Some memberes of the community are reporting the councilor Reinert is now working at SMDC and claiming this to be a conflict of interest, with past votes.
If this is a new job for him it could not be considered a conflict of interest in past votes. Now if he has been at this job for a while and voted on SMDC projectes then this would be considered a conflict of interest. My understanding however is that is a newer job for him.
When a vote does come up dealing with an SMDC project or anything tied to SMDC then he better not vote. At that time it would be a conflict of interest.
If did work for SMDC when votes came up on there projects then it would have been a conflict of interest and the community should be upset.
We will keep our eye on this developing story.
More info here, http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com/cgi-bin/blog1.cgi
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
ordinance 60 not dead yet...
It has been a little more then a day that the council meeting has gone by. I am still mad as hell about ordinance 60 in councilor Stewarts name.
I emailed all the councilors and no one has replyed back except for councilor Stewart. What a shock!!!!
This is such an important issue for Duluth and it would help our city immensely.
I have it on good authority that it is not over and it will be brought up again soon. I hope we get more people out to support this issue this time around. Contact your councilor and the at large councilors. The focus has to be on councilors Litte and Stauber, I still can't believe they did not support this.
There is more discussion going on about the issue here,http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com/cgi-bin/blog1.cgi
ps. Read the new kb's corner it is another great on, it is just a few post below this one.
I emailed all the councilors and no one has replyed back except for councilor Stewart. What a shock!!!!
This is such an important issue for Duluth and it would help our city immensely.
I have it on good authority that it is not over and it will be brought up again soon. I hope we get more people out to support this issue this time around. Contact your councilor and the at large councilors. The focus has to be on councilors Litte and Stauber, I still can't believe they did not support this.
There is more discussion going on about the issue here,http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com/cgi-bin/blog1.cgi
ps. Read the new kb's corner it is another great on, it is just a few post below this one.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Open question?
Councilor Ness asked a great question last night at the meeting. This question came do to one of the speakers comments on ordinance 60. She noted the tech village as a failer to the city.
Councilor Ness asked, why people keep bringing that up as a failer to the city of Duluth?
Now I am not sure that I consider that building as a failer however I see how some people could feel that way.
The big reason that I think a lot of people see the building as a failer is because it has not developed into the tech villiage it was intended to be. With a huge job creatation in tech fields.
The tech villiage has changed it objective at least three times that I am aware of.
I don't think most people feel the colleges putting computer labs in the villiage are a benifit to the city. The fact is the colleges would have put these some were on campuse is they did not put them in the villiage.
Here is why the building is ( could be considered) a success.
The building is full with businesses. They may not be what people expect but at least the building is just about full.
The building is newer and looks a heck of a lot nicer then most down there currently, because of that it brings in some business to all of downtown. There are people going to the building to use what it offers and work as well.
What are you thoughts? Do you consider the tech villiage as a failer or not?
Councilor Ness asked, why people keep bringing that up as a failer to the city of Duluth?
Now I am not sure that I consider that building as a failer however I see how some people could feel that way.
The big reason that I think a lot of people see the building as a failer is because it has not developed into the tech villiage it was intended to be. With a huge job creatation in tech fields.
The tech villiage has changed it objective at least three times that I am aware of.
I don't think most people feel the colleges putting computer labs in the villiage are a benifit to the city. The fact is the colleges would have put these some were on campuse is they did not put them in the villiage.
Here is why the building is ( could be considered) a success.
The building is full with businesses. They may not be what people expect but at least the building is just about full.
The building is newer and looks a heck of a lot nicer then most down there currently, because of that it brings in some business to all of downtown. There are people going to the building to use what it offers and work as well.
What are you thoughts? Do you consider the tech villiage as a failer or not?
More on council meeting last night.
Okay so we continue with my rant of the council meeting, and ordinance 60.
It seems like many councilors did not even want to consider this. They all seemed to closed minds.
I want to know who got to them? Why and who are councilors Gilbert and Johnson protecting? Perhaps the biggest thing I want to know is what does the council want? We can't afford that status quo. Councilors what do you want to do about this? What are your expectations?
Why didn't councilors Little and Stauber vote for this? Who got to them?
I ask any councilor that voted no on this to please reconsider it. I would ask that you allow conversation to continue on this.
It seems like many councilors did not even want to consider this. They all seemed to closed minds.
I want to know who got to them? Why and who are councilors Gilbert and Johnson protecting? Perhaps the biggest thing I want to know is what does the council want? We can't afford that status quo. Councilors what do you want to do about this? What are your expectations?
Why didn't councilors Little and Stauber vote for this? Who got to them?
I ask any councilor that voted no on this to please reconsider it. I would ask that you allow conversation to continue on this.
Coucil rant part1!!!!
So at last nights city council meeting ordinance 60 in councilor Stewarts name came up to a vote. You know the one that I have been telling you all about. The ordinance dealt with how the city would help developers.
There was also a last minute resolution tossed into ambush this ordinance by councilors Gilbert and Johnson. The resolution was just more of the status quo, so if that was to pass we would just do the same old.
9 p.m. or so rolls around and they finally get to the ordinance and resolution as they took them both at the same time. One of the most disappointing things was there was no one to speak on the issue. This is an issue that would help the city immensely. I believe there were only three of us that spoke. Two in favor of councilor Stewarts ordinance and one against it. The one against it was tied to development.
Then it was time for council debate, councilor Stewart opened that up with some comments on why his ordinance should be supported, and comment on the resolution as well. Both were very start to the point and correct. Then councilors Gilbert and Johnson spoke on behalf of there resolution. Both said they brought it forward because of people in the community but both failed to say who they were protecting. I believe these two councilors should say who it is that they are protecting.
Councilor Johnson said she felted attacked by councilor Stewart and others, (me). The fact is we did not attack we said what was the truth and that some times hurts. Councilor Johnson also said that this resolution was not a surprise, when in fact it was. She had plenty of time to make councilor Stewart and the community aware that she was going to bring forward a resolution. Yet she and councilor Gilbert waited five days tell it came to a vote, to bring that forward. One speaker said it best when she said something to the fact that she was ambushed and did not know that there was a resolution on the table. I would like to know what councilors Johnson and Gilbert have to say about that?
