This email was sent in part because of Dave's email. You can find that email in the comments of my State of the City address blog.
Hi, Mayor Ness
I am sure you say the quote in the paper, that I made. I don't know if you looked at the blog as of yet. Here is what I wrote.
State of the City speech.
Fist I need to say this. I consider Mayor Ness to be a great friend. We may not always in fact offend agree on politics but that is okay. Politics should never stand in the way of a friendship in my eyes.The Mayor and I grew up right next door to each other. We played all the time, we shared great times and I think we still do and can. When we talked tonight we expressed how we have always been very pleasant with each other. He also expressed how sometimes when I write he does not think it is always nice. I am always willing to listen if anyone including Mayor Ness wants to know why I said something the way I did just ask. Emailing is the best way to get a hold of me duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com .There is only two people that are not allowed two post. I think they know who they are. This is because of the they conducted them self's.Now onto what this is suppose to be about the speech from tonight. I thought it was a very good speech. The intend of the speech was to energize the city and the people in the room. It delivered in an up lifting way. To me the the speech was much like a coach giving a big pep-talk to his team.I think the intend was of the speech was very successful. After the speech was over I talked to many people and they had nothing but good things to say. At least most people did.The content that was good for his political view. If you agree with his vision or not at this point does not matter. It was very much along the lines he wants to move this city.If I was to grade the speech I would give it a B.Next I will get into what was said and if I like that as much as the deliver of the speech.
I also received an email from Dave, you did as well. Using the coach and teacher was not meant to be demeaning to anyone. Nor should it have been taken that way. I will be replying to Dave later. I thought this post better showed what I meant by what I said in the paper. Being in the media I understand that you can only print small portions for a news story. The DNT I thought did a great job of covering the State of the City from all angles.
As we talked on Monday night we don't agree politically all that much. I think and hope however that you and I along with the whole city can come together and work as a team. I believe as you that is what is needed.
I think we can start to work together on the things we do agree on, those off the top of my head are keeping young people here and our parks and rec department. I hope that I can work with you in some way to make these issues and many others better. If you have any groups I would love to take part in them.
Sincerely,
John Rathe
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Barb Olsen and Russ Stewart on KUMD
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kumd/local-kumd-664914.mp3
Above is a link to KUMD's out of order show. The host is Barb Olsen who writes for the reader and does this show on the radio.
This weeks guessed were Todd Fedora and Jeff Anderson. Take a listen it is worth your time. Any thoughts please share them.
Above is a link to KUMD's out of order show. The host is Barb Olsen who writes for the reader and does this show on the radio.
This weeks guessed were Todd Fedora and Jeff Anderson. Take a listen it is worth your time. Any thoughts please share them.
What was said at the Mayor's inaugural address.
Here is were I think Mayor Ness really failed the citizens of Duluth. As I said before I think that the speech lacked in what was going to happen over the next four years. Did he say some good things yes. What he did not do was back them up with how he at wanted to go about solving them or working the issues. Did he say things that I agreed with him on yes. Were there things said that I did not agree with as well. For sure there was.
Mayor Ness said was determent to keep our young people and family's here. He also said he was going to improve our parks and rec especially those in neighborhoods. This is great something I most defiantly agree with. The problem is he gave use no idea how he planned to do this.
He said he was going focus Duluth infrastructure as well. He said by the 2010 the street improvement fund would be doubled. This sounds great but is it? I have some questions about this one. I guess my first question is this. If the Mayor is looking to double the fund how does he plan to do this? Will it take away from other core services? Next would be, tell the year 2010 what can we expect for street improvements? Weill there be any? How much?
He also said he will work to update Duluth very old sewer system and stop over flows. Here again how and at what cost?
These are all things the citizens deserve to know. Yes I understand he has not been in office to fully understand how everything works. He must however have some ideas he would at least like to look at to solve these issues. Those should have been offered in his speech in my mind. We need to have an idea of were any Mayor is going to take us. We deserve to know if our taxes are going to go up or down or stay about the same as inflation.
