I'm a strong believer in objective decision-making. This is especially true at the local level, where decisions made by elected officials affect us most often and most directly. We live with the results of these decisions every day.
I decided to run for City Council because I simply was not seeing enough of this objectivity. Many people seem to forget, or are not even aware, that our local elected offices are supposed to be nonpartisan. Obviously, very few candidates actually treat their races this way. It was for this reason I chose to neither seek nor accept any endorsements of any kind. I wanted to be responsive only to the voters. You will find that I represent no special-interest group, and my beliefs follow no traditional party agenda.
Taxes, jobs and the budget are the three biggest issues on most minds these days. When I hear talk of tax increases, I immediately think of the people who already are working full-time and still can barely make ends meet. They genuinely cannot afford another tax hike. Elected officials often argue that a small tax increase is akin to a weekly cup of coffee or a monthly meal at a restaurant, but anyone who pays bills knows these small increases add up quickly.
Instead of raising taxes, the city should put the brunt of its focus on encouraging more private development and business expansion. This would be a way to broaden the tax base, providing more revenue to the city without raising taxes. This is the most sustainable, long-term way to help residents get back to work and address the city's budget woes.
Do you disagree? That's just fine; I realize we won't always agree. I believe in the importance of respectful, informed discourse. In fact, I will encourage it as a member of the City Council. Too often, elected officials turn political discussions into a vaudevillian sideshow of finger-pointing and childish insults. I actually welcome constructive discourse with those who disagree. In this way, I often find, we can learn things from each other.
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In this sense, strong communication is key to effective governance. The city needs to be in constant communication with all people who have a stake in this community. One group is the local colleges and universities, whose populations comprise a significant demographic within the city. We live in very tight quarters, often blended into the same neighborhoods, so it is important to make sure all sides are on the same page.
I propose beginning monthly meetings between student representatives, staff and faculty representatives, college and university administrators, and city officials to make sure all are on the same page regarding future plans and development. I believe, in recent years, both sides have been moving forward with their own goals, often in different directions. There has not been enough cooperative planning between the city and the schools. One result of this has been an increase in students occupying traditionally family-oriented neighborhoods. Regularly scheduled public meetings could help begin to address and alleviate lingering issues.
I believe it is important to make sure absolutely everyone feels accepted and welcome here in Duluth, regardless of differences. Everyone should be comfortable enough to live a good, long, productive life here in our city if they so choose.
Common sense and communication together form the basis of my beliefs, and I promise to bring these two things to the City Council.
Chad Smith is a candidate for one of two open At Large seats on the Duluth City Council; the election is Nov. 8.
