Tuesday, September 26, 2006


The League of Women Voters Duluth along with Minnesota Citizens Federation Northeast, CHUM, and Community Action Duluth will co-sponsor the following local forums:

St. Louis County Commission, District 1

October 5, 7:00 PM, Court House, County Board Chamber, Second Floor

Duluth, MN

Candidates for County Commission are Dennis Fink and Frank Jewell.

State Legislature: Senate Districts 6 and 7; House Districts 7A and 6B

October 12, 7:00 PM, Duluth City Hall, City Council Chambers, third floor.

Senate District 6 candidates are Tom Bakk and Jennifer Havlick; Senate District 7 candidates are Yvonne Prettner Solon and Steve Khalar; House District 7A candidates are Tom Huntley and Becky Hall; House District 6B candidates are Mary Murphy and Dale Brodin.

These forums will be taped and broadcast on PACT TV. Please call the station for broadcast times (218-723-3686).

The League of Women Voters, Minnesota Citizens Federation Northeast, CHUM, and Community Action Duluth are nonpartisan organization that neither support nor opposes political parties and candidates. The purpose of these forums is to provide voters with objective information on the views held by candidates running for office so that they can make informed choices on election day.

Visit the website
http://www.lwvmn.org/LocalLeagues/Duluth/index.htm

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Duluth Police Department
Press Release

Party Patrols net 40 violators over the weekend
Over the weekend on Friday and Saturday nights, Duluth police responded to disturbing party
calls in the neighborhoods surrounding the colleges. Annually, police are inundated with party
calls and disturbances directly related to college students moving into the community for the start of college. Neighborhoods surrounding the colleges have told the Department disturbing parties are a priority problem effecting quality of life.

As a result, police responded to 20 complaints of parties and disturbances between the hours of
9pm and 3am on both Friday and Saturday nights. The following charges were the result of
police investigations into the complaints: 32 were cited for underage consumption, 3 were cited
for disorderly conduct, 5 requests for charges for Gross Misdemeanor sales to underage persons
and 2 people were taken to the Duluth Detoxification Center.

The enforcement activity was made possible by a Community Crime Prevention Grant awarded to the Duluth Police Department by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The grant allowed the Department to hire police officers on overtime bolstering the number of officers responding to the party calls.

Volunteers Needed To Help Low-income Families File Tax Returns

Volunteers are needed for next tax season to help low-income families file tax returns. Training is provided and the free tax clinic operated by Community Action Duluth will be open on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings during from January – April 2007.
Volunteers will help low-income workers fill out federal and state income tax returns. “We are looking for at least 25 volunteers who are interested in helping people, networking with other professionals and making a difference in their own community,” said Angie Miller, assets program manager at Community Action Duluth. Volunteers receive extensive tax training and are assisted at all times by experienced tax preparers and a reviewer. Last year our site prepared over 500 tax returns for low-income people. For one hour of a volunteer’s time, a low-income household received an average of $1300 in tax refunds. Our site emphasizes asset building by offering benefit screening, free credit reports and information on programs such as matched savings accounts. We need volunteers to prepare taxes, however just as important are the other volunteers who assist during the tax clinic with screening and greeting our customers. This is a rewarding and fun way for people to get involved in the community by volunteering just 4 hours a week during tax season.
Individuals interested in serving as volunteer tax preparers or assistants at Community Action Duluth should call Angie Miller at 726-1665 extension 13 for position descriptions and applications. Interested people can also email angie@communityactionduluth.org








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Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Copeland Computer Learning Center offers free internet, computer use and individualized classes
Captions: Chu Vang stands beside Miranda Peterson, age 16, a resident of the new Harbor Highlands neighborhood. Miranda is playing a game named, “Age of Mythology.” Nick Sutcliffe and Matthew Benson. (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)









