fully loaded road.
It is a complete waste of time, no one cares. Now they want to rename a street after Bob Dylan yes a great prefomer. However we can honor him in many other ways, then renaming a street. What a joke.
If the council feels that is must rename a road I would ask that they don't rename road like London Road, or Superior Street ect.. These are roads that mean so much to Duluth and to rename them would be a shame.
The City faces major issues, yet the city feels like it must talk about renaming streets.
Here is the article from the Duluth news Tribune today.
'Honorary Bob Dylan Drive' less than meaningful tribute
A Bob Dylan Drive survey, conducted over the weekend during Duluth's Homegrown Music Festival, was far from scientific. Participants were, after all, concert-goers in drinking establishments. Still, its results were noteworthy.
Nearly 70 percent indicated that if the city of Duluth were to rename a street for Dylan, it ought to be London Road. Only 13 percent opted for downtown's Michigan Street, as had been proposed in February by City Councilor Don Ness and others. Nearly 300 votes were cast.
Ness said yesterday he plans now to introduce a resolution, leaving it up to his fellow councilors to choose the street, if they choose to honor one of Duluth's most famous sons at all.
Here's hoping they do. Honoring Dylan -- who was born Robert Zimmerman in Duluth's St. Mary's hospital in 1941 and lived the first six years of his life in Central Hillside -- is a gesture long overdue. A Grammy Award-winning icon of folk and rock music, Dylan and his connection to Duluth ought to be celebrated. Renaming a highly visible public street would be an appropriate celebration.
But selecting an obscure or out-of-the-way street, such as Michigan Street, or paying tribute in a half-hearted way would no tribute at all. It would be an embarrassment.
"My intent would be just honorary," Ness told the News Tribune yesterday of his Dylan-naming plan, meaning if London Road is the choice, it'll still be London Road. No one would actually have to call it Bob Dylan Drive. Who claims to live on Rudy Perpich Memorial Highway?
"It would be ridiculous," Ness argued, "to rename all of London Road and to make all those people change their addresses."
No, it wouldn't. It would be reasonable to phase in a name change so businesses, residents and other London Road property owners could warm up to the idea and have time to use up stationery and other materials printed with their addresses.
London Road is a good candidate because it's home to the old Duluth armory where Dylan saw Buddy Holly and the Crickets in 1959, which 40 years later he mentioned as an influence on his storied career. Part of London Road is also Minnesota Highway 61, immortalized in Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited."
Councilor Ness is absolutely correct is stating: "Our recognition of Bob Dylan's roots in Duluth is also a recognition of the talent that is born in our community every day. Duluth is a community that values music and art. It is part of our heritage. ...The spirit of artistic freedom and expression that Dylan represents is alive, well and thriving in Duluth."
Last week, 120 local bands and 300 area artists proved the vitality of the city's arts scene. Naming a street for Duluth's greatest artist would prove it even more.
Come on if you truely want to rename a street lets do for some one that lives here and cares about the city.
Here is my idea, rename a street after our Mayor, you could call it fully loaded road.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Dean Pisses off and may be pissed on.
Howard Dean angers gay community. Below is part of what he said on the 700 club yesterday.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has angered supporters in the gay and lesbian community by stating that his party opposes gay marriage.
Appearing on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s program "The 700 Club” on Wednesday, Dean declared: "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's what it says.
To read more go to www.newsmax.com
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has angered supporters in the gay and lesbian community by stating that his party opposes gay marriage.
Appearing on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s program "The 700 Club” on Wednesday, Dean declared: "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's what it says.
To read more go to www.newsmax.com
Amy Klobuchar flip flops on Medicare part D.
Thanks to loyal reader that sent this to us.
I find it very interesting that U.S. Senate canidate Amy Klobuchar has done nothing but down play and say negitive things about medicare part D. Now she is out there saying that senior need to sign up for it.
Klobuchar: Medicare Part D Causes “Unbelievable Headaches.” “Here are a few things I would like to see in the State of the Union address tomorrow: First, we need to fix Medicare Part D. Since the new Medicare prescription drug benefit went into effect at the beginning of this year, our seniors have faced unbelievable headaches trying to get the drugs that they depend on. Pharmacists are unable to verify that patients are covered by one of the plans. Low income enrollees are being asked incorrectly to pay $250 deductibles. The result is that people go without prescriptions, or pharmacists and other advocates spend hours trying to navigate the bureaucracy.” (Amy Klobuchar, “Klobuchar Addresses President Bush's State of the Union,” January 30, 2006)
Here is what she is doing now:
“After repeatedly trashing the new Medicare Part D program as a ‘nightmare’ and ‘raw deal,’ Amy Klobuchar now is encouraging Minnesota seniors to sign up for the very same program.