There were other councilors that I was very disappointed in as well, councilors Little and Stauber who I thought would be in support of this were not. Councilor Stauber came out and said in a nutshell that he did not need an ordinance to help him vote. The fact of the matter is that is not true. It is very clear that everyone on the council Stauber included needs this plan. The council has proven it can not make smart descions when it comes to some of these developments.
By now you can more then likely tell the out come of the vote, it was 6-3 not to support the ordinance. The resolution also failed by the same count.
The council should be ashamed of there action last night. Councilor Stewart needs to be commented on his efforts for this ordinance. There will be more to come on this later today.
There was also a last minute resolution tossed into ambush this ordinance by councilors Gilbert and Johnson. The resolution was just more of the status quo, so if that was to pass we would just do the same old.
9 p.m. or so rolls around and they finally get to the ordinance and resolution as they took them both at the same time. One of the most disappointing things was there was no one to speak on the issue. This is an issue that would help the city immensely. I believe there were only three of us that spoke. Two in favor of councilor Stewarts ordinance and one against it. The one against it was tied to development.
Then it was time for council debate, councilor Stewart opened that up with some comments on why his ordinance should be supported, and comment on the resolution as well. Both were very start to the point and correct. Then councilors Gilbert and Johnson spoke on behalf of there resolution. Both said they brought it forward because of people in the community but both failed to say who they were protecting. I believe these two councilors should say who it is that they are protecting.
Councilor Johnson said she felted attacked by councilor Stewart and others, (me). The fact is we did not attack we said what was the truth and that some times hurts. Councilor Johnson also said that this resolution was not a surprise, when in fact it was. She had plenty of time to make councilor Stewart and the community aware that she was going to bring forward a resolution. Yet she and councilor Gilbert waited five days tell it came to a vote, to bring that forward. One speaker said it best when she said something to the fact that she was ambushed and did not know that there was a resolution on the table. I would like to know what councilors Johnson and Gilbert have to say about that?
There were other councilors that I was very disappointed in as well, councilors Little and Stauber who I thought would be in support of this were not. Councilor Stauber came out and said in a nutshell that he did not need an ordinance to help him vote. The fact of the matter is that is not true. It is very clear that everyone on the council Stauber included needs this plan. The council has proven it can not make smart descions when it comes to some of these developments.
By now you can more then likely tell the out come of the vote, it was 6-3 not to support the ordinance. The resolution also failed by the same count.
The council should be ashamed of there action last night. Councilor Stewart needs to be commented on his efforts for this ordinance. There will be more to come on this later today.
New KB's corner.
This is a great read, yet another great by kb to bring attenion to an issue that does get much.
Kb's Corner, Racism in Duluth
According to one of the regular bloggers on the Duluth Citizen's Blog there is no more racism in Duluth.Hmm...quite a statement. Here it is in his words, and I'm guessing he's not a "person of color". JBBP writes: "I am sickened by how certain individuals like to keep throwing up race, sexual orientation, gender, and whatever cards that do little else but revictimize the classes of people they are supposed to represent.
This latest lawsuit paints people with one big wide brush, trying to make it appear that Little Stores wouldn't hire this guy because he's black, when in fact a background investigation revealed that he had a criminal record." (What he fails to tell the reader is that the criminal record was not a consideration what so ever when the decision was made not to hire this man. Little Stores did not know about that background, I'm not saying that it's right to withold information, but it was not a basis for their decision.) "It makes it appear that racism is alive and well in the City of Duluth, when in reality, it's not." (I really don't know how he can make this claim. Being an Indian woman, born and raised here, I can assure you that racism is very much a part of life inDuluth. One example that I found quite obvious is within a certain high school, I have been told by school staff that if a white student gets in trouble the parents are called first, but if it's a black student, the first call is to the police. Now, if that's not racism, I don't know the definition of the word. This information came to me from avery reliable source. Also, from personal experience, I lost a job once because the district manager did not like Indians. This was before the Human Rights Commission, but it was racism none the less. I don't think that someone who has never experienced racism is in any position to state thatit's not a reality for those of us who deal with it regularly.) He goes on to say:
"The ones who are keeping racism alive are those who take and make opportunities to make something out of nothing, as in this case, and who want to rehash bitter days that are done and gone, such as the Clayton-Jackson-Macghee Memorial." Now, how would this "keep racism alive?" Because we do not want history to repeat? Because we want people to examineacts that were so repugnant, and based soley on the color of these men's skin? Racism is alive because white people with power choose to act on their predjudice. So, I'm interested in hearing if anyone else out there really thinks that racism does not exist in Duluth. Or, do you think it does? Are you someone who might face it? Comeon, I don't want to hear that someone from the majority white population is pissed off because they don't want to hear about it anymore. Face the predjudice, how do you treat people of color. And I'm not talking about that one special black dude or the indian guy that's your personal friend.I'm talking about the person who comes into your shop, or is walking down the street towards you late at night. What goes through your mind..and why?
Do you buy into the stereotypes, do you think I'm just a lazy drunk Indian? Or am I your vision of Pocahantas? It's interesting to think about why this man on this blog is so defensive about racism.
Kb's Corner, Racism in Duluth
According to one of the regular bloggers on the Duluth Citizen's Blog there is no more racism in Duluth.Hmm...quite a statement. Here it is in his words, and I'm guessing he's not a "person of color". JBBP writes: "I am sickened by how certain individuals like to keep throwing up race, sexual orientation, gender, and whatever cards that do little else but revictimize the classes of people they are supposed to represent.
This latest lawsuit paints people with one big wide brush, trying to make it appear that Little Stores wouldn't hire this guy because he's black, when in fact a background investigation revealed that he had a criminal record." (What he fails to tell the reader is that the criminal record was not a consideration what so ever when the decision was made not to hire this man. Little Stores did not know about that background, I'm not saying that it's right to withold information, but it was not a basis for their decision.) "It makes it appear that racism is alive and well in the City of Duluth, when in reality, it's not." (I really don't know how he can make this claim. Being an Indian woman, born and raised here, I can assure you that racism is very much a part of life inDuluth. One example that I found quite obvious is within a certain high school, I have been told by school staff that if a white student gets in trouble the parents are called first, but if it's a black student, the first call is to the police. Now, if that's not racism, I don't know the definition of the word. This information came to me from avery reliable source. Also, from personal experience, I lost a job once because the district manager did not like Indians. This was before the Human Rights Commission, but it was racism none the less. I don't think that someone who has never experienced racism is in any position to state thatit's not a reality for those of us who deal with it regularly.) He goes on to say:
"The ones who are keeping racism alive are those who take and make opportunities to make something out of nothing, as in this case, and who want to rehash bitter days that are done and gone, such as the Clayton-Jackson-Macghee Memorial." Now, how would this "keep racism alive?" Because we do not want history to repeat? Because we want people to examineacts that were so repugnant, and based soley on the color of these men's skin? Racism is alive because white people with power choose to act on their predjudice. So, I'm interested in hearing if anyone else out there really thinks that racism does not exist in Duluth. Or, do you think it does? Are you someone who might face it? Comeon, I don't want to hear that someone from the majority white population is pissed off because they don't want to hear about it anymore. Face the predjudice, how do you treat people of color. And I'm not talking about that one special black dude or the indian guy that's your personal friend.I'm talking about the person who comes into your shop, or is walking down the street towards you late at night. What goes through your mind..and why?