This summer when Chu Vang arrived at work at the Copeland Computer Learning Center, 1112 N. Lake Ave., several kids anxiously awaited the opening of the computer lab. “We’ve been very busy this summer,” Vang, the Copeland Computer Center Coordinator, said. One hundred seventy-one children and adults are registered to use the room. This fall the computer lab will be open for adults only from 10:00 a.m to 3 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. children will be allowed to use the computers.
There are eight computers at the Copeland Computer Learning Center. All are connected to the Internet. Children like to use the Internet to play games and visit websites like Barbie.com and the Cartoon Network. Vang said that there are also programs for math, reading and typing for young children. Juniors and seniors in high school like to use a program that helps them practice for the ACT and SAT, college prep tests. Some adults use the resume program.
A rotor detects any illegal sites and certain words are blocked from the Internet at Copeland. Vang is always in the office to give oversight.
This summer children from the Harbor Highlands, next door, walked over to the Copeland Community Center. A ban also brought children in from West Duluth, East Duluth and the Procter area. Some parents dropped their children off as well.
Besides using the open lab, the public can take free personalized computer courses with Vang. “There are no set times for these courses.” Vang works with your individual schedule. He teaches Computers 101, History of Computers, Microsoft Office Suite and Website Design. Vang said two women recently told him they learn more from his classes than from courses they paid to take.

Individuals can also receive assistance building a personal computer.
HOPE VI clients are eligible for more services such as leasing a computer while they are looking for a job or setting up a home business. HOPE VI clients can also receive free Internet access in their home for six months. Free diagnosis of computer problems is another service for HOPE VI clients.
The computer lab takes donations of old computers.

Computer Learning Center Hours

Fall, starting Sept. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. adults only; 3:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. children’s programs. For transportation please phone 218-279-2543 Ext. 101. To speak to the computer coordinator phone 218-279-2555.
http://www.copelandcc.org/
Quality Living in the Hillside
At Home in Duluth, program makes the Hillside a great place to live
By Robert Vokes
Everyone wants to live in a neighborhood that contributes to their quality of life. And everyone wants to live and raise a family in a safe neighborhood that includes access to shopping, schools, parks, and good transportation.
Thanks to the hard work by many residents and community organizations, which are helping shape projects that complement the neighborhood’s fabric and diversity, Central and East Hillside are becoming great places to live. But this didn’t just happen.
For the past eight years, the “At Home in Duluth” partners have been diligently working in three areas: housing, economic development, and community development. The “strategic partners” include resident-led groups (e.g., At Home in the East Hillside Implementation Committee, Central Hillside At Home Implementation Committee) and organizations such as Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth, Hillside Business Association, the City of Duluth, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth (Duluth HRA), and the Duluth Local Initiatives Support Corporation (Duluth LISC), which initiated the “At Home in Duluth” partnership. Other partners include Center City Housing Corp., Northern Communities Land Trust, Women’s Community Development Organization, and the Women in Construction Company and Training Program.
The accomplishments of the partners have been significant. Just to list a few:
· Older, deteriorated housing is being upgraded, low- and moderate-income families assisted into homeownership, and new homes constructed on vacant lots, removing formerly blighted housing;
· The “At Home” Hillside Homeownership Incentive Program, an employer-assisted homeownership program funded by seven employers, has assisted 87 families through downpayment and closing cost assistance to purchase homes in the Central and East Hillside;
· The “At Home” Storefront Enhancement Pilot Program provides funding to upgrade the appearance of individual businesses to attract new customers and businesses to the neighborhood;
· Duluth HRA, Duluth LISC, and a private developer secured a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Harbor Highlands (formerly Harbor View) neighborhood; and
· “At Home” plans have lead to development of affordable and mixed-income units such as Alicia’s Place, Village Place, the Lake Superior Condominiums, and the New San Marco Apartments.
According to long-time East Hillside resident Mona Cheslak, who has been with the “At Home” initiative since the very beginning, “We residents really appreciate the emotional support, time commitment, expertise, and funding that the ‘At Home’ partners provide. Although there is still much to be done, we could not have accomplished what we did without our partners.”
Robert W. H. Vokes---Development/External Affairs Officer
Note: This is the first of a series of articles about the “At Home in Duluth” partnership and what they are doing to continue to improve the quality of life in the Hillside neighborhoods.


TCG hires Kim Fagan to sell new home construction at Harbor Highlands


TCG has hired Kim Fagan as a sales manager for the new home construction at Harbor Highlands. This is the HOPE VI neighborhood west of Central Entrance and north of 11th Street West.
“My main role is to be available to sell the 104 new homes,” she said. She will work out of the sales office at 45 Harbor Highlands Dr. The office will be opened in the next month. There will be financing programs. The units will be two and three bedroom duplex and single-family homes.
Kim is a Hibbing native and happy to return to northeast Minnesota. Kim said, “ This really coordinates my knowledge of construction and assisting people in homeownership.” She had been a financial counselor with Catholic Charities which included assisting people in organizing their finances for house purchases, reverse mortgage counseling and foreclosure prevention.” She has also worked as the assistant vice president of a construction company. She has worked in the Twin Cities area and Iowa. To set up an appointment with Kim phone 218-393-3584.