“I guess the Amy Klobuchar advising seniors to sign up for the Medicare Part D program forget to check with the Amy Klobuchar who mocked the same program as a ‘basic policy failure.’”
I find it very interesting that U.S. Senate canidate Amy Klobuchar has done nothing but down play and say negitive things about medicare part D. Now she is out there saying that senior need to sign up for it.
Klobuchar: Medicare Part D Causes “Unbelievable Headaches.” “Here are a few things I would like to see in the State of the Union address tomorrow: First, we need to fix Medicare Part D. Since the new Medicare prescription drug benefit went into effect at the beginning of this year, our seniors have faced unbelievable headaches trying to get the drugs that they depend on. Pharmacists are unable to verify that patients are covered by one of the plans. Low income enrollees are being asked incorrectly to pay $250 deductibles. The result is that people go without prescriptions, or pharmacists and other advocates spend hours trying to navigate the bureaucracy.” (Amy Klobuchar, “Klobuchar Addresses President Bush's State of the Union,” January 30, 2006)
Here is what she is doing now:
“After repeatedly trashing the new Medicare Part D program as a ‘nightmare’ and ‘raw deal,’ Amy Klobuchar now is encouraging Minnesota seniors to sign up for the very same program.
“I guess the Amy Klobuchar advising seniors to sign up for the Medicare Part D program forget to check with the Amy Klobuchar who mocked the same program as a ‘basic policy failure.’”
Who will run for Mayor.
Lets have some fun with this!! Who will run for Mayor and city council.
The Mayory's race is in 2007, of course the current Mayor Herb Bergson will run again.
Others may include who?
Council races, who will run? Most if not all the incumbents up for re-election will run. Who will run against them?
The Mayory's race is in 2007, of course the current Mayor Herb Bergson will run again.
Others may include who?
Council races, who will run? Most if not all the incumbents up for re-election will run. Who will run against them?
Cults lead to abductions Part 2.
This info came from a post in the first part of this located a few post below this one. Rex previded us with this link here is part of an articale written by Peter Hoover. You may read the whole thing by clicking the link, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Anabaptist_Seekers/message/2987?viscount=100.
This articale is very interesting, it put a diffrent light on the subject. This group believes Dr. Phil did not and will not give this group a fair report.
I don't know about that, however I am willing to learn more about this whole issue of this abduction. This is a very interesting case. I believe when you read this Peter Hoover story you will see that he and this group does not believe this was an abduction, if it is not then what else can you call it?
We do not expect people like Philip McGraw, people still “in the world and of the world,” to understand it to the full. We do not expect them to give us accurate or fair coverage in the media. We do not expect kind treatment on the part of worldly governments, or that the unconverted will help us in this great struggle for the Kingdom of Heaven.
All we expect, all we hope and pray for, is that we may live as quietly and peacefully as possible in our current surroundings (1 Timothy 2:2). And we commit ourselves to doing all we can to bring the troubles of the Hari family to a prompt and good conclusion.
Like Tolstoy said, “All troubled families are troubled in their own way.” This one is no exception. And we believe the first step toward ending their current distress is for all involved to recognise the parts we played in bringing it upon them.
On my part, I need to say that I should have paid more attention to Mike Hari, his daughters and their problems when he first started telling me what was happening. I should have looked into the situation more and made sure I knew the two (or three) sides to the story before I told him whatever I felt was best at the moment.
Second, I believe that Mike was living in a state of real need. His daughters were not getting educated properly, their housekeeping was inadequate, they were not getting their baths, having their hair washed, and their physical needs taken care of like one would expect. Mike did not have a good job or steady work, and even if he would have, he (as a single parent) could not have managed to see to everything that needed attention. Here I feel the German Baptist Brethren failed to assume responsibility in a Christian way for those they had taken into their fellowship. If they should really have shown themselves “brethren” to Mike Hari and his daughters (both Mike and Molly having become baptised several years ago among them) I believe this entire disaster could have been avoided. On top of that, I believe it now stands as a great shame before the world, a judgement on the church, and the fact that the Brethren (many of them remarkably well-to-do) can think of nothing better than to “wash their hands” of the case at this point does nothing to exonerate them in my mind.