Do you buy into the stereotypes, do you think I'm just a lazy drunk Indian? Or am I your vision of Pocahantas? It's interesting to think about why this man on this blog is so defensive about racism.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Bergson: DECC is top prioty.
Mayor Bergson stresses DECC expansion to lobbised at the capital yesterday. Mayor Bergson said that it is very importain to stess this project.
He also said we need to lobby to the DFL lead senate. I wonder what he will say in upcoming interviews, will he walk around the DFLers not putting the DECC in the bonding bill? Will he attack the senate?
Bergson stresses DECC project in lobbying effort
MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT: A cadre of Duluth and St. Louis County residents lobbied lawmakers Monday in St. Paul.
BY SCOTT THISTLE
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
ST. PAUL - As many as 400 people from Northeastern Minnesota visited the state Capitol on Monday asking lawmakers for a moment of their time to talk about the issues important to Duluth and St. Louis County.
Making the rounds in lobbying teams, groups visited with individual lawmakers, thanking them for their support and asking them to back the bills important to the region.
Top among them is an effort to draw $33.7 million in state financing for a $67.4 million expansion of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
Mayor Herb Bergson told a group of would-be lobbyists that the most important task was impressing upon lawmakers the importance of the DECC expansion. The project would bring a new 6,630-seat ice arena and 700-car parking ramp.
The DECC message was especially important in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party-controlled Senate, Bergson said.
"Of all we do, that is the most important thing we can do," Bergson told the lobbyists.
Source: Duluth news tribune, http://duluthnews.com
He also said we need to lobby to the DFL lead senate. I wonder what he will say in upcoming interviews, will he walk around the DFLers not putting the DECC in the bonding bill? Will he attack the senate?
Bergson stresses DECC project in lobbying effort
MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT: A cadre of Duluth and St. Louis County residents lobbied lawmakers Monday in St. Paul.
BY SCOTT THISTLE
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
ST. PAUL - As many as 400 people from Northeastern Minnesota visited the state Capitol on Monday asking lawmakers for a moment of their time to talk about the issues important to Duluth and St. Louis County.
Making the rounds in lobbying teams, groups visited with individual lawmakers, thanking them for their support and asking them to back the bills important to the region.
Top among them is an effort to draw $33.7 million in state financing for a $67.4 million expansion of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
Mayor Herb Bergson told a group of would-be lobbyists that the most important task was impressing upon lawmakers the importance of the DECC expansion. The project would bring a new 6,630-seat ice arena and 700-car parking ramp.
The DECC message was especially important in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party-controlled Senate, Bergson said.
"Of all we do, that is the most important thing we can do," Bergson told the lobbyists.
Source: Duluth news tribune, http://duluthnews.com
Monday, March 27, 2006
Is DECC expansion project dead??
Well it seems that many in Duluth could be upset at our local state senators. Some of us are not.
Tom Bakk and Yvonne Prettner Solon were among those that voted to accept the bonding bill. Okay so what is wrong with that? It did not include the DECC expansion project.
The DECC, Mayor Bergson and many others must not be very happy with there vote. You must remember however the referendum that was Duluthians voted on was a non binding vote, (yet another reason I did not like it) .
In case you don't remember the wording of the referendum question here it is.
DECC Expansion Food & Beverage Sales TaxReferendum Question
If the state of Minnesota allocates enough funds for the project to go forward and to pay for up to one-half of the cost of a new arena for concerts, conventions, hockey and other events at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), then should the city of Duluth seek permission from the legislature to pay for part of the remaining cost by increasing the existing sales tax on food and beverages purchased in Duluth bars and restaurants by .75 percent (7.5 cents per ten dollars spent), subject to the following conditions:
(a) The tax increase would only take effect if the state allocates money for the project to go forward and to pay up to one-half of the project costs; and
(b) The state approves the new tax; and
(c) The tax is only in effect for the period of time needed for it to raise enough money to pay off the cityÂ’s portion of the project cost?
A “yes” vote means you favor funding the new arena in this manner.
A “no” vote means you do not favor funding the new arena in this manner.
Yes referendumrndum passed overwhelmingly, that however does not mean that State had to put it in it's bonding bills. Nor does it mean our local rHave have to vote for the DECC expansion or even make sure it is in the bills.
Both Bakk and Solon did say they supported the project but when it comes down to it they really must not have. I think this makes it hard for the DECC to get it's expansion.
I think it may also have a toll on Bakk and Solon we will have to wait and see.
Tom Bakk and Yvonne Prettner Solon were among those that voted to accept the bonding bill. Okay so what is wrong with that? It did not include the DECC expansion project.
The DECC, Mayor Bergson and many others must not be very happy with there vote. You must remember however the referendum that was Duluthians voted on was a non binding vote, (yet another reason I did not like it) .
In case you don't remember the wording of the referendum question here it is.
DECC Expansion Food & Beverage Sales TaxReferendum Question
If the state of Minnesota allocates enough funds for the project to go forward and to pay for up to one-half of the cost of a new arena for concerts, conventions, hockey and other events at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), then should the city of Duluth seek permission from the legislature to pay for part of the remaining cost by increasing the existing sales tax on food and beverages purchased in Duluth bars and restaurants by .75 percent (7.5 cents per ten dollars spent), subject to the following conditions:
(a) The tax increase would only take effect if the state allocates money for the project to go forward and to pay up to one-half of the project costs; and
(b) The state approves the new tax; and
(c) The tax is only in effect for the period of time needed for it to raise enough money to pay off the cityÂ’s portion of the project cost?
