DULUTH GREENS - Voters Guide, 2007 Mayor Candidates
| QUESTIONS | Charlie Bell | Don Ness | Mike Solon (write-in) Green Endorsed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability / lessen fossil-fuel use? | BELL: I plan on working with UMD and the Isaac Walton League who have already set up programs that will provide the education and programs for the Duluth City Hall and citizen's of our community. We would be well on our way to establishing our own programs if our current political leaders hadn't put our community in such a terrible financial position. And that, my folks, is one of the main reasons for my candidacy. | NESS: Duluth should be a premier model of a sustainable small city. This is one of my top priorities, not only as a citizen, but as a policymaker in Duluth. I initiated the Cities for Climate Protection program in 2001, which has saved Duluth over $1 million since becoming a member and put city on track for advancing sustainable measures. We have already greatly decreased carbon emissions in local steam plants. Stoplights and streetlights have been replaced by LED lights, which saves on energy. But we can’t stop here. We need to move forward by making solar and wind power the primary resource in city operations. The Duluth Transit Authority just received two hybrid busses—I would encourage the DTA to increase this number and promote the use of bio-diesel, bio-mass, and ethanol. Using innovation, we can work towards increasing efficiency in our city operations and create cost savings for taxpayers. We must work together with other entities, such as UMD and other local environmental organizations, to effectively move forward. cell | SOLON: A Weatherization Program starting with 100 plus year Housing. Bestowing legitimacy to established groups whose mission is to foster future focus. Include protection in the plan of Duluth's most priceless asset: Our Greenbelts. |
| Local food production? | BELL: The potential for food production for cities is great. As Mayor, I would work through UMD's extension program to encourage their continued efforts in community based food and farming. I do intend to provide leadership in this area of urban agriculture. I would also look at urban waste reduction and recycling. | NESS: It starts with each individual committing themselves to buying locally. My wife, Laura, and I buy food shares from the Good Luck Farm, a local organic farm in Northern Wisconsin. We need to increase the number of Duluthians who make that commitment to buy locally to create a greater demand. Many commercial organic products rely heavily on transportation and sucks up fossil fuels. Minnesota is home to hundreds of small family farms. Let’s do our part to keep their products local. | SOLON: I'll provide assistance and staff from the Department of Community Development for local food production. |
| Strengthen Union movement? | BELL: I believe the role of the Mayor of Duluth is to provide the leadership necessary for our community to be healthy, safe and productive. I will support the Project Labor Agreement that our City Council has just passed, and I will work diligently to bring the business and labor community to the same table. Our city is currently struggling. Mostly, because we haven't had the leadership that has been able to bring these two groups together. Once this is done, the third key will be to bring City Hall into the equation. With a healthy, vibrant and strong City Hall, we will then be able to provide new and better paying jobs which will strengthen our Unions and our City. | NESS: I support the rights of unions to organize and collectively bargain and neutrality in the organizing process. I support the establishment of a community election procedure that would circumvent the use of the National Labor Relations Board process. | SOLON: Hmm tough question, As your Mayor, I cannot furnish citizens a membership card anymore than I can provide each uninsured family with health coverage, but I'd like to! I would resolve to make contracts with public/private partnerships contain regards for labors' right to organizing. |
| Call for U.S. Troops home from Iraq? | BELL: I respect your desire to ask this question, but Duluth has so many issues to address I find myself in a quandary. My first reaction is to secure the future of the 138th Fighter Group. To take up a national issue and jeopardize local jobs and revenue into our city that support our city services, would be shortsighted and irresponsible. | NESS: As an individual, I support a responsible end to this war as soon as possible. I believe our country should not have engaged in this war and should have begun the process of bringing our troops home long ago. However, Duluth has many challenges and in our roles as local elected officials, we should focus our time, energy, and attention on those local issues. | SOLON: YES. Stop the offensive killing, and throughout the world respect the sovereignty of nations! |
| Support I.C.R.B. for Duluth Police? | BELL: I would support the creation of an independent body to improve communication between the Police Department and the community of Duluth. To improve police accountability and credibility with the public and to create a complaint process that is free of bias. I am aware that there are cities in the United States that have review boards and I would pursue more information about their programs. | I support the efforts of Police Chief Gordon Ramsey’s initiative to encourage more citizen oversight of the police department. However, I have some concerns about how Independent Citizens Review Boards have been implemented in other communities. I would proceed with detailed oversight should this board be established. | SOLON: NO. I believe the cost of the review board retaining legal counsel would be at the expense of a fully fuctioning Human Rights Office. Administration is charged with the responsibility to see that policy is enforced. Institutional Racism mustn't exist in our city, therefore I would fund the Human Rights Office fully, and would include an attorney's salary in that funding. When discrimination plays a role in the treatment of a member of the community The community must stand with their relative and in this case the family of David Croud! |
| Instant Runoff Voting in Duluth? | BELL: I'm not sure if I would support changing the method we are using to elect our local officials. I would like to take some time after this election to explore this option. I pride myself as being very open minded and accepting of change much more easily than most. This topic is interesting and innovative, and should have the opportunity for discussion. | Four years ago, I initiated a proposed charter change to implement Instant Runoff Voting in Duluth. At the time, it was unsuccessful. I look forward to the results of the Minneapolis effort and perhaps we can revisit the issue in Duluth. | SOLON: YES to IRV or other alternative democratic voting methods. In the case of progressive initiatives brought forth by the City Administration it would always require a supportive Council. Here's an idea 10 planning districts, 10 park districts, why not council districts made up of the 10 combined into 5 (i.e. 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6). Two Representatives per district. No at-large reps |