*****Disclaimer******
We here at Duluth Politics are not calling this orgainzation or any other a cult. We know little about this group and want to gain infomation about this.
Please keep in mind that this infomation was first learned on the Dr. Phil show and this is were we got this first bit of information. If we remember correct the word cults were used on the Dr. Phil show, again we do not know that this orginanitzation or any other is a cult at this time. Nor at this time do we here at Duluth Politics believe it to be a cult.
This information from all groupes is be proved to our readers as strictly information for them. The views expressed on this toipic are those of the bloggers and do not nessicerly represent the views of this blog.
This articale is very interesting, it put a diffrent light on the subject. This group believes Dr. Phil did not and will not give this group a fair report.
I don't know about that, however I am willing to learn more about this whole issue of this abduction. This is a very interesting case. I believe when you read this Peter Hoover story you will see that he and this group does not believe this was an abduction, if it is not then what else can you call it?
We do not expect people like Philip McGraw, people still “in the world and of the world,” to understand it to the full. We do not expect them to give us accurate or fair coverage in the media. We do not expect kind treatment on the part of worldly governments, or that the unconverted will help us in this great struggle for the Kingdom of Heaven.
All we expect, all we hope and pray for, is that we may live as quietly and peacefully as possible in our current surroundings (1 Timothy 2:2). And we commit ourselves to doing all we can to bring the troubles of the Hari family to a prompt and good conclusion.
Like Tolstoy said, “All troubled families are troubled in their own way.” This one is no exception. And we believe the first step toward ending their current distress is for all involved to recognise the parts we played in bringing it upon them.
On my part, I need to say that I should have paid more attention to Mike Hari, his daughters and their problems when he first started telling me what was happening. I should have looked into the situation more and made sure I knew the two (or three) sides to the story before I told him whatever I felt was best at the moment.
Second, I believe that Mike was living in a state of real need. His daughters were not getting educated properly, their housekeeping was inadequate, they were not getting their baths, having their hair washed, and their physical needs taken care of like one would expect. Mike did not have a good job or steady work, and even if he would have, he (as a single parent) could not have managed to see to everything that needed attention. Here I feel the German Baptist Brethren failed to assume responsibility in a Christian way for those they had taken into their fellowship. If they should really have shown themselves “brethren” to Mike Hari and his daughters (both Mike and Molly having become baptised several years ago among them) I believe this entire disaster could have been avoided. On top of that, I believe it now stands as a great shame before the world, a judgement on the church, and the fact that the Brethren (many of them remarkably well-to-do) can think of nothing better than to “wash their hands” of the case at this point does nothing to exonerate them in my mind.
*****Disclaimer******
We here at Duluth Politics are not calling this orgainzation or any other a cult. We know little about this group and want to gain infomation about this.
Please keep in mind that this infomation was first learned on the Dr. Phil show and this is were we got this first bit of information. If we remember correct the word cults were used on the Dr. Phil show, again we do not know that this orginanitzation or any other is a cult at this time. Nor at this time do we here at Duluth Politics believe it to be a cult.
This information from all groupes is be proved to our readers as strictly information for them. The views expressed on this toipic are those of the bloggers and do not nessicerly represent the views of this blog.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Duluth Politics interview.
Duluth Politics is expected to interview Duluth City Councilor Tim Little. The interview will more then likely take place early next week.
Watch for the interview coming soon.
If you have a question you would like us to ask Councilor Little please email it to us. Email us at duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com . The interview will focus mainly on the latest Mayor issue and councilors Little's resolution. The leak of the report will be our focus but any quesiton you have you can sent to us.
Please not any quesiton sent to, we will reserve the right to ask it or not.
Watch for the interview coming soon.
If you have a question you would like us to ask Councilor Little please email it to us. Email us at duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com . The interview will focus mainly on the latest Mayor issue and councilors Little's resolution. The leak of the report will be our focus but any quesiton you have you can sent to us.
Please not any quesiton sent to, we will reserve the right to ask it or not.
New site.