A “yes” vote means you favor funding the new arena in this manner.
A “no” vote means you do not favor funding the new arena in this manner.
Yes referendumrndum passed overwhelmingly, that however does not mean that State had to put it in it's bonding bills. Nor does it mean our local rHave have to vote for the DECC expansion or even make sure it is in the bills.
Both Bakk and Solon did say they supported the project but when it comes down to it they really must not have. I think this makes it hard for the DECC to get it's expansion.
I think it may also have a toll on Bakk and Solon we will have to wait and see.
Friday, March 24, 2006
New web counter.
New web counter for our site, so we have to start our count all over again. it is to bad because we were nearing 3,000 vistiors with are old counter. That is okay we will do it again with this one no big deal. lol.
The new counter is located near the bottom if you care to check it out.
The new counter is located near the bottom if you care to check it out.
Doran droppes out of race.
Kelly Doran annouces he has dropped out the governors race, http://kellydoran.com.
Doran said he had to drop out because of family issues. He also said that recent poll numbers had nothing to do with him dropping out. He added he may not be done in politics.
That leaves just four democrats left to challange republican Governor Tim Pawlenty.
The question might be this, will anyone else drop out before the primary? If so who will it be?
Doran was born in Duluth but grew up in the Cities.
Doran said he had to drop out because of family issues. He also said that recent poll numbers had nothing to do with him dropping out. He added he may not be done in politics.
That leaves just four democrats left to challange republican Governor Tim Pawlenty.
The question might be this, will anyone else drop out before the primary? If so who will it be?
Doran was born in Duluth but grew up in the Cities.
City council meeting Tuesday...
A source is telling us that councilor Stewarts ordinance will be up for a vote on Tuesday, also Councilor Johnson has introduced a resolution that is in support of special interest groups. These groups want to keep that status quo.
Councilor Strewarts has done a great job of putting together a great ordinance that could help our city and he needs to commanded for that. This ordinance has teeth and spells out what developers can expect. Mean while Councilor Johnsone resolution is just a recommendation and does nothing new.
05-060-O REPLACEMENT 2
ORDINANCE NO. __________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE, 1959, AS AMENDED; ADDING ARTICLE XXXIV - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
BY COUNCILOR STEWART:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That the Duluth City Code, 1959, as amended, be amended by adding a new Article XXXIV to read as follows:
Article XXXIV. Regulation of development agreements
and business subsidies.
Sec. 2-179. Policy.
It is the policy of the city of Duluth to engage in appropriate business development and physical development activities, but only in compliance with law, this ordinance, and reasonable standards for the honest disclosure of costs and revenue sources to the public. The city should not agree to pay for activities or structures unless the maximum cost thereof is set out in the agreement.
Sec. 2-180. Definitions.
(a) Development agreement means any promise between the city, DEDA, a city department, city agent, or city official acting in his or her official capacity and at least one other party, which agreement at least one of the parties intends to be legally enforceable, and which agreement has, as a significant purpose, the accomplishment of economic development goals and activities addressed in Chapter 469 of Minnesota Statutes, as it may be amended, and which agreement is related to a physical development. In order to be a development agreement, it must be an agreement whereby the city intends to contribute money or resources to a project in order to encourage, assist, subsidize, financially support, or develop commercial investment, land development, employment, or business activity within the city of Duluth for the purpose of benefitting the local economy or tax base. It includes an agreement with a not for profit corporation, a government agency, or any other party. It includes an agreement whereby the city agrees, as part of a development project, to alter or build public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, including a tourist attraction, but does not include the contract for actual construction of the improvement. It includes an agreement for a business subsidy. It includes a change to, amendment of, or a part of, a development agreement. It does not include a contract for general community betterment, such as a grant agreement for a state financed social program, or an agreement to build or repair public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, that is not related to a specific economic development project;
(b) Physical development means construction or alteration of real estate, including buildings, structures, and infrastructure, whether or not for public use;
(c) Public activity summary means a document, on a form approved by the finance director, which contains the following information about the development agreement:
(1) A brief statement that describes the project;
(2) The public purpose of the development agreement;
(3) Identity of each party to the development agreement;
(4) Describe any public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter under or pursuant to the development agreement;
(5) A good faith estimate, based upon information currently available, of the total cost to all parties of completing the project, including interest, professional fees, financial fees, bonding costs, the value of donated land or property and, for each item, identifying the source of the estimate;
(6) A good faith estimate of the greatest possible total expenditure by (cost to) the city, including the value of land or property donated by the city, but excluding a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingencies, under the proposed development agreement;
(7) A good faith estimate of a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingent costs, such as environmental response or regulatory penalties, that were not included in (5) or (6) above, or, if none, the reason why no contingency fund is included;
(8) The estimated actual total gross expenditure (total disbursements) by the city and/or DEDA under the proposed agreement, including business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, use of the contingency fund, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc;
(9) The estimated total net expenditure by (cost to) the city at the time that the project is constructed, accepted, and operating ((8) above less money or property received by the city from other sources or under the development agreement for use to finance the project);
(10) The amount and source, by fund if applicable, of each revenue to the city that will be used to pay the expenditures that make up the total gross expenditure (total disbursements) shown in (8) above;
(11) The good faith report by the city chief administrative officer, his or her designee, or the city auditor that each amount and source identified in (10) above is available for use at the time needed under the proposed contract, and has been secured and encumbered for the proposed use or, if not, what source of funds will be used for the project in place of the planned for funds if they are not available, or if the money is to be received as reimbursement for costs actually paid, an explanation of the extent to which the city can be sure that it will receive the money);
(12) Tax base impact information required for a proposal under Article XXXI of this chapter, or its successor, and a statement of the estimated or calculated amount of annual ad valorem tax that will not be available for general use, which otherwise would be, as a result of tax increment financing of the project under the agreement;
(13) The party or parties responsible for paying any costs of the project which are not paid by the city or DEDA;
(14) The good faith report of the chief administrative officer or his or her designee that the proposed agreement is for the entire project and that costs in excess of those reported are not expected, and the policy or agreement that governs how and under what conditions the contingency funds can be used.
Under some circumstances, law requires business subsidy forms and procedures.
Sec. 2-181. Public activity summary required.