Opinion
Addressing misconceptions about "Those People"

Since moving to Duluth just over two years ago, I have noticed something at times tragic. There is often a huge misconception about the Hillside area. Why is that? All we have to do is look around and notice a community unlike many others. Unlike the communities affected by urban sprawl, the Hillside has preserved all that seems to be important.

As a morning person,(only on the warm summer mornings, mind you) I enjoy getting up, and walking down any of our tree lined streets. These walks typically include the exchange greetings with those like minded people, often tending to their small but beautiful flower gardens. Sometimes there is the occasional barking dog that will speed my pace up a bit, but what is the harm in that? I see it as “community motivation” in the morning workout plan.We have the unique place in this community in which we truly do not even need a watch, as we are constantly reminded of the time courtesy of the clock tower.

And who could fail to mention the wonderful summer evenings, with the sights of sailboats, lighthouses and the rising of a golden full moon over Lake Superior. These are blessings only found here.But the truth is, the misconceptions about the Hillside have nothing to do with what I have just mentioned. There are those who fear the Hillside and many of the people in it. I have heard people say “Oh I try to avoid that area” or “ Well, I have to lock my car, those people will probably steal it!” Those people? Who are those people?The idea that many people in the Hillside have nothing else to do than simply stand around on the street corner is no doubt one of the biggest misconceptions out there.

Residents of the Hillside are parents, employees, and employers. Many only wish we had more time to visit with friends and neighbors. As a parent, I know personally that with 3 children that is hardly the case. 3 children, 2 schools, our morning starts at 6:00 a.m. and goes non-stop until the younger two are delivered to school shortly before 9:00 a.m. Then the work day begins.

Many of us in the Hillside are proud to be hard workers, dedicated employees, and members of our local churches, and contributing members to our community. Does that qualify us as "those people?"Ok, the reality is this. The misconceptions of the Hillside have been based on truly a few negative events that others have allowed to shape their entire opinion. Yes we have isolated criminal issues that can take the community by surprise. But so does any other community. Yes, we have negative things happen and the picture is not always as pretty as just lighthouses and sailboats.

But, it is how we as a community learn from those events that provide us the strength and knowledge to make our own little corner of the world a better place. So we need to ask ourselves…What is the basis of our misconceptions? Is it a few people on the corner? Is it that one house on the street that looks as if it should simply be torn down? Or is it based on nothing we have actually seen, but heard from others?The Hillside is not without its flaws. Nor is anyone who lives within it. I will be the first to admit that I have made more mistakes in my lifetime than I would ever like to admit. I have said things to people that I should not have, acted on impulse at times and I too am guilty of judging others without fact as a basis.

But I pray every day that I learn from those errors and hope those lessons contribute to me being a better father, and man, and contributor to the community in which I live. I pray the same for this community as do myself, that I am "defined" by the lessons learned and forward progress that has been made as a result of a negative event...not the event itself. I have lived virtually all my life as “the outsider”.

From my childhood years in Ohio, I have always felt that I had to try to overcome the misconceptions of race and social class. The misconceptions of “those people” are in most cases based on a limited number of events. The Hillside is often party to these misconceptions. But let us look at the "other reality". The Hillside is a beautiful place to live and work, full of social and ethic diversity, and owns a charm all its own. The sense of true community is alive and well, and to see the next generation following the lead of a positive community is clear proof that some of the ideas of the concepts of the Hillside are false. We have thriving businesses, new housing development, parks and community activities...and we are proud to be "those people" Why would others not want to be here?
How Duluth's Native American Commsission is constitued & works

The Duluth Mayor appoints the commissioners with approval by the Duluth City Council. The Commission meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5 PM in Room 402 of City Hall. The officers are: Chair-Dr. Robert Powless, Co-Chair-Ms. Michele Gordon, and Secretary-Ms. Evelyn Campbell
To be nominated to the commission a person should pick up an application at the clerk’s office at the Duluth City Hall and fill it out. Applications are also available on the web. The Duluth American Indian Commission is unique in that people do not have to be residents of the city to be appointed to the commission.
Solutions discussed at American Indian Feast and Forum
Caption:
Left-Robert Powless Middle- Waswasha Hawpetoss
Right- Thunder Hawk Warrior spoke.