I just wanted to pass this a long. I found this site.
www.gramsonthemove.blobspot.com, it is also added to my links below.
www.gramsonthemove.blobspot.com, it is also added to my links below.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Old Armory part 2.
It seems as if this prject is going to be much bigger then thought and maybe even take up more space then just the old armory.
A source reports to me that this project has grown over time, to include more living and retail space. It has downplate it's plans to be an art and music center.
Here is a quote from my source: Let me what think.
"It's always had a housing / retail component. But the scope has really increased in recent months. I think it could be great for Duluth... I understand why some folks will want to criticize - but we just need to be patient with it. It takes a long time to put together a project like this."
A source reports to me that this project has grown over time, to include more living and retail space. It has downplate it's plans to be an art and music center.
Here is a quote from my source: Let me what think.
"It's always had a housing / retail component. But the scope has really increased in recent months. I think it could be great for Duluth... I understand why some folks will want to criticize - but we just need to be patient with it. It takes a long time to put together a project like this."
Last night's City Council meeting.
There was not a lot of action at last night's meeting as most items stayed on the table.
There was one big one of course. This was if the City should hire an outside attorney to investigate Mayor Bergson. The investigation would be because of a report from the State Auditor to Mayor Bergson it was a preliminary report on the compulsive gambling report.
The report very clearing said do not show to any unauthorized group or person, yet our Mayor showed this report to the Duluth News Tribune. The Trib then ran a series of story's from this report.
This bringing up the issue if the Mayor broke the law. According to one state employee that Councilor Little had contact with he did. The State employee said something to this effect, Mayor Bergson broke the Trust between him and the state not only did he do but he also broke the law. The State employee also added it was very clear violation.
therefore the resolution, asking for the city to hire an outside qualified legal firm to do an investigation. Here is the resolution,BY COUNCILOR LITTLE:
WHEREAS, Minnesota State Statute Section 3.979, subd. 4, makes it a misdemeanor for public officials to prematurely release draft reports from the legislative auditorÂ’s office; and
WHEREAS, the legislative auditor for the state of Minnesota believes there was a breach of law when a copy of the draft audit report on the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling (MCCG) was leaked to the media on or about May 26, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Bergson has taken responsibility for giving the document to the Duluth News Tribune; and
WHEREAS, the legislative auditor sent a request to the St. Louis County attorney to investigate and prosecute anyone in violation of Minnesota Statute Section 3.979, subd. 4; and
WHEREAS, the St. Louis County attorneyÂ’s office noted that it did not have jurisdiction over the matter and turned the case over to the Duluth city attorney; and
WHEREAS, the city attorneyÂ’s office has been informed by the state board of professional responsibility that a conflict of interest exists preventing it from handling this matter; and
WHEREAS, the Duluth City Code, Section 7, allows for the city council to employ and fix compensation of counsel, experts and employees to handle these matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Duluth City Council requests that the Duluth purchasing department, through normal procedures of contracting, employ a legal firm authorized to practice law in the state of Minnesota and capable to investigate, determine cause, and prosecute as necessary any city employee who has violated state law as noted above. Should this law firm find that no crime has been committed, they will report to the council this information and to the state legislative auditor.
The first attempt to table this failed, then discussion started and councilor Gilbert had some real question about this and wanted to move forward but needed some more infomation from the City attorney. After those comments councilor Ness who voted no on talbing said he would be infavor of tabling now, then it passed 5-3.
Well they were discussing the issue counclor Stover said that he thought it was politcally modivated.
Other items, Ordinance 60 stayed on the table yet again but should be up for a vote in two weeks.
There was one big one of course. This was if the City should hire an outside attorney to investigate Mayor Bergson. The investigation would be because of a report from the State Auditor to Mayor Bergson it was a preliminary report on the compulsive gambling report.
The report very clearing said do not show to any unauthorized group or person, yet our Mayor showed this report to the Duluth News Tribune. The Trib then ran a series of story's from this report.
