A recent National Citizen Survey showed Duluth Mayor Don Ness has an 86 percent job-approval rating. Mayor Ness achieved this rating in part by implementing a motto of, "Own it, solve it, and take pride." Acting upon this motto, the Ness administration has taken on the most pressing issues facing the city, including eliminating sanitary-sewer overflows, fixing many miles of streets and creating a structurally balanced budget.
Looking to the future, Ness sees great potential for the city of Duluth based on the strength of the people who live here. In his words: "As mayor, my job is to remove barriers, fix problems, and to support those leaders who are working to make Duluth a great city." To address these and other issues, Ness is a true leader. He listens to others and advances the best ideas to "own it, solve it, and take pride."
There has been a continuing degradation of funding for our parks and libraries. Advancing the best "own it, solve it, and take pride" ideas, Ness is addressing this degradation through a referendum that would raise $2.6 million to support parks in Duluth. The money would be used to support existing operations, youth recreation services, and pay-as-you go capital expenditures. This essentially would cover the basics but is absolutely necessary to maintain a healthy park system. Additionally, the referendum would provide significant support to our branch libraries. Instead of needing to close, the branches would be able to have expanded hours five days a week with additional hours added also at the main library.
Your positive "yes" vote on this referendum in November will demonstrate you, too, will "own it, solve it, and take pride" to address the pressing issues of our parks and libraries.
Jim Topie
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Duluth
