St. Louis County Commissioner Chris Dahlberg of Duluth isn't looking to be a career politician. Never was. When he ran for a board seat four years ago he was interested in giving back, he said. He didn't even know what a county commissioner got paid.
"I have a thriving law practice. I chose (to run) not (because) I needed a job, but I was drawn by public service," Dahlberg said at a News Tribune candidate forum last week in Duluth. "I absolutely love this job. I enjoy public service. I relish it. And I am asking the voters for a second term.
"And then," he said, "I'll probably go back into the private sector."
Voters in the county's 3rd District, which includes western Duluth, can grant Dahlberg the one more term he seeks on Nov. 6, confident in his reputation as a fiscal conservative who's tenacious and thoroughly prepared when working on behalf of constituents, their pocketbooks and their needs.
Voters also can be assured a gets-things-done replacement for Dahlberg may be in the wings in his opponent this election, neighborhood activist Debbie Isabell-Nelson.
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An Army veteran of the Iraq War and a general-practice attorney, Dahlberg said he's proud of his four years on the County Board. He has every right.
He took a leading role and pushed for solutions last year after a News Tribune investigation uncovered safety concerns in the fast-growing group-home industry.
He rose above and avoided sexual harassment allegations and charges of cronyism that dogged other County Board members. He instead was part of bold, money-saving moves to privatize the county's assisted-living program and its Chris Jensen Nursing Home, the latter saving taxpayers an estimated $2 million. He helped save another $25,000 in taxpayer money via a new county cell phone policy.
A fan of right-sizing government, Dahlberg pushed for a 0 percent budget increase this year because, he said, property owners already faced a tax increase as a result of the state's decision to do away with the homestead tax credit.
He pushed for evening meetings to improve the county's accessibility and transparency. And he helped the timber industry through a costly insurance issue.
"I think we've been a model of fiscal responsibility," Dahlberg said of the entire County Board. "We've made some real tough decisions. ... You can see I'm passionate about it and excited. I'd love the opportunity to serve one more term."
As we wrote about her before the primary, Isabell-Nelson worked 23 years as a child-care provider and as a consultant for and trainer of child-care workers, including those who cared for children with disabilities.
She started gaining public notoriety in the early 2000s by speaking out about failing sewer and water pipes in her Morgan Park neighborhood. She sued the city; then she worked with the city, neighbors and others to get new lines installed. The $12 million project was the largest infrastructure investment in Duluth at the time.
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More recently, Isabell-Nelson founded, organized and ran a citywide crime-prevention and safety initiative with the Duluth Police Department. She packed monthly meetings.
She worked at Neighborhood Housing Services for six-and-a-half years as a neighborhood coordinator. She brought together volunteers and did other work to help revitalize some of Duluth's poorest neighborhoods.
She helped lead Duluth's western neighborhoods through the city's massive comprehensive planning process.
And last year she was on the Mayor's Tourism Task Force.
"Some folks might say I'm a builder," Isabell-Nelson said at last week's forum. "I have brought together people on many issues across our county over the years. ... I also build trust. I believe that people trust me. I have a track record of when I say I'm going to do something I get it done."
