Knowing he'd have only about 10 minutes with senators who control -- or at least influence -- purse strings in St. Paul, Seaway Port Authority of Duluth Executive Director Adolph Ojard narrowed his message yesterday.
On the Duluth waterfront, he showed 12 touring members of the Senate's capital investment committee successful port projects previously funded by the Minnesota Legislature, including work that's allowed the port to transfer from ships to semis enormous turbines and other wind farm equipment. And he pitched projects most in need of money during the upcoming legislative session, none more critical than a $750,000 proposal to replace nearly half-century-old timber fenders at the port terminal.
"They're decayed to the point where we're fearful we'll start seeing damage to ships," Ojard told the News Tribune editorial page moments before the senators arrived. The message was similar to -- and amazingly, even more succinct -- than the one he delivered to the visiting lawmakers.
"You have to be very focused," he said, echoing the mantra of the week for about 20 Northland agencies, schools and others expecting similar visits because they're hoping to vie for state financial support this spring. An estimated $4 billion in projects are likely to request state money. But with only about $1 billion being provided, Ojard and others are being more than opportunistic by seizing on an opportunity like a captive Senate audience.
"This was a great opportunity for them to get hands-on with what we're doing here," Ojard said.
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"It's incredibly valuable," Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Executive Director Dan Russell added, also while preparing for the senators' visit. He looked forward to a relaxed setting in which he could best answer questions about long-overdue state funding for a critical DECC expansion. "Later on [during the legislative session], you're lucky if you can grab a key person for a minute or two in a hallway or schedule five minutes in their office. ...To get a whole committee on your home turf to talk about your project really pays dividends."
For lawmakers, too.
"It's hard to get the same impressions if you just have a PowerPoint presentation or if you just have somebody giving you some handouts" during a meeting at the Capitol, said Democratic Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon of Duluth, a member of the Senate's capital investment committee.
She and about 11 other members are scheduled to be in the Northland through Friday touring many places, including the Minnesota Sex Offender Program facility in Moose Lake, Split Rock Lighthouse, Ironworld and a tribal community center near Sawyer. In addition to the DECC and port, Duluth stops were scheduled to include the Lake Superior Zoo, the Depot, the University of Minnesota Duluth, an 18th Avenue East sewer facility, Lake Superior College and Duluth International Airport.
Last month, members of the Minnesota House Capital Investment Finance Division committee embarked on a similar pre-session Northeastern Minnesota tour in preparation for their work on the 2008 state bonding bill.
Every stop during such tours is another opportunity for the Northland to effectively "tell your story," as Duluth Parks and Recreation interim Director Kathy Bergen said as senators were leaving the city zoo in West Duluth (where $2.3 million is needed to remedy accreditation deficiencies).
Every stop this week is an opportunity that won't be let slip by -- not by Northeastern Minnesotans and not by lawmakers.