Whenever a development agreement that has an estimated actual total cost (as defined in Section 2-180(c)(8)) in excess of $100,000 is presented for review or approval to any elected official, city board or commission, Duluth economic development authority, or city council, it shall have attached to it a public activity summary that substantially conforms to this Article. The public activity summary, or a corrected or updated one, shall also be filed with the clerk as a public document. The city council shall not vote on any development agreement, or part or amendment of one, unless the most current public activity summary applicable to the development agreement has been on file with the clerk as a public document for at least five days before the date of the vote.
Sec. 2-182. Requirements for a development agreement.
Any development agreement entered into by the city shall:
(a) Contain a clear statement of the maximum actual total gross expenditures (total disbursements), including all costs, fees, business subsidies, pass through money, use of contingency fund, grants, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc., required to be made by the city and/or DEDA under the development agreement;
(b) Identify each funding source for the city or DEDAÂ’s expenditures under the agreement;
(c) Not obligate the city or DEDA to do an act or construct a structure the total cost of which is not included in the total expenditure described in (a) above;
(d) Not obligate the city or DEDA to furnish a service, structure, value, or thing to another party to the contract which is not limited by an enforceable and stated cost maximum as set out under Section 2-182(a), above;
(e) If the development requires the city to take an action or provide any improvement or alteration other than providing funding including, without limitation, business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, tax increment financing, or donating land or other property to the project, etc., identify the actions or public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter pursuant to the development agreement;
(f) Set out the conditions and procedures for use of the contingency fund;
(g) Contain a re-opener for the parties to renegotiate if force majeure or mutual mistake prohibits performance.
Sec. 2-183. Remedies.
If any development agreement that does not conform to the requirements of sections 2-181 or 2-182 of this Article, or the successor of each, is entered into, then the city may cancel the development agreement, or the authorization to enter into the development agreement, at any time within 30 days after the last city council vote on authorizing the agreement, or part of it, or, if the council did not vote, within 30 days after the last day a party executed the agreement. During that 30 day period, such a contract can be cancelled and rescinded by (i) written notice to the other parties from the mayor or the mayorÂ’s designee, or (ii) by written notice approved by the council by resolution, or (iii) by ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction. If a development agreement is cancelled and rescinded, the city or DEDA will be responsible for performance of the development agreement up to the date of cancellation. An intentional violation of this Article is punishable as set out in D.C.C. Section 1-7, or its successor.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its passage and publication
Why should people support this: This is key for our city, we may not have bad developments such as the GLA were the city just has to keep putting money in to it. At very least the city would have only had to put a small amount of money and then they could have washed there hands of the project if this would have been in effect at the time.
The city needs lay out what it is willing to spend it's money on, we can't just go into everprojectct and fork over money like it is on a money tree, this would help with that process.
Again it looks like this will come to a vote Tuesday night everyone needs to be there in support of councilor Stewarts ordinance. The meetinstartses at 7p.m.
Councilor Strewarts has done a great job of putting together a great ordinance that could help our city and he needs to commanded for that. This ordinance has teeth and spells out what developers can expect. Mean while Councilor Johnsone resolution is just a recommendation and does nothing new.
05-060-O REPLACEMENT 2
ORDINANCE NO. __________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE, 1959, AS AMENDED; ADDING ARTICLE XXXIV - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
BY COUNCILOR STEWART:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That the Duluth City Code, 1959, as amended, be amended by adding a new Article XXXIV to read as follows:
Article XXXIV. Regulation of development agreements
and business subsidies.
Sec. 2-179. Policy.
It is the policy of the city of Duluth to engage in appropriate business development and physical development activities, but only in compliance with law, this ordinance, and reasonable standards for the honest disclosure of costs and revenue sources to the public. The city should not agree to pay for activities or structures unless the maximum cost thereof is set out in the agreement.
Sec. 2-180. Definitions.
(a) Development agreement means any promise between the city, DEDA, a city department, city agent, or city official acting in his or her official capacity and at least one other party, which agreement at least one of the parties intends to be legally enforceable, and which agreement has, as a significant purpose, the accomplishment of economic development goals and activities addressed in Chapter 469 of Minnesota Statutes, as it may be amended, and which agreement is related to a physical development. In order to be a development agreement, it must be an agreement whereby the city intends to contribute money or resources to a project in order to encourage, assist, subsidize, financially support, or develop commercial investment, land development, employment, or business activity within the city of Duluth for the purpose of benefitting the local economy or tax base. It includes an agreement with a not for profit corporation, a government agency, or any other party. It includes an agreement whereby the city agrees, as part of a development project, to alter or build public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, including a tourist attraction, but does not include the contract for actual construction of the improvement. It includes an agreement for a business subsidy. It includes a change to, amendment of, or a part of, a development agreement. It does not include a contract for general community betterment, such as a grant agreement for a state financed social program, or an agreement to build or repair public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements, that is not related to a specific economic development project;
(b) Physical development means construction or alteration of real estate, including buildings, structures, and infrastructure, whether or not for public use;
(c) Public activity summary means a document, on a form approved by the finance director, which contains the following information about the development agreement:
(1) A brief statement that describes the project;
(2) The public purpose of the development agreement;
(3) Identity of each party to the development agreement;
(4) Describe any public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter under or pursuant to the development agreement;
(5) A good faith estimate, based upon information currently available, of the total cost to all parties of completing the project, including interest, professional fees, financial fees, bonding costs, the value of donated land or property and, for each item, identifying the source of the estimate;
(6) A good faith estimate of the greatest possible total expenditure by (cost to) the city, including the value of land or property donated by the city, but excluding a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingencies, under the proposed development agreement;
(7) A good faith estimate of a reasonable reserve for foreseeable contingent costs, such as environmental response or regulatory penalties, that were not included in (5) or (6) above, or, if none, the reason why no contingency fund is included;
(8) The estimated actual total gross expenditure (total disbursements) by the city and/or DEDA under the proposed agreement, including business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, use of the contingency fund, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc;
(9) The estimated total net expenditure by (cost to) the city at the time that the project is constructed, accepted, and operating ((8) above less money or property received by the city from other sources or under the development agreement for use to finance the project);
(10) The amount and source, by fund if applicable, of each revenue to the city that will be used to pay the expenditures that make up the total gross expenditure (total disbursements) shown in (8) above;
(11) The good faith report by the city chief administrative officer, his or her designee, or the city auditor that each amount and source identified in (10) above is available for use at the time needed under the proposed contract, and has been secured and encumbered for the proposed use or, if not, what source of funds will be used for the project in place of the planned for funds if they are not available, or if the money is to be received as reimbursement for costs actually paid, an explanation of the extent to which the city can be sure that it will receive the money);
(12) Tax base impact information required for a proposal under Article XXXI of this chapter, or its successor, and a statement of the estimated or calculated amount of annual ad valorem tax that will not be available for general use, which otherwise would be, as a result of tax increment financing of the project under the agreement;
(13) The party or parties responsible for paying any costs of the project which are not paid by the city or DEDA;
(14) The good faith report of the chief administrative officer or his or her designee that the proposed agreement is for the entire project and that costs in excess of those reported are not expected, and the policy or agreement that governs how and under what conditions the contingency funds can be used.