I think you get the idea the speech lacked information. Very critical information Duluthains should know.
There was also one other thing in his speech that made me very uneasy. This I really wish he would have left out. He made a comment about his family and being able to balance that and being Mayor. It was a clear shot at Charlie Bell who made a comment during the election that people with kids need to make sure that they can run for Mayor. being Mayor is very time consuming. Now I don't agree with Charlie on this. Don had every right to run for Mayor.
Here is why it upset me on Monday night however. Mayor Ness said all along that he was not going to comment on the Bell comment and he was going to let it go. With the comment in his speech it make it clear that he was in fact the one pushing the attain to that issue.
Mayor Ness said was determent to keep our young people and family's here. He also said he was going to improve our parks and rec especially those in neighborhoods. This is great something I most defiantly agree with. The problem is he gave use no idea how he planned to do this.
He said he was going focus Duluth infrastructure as well. He said by the 2010 the street improvement fund would be doubled. This sounds great but is it? I have some questions about this one. I guess my first question is this. If the Mayor is looking to double the fund how does he plan to do this? Will it take away from other core services? Next would be, tell the year 2010 what can we expect for street improvements? Weill there be any? How much?
He also said he will work to update Duluth very old sewer system and stop over flows. Here again how and at what cost?
These are all things the citizens deserve to know. Yes I understand he has not been in office to fully understand how everything works. He must however have some ideas he would at least like to look at to solve these issues. Those should have been offered in his speech in my mind. We need to have an idea of were any Mayor is going to take us. We deserve to know if our taxes are going to go up or down or stay about the same as inflation.
I think you get the idea the speech lacked information. Very critical information Duluthains should know.
There was also one other thing in his speech that made me very uneasy. This I really wish he would have left out. He made a comment about his family and being able to balance that and being Mayor. It was a clear shot at Charlie Bell who made a comment during the election that people with kids need to make sure that they can run for Mayor. being Mayor is very time consuming. Now I don't agree with Charlie on this. Don had every right to run for Mayor.
Here is why it upset me on Monday night however. Mayor Ness said all along that he was not going to comment on the Bell comment and he was going to let it go. With the comment in his speech it make it clear that he was in fact the one pushing the attain to that issue.
Monday, January 07, 2008
State of the City speech.
Fist I need to say this. I consider Mayor Ness to be a great friend. We may not always in fact offend agree on politics but that is okay. Politics should never stand in the way of a friendship in my eyes.
The Mayor and I grew up right next door to each other. We played all the time, we shared great times and I think we still do and can. When we talked tonight we expressed how we have always been very pleasant with each other. He also expressed how sometimes when I write he does not think it is always nice. I am always willing to listen if anyone including Mayor Ness wants to know why I said something the way I did just ask. Emailing is the best way to get a hold of me duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com .
There is only two people that are not allowed two post. I think they know who they are. This is because of the they conducted them self's.
Now onto what this is suppose to be about the speech from tonight. I thought it was a very good speech. The intend of the speech was to energize the city and the people in the room. It delivered in an up lifting way. To me the the speech was much like a coach giving a big pep-talk to his team.
I think the intend was of the speech was very successful. After the speech was over I talked to many people and they had nothing but good things to say. At least most people did.
The content that was good for his political view. If you agree with his vision or not at this point does not matter. It was very much along the lines he wants to move this city.
If I was to grade the speech I would give it a B.
Next I will get into what was said and if I like that as much as the deliver of the speech.
The Mayor and I grew up right next door to each other. We played all the time, we shared great times and I think we still do and can. When we talked tonight we expressed how we have always been very pleasant with each other. He also expressed how sometimes when I write he does not think it is always nice. I am always willing to listen if anyone including Mayor Ness wants to know why I said something the way I did just ask. Emailing is the best way to get a hold of me duluthneedshelp@yahoo.com .
