Link and Article by WAW in DNT October 28, 2008

Opinion Page : http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/group/group/Opinion/

The specific article : http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/76813/

Text of the Article

Published October 28 2008
Local view: Don’t get rid of Kron and Sweeney — they play positive role for county
We are writing in response to the News Tribune’s editorial endorsements last week of the challengers running against St. Louis County Commissioners Bill Kron and Peg Sweeney.

We are writing in response to the News Tribune’s editorial endorsements last week of the challengers running against St. Louis County Commissioners Bill Kron and Peg Sweeney.

Since August 2007, our We Are Watching Campaign has consistently attended County Board meetings and workshops. We have closely monitored the actions of commissioners and have seen, firsthand, the work of Kron and Sweeney, including during some very difficult discussions. We have been impressed with their integrity, thoughtfulness and advocacy on behalf of the residents of their districts and St. Louis County. Hence, it was with a combination of shock and dismay that we read the News Tribune’s endorsements.

We acknowledge the News-Tribune’s prerogative to endorse any candidate, but on the basis of observing board meetings and the conduct of board members for the past 14 months, we found the newspaper’s choices perplexing. Just months ago, the editorial board wrote of Kron: “Last year ... longtime Commissioner Bill Kron stood as one pillar of decency and common sense. ... St. Louis County should be excited about re-electing him.”

The board chairman cannot control the behavior of other commissioners or control others’ actions outside of meetings. When individual commissioners make racist comments, wear sunglasses to meetings, commit acts of harassment or belittle substantiated charges of sexual harassment, they, not the board chairman, are responsible.

Commissioner Kron initiated the effort to create an enforceable code of conduct well before the sexual harassment cases were reported.

Commissioner Sweeney, the only female board member, brings much-needed diversity to the board and has significant knowledge of the law regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.

Commissioners Kron, Sweeney and O’Neil supported a more stringent code than was eventually adopted.

Kron, Sweeney and O’Neil voted for sanctions against those found to have sexually harassed. They used their votes to stand up for moral integrity.

Commissioners Sweeney, Kron and O’Neil supported utilizing existing county administrative staff to fill the interim administrator position rather than hiring recently defeated County Attorney Alan Mitchell at a substantially higher rate of pay.

The current budget is fiscally responsible and has been carefully developed in light of numerous state and federal mandates, meeting the needs of the citizens and taxpayers of St. Louis County. In the past year, the board has cut more than 55 positions, most without layoffs, protecting much-needed services expected by the residents. Given the complexity of the county budget, it strikes us as naļve that Kron’s challenger, Chris Dahlberg, who has apparently not attended any County Board meetings, would be able to achieve his promised cost savings.

Commissioners Kron and Sweeney bring balanced, innovative and respectful styles to governing. Both are willing to listen to constituents and colleagues. The News Tribune, with its endorsements, seems to favor a loud, abrasive approach. Anyone interested in seeing what that brings can watch video of Sweeney’s challenger, Sam Haddad, testifying to the board in January 2008. It’s posted at northernmnnews.com.

Dahlberg held public office for a brief time as a Duluth city councilor. He is remembered for using a city credit card at a Hooters restaurant and for delays in reimbursing the city for credit card charges. We believe further due diligence of Dahlberg’s candidacy is warranted, particularly in light of the nature of problems that have plagued the County Board to date.

One of our concerns from the very beginning of our scrutiny of the County Board was that busy constituents hear only sound bites may not be aware of the “rest of the story.” We urge voters to resist the temptation to “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Those commissioners responsible for the embarrassing problems are not those up for re-election this year.

It is part of the mission of We Are Watching to provide an avenue for residents of St. Louis County to be more aware of the actions of their commissioners. We encourage readers to examine the records of Commissioners Kron and Sweeny — and of their challengers — more closely.

We believe these incumbents should remain on the board and in county government as responsive, reliable and ethical influences.

KATHY HELTZER and KEVIN SKWIRA-BROWN, both of Duluth, submitted this on behalf of the grassroots We Are Watching Campaign. The group formed 14 months ago and continues to monitor the St. Louis County Board to enhance public awareness and increase accountability and transparency in county government.

Tags: local view, opinion

great editorial in the paper today!

