More than 200 people flooded the City Council chambers Tuesday night to plead with councilors in sometimes heated language to reconsider a vote denying money for an American Indian housing project.
While spending for the project passed this time, alleged accusations that he was racist left at least one councilor fuming.
The council voted 5 to 4 to fund the project, with Councilors Greg Gilbert, Laurie Johnson, Russ Stover, Don Ness, Roger Reinert voting in favor of the proposal, while Garry Krause, Tim Little, Jim Stauber and Russ Stewart voted against it.
The plan is to create an American Indian Center and add 29 low-income housing units to the YWCA building on West Second Street. Two weeks ago, the council voted to deny $600,000 from the city to the American Indian Community Housing Organization, which was developing the $7 million project.
Stewart said he opposed the project, arguing that the money should be used to fix roads. While the $600,000 would have come from the housing investment fund, money to that fund is driven by the community investment trust fund, where interest from the city's share of Fond-du-Luth Casino profits often is used for street improvements.
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Krause said he supported the project, but not at the expense of other needed city expenses. With the city experiencing severe financial problems, "we have to try to stop being everything to everyone," he said. "We have financial troubles in this city that are compounding. ... It's only going to turn around if we start to make different decisions. Sometimes we can help people, sometimes we can't."
Reinert two weeks ago voted against the proposal. He said he received extensive lobbying from the measure's supporters, including more than 200 e-mails, some of which he said accused him of being racist.
"Those comments are unforgivable, and quite hurtful," he said, noting that he has five nonwhite sisters.
He said he initially voted against the proposal because it put another low-income housing project downtown. But the information provided at the council meeting by others in the American Indian community and low-income housing supporters seemed to sway his vote.
To some in the American Indian community, the decision to deny the $600,000 was seen as an attack on their race.
"This is just another way to attack Indian people," Ricky Defoe of Cloquet said, as downstairs in front of City Hall an American Indian drum and song were being played.
Others said that the project is needed to help reduce homelessness in the city.
Craig Grau, a political science professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota Duluth, said that the money in the community investment trust fund wouldn't be there if it weren't for the casino and the American Indian people.
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"Your legacy is in this decision," he said.
BRANDON STAHL covers the Duluth community and city government. He can be reached weekdays at (218) 720-4154 or by e-mail at bstahl@duluthnews.com