There is only two people that are not allowed two post. I think they know who they are. This is because of the they conducted them self's.
Now onto what this is suppose to be about the speech from tonight. I thought it was a very good speech. The intend of the speech was to energize the city and the people in the room. It delivered in an up lifting way. To me the the speech was much like a coach giving a big pep-talk to his team.
I think the intend was of the speech was very successful. After the speech was over I talked to many people and they had nothing but good things to say. At least most people did.
The content that was good for his political view. If you agree with his vision or not at this point does not matter. It was very much along the lines he wants to move this city.
If I was to grade the speech I would give it a B.
Next I will get into what was said and if I like that as much as the deliver of the speech.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Hello Mayor Ness!!!
Well tomorrow will be Mayor elects Don Ness first day on the job. Well they have been in transition the last month or so. Tomorrow will mark his first day in the office. He will also be be sworn into the office Monday night and deliver his first speech as Mayor. It will the State of the City address. He will out line what he would like to do well in office the next four years.
I do think the Mayor Ness will be a bit better then Mayor Bergson. after all it is going to be very hard to be worse then Mayor Bergson. I don't however hold out a lot of hope of over the next four years with Ness in the office. I think you will less focus on what the city should provide and more on what the city should not be funding. We will see increase spending and receive less for our taxes.
I do think the Mayor Ness will be a bit better then Mayor Bergson. after all it is going to be very hard to be worse then Mayor Bergson. I don't however hold out a lot of hope of over the next four years with Ness in the office. I think you will less focus on what the city should provide and more on what the city should not be funding. We will see increase spending and receive less for our taxes.
Good Bye Mayor Bergson
Thank God his four year term is over, also thank good we did not re-elect him. It has been a horrible four years for Duluth and this mayor.
Mayor Bergson said he would work with the Duluth City Council and not use his veto pen. Yet he vetoed more then any mayor in recent history. He did any thing but work with the council. He drove a line between the Mayors office and the City Council like no other mayor has ever done.
He failed to bring the home the funding for the DECC twice and he also failed to get the Kroc center. He did mange to get got driving drunk on his way to represent the city in Chicago at a Mayor's conference.
He made many promises and failed many times. IF I was to give him a grade it would be a great big F.
Mayor Bergson said he would work with the Duluth City Council and not use his veto pen. Yet he vetoed more then any mayor in recent history. He did any thing but work with the council. He drove a line between the Mayors office and the City Council like no other mayor has ever done.
He failed to bring the home the funding for the DECC twice and he also failed to get the Kroc center. He did mange to get got driving drunk on his way to represent the city in Chicago at a Mayor's conference.
He made many promises and failed many times. IF I was to give him a grade it would be a great big F.
Ness won't deliever a normal State of the City. .
This caught my eye in the paper. I thought well okay, it is hard for him to deliver a State of the City when he has not even taken office as of yet.
I have not read the complete story yet. They story said in the first part that Ness will talk about his vision for the city and a wide range of topics. DUH.. this is what the State of the City in part about. I don't think this State of the City will be much different then most.
The State of City will happen tomorrow night. Held at the DECC if you pan on going.
I will have a recap of the State of the City address on Tuesday.
I have not read the complete story yet. They story said in the first part that Ness will talk about his vision for the city and a wide range of topics. DUH.. this is what the State of the City in part about. I don't think this State of the City will be much different then most.
The State of City will happen tomorrow night. Held at the DECC if you pan on going.
I will have a recap of the State of the City address on Tuesday.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Here we are a new year!!!
We welcomed in 2008. Hope you were all safe and had a great news years eve and day.
A quick look of things to come tonight and tomorrow here on DP. Then it is off to the denist for me.
A look back 2007
A look at 2008
The old Mayor Bergson
The new Mayor Ness
A look at the old and the new c ity Council
Plus much more, now however it is off to the dentist for me. NO fun at all.