Thank you for the great editorial in today's paper. When I read the papers endorsements I was wondering if they were actually informed... I wondered if they knew what went on in the County meetings. Your editorial will set them straight I hope.
Thanks again,
Sandra

Board Update for Sept 9 2008 Board Meeting

At their Board meeting on September 9th the SLC Board discussed the proposed county budget and increase in tax levy. The administration proposed an overall property tax levy of 4.88%. This includes “special levies” that support items such as wages for sheriff personnel and Health and Human Services costs caused by reductions in Federal Health and Human Services grants.

Many factors have already impacted the 2009 budget, including increased costs for utilities, gas, diesel. It was noted that the majority of the services provided by SLC are mandated services.

Information about the budget can be found on the St. Louis County web site.

The largest part of the county budget goes to Personnel Services at 47%. The proposed budget is at $352 million.

Administrator Mitchell indicated that a recent survey of MN counties showed that 11 of the 15 counties that responded were proposing a levy greater than SLC, 3 were lower.

The Board has a workshop scheduled for Sept 16th at which time they will discuss specific program cuts.

Sept 2nd County Board Update

At the September 2nd County Board meeting We are Watching SLC spokesperson, Kathy Heltzer, addressed the County Board regarding concerns about Commissioner Forsman’s disparaging comments towards “illegal aliens”. She indicated, in part, “We are a land of immigrants. St Louis County was built by immigrants from many countries. With the exception of Native Americans, most of our families and ancestors immigrated here from someplace else seeking a better life.”

She went on to ask that comments such as those made at the August 12th meeting become rare or non-existent.

Commissioner Forsman defended his statements, again indicating that he believes “illegal aliens” will come to St Louis County and that there is a difference between “legal and illegal” immigrants.

Disappointing Comments by Commissioner at Aug 12th Board Meeting

I was disappointed (but unfortunately not shocked) by the comments made by Commissioner Mike Forsman at the August 12th County Board meeting in Mt. Iron. To see for yourself, look here at the video.

The Board was discussing a bid by a company for "budcapping" to protect trees from damage caused by deer on county land. Apparently only one company was interested in the $98,000 contract and this lead Commissioner Forsman to share "only is opinion" with respect to "illegal aliens" who he believes are employed by Superior Forest Products (an Arkansas company). While he admits that this information was provided to him "3rd hand" he does not hesitate to tell the public that these people "avail themselves of of social services" and are generally problematic.

Never mind that County Attorney Ford pointed out that the contract could easily include a provision (or maybe it already does) prohibiting the hiring of undocumented workers.

Here we are, almost a year after the "We are Watching" campaign was started in response to inappropriate conduct by two of the commissioners regarding sexual harassment and then the lack of action by four of the Board members to do anything about it and we still have some commissioners boldly making comments that degrade people of color, specifically immigrants.
Let us not forget Commissioner Nelson's "slavery speech" that proceeded the sexual harassment complaints......

Perhaps when these commissioners are up for re-election in 2010 the voters will give serious consideration as to if they are the best folks to continue representing them after all.

County Board Meeting Update-July 1, 2008

County Board Meeting Update-July 1, 2008
• Chris Jensen pharmacy contract delayed
• EEOC Complaint Still of concern

At their Board meeting on July 1st the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners voted to table the decision regarding the pharmacy contract at the Chris Jensen Nursing Home (see Blog entries for April 3 and June 2, 2008). Reasons cited for the delay included the absence of Commissioner Nelson, due to illness, and questions other commissioners still had regarding the contract. The decision will be considered at the next meeting scheduled for July 8th in Duluth.

Kathy Heltzer, We are Watching Spokesperson. addressed the Board regarding the recent Committee of the Whole meeting during which time the Board discussed the refusal of the County Administrator to place the County Attorney, Melanie Ford, on the Board agenda. County Attorney Ford had asked to speak to the Board regarding the most recent complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (see Blog entry “Raukar and Fink Harassment Charges” dated June 5, 2008) Administrator Mitchell refused to place County Attorney Ford on the agenda and Commissioners Nelson and Fink supported his decision. As a part of the discussion, Administrator Mitchell indicated that there had been a meeting of the “Ethics Committee” as indicated by the “Code of Conduct” although there were no minutes of this meeting and no record of the content or outcome of the meeting. It was clear that this was the first that the county attorney had heard of such a meeting! This raises obvious concerns regarding the ongoing conduct of some commissioners, especially related to the EEOC complaints and the handling of these complaints prior to their being filed with the EEOC. These were the very issues that prompted the “We are Watching” campaign’s inception in August of 2007.

We are Watching

As we continue to watch the County Commissioners both we and the commissioners benefit.

Openness helps strengthen government.