Readers' Views for Oct. 20

This election, save votes for those not carrying scandal

When I left town more than four months ago, City Councilor Tim Little was involved in scandal and corruption. His inappropriate actions filled the newspaper on numerous occasions. There was talk that he should resign from his position on the City Council.

Imagine how surprised I was to find upon my return to the city this autumn that he not only is running for re-election, but that he made it through the primaries.

I simply cannot understand it.

We all know it is time for change in this great city. Do not vote for more corruption and lack of character. We voters told Mayor Herb Bergson "no more" in the primaries, and in the upcoming election we must tell Little "no more," as well.

Evan Williamson

Duluth

Smoking isn't only problem that Duluth, world is facing

Since the mid-1970s, I've vacationed every year mainly in the San Diego area. California has had a statewide smoking ban for many years. The last couple of years in San Diego, I've seen people smoking at tables on the sidewalks. This could be a good solution for smokers opposed to the Duluth smoking ban -- except in cold weather.

Those concerned about secondhand smoke should keep in mind vehicle emissions are thousands of times worse. The police should focus on enforcing speed limits rather than on looking for wisps of tobacco smoke.

Roger Lopez

Grand Rapids

Newspaper needs to keep its opinions to editorial pages

I understand the purpose of a local newspaper is to report local news. In recent history, with articles about the mayoral race, the News Tribune strayed from reporting the news, I believe. The articles focused on candidate Charlie Bell's comments toward Don Ness' dedication as the father of small children ("Bell backpedals from remarks," Sept. 15). The coverage seemed to indicate where the newspaper stands on the mayoral race. The paper has stopped reporting the news, I feel, in an apparent attempt to create the news.

In my opinion, reporter Brandon Stahl has begun to speak on behalf of one candidate (Don Ness) and has escalated a rather meaningless issue. He's going away from the actual issues surrounding the mayoral race and is focusing on one issue that has nothing to do with how a candidate would run a city. Is this issue the only part of the election of which he is aware?

In the words of Don Ness: "I was glad to hear [Bell] isn't questioning my commitment to my kids. ...To be honest, I would like nothing more than [for] this issue to go away. In my mind, Charlie's comments have only served to distract from real issues."

It's obvious both candidates want this issue to go away to allow the city to focus on real issues.

I've been a dedicated reader of the News Tribune for many years. I'm not only speaking for myself when I say the paper's reporting of the news has deteriorated. The front page is not the opinion section, and one reporter's opinion should be left off the front page.

The apparent opinions of Stahl are beginning to deter readers from taking the News Tribune as a credible source of news.

Tom Downs

Minnetonka, Minn.

Disappointing that Bell said 'no' to debating health care

I was disappointed when mayoral candidate Charlie Bell refused Don Ness' invitation to participate in a forum on the retiree health-care liability issue.

I recently attended a mayoral debate held during the senior expo at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. I hoped to learn more about the candidates' intentions for office. The debate was scheduled for 45 minutes. Both candidates were asked to keep their responses within two minutes on a diverse range of questions. With the structure of the debate, I felt that the candidates were unable to fully convey their solutions to issues presented.

I'd like to see the candidates speak solely on the retiree health-care liability so their intentions on the issue can be clearly and completely stated.

Bell personally addressed two classmates and me following the debate at the senior expo. He asked us to vote based on the candidates' backgrounds and how their backgrounds could help solve Duluth's issues.

I ask that Bell reconsider and attend the forum Ness invited him to so he can display how his background can help solve Duluth's retiree health-care liability.

Travis Dill

Duluth