Under some circumstances, law requires business subsidy forms and procedures.
Sec. 2-181. Public activity summary required.
Whenever a development agreement that has an estimated actual total cost (as defined in Section 2-180(c)(8)) in excess of $100,000 is presented for review or approval to any elected official, city board or commission, Duluth economic development authority, or city council, it shall have attached to it a public activity summary that substantially conforms to this Article. The public activity summary, or a corrected or updated one, shall also be filed with the clerk as a public document. The city council shall not vote on any development agreement, or part or amendment of one, unless the most current public activity summary applicable to the development agreement has been on file with the clerk as a public document for at least five days before the date of the vote.
Sec. 2-182. Requirements for a development agreement.
Any development agreement entered into by the city shall:
(a) Contain a clear statement of the maximum actual total gross expenditures (total disbursements), including all costs, fees, business subsidies, pass through money, use of contingency fund, grants, tax increment financing, value of land or property donated to the project, etc., required to be made by the city and/or DEDA under the development agreement;
(b) Identify each funding source for the city or DEDAÂ’s expenditures under the agreement;
(c) Not obligate the city or DEDA to do an act or construct a structure the total cost of which is not included in the total expenditure described in (a) above;
(d) Not obligate the city or DEDA to furnish a service, structure, value, or thing to another party to the contract which is not limited by an enforceable and stated cost maximum as set out under Section 2-182(a), above;
(e) If the development requires the city to take an action or provide any improvement or alteration other than providing funding including, without limitation, business subsidies, pass through money, grants, loans, tax increment financing, or donating land or other property to the project, etc., identify the actions or public facilities, streets, sewers, or other physical improvements the city will provide or alter pursuant to the development agreement;
(f) Set out the conditions and procedures for use of the contingency fund;
(g) Contain a re-opener for the parties to renegotiate if force majeure or mutual mistake prohibits performance.
Sec. 2-183. Remedies.
If any development agreement that does not conform to the requirements of sections 2-181 or 2-182 of this Article, or the successor of each, is entered into, then the city may cancel the development agreement, or the authorization to enter into the development agreement, at any time within 30 days after the last city council vote on authorizing the agreement, or part of it, or, if the council did not vote, within 30 days after the last day a party executed the agreement. During that 30 day period, such a contract can be cancelled and rescinded by (i) written notice to the other parties from the mayor or the mayorÂ’s designee, or (ii) by written notice approved by the council by resolution, or (iii) by ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction. If a development agreement is cancelled and rescinded, the city or DEDA will be responsible for performance of the development agreement up to the date of cancellation. An intentional violation of this Article is punishable as set out in D.C.C. Section 1-7, or its successor.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its passage and publication
Why should people support this: This is key for our city, we may not have bad developments such as the GLA were the city just has to keep putting money in to it. At very least the city would have only had to put a small amount of money and then they could have washed there hands of the project if this would have been in effect at the time.
The city needs lay out what it is willing to spend it's money on, we can't just go into everprojectct and fork over money like it is on a money tree, this would help with that process.
Again it looks like this will come to a vote Tuesday night everyone needs to be there in support of councilor Stewarts ordinance. The meetinstartses at 7p.m.
The city needs to know the cost of projects.
Here is a great piece about Councilor Stewarts ordince. It is written by Bob Hansen.
The source is the Duluth News Trib,http://duluthnews.com
City needs to know costs of projects upfront
Commentary by BOB HANSEN
When we purchase anything, we want to know its total cost. Duluth City Councilor Russ Stewart has offered the same information for city projects through a proposed city law. Ordinance 60 is expected to be considered by the council Tuesday.
The ordinance would require any city of Duluth development agreement to be accompanied by an information sheet that states the project's costs, the maximum amount the city can spend, and the source of the funding.
Duluth needs this ordinance because experience has shown that through inadvertence, manipulation or lack of straightforward information, city leaders sometimes make bad decisions.
Would any sensible councilor vote to obligate the city to pay operating costs that the city cannot control, forever, without a limit on the amount? The council did this when it voted for the aquarium deal.
Would any sensible councilor vote to use all, or almost all, of the state money the city receives to fix streets to build skywalks? The council did this when it built the tunnel to the Radisson. And councilors are looking to do it again with the new skywalks east of Lake Avenue. How many more years will we be without state money for streets because the city is using that money for skywalks? The city designates them as bridges over streets, thus relating them to street repair.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise to build a parking ramp without a cost limit for construction and purchase of the property via eminent domain, and without the funding secured? The city did that with the ramp being constructed behind the Voyageur Motel on First Street. Up to an additional $9.6 million will be required for the project because of bonding and operation cost mistakes. Additional construction costs could be another $2 million.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise to build millions of dollars of skywalks without funding and with no backup plan should requests for state and federal funding not be successful? The city did this when it approved the skywalk extension to the new St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic cancer center. Now, general fund dollars from property and sales taxes, along with other tax money, may be used to pay millions for the skywalk -- along with our state street money.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise a private company that notified the city it would expand in the city if the city gave it $45 million? The city did this as part of the Northwest Airlines maintenance base deal. Northwest Airlines did not expand and could not claim the money. Reality is the city had no way to quickly raise that amount of money and was discussing the selling of the water and gas utility to fund it.
The proposed Ordinance 60 will provide upfront answers for both councilors and the public. All parties will understand what the councilors are voting on and the maximum cost to the city and its taxpayers. Ordinance 60 will assist the city in better managing our money.
The source is the Duluth News Trib,http://duluthnews.com
City needs to know costs of projects upfront
Commentary by BOB HANSEN
When we purchase anything, we want to know its total cost. Duluth City Councilor Russ Stewart has offered the same information for city projects through a proposed city law. Ordinance 60 is expected to be considered by the council Tuesday.
