Duluth is a city filled with opportunity. For the past four years, I've been honored to serve as an At Large city councilor.
When I was first elected, I thought our failing infrastructure was our biggest issue. We had no reliable source of funding, and our streets were crumbling. It's still a problem, and I'm proud to support Mayor Emily Larson's plan to create a sustainable street fund - but it's not our only issue.
We have a lack of affordable and supportive housing in Duluth. Demand for new housing options has resulted in the construction of 1,400 new units in the past few years, but most of it has been developed at market-rate prices, making it out of reach for many Duluth residents. Duluth still needs an additional 3,000 units of housing. We need to build supportive housing, market-rate single-family housing, senior housing and rentals. Furthermore, we need affordable housing built throughout all parts of Duluth. Residents at every income level should be able to choose a home in the neighborhood that best fits their family and lifestyle.
The city is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, which is the roadmap for economic development, the delivery of public services, the layout of public infrastructure, and protecting and enhancing the natural beauty of our open spaces. "Imagine Duluth 2035, Forward Together" is an update to the 2006 Comprehensive Plan, which is a critical strategy for the future development of Duluth. We need to plan for our future in a way that is equitable and sustainable and that both protects natural resources and provides recreational opportunities.
Another pressing problem, related to the lack of affordable housing, is a continual workforce shortage. Recently, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters partnered with SOAR Career Solutions to provide pre-apprenticeship training; nearly all participants obtained employment as a result of the program and partnership. I will continue to encourage labor organizations to partner with Community Action Duluth, SOAR, and Independent School District 709 to encourage workers to remain in Duluth and participate in training programs. Jobs in the trades are solid jobs with good pay and great benefits, and Duluth needs more qualified workers to fill these positions.
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While Duluth has made leaps and bounds forward as a community, not every neighborhood or family has benefited from this progress. We need to put energy into creating opportunity for everyone. This is the touchstone of my campaign.
Through my 35 years as an assistant St. Louis County attorney and foster parent, through my volunteer work with numerous nonprofit organizations, and in my current pro-bono legal work representing people in court who are facing eviction, I have seen up close the struggles faced by people in our community. That experience and the past four years on the council give me the ability to effectively manage and govern issues that face all of us here in Duluth.
I ask for your support on Nov. 7 so we can continue building on this progress and creating opportunities for all.
Barb Russ is an incumbent At Large Duluth city councilor, seeking re-election. Four candidates will be on the Nov. 7 ballot for two open At Large seats. The others are incumbent Zack Filipovich, Janet Kennedy, and Rich Updegrove. They all contributed columns that are being published this week on the News Tribune Opinion page.