A quick look of things to come tonight and tomorrow here on DP. Then it is off to the denist for me.
A look back 2007
A look at 2008
The old Mayor Bergson
The new Mayor Ness
A look at the old and the new c ity Council
Plus much more, now however it is off to the dentist for me. NO fun at all.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Bergson uses veto pen yet again.
Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson will again use his veto pen. This time he said he will veto a resolution that passed 6-3. The resolutions dealt with asking the State of Minnesota to look at repealing a law from 100 years ago. The law is whether or not the lakeside area should have liqueur sold in it .
The Lakeside area is the only place in Duluth you can't go to a bar or a liqueur store. Not only that but restaurants can't even sell it in the Lakeside area.
I guess at this point I think that the Lakeside area should have the ability to sell liqueur in it's commercial zoned areas.
The Lakeside area is the only place in Duluth you can't go to a bar or a liqueur store. Not only that but restaurants can't even sell it in the Lakeside area.
I guess at this point I think that the Lakeside area should have the ability to sell liqueur in it's commercial zoned areas.
County Board gets a Code of Conduct.
The board voted 7-0 to approve the code of conduct. As many people know a code of conduct is something I have always been against. I have said many times why this is. At this time however I am not going to bring that info forward as I have been asked not to at this point.
All I will say at this point is I would anticipate some comments from a number of people later. Tell this happens I will hold my comments as well.
All I will say at this point is I would anticipate some comments from a number of people later. Tell this happens I will hold my comments as well.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
New poll
The new poll is up. The question is, do you think Don Ness will make a good mayor? Yes or no are the choses. Scroll down and vote.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Tonights council meeting. A long with other items.
I will again be attending the council meeting tonight. Look for a report of the meeting tonight or tomorrow. Tonight's meeting will include two big topics. One will have many resolutions to set the budget. The other is a resolution asking the State to look at reversing the no liquor lances in Lakeside.
These two items will dominate the meeting tonight. I would also maybe expect to hear a little about the clinic in Lakeside. At least if the group that is against it is able to be there.
Again look for a report on the meeting later tonight or tomorrow.
These two items will dominate the meeting tonight. I would also maybe expect to hear a little about the clinic in Lakeside. At least if the group that is against it is able to be there.
Again look for a report on the meeting later tonight or tomorrow.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
AFSCME excepts contract.
I have been incredibly busy. I meant to post the day this was excepted but did not get a chance to post. In fact I have had a lot this I have wanted to comment on but that will come soon as well.
The main issue has been my wife has been recovering from surgery. It was a rough weekend last weekend for her, but she dealt with it great.
Now back to a quick note on the contract. I am happy that they have excepted this however I would expect they are not the happiest with it. This is clear by there reaction in the paper. It however is a good contract for both the City of Duluth and there workers.
I will have much more on this later.
The main issue has been my wife has been recovering from surgery. It was a rough weekend last weekend for her, but she dealt with it great.
Now back to a quick note on the contract. I am happy that they have excepted this however I would expect they are not the happiest with it. This is clear by there reaction in the paper. It however is a good contract for both the City of Duluth and there workers.
I will have much more on this later.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Big Mistake.
I don't know if you heard about this or not. A Wis. gas station went to change it's price of gas from $3.34 a gallon to $3.33 a gallon, when the clerk did so he mistakenly made a gallon of gas 33 cents.
Here is part of the story from msn www.msn.com to read the whole story.
MINOCQUA, Wis. - Dozens of drivers made a mad rush for cheap gas after a station employee accidentally changed the price to 33 cents a gallon. An employee closing Trig's Minocqua Shell for the night meant to drop the price of gas by 1 cent.
This happened just this weekend. I wonder how many of us would have taken advantage of the mistake. I heard on the radio yesterday that the owner of the gas station was not happy with the customers. " They took advantage of a mistake that was made. I am disappointed in them." The owner said in an interview.