The ordinance would require any city of Duluth development agreement to be accompanied by an information sheet that states the project's costs, the maximum amount the city can spend, and the source of the funding.
Duluth needs this ordinance because experience has shown that through inadvertence, manipulation or lack of straightforward information, city leaders sometimes make bad decisions.
Would any sensible councilor vote to obligate the city to pay operating costs that the city cannot control, forever, without a limit on the amount? The council did this when it voted for the aquarium deal.
Would any sensible councilor vote to use all, or almost all, of the state money the city receives to fix streets to build skywalks? The council did this when it built the tunnel to the Radisson. And councilors are looking to do it again with the new skywalks east of Lake Avenue. How many more years will we be without state money for streets because the city is using that money for skywalks? The city designates them as bridges over streets, thus relating them to street repair.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise to build a parking ramp without a cost limit for construction and purchase of the property via eminent domain, and without the funding secured? The city did that with the ramp being constructed behind the Voyageur Motel on First Street. Up to an additional $9.6 million will be required for the project because of bonding and operation cost mistakes. Additional construction costs could be another $2 million.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise to build millions of dollars of skywalks without funding and with no backup plan should requests for state and federal funding not be successful? The city did this when it approved the skywalk extension to the new St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic cancer center. Now, general fund dollars from property and sales taxes, along with other tax money, may be used to pay millions for the skywalk -- along with our state street money.
Would a sensible councilor vote to promise a private company that notified the city it would expand in the city if the city gave it $45 million? The city did this as part of the Northwest Airlines maintenance base deal. Northwest Airlines did not expand and could not claim the money. Reality is the city had no way to quickly raise that amount of money and was discussing the selling of the water and gas utility to fund it.
The proposed Ordinance 60 will provide upfront answers for both councilors and the public. All parties will understand what the councilors are voting on and the maximum cost to the city and its taxpayers. Ordinance 60 will assist the city in better managing our money.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
KDAL loses another great.
So it seems like KDAL will lose another great voice this leaving midwest with no good talent. You will have to listen to idiot windbags like Ray and Bruce oh boy I am excited. Say good bye to midwest.
KDAL when they hire new people don't seem to care about what they once had. The new voices of KDAL and there other stations are hard to listen too.
One of Duluth's most familiar and beloved radio voices will fade from the airwaves early this summer.
Rik Jordan plans to hang up his microphone June 20, after more than 27 years on the job at KDAL-610 AM. Jordan is co-host of the Twin Ports' top-rated morning show with Pat Cadigan and provides color commentary for UMD Bulldog men's hockey broadcasts.
The 58-year-old Jordan said he'd probably continue to broadcast indefinitely were it not for his faltering eyesight.
"I want to retire while I'm still able to drive a car and go fishing," he said.
Jordan lost sight in his left eye at 16, when he was struck by a hockey puck. The retina in his right eye has become detached five times, and in 1992, Jordan was left completely blind after an unsuccessful attempt to reattach it.
Rik Jordan is one of the greats. I can't belame him for wanting to leave so he can enjoy the rest of his life well he can see. It must be hard to know soon you will not bealbe to see much of anything. I remember back in the 90's when he had to leave the UMD annoucers desk for hockey it killed him. He was able to return for this year and do some of the games but it was nost the same. The main voice of the bulldogs was Bruce and he was bad.
Rik will be missed.
So here is a question who will get UMD sports next year? Anyone know?
Don't forget to check out our sports page,http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com
Aslo a great new post located a few post below this on KB's corner. Check it out.
KDAL when they hire new people don't seem to care about what they once had. The new voices of KDAL and there other stations are hard to listen too.
One of Duluth's most familiar and beloved radio voices will fade from the airwaves early this summer.
Rik Jordan plans to hang up his microphone June 20, after more than 27 years on the job at KDAL-610 AM. Jordan is co-host of the Twin Ports' top-rated morning show with Pat Cadigan and provides color commentary for UMD Bulldog men's hockey broadcasts.
The 58-year-old Jordan said he'd probably continue to broadcast indefinitely were it not for his faltering eyesight.
"I want to retire while I'm still able to drive a car and go fishing," he said.
Jordan lost sight in his left eye at 16, when he was struck by a hockey puck. The retina in his right eye has become detached five times, and in 1992, Jordan was left completely blind after an unsuccessful attempt to reattach it.
Rik Jordan is one of the greats. I can't belame him for wanting to leave so he can enjoy the rest of his life well he can see. It must be hard to know soon you will not bealbe to see much of anything. I remember back in the 90's when he had to leave the UMD annoucers desk for hockey it killed him. He was able to return for this year and do some of the games but it was nost the same. The main voice of the bulldogs was Bruce and he was bad.
Rik will be missed.
So here is a question who will get UMD sports next year? Anyone know?
Don't forget to check out our sports page,http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com
Aslo a great new post located a few post below this on KB's corner. Check it out.
Congressman Obey in Superior on Friday.
The angrey old man will be in Superior Friday.
Congressman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) will participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Lake Superior Community Health Center's new facility at 10 a.m. on Friday.
The center is locatate at 3600 Tower Avenue in Superior.
The new facility expands the health center's ability to provide affordable health care services for the Twin Ports and rural Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland counties, including clinical care, preventative care, dental care, physicals and anticipatory health education and guidance.
source Duluth News Trib,http://duluthnews.com
Congressman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) will participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Lake Superior Community Health Center's new facility at 10 a.m. on Friday.
The center is locatate at 3600 Tower Avenue in Superior.
The new facility expands the health center's ability to provide affordable health care services for the Twin Ports and rural Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland counties, including clinical care, preventative care, dental care, physicals and anticipatory health education and guidance.
source Duluth News Trib,http://duluthnews.com
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
IRS wants to sell your tax return info.
This is scary, they have no right to sell anyones tax return infomation for any reason, or purpose. What would be the point of this. If they did sell your information who is to say that only these two groups would get it?
Everyone needs to watch this, what are your thoughts on this?
In a move that threatens the privacy of federal income-tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service is proposing that accountants and other tax-return preparers can sell information from returns to marketers and data brokers.
The change in IRS policy was included in a set of proposed rules that the Treasury Department and the IRS published in the December 8 Federal Register.