This bringing up the issue if the Mayor broke the law. According to one state employee that Councilor Little had contact with he did. The State employee said something to this effect, Mayor Bergson broke the Trust between him and the state not only did he do but he also broke the law. The State employee also added it was very clear violation.
therefore the resolution, asking for the city to hire an outside qualified legal firm to do an investigation. Here is the resolution,BY COUNCILOR LITTLE:
WHEREAS, Minnesota State Statute Section 3.979, subd. 4, makes it a misdemeanor for public officials to prematurely release draft reports from the legislative auditorÂ’s office; and
WHEREAS, the legislative auditor for the state of Minnesota believes there was a breach of law when a copy of the draft audit report on the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling (MCCG) was leaked to the media on or about May 26, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Bergson has taken responsibility for giving the document to the Duluth News Tribune; and
WHEREAS, the legislative auditor sent a request to the St. Louis County attorney to investigate and prosecute anyone in violation of Minnesota Statute Section 3.979, subd. 4; and
WHEREAS, the St. Louis County attorneyÂ’s office noted that it did not have jurisdiction over the matter and turned the case over to the Duluth city attorney; and
WHEREAS, the city attorneyÂ’s office has been informed by the state board of professional responsibility that a conflict of interest exists preventing it from handling this matter; and
WHEREAS, the Duluth City Code, Section 7, allows for the city council to employ and fix compensation of counsel, experts and employees to handle these matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Duluth City Council requests that the Duluth purchasing department, through normal procedures of contracting, employ a legal firm authorized to practice law in the state of Minnesota and capable to investigate, determine cause, and prosecute as necessary any city employee who has violated state law as noted above. Should this law firm find that no crime has been committed, they will report to the council this information and to the state legislative auditor.
The first attempt to table this failed, then discussion started and councilor Gilbert had some real question about this and wanted to move forward but needed some more infomation from the City attorney. After those comments councilor Ness who voted no on talbing said he would be infavor of tabling now, then it passed 5-3.
Well they were discussing the issue counclor Stover said that he thought it was politcally modivated.
Other items, Ordinance 60 stayed on the table yet again but should be up for a vote in two weeks.
Monday, May 08, 2006
8Th District get some play.
Well at very least with former U.S. Senator Rod Grams running against Jim Oberstar the district will have some news about it. Jim Oberstar has not faced a real opined for many years.
Rod Grams running will at least bring some much needed attion to this race. Rod Grams is a masterful campainger, he also is a great public speaker. It will be interesting to see his number as this race goes on.
Congressman Oberstar also a very good public speaker, I don't know about his debating skills, as he has not had to really run a big campain in the passed years.
Most of us here at DP already know who we will support and that is Grams, with that said we don't think he will win at this point. We believe it will be something like 60% to 40% mainly because this area is so hard core DFL.
We ask however what is it that Congressman Oberstar has done in the past few years, lets say five to deserve to be re-elected?
Again this will bring some much needed attion to our area, and maybe we will get to deal with some real issues that face this area in this election.
Rod Grams running will at least bring some much needed attion to this race. Rod Grams is a masterful campainger, he also is a great public speaker. It will be interesting to see his number as this race goes on.
Congressman Oberstar also a very good public speaker, I don't know about his debating skills, as he has not had to really run a big campain in the passed years.
Most of us here at DP already know who we will support and that is Grams, with that said we don't think he will win at this point. We believe it will be something like 60% to 40% mainly because this area is so hard core DFL.
We ask however what is it that Congressman Oberstar has done in the past few years, lets say five to deserve to be re-elected?
Again this will bring some much needed attion to our area, and maybe we will get to deal with some real issues that face this area in this election.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Why is it that that left leaning blog's must focus on Natinal issues?
As you may guess, we here at Duluth Politics like to go to varius blog's and other news sites as well.
The question is this? Why is it that most left leaning blogs talk only about national issues? Is it because they are so focused on President Bush they can't focus on our big local issues? Is it because they just don't care about what happens here, or in the State?
Is it something else? What are your thoughts?
The question is this? Why is it that most left leaning blogs talk only about national issues? Is it because they are so focused on President Bush they can't focus on our big local issues? Is it because they just don't care about what happens here, or in the State?
Is it something else? What are your thoughts?
Mayor in more legal trouble?
It seems like at least three Duluth City Councilors want to investagate the mayor. The three councilors are Tim Little, Jim Stauber, and Russ Stewart. In a resolution that could be voted on as early as Monday night. The resolution would call for an outside attorney to investigate weather the Mayor did an illegal act, by giveing information to the Duluth News Tribune.
To find out more about this you can go to WDIO TV's web page,http://wdio.com. They broke the story last night.
I will have more on this later as well.
