At large Duluth City Councilor Roger J. Reinert announced Monday that he will seek a full term on the Duluth City Council.
"This past year was a heck of a one to pick as my first," he said. "The Council had to make a number of tough decisions right out of the gate and the issues didn't get any easier as the year went along. Reinert said he recognized that the problems don't get any easier, "But we're moving in a positive direction and now with a little experience under my belt, I feel I can offer more and better service to the city of Duluth."
Reinert credited the city government's newfound synergy as a significant factor in his decision.
"The city of Duluth is turning a corner," said Reinert. "The community is on the grow. The mayor and council are working together better, and it's exciting to have the opportunity to vote for things instead of against them."
Reinert made his announcement at the Rice's Point Overlook on Skyline Drive, near his home. He spent Sunday cleaning up that stretch of Skyline Boulevard. An active athlete, he often runs along that route and said the garbage and illegal dumping had become appalling. Smashed TVs, bags of trash and 30-some used tires littered what is an otherwise picturesque area. "We need to treat our public spaces with respect, and take pride in them," he said. "Strong, unique, neighborhoods and attractive public spaces are what Duluth is all about."
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Other top priorities Reinert would work for a in a full term include: Strengthening core neighborhoods by making them safer and cleaner; developing quality housing for all income levels; economic development initiatives which focus on Duluth's key industries; progress on the retiree health care issue; and finding creative revenue sources for the city in order to compensate for losses in state and federal funding.
"None of these have simple solutions. If they did they'd be off the public policy table. We need people on the council who can work as a team to find solutions to our problems, large and small," said Reinert. "We need people that can build bridges in order to build our community."
Reinert, 34, was appointed to the council in January 2004 to fill the remainder of now-Mayor Herb Bergson's term. Reinert was also previously a candidate in 2001 for the 4th District and lost in a close race to current Councilor Neill Atkins.
Darlene Marshall is the campaign's chair, and Tim McShane serves as the Treasurer.