A crowd of about 45 people gathered for a Native American feast and a chance to share with the Native American Commission thoughts, opinions and advice regarding issues and concerns in Duluth's Indian community.
Many of the speakers said paying attention to the youth should be a priority. Many also brought up interweaving today’s life with respect and knowledge of the cultural past.
Ricky Defoe served as a spiritual leader during the meeting. He said a prayer in Ojbiway before the meal, prepared a smudge and offered everyone the opportunity to wave the smoke around his or her head as a cleansing ritual just before the discussion part of the meeting. “We offer this smoke in a humble way because life can be hard for our people,” he said. We depend upon leaders in the commission to help us in this difficult life… to help us in any way.” He also spoke about the importance of ancestors and the young people. “We have been smudged, so we have clean thoughts,” he said just before the discussion. At the end of the meeting he brought out a peace pipe and smoked it in 4 directions plus toward the sky and the ground.
Young and Old
A theme that ran throughout all the comments was the desire to strengthen the connection between the young and old. The young Native Americans need guidance and direction from elders and the traditional values.
Patt Hardy, a foster mother said it is heartbreaking that there is no halfway house, aftercare or AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) for kids just getting out of treatment. “These kids are special,” she said. She went on to say, “Honor our kids in sobriety.”
Robert Powless told a story about how his mother’s involvement and opinions affected his choice not to drink or smoke. He said that his mother showed him the icebox and the food in it. She then told him that if she found out he was drinking or smoking she would decide that he could buy his own food, and she would no longer provide or prepare meals and food for him. This strongly affected Powless. When he grew up and got out of the house, he thought about drinking or smoking, but he knew it would make his mother sad. A few years later, he thought about drinking again and decided, “After all these years wouldn’t it be kinda dumb?” He went on to say, “She kept me away from those curses.”
Wawasha Hwpetoss, an artist, stood up to say teenage kids on the street ask her, “How do you do this the Indian way?” She said, “They want to hear their legends.” She turns off the television in her home and teaches her children to bead. She says that young people cannot learn from a book. “They need to get these things visually.” She said, “Maybe we need a place somewhere in the schools.”
At this point Powless pointed out that two men attending from Johnson Controls, who are consultants with the Public School system, should take note.
Thunder Hawk Warrior from the White Earth Reservation talked about alcoholism and adolescence. “I’ve been down that road,” he said. I’ve been sober 13 years. He talked about how Indians raised on reservations feel out of place in a city.
Doug Happy said he has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years. He said there is an across the board problem with racism. He also said he was a recovering alcoholic and would have never made it without the help from many people.
Chet Welch directed his comments to Patt Hardy and the aftercare situation for teens trying to recover from drugs and alcohol. “We can do it, Patt. We just do it ourselves…don’t worry about money.” He told of an anger management program that he was involved in 20 years ago. It was started with no money. Now the Domestic Intervention program contracts with them.
Allen Richardson spoke about wild rice and the White Earth Land Recovery Project. He said Minnesota wild rice is the only grain indigenous to Minnesota and is treaty protected. He said that genetic engineering of wild rice would make the rice into a corporate interest. Corporations get patents on the rice and then own the field in which it grows even if it was unwanted in that field.
Debra said that transportation for elderly Indian people is a big issue. She also inquired about becoming a member of the commission.
Marlene Driver said, “It is up to us to make that circle.”
Burt Long talked about the trouble he was having with the police investigating a break-in at his house.
Tony LaDeaux also spoke of racism and said, “To constantly complain is not going to do anything.” He said it is time to file lawsuits. “We are the Mississippi of the North,” he said. He spoke of the deaths of David Croud and Google Eye, the difficult time Indian teenagers have in the schools, and the hiring practices of the school district.
Scott Cameron spoke about Melanie Ford who attended the feast and discussion. She is running for County Attorney.
Powless said the old legends and stories are important. “We understand so many things because of these old stories,” he said.
John Judd, the city’s staff person appointed to the commission, attended the feast and forum. In a later interview he said, “It brought out some new faces.” Judd said two-thirds of what he heard that night was new information. One issue that he said that he was unaware of was that there is no after-care program in Duluth for Indian youth who have just completed drug or alcohol treatment.
The Duluth Indian Commission began in 2003. American Indians are Duluth’s largest minority group. The 2000 census reported a population of over 2,100 American Indian or Alaska Natives residing in Duluth. Eleven people serve on the commission. The purpose of the commission is to understand American Indian issues and develop recommendations for policy, planning and services in Duluth.
In the past the public forum had been held in January at city hall without a supper. The summer meeting in a neighborhood with the feast brought out more people.
A concept worthy of an award
Former Harborview residents help build new housing in Duluth


Caption: Rebecca Ellenson, exective director of Soar Career Solutions and three Steup-Up apprentices: George Drummond, Malahn Thomas and Pao Vang. All are former residents of Harbor View.


By Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff
hillsider@sundogpress.com

Some of the people that had lived in the Harbor View Highland project, which has now been torn down, are helping rebuild housing for themselves and others. The name of this program is the Step-Up Construction Apprenticeship program. Three of these people who work at the Matterhorn construction site (near the Miller Hill Mall) participated in an award ceremony on Aug. 14.

George Drummond, Malahn Thomas and Pao Vang all are former residents of Harborview Highlands. All three were on hand for the award ceremony. George now lives in East Hillside, Malahn lives in Lakeside and Pao lives in Central Hillside.

Before the apprentices could start working in construction they had to take classes in safety and other training including sessions with SOAR Career Solutions. Job skills available to learn include: carpentry, electrical, roofing, siding and others.

Rick Ball, Executive director of the Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority said the three are among a dozen who have taken advantage of the program. “Really it is about turning lives around. Giving people new opportunities.”

The Duluth HRA’s Step-Up Construction Apprenticeship program was developed in collaboration with the Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council to provide both a tool for client economic self-sufficiency and a vehicle for contractor Section 3 compliance. This U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) approved apprenticeship program provides employment, job training and career opportunities in the construction industry, primarily for the HRA’s HOPE VI clients.

After his training George worked at Common Ground for 2 ½ years before starting with the Johnson-Wilson Company. Before the Apprenticeship program he was on SSI. Malahn was excited to do the apprenticeship because she always wanted to go into construction. Pao started classes with the apprenticeship in July of 2005. He began on the Matterhorn project in March 2006. He is specializing in carpentry. Pao likes construction because, “It is ever-changing. It is not a mundane thing.”


Central Hillside's 4th Street Market has new owners, a new name...and new items

Caption: Deyona and Jamar Kirk took over ownership of he 4th Street Market on the corner of East 4th Street and Ast Avenue in June. They renamed the market Ma and Pop's Market


The 4th Street Market on the corner of East 4th Street and 1st Avenue East has a new name and new owners.
Deyona and Jamar Kirk purchased “Little John’s” 4th Street Market on June 10th and changed the name to “Ma and Pops” 4th Street Market.
Deyona said being the owner of a grocery store has been “really exciting.” She especially likes interacting with the customers. During National Night Out about 350 people showed up for a their barbecue in which they raffled off a bike.
Deyona said the hardest part of making the decision to purchase the store was deciding whether or not to quit her job as executive director of Women’s Community Development Organization, a position she has had for 11 years.
Deyona says she and her husband, Jamar, make a good team because they are skilled in different areas. Jamar takes care of the floor. He cuts meat, stocks the shelves and does ordering. Deyona does the bookkeeping, ordering, office work and deals with personnel issues. Jamar said he likes owning the grocery store because, “It feels like I’m helping. … Providing needed service in this area.” The couple had owned and managed the commissary in King Manor. Jamar also had worked in construction.
Especially helpful for the Kirks is that the previous owners, John and Annette Nygard agreed to stay in Duluth and help the Kirks for up to six months. The Nygaards were most helpful in teaching them the day-to-day operations, introducing them to the venders and showing them how to do the books and to place orders.
Deyona said one of the appealing aspects of the 4th Street Market is that, “It is smaller. It is not an obstacle course,” and, “It is within walking distance. …That’s huge.”
The deli items are some of the best selling items in Ma and Pop’s, especially the fried chicken and tacos. The cooks are Roxanne Kelly and Jamie Pyrlik. The food is cooked and prepared in the kitchen in the back of the store.
Ma and Pop’s is adding new items including a large selection of Black Hair Care Products, DVDs rentals and a Philly Cheese steak sandwich. The Kirks plan to slowly add more items to the deli.
The Kirks have four children Lavelle- age 6, Tatianna – age 7, Kantrelle – age 11 and Ray – age 17.

Welcome to the Hillsider Blog. You will be able to see stories that ran in the Hillsider here.