I would like to thank all the people who have supported me and the Duluth police union, primary candidate Ryan Miles and the News Tribune for endorsing me.
I grew up and have lived in the City Council's 4th District for 48 years. I graduated from Central High School and worked at Highland Super Valu. I left Super Valu to work at Diamond Tool. I had to develop a new skill when Diamond Tool closed. I retrained myself, without financial assistance, at Duluth Area Vocational Technical Institute, receiving an electrical apprenticeship upon graduation. I worked in the electrical construction trade for 25 years and advanced through the ranks until ultimately I ran large projects. During my time as a master electrician I experienced many economic booms, downturns and two work-related injuries. I learned what it was like to wonder where your next paycheck was coming from. Over the years, I continued my education while working full time. I now make a living as a college dean, helping people better themselves educationally.
Community service and helping people have always been important to me. I have served on many boards and committees, striving to make Duluth a better place to live. My desire to help people is what caused me to run for the 4th District City Council seat. I try to find solutions that meet the needs of the majority of people.
While running for office or in office, I visit people in person to learn what their needs and concerns are. I find people to be more open when I meet them in person. By visiting residents in their neighborhoods I'm better able to understand the issues facing people in Duluth.
The common theme I find in every neighborhood is that families are struggling to make ends meet. I find that within every 20 homes, at least one family member has lost a job. In some cases, job losses have been as high as four unemployed primary breadwinners within one city block. In high-end neighborhoods, I have found locations where three primary breadwinners have lost their jobs. The income level of a neighborhood does not change the fact that families are struggling. Many residents are living on fixed incomes. The rising cost of government, combined with job loss, is forcing people to lose their homes to banks or to tax forfeiture. It has broken my heart to hear what families have endured.
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During this recession, I believe the city needs to keep residents' living costs as low as possible. Leadership needs to prioritize and focus on the core services everyone uses. Families cannot afford to have increased taxes or fees for items the majority does not use. I believe the city's leadership needs to focus on police and fire protection services because those are important for life safety. The city needs to promptly plow streets and repair roads because this is important to everyone's livelihoods. Duluth needs to maintain utilities because they serve the needs of all residents. I believe the city's leadership must be responsive to the majority's needs and not to the loud, outspoken few.
As your councilor, I pledge to honor what I have heard from you and will work hard to prioritize the services everyone uses. I will represent you and your concerns to keep your living costs down.
Garry Krause is a candidate for the Duluth City Council in the 4th District.