To find out more about this you can go to WDIO TV's web page,http://wdio.com. They broke the story last night.
I will have more on this later as well.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
More on Chamber and ordinance 60.
Below is part of a post about ordinance 60 that the Duluth Chamber President David Ross wrote about on his blog. Here is were you can read the whole thing,http://www.duluthchamberpres.blogspot.com/.
Thankfully, we recently got a grip on our collective selves and agreed to meet and discuss our differences related to ordinance 60. The meeting occurred at the Chamber just hours before the ordinance was scheduled to be voted on Monday, April 24. The meeting resulted in the ordinance being tabled at that night’s city council meeting. We now have time to work out our differences and to modify the ordinance in a way that will allow the business community to find common ground on this important initiative.
The Chamber’s leadership is pleased and proud to be a part of this effort to move business forward in this beautiful city. Besides, I don’t like to see business men and women scuffle. It’s hard on the business wardrobe.
This is a joke, that Chamber has came out is oposition to this ordinance. Now they want to make them self's look good by pretending to work with the council. When what they will do is turn and still be in oposition to this ordinance. If they do support it, it will be because there is nothing left good in the ordinance.
So to say the least I would be very surprised to the Chamber support the ordinance ever. I would hope that they would support it. Not only support it but support it as is or at least very close too.
Thankfully, we recently got a grip on our collective selves and agreed to meet and discuss our differences related to ordinance 60. The meeting occurred at the Chamber just hours before the ordinance was scheduled to be voted on Monday, April 24. The meeting resulted in the ordinance being tabled at that night’s city council meeting. We now have time to work out our differences and to modify the ordinance in a way that will allow the business community to find common ground on this important initiative.
The Chamber’s leadership is pleased and proud to be a part of this effort to move business forward in this beautiful city. Besides, I don’t like to see business men and women scuffle. It’s hard on the business wardrobe.
This is a joke, that Chamber has came out is oposition to this ordinance. Now they want to make them self's look good by pretending to work with the council. When what they will do is turn and still be in oposition to this ordinance. If they do support it, it will be because there is nothing left good in the ordinance.
So to say the least I would be very surprised to the Chamber support the ordinance ever. I would hope that they would support it. Not only support it but support it as is or at least very close too.
New KB's Coner!!!
In light of all of the hubbub over a home loan for the Croud family, I've been thinking about kids. And how kids get caught up in the messes their parents might've created. I'm not going to talk specifically about the Crouds here.
Last week I spent a few moments in a courthouse giving the evil eye to a man who raped a child several times. This child thought this man was her step-daddy and she was a bit over a year old when he came into her life. When he stepped in to that courtroom with a swagger and a smirk, I was sickened. This child is not a relative of mine, and I've never met her. She's related to a friend of mine and I'm pulled into it for moral support, but believe me, having a 6 year old daughter, my reaction to his attitude was pretty powerful. I had a sick feeling in my stomach, sitting there and knowing that the 11 year old girl now has the word rapein her vocabulary, and she uses it when referring to whather so called dad did to her.
Why-o-why must she pay for her mother's poor judgement in companions. And why does this mother still live with this pig? Luckily my friend fought hard to have the children removed from the mother's home, not without a lot of struggle and fighting with social workers. In fact she had to threaten calling the attorney general before they really took her serious and investigated the deplorable life this mother was providing for her kids.
Now to find out that this monster violated this child while she was fighting to get those kids out of that house is really hard on my friend. That's why I wonder about people who say nasty things about the Croud family, lumping them all into what their Dad might have done. I just can'tt olerate it. Children are innocent and shouldn't have to live like this.
Sorry for the bummer posting but that's whatI'm dealing with right now.
Last week I spent a few moments in a courthouse giving the evil eye to a man who raped a child several times. This child thought this man was her step-daddy and she was a bit over a year old when he came into her life. When he stepped in to that courtroom with a swagger and a smirk, I was sickened. This child is not a relative of mine, and I've never met her. She's related to a friend of mine and I'm pulled into it for moral support, but believe me, having a 6 year old daughter, my reaction to his attitude was pretty powerful. I had a sick feeling in my stomach, sitting there and knowing that the 11 year old girl now has the word rapein her vocabulary, and she uses it when referring to whather so called dad did to her.