IRS officials portray the changes as "housecleaning measures needed to update outmoded regulations adopted before it began accepting returns electronically," the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
IRS rules currently prohibit tax preparers from selling returns to third parties for marketing purposes.
For more on this story go to, http://newsmax.com
Everyone needs to watch this, what are your thoughts on this?
In a move that threatens the privacy of federal income-tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service is proposing that accountants and other tax-return preparers can sell information from returns to marketers and data brokers.
The change in IRS policy was included in a set of proposed rules that the Treasury Department and the IRS published in the December 8 Federal Register.
IRS officials portray the changes as "housecleaning measures needed to update outmoded regulations adopted before it began accepting returns electronically," the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
IRS rules currently prohibit tax preparers from selling returns to third parties for marketing purposes.
For more on this story go to, http://newsmax.com
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
New KB's Corner.
Here's an interesting story, intended to generate discussion. The National Center for Men has prepared a lawsuit, nicknamed Roe v. Wade for Men. The lawsuit was filed in US District court last Thursday on behalf of a 25year old man ordered to pay child support for a child that he and his ex-girlfriend had. He contends that she told him she was sterile and after they had unprotected sex she became pregnant. He says that since she repeatedly assured him that she would not become pregnant and she knew he didn't want a child that he should not be responsible to pay$500 a month in child support. The National Center for Men is hoping that this will start a dialogue about the right to choose for men. The details of the story are athttp://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/03/08/fatherhood.suit.ap/So...what do you think? How much choice should a man have?Should he be able to legally opt out of fatherhood? Should he be able to tell a woman she must adopt out the child or get an abortion? Should he be able to tell a woman she cannot get an abortion? How is this case so different from the hundreds of men who walk away from their obligation every day, through divorce or simply because they will not be a full time father? How many single fathers do you know?How many single mothers? It's an interesting story, with alot of potential for discussion. What about the child in this case, how would you feel if this was your father?
Monday, March 20, 2006
As my b-day approaches I never thought.......
Well March 22nd is approaching so what? That means it is my birthday and I get yet another year older. Yet one more year closer to the big 30.
I have affen wondered were I would be at that time, even with a couple years to I still think about it.
politically I never thought I would be a republican. I grew up in a household and family that was very strong DFLers. Some would be rolling over in there graves today if they knew I was a republican.
My change started in high school, when I met Chris Dalhberg. At the time he was running for the city council. Later ran against Jaros a couple of times. I listened to him talk about the issues that faced the city at that time and was very impressed.
I volunteered on his campaing and worked hard to help him. From that point on my change continued in to the republican that I am today.
I have affen wondered were I would be at that time, even with a couple years to I still think about it.
politically I never thought I would be a republican. I grew up in a household and family that was very strong DFLers. Some would be rolling over in there graves today if they knew I was a republican.
My change started in high school, when I met Chris Dalhberg. At the time he was running for the city council. Later ran against Jaros a couple of times. I listened to him talk about the issues that faced the city at that time and was very impressed.
I volunteered on his campaing and worked hard to help him. From that point on my change continued in to the republican that I am today.
Poor chose of words.
I saw this on an ap story.
"I made sure both in 2000 and 2004 that the president had other options. I mean, I didn't ask for this job. I didn't campaign for it. I got drafted," Cheney said on CBS television's "Face The Nation."
Cheney uses poor use of words. Yes Mr. Vice President you may not have asked for the job but you could have said no when you were asked. The fact is you did not get drafted you did have a chose.
"I made sure both in 2000 and 2004 that the president had other options. I mean, I didn't ask for this job. I didn't campaign for it. I got drafted," Cheney said on CBS television's "Face The Nation."
Cheney uses poor use of words. Yes Mr. Vice President you may not have asked for the job but you could have said no when you were asked. The fact is you did not get drafted you did have a chose.
Pat Anderson in Duluth Tuesday.
State Auditor Pat Anderson will be in town Tuesday. She will speak at Blackwoods on London Road. I believe it startes at 5:30 tonight. She will talk about the health care issue that Duluth is dealing with, among other issues.
The event at blackwoods is sponcerd by Connect Duluth. I believe it is a fund raiser for the group I am not sure what they are asking for a donation.
My understanding is that there will be some food and a cash bar as well. I will pass on any further information I get.
The event at blackwoods is sponcerd by Connect Duluth. I believe it is a fund raiser for the group I am not sure what they are asking for a donation.
My understanding is that there will be some food and a cash bar as well. I will pass on any further information I get.
Lourey has no clue what to run on.
Here is another great editroal from today's paper.
Lourey's vote reveals shaky campaign platform
Becky Lourey's Senate vote equaled no vote ("Sen. Lourey casts lone vote against funeral protest ban," March 17).
We can all sympathize and grieve for family and friends lost in Iraq. But the senator and gubernatorial candidate needs to build a political platform on something other than the death of her son.
Thank God for the other 58 votes.
RON IANNELLI GRAND RAPIDS
This writter is correct. Does Lourey even have a plat form to run for governor. Ever interview I hear with her, all she does is talk about the war.
Senate Lourey you need to relize that you are running for a state office not only a state office but the highest office the State has. You need to tell Minnesotains what you are going to do for them and how you will do it. Not that the war is wrong and you can't stand President Bush.
This is not about the war nor is it about President Bush. This is about Minnesota.
Check out our sports page at http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com, also read KB's corner a few spots below this post.
More at the Duluth Trib web page,
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/editorial/14141499.htm
Lourey's vote reveals shaky campaign platform
Becky Lourey's Senate vote equaled no vote ("Sen. Lourey casts lone vote against funeral protest ban," March 17).
We can all sympathize and grieve for family and friends lost in Iraq. But the senator and gubernatorial candidate needs to build a political platform on something other than the death of her son.
Thank God for the other 58 votes.
RON IANNELLI GRAND RAPIDS
This writter is correct. Does Lourey even have a plat form to run for governor. Ever interview I hear with her, all she does is talk about the war.
Senate Lourey you need to relize that you are running for a state office not only a state office but the highest office the State has. You need to tell Minnesotains what you are going to do for them and how you will do it. Not that the war is wrong and you can't stand President Bush.
This is not about the war nor is it about President Bush. This is about Minnesota.
Check out our sports page at http://duluthpoliticssportspage.blogspot.com, also read KB's corner a few spots below this post.
More at the Duluth Trib web page,
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/editorial/14141499.htm
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