Here is part of the story from msn www.msn.com to read the whole story.
MINOCQUA, Wis. - Dozens of drivers made a mad rush for cheap gas after a station employee accidentally changed the price to 33 cents a gallon. An employee closing Trig's Minocqua Shell for the night meant to drop the price of gas by 1 cent.
This happened just this weekend. I wonder how many of us would have taken advantage of the mistake. I heard on the radio yesterday that the owner of the gas station was not happy with the customers. " They took advantage of a mistake that was made. I am disappointed in them." The owner said in an interview.
Monday, December 10, 2007
A chicken here and there and maybe in Duluth
Okay first let me say that I agree with the city Attorney Brian Brown. It is illegal to have chickens in the city limits. If you read the ordinance it is very very clear on what we can and can't have in the city limits.
With that said here we go again with yet another very laughable discussion that will take place sooner or later in the council chambers. This is not a pressing issue. It is not important at this time nor should it take up one minute of the councils time. It will and the DNT will talk about it tell they are blue in the face.
There is a story in the DNT today. If you care to read it go here http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/ .
With that said here we go again with yet another very laughable discussion that will take place sooner or later in the council chambers. This is not a pressing issue. It is not important at this time nor should it take up one minute of the councils time. It will and the DNT will talk about it tell they are blue in the face.
There is a story in the DNT today. If you care to read it go here http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/ .
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Meet the wife of our new mayor --- Are you serious?
If you saw today's Duluth News Tribune, the lead story was meeting Laura Ness. Are you kidding me? This is the top issue in this country, State, or City.
This is a story that maybe should be in the local section. I however am not sure that this is even news worthy. It sure seems like the DNT will be the Ness pr machine much like it was the Bergson pr machine and any other democrats that want it to be.
This is a story that maybe should be in the local section. I however am not sure that this is even news worthy. It sure seems like the DNT will be the Ness pr machine much like it was the Bergson pr machine and any other democrats that want it to be.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Are you kidding me?
Councilor Stewart tried to take a tax off the books for the City of Duluth. The tax is a for 1% that goes to develop public art. It unfortunately did not pass.
I guess that is not what the big deal for me was. What got me was what councilor Ness said. The discussion talked about how other people could afford art and such. Mr. Ness said that some I support the tax, it should not be a surprise. Not every one can afford are so this gives them the chance to enjoy it. What the implication was that people are going to take a picture and then hang it on there wall and call it art. If they did not do that then they would just stand were this art is for 24 hours and admire it. Give me a break.
I guess that is not what the big deal for me was. What got me was what councilor Ness said. The discussion talked about how other people could afford art and such. Mr. Ness said that some I support the tax, it should not be a surprise. Not every one can afford are so this gives them the chance to enjoy it. What the implication was that people are going to take a picture and then hang it on there wall and call it art. If they did not do that then they would just stand were this art is for 24 hours and admire it. Give me a break.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
first winter storm
Well the first storm came and went. The reported snow fall is 12 inches in Duluth. 5 or 6 inches in Superior.
I did not hear of any major accidents. I know that the DTA ran as normal. The cabs pulled off of the streets.
I did not hear of any major accidents. I know that the DTA ran as normal. The cabs pulled off of the streets.
Duluth Citizen Blog.
Duluth Citizens blog is back and up and running. There is a new owner to the blog and he is looking for help. If you would like to be a moderator go to the blog and leave a message. I am sure he will get back to you.
www.duluthcitizensblog.com
www.duluthcitizensblog.com
Sharla Gardner
I have gotten a ton of emails asking what I thought of Sharla quiting her job once she takes over as city councilor. I have not made any comments on this as of yet. This is by design.
I have wanted to wait tell after she take office. When this happens just after the new year I will make my comments on the issue.
I have wanted to wait tell after she take office. When this happens just after the new year I will make my comments on the issue.
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