Why-o-why must she pay for her mother's poor judgement in companions. And why does this mother still live with this pig? Luckily my friend fought hard to have the children removed from the mother's home, not without a lot of struggle and fighting with social workers. In fact she had to threaten calling the attorney general before they really took her serious and investigated the deplorable life this mother was providing for her kids.
Now to find out that this monster violated this child while she was fighting to get those kids out of that house is really hard on my friend. That's why I wonder about people who say nasty things about the Croud family, lumping them all into what their Dad might have done. I just can'tt olerate it. Children are innocent and shouldn't have to live like this.
Sorry for the bummer posting but that's whatI'm dealing with right now.
Cults lead to abductsions.
I was watching Dr. Phil, ( I don't watch affine) this one to me was very interesting it had to do with child abductsion. The two abductsion that they discussed have to do with cult's.
One of the abductsions had dealt with Minnesota and a cult called the hutterites. Some people believe this to be just a very spiritual group well others consider it a cult.
I did a search on huttrites and found a few things nothing in direct with Minnesota, as of yet anyway. Here is some history on the hutterite "religion", you can decide if it is a cult or not. http://www.hutterites.org/history.htm.
Anyway Perer Hoover was on the show. Who is he? From what I got he is a pastor at a Minnesota hutterite group. He has had contact with the child abducted Mike Hari, who abducted they two kids after he and his wife got a divorce.
The girls mother is scared for the children and also very scared she will never she her children again. Here is some of what she had to say.
Michelle's husband decided to answer his religious calling and to pursue what he considered a purer way of life. The family moved into a 1969 trailer with no running water, electricity or indoor plumbing, in a small community in the woods. Their only toilet was a five-gallon bucket with a toilet lid. Michael read Bible verses and sang hymns at certain times of the day along with his family. He soon befriended a man who was part of the Worldwide Church of God. "The Worldwide Church of God has some very radical beliefs on the Bible," says Michelle.
Her husband started buying guns and rifles. His friend told the couple that he could help them disappear from society if they needed to. "Michael would threaten to take our daughters and go into the underground and tell me I would never see them again. I didn't want to lose my babies," says Michelle.
Michael came across the Old German Baptist Church on the Internet, and Michelle attended one service with him. "This was not like any church I had ever been in," she says. "I thought, I can't do this anymore. I can't continue this roller coaster, so I came back to the area I grew up in, I got a job, and I got a divorce."
The other case also invalued a cult. This time it was the wife that disappeared and it is believed that her family knows were she is. She left for a cult based out of Japan she say on the internet. She took her kids with her at the time they were ages 7,5,2, two boys and a girl. The kids would not be ages 18,16,13.
If anyone else saw the show I am interested in your thoughts. Also if you know anything about the hutterite origination I would like to know. This seems to be a series of shows I know they will have more about the hutterirte case next Tuesday.
You can get mor information on this at www.drphil.com .
More info from,http://www.findamericaskids.org/pages/4/index.htm.
Investigation has revealed that Mike is a follower and admirer of Peter Hoover, a minister in the Hutterite Community. Peter has advised that he would take the necessary steps to assist in locating Mike Hari. Please contact 911 if you have any information that might help to locate these children.
Visit the following website for more information on the missing children: http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet
One of the abductsions had dealt with Minnesota and a cult called the hutterites. Some people believe this to be just a very spiritual group well others consider it a cult.
I did a search on huttrites and found a few things nothing in direct with Minnesota, as of yet anyway. Here is some history on the hutterite "religion", you can decide if it is a cult or not. http://www.hutterites.org/history.htm.
Anyway Perer Hoover was on the show. Who is he? From what I got he is a pastor at a Minnesota hutterite group. He has had contact with the child abducted Mike Hari, who abducted they two kids after he and his wife got a divorce.
The girls mother is scared for the children and also very scared she will never she her children again. Here is some of what she had to say.
Michelle's husband decided to answer his religious calling and to pursue what he considered a purer way of life. The family moved into a 1969 trailer with no running water, electricity or indoor plumbing, in a small community in the woods. Their only toilet was a five-gallon bucket with a toilet lid. Michael read Bible verses and sang hymns at certain times of the day along with his family. He soon befriended a man who was part of the Worldwide Church of God. "The Worldwide Church of God has some very radical beliefs on the Bible," says Michelle.
Her husband started buying guns and rifles. His friend told the couple that he could help them disappear from society if they needed to. "Michael would threaten to take our daughters and go into the underground and tell me I would never see them again. I didn't want to lose my babies," says Michelle.
Michael came across the Old German Baptist Church on the Internet, and Michelle attended one service with him. "This was not like any church I had ever been in," she says. "I thought, I can't do this anymore. I can't continue this roller coaster, so I came back to the area I grew up in, I got a job, and I got a divorce."
The other case also invalued a cult. This time it was the wife that disappeared and it is believed that her family knows were she is. She left for a cult based out of Japan she say on the internet. She took her kids with her at the time they were ages 7,5,2, two boys and a girl. The kids would not be ages 18,16,13.
If anyone else saw the show I am interested in your thoughts. Also if you know anything about the hutterite origination I would like to know. This seems to be a series of shows I know they will have more about the hutterirte case next Tuesday.
You can get mor information on this at www.drphil.com .
More info from,http://www.findamericaskids.org/pages/4/index.htm.
Investigation has revealed that Mike is a follower and admirer of Peter Hoover, a minister in the Hutterite Community. Peter has advised that he would take the necessary steps to assist in locating Mike Hari. Please contact 911 if you have any information that might help to locate these children.
Visit the following website for more information on the missing children: http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet
Monday, May 01, 2006
Limbaugh not arrested.
Media jump on this and as it turns out once again the report if false. Look at that another attack on consertives that was wrong.
Rush Limbaugh 'Arrest' Reports Were Bogus
Breaking From NewsMax.com
All weekend long news broadcasts were filled with reports that talk radio host Rush Limbaugh had been "arrested" on charges of doctor shopping as part of a plea bargain worked out with his lawyer.
But - as even the liberal newsmagazine, Newsweek, admitted - the "arrest" reports were bogus.
"LIMBAUGH ARRESTED was the immediate headline on the wires and on TV," the magazine said in Monday's edition. "But the word 'arrest' was misleading."
"In fact, Limbaugh had pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer had worked out a deal that would cause the single charge to be dropped after 18 months as long as Limbaugh stayed out of trouble and continued to see a doctor who has helped him with an addiction to painkillers."
Rush Limbaugh 'Arrest' Reports Were Bogus
Breaking From NewsMax.com
All weekend long news broadcasts were filled with reports that talk radio host Rush Limbaugh had been "arrested" on charges of doctor shopping as part of a plea bargain worked out with his lawyer.
But - as even the liberal newsmagazine, Newsweek, admitted - the "arrest" reports were bogus.
"LIMBAUGH ARRESTED was the immediate headline on the wires and on TV," the magazine said in Monday's edition. "But the word 'arrest' was misleading."
"In fact, Limbaugh had pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer had worked out a deal that would cause the single charge to be dropped after 18 months as long as Limbaugh stayed out of trouble and continued to see a doctor who has helped him with an addiction to painkillers."
Singers express thoughts on President Bush.
The singer Pink has came out with a song about president Bush it has the same ring to it that the Dixie Chicks comments about President Bush did.
Here is the sond and vidio of Pink,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eDJ3cuXKV4&eurl.
Let me know your thoughts.
In the song pink ask many quesitons. The song is interesting.
Speaking of the Dixie Chicks they also have a new song out called not ready to make nice. It is in responce to the comment they made about President Bush. If you remember they were over seas and said " we are not proud that President Bush is from Texas" or somthing to that effect I do not remember the exact saying.
It was being reported a few month ago that the chicks have broken up and that became not true. They are still together and will contunie to sing. That is too bad.
Here is the sond and vidio of Pink,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eDJ3cuXKV4&eurl.
Let me know your thoughts.
In the song pink ask many quesitons. The song is interesting.
Speaking of the Dixie Chicks they also have a new song out called not ready to make nice. It is in responce to the comment they made about President Bush. If you remember they were over seas and said " we are not proud that President Bush is from Texas" or somthing to that effect I do not remember the exact saying.
It was being reported a few month ago that the chicks have broken up and that became not true. They are still together and will contunie to sing. That is too bad.
Immigrants walk off the job today!!
My thought is this: If you walk off the job you are fired.
Also just wondering are there rally happening here in Duluth today. If so were?
Also just wondering are there rally happening here in Duluth today. If so were?
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.
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."
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
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
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