Editors note: Bergson's questionnaire is on the web only as it did not meet the paper deadline.
1) Please tell us a little bit about yourself: I am a 50 year old guy who feels very fortunate to have a job he loves. I am also a new grandfather.
2) Family. I have been married to Jacqui for 21 years and we have two sons, David and Jesse and now a granddaughter, Hannah Marie.
3) Educational background. I attended UW Superior and majored in Criminal Justice and minored in elementary education.
4) Employment background. I have worked as a railroad switchman for the Soo Line for 11 years, a police officer for 19 years, mayor of Superior for 8 years and mayor of Duluth for 4 years.
5) Volunteer background. 6 years on the board of directors of the Duluth Boys and Girls Club, a mentor at Mentor Duluth, a regular visitor/cook at the Lifehouse teen center and a coach for DAYBA basketball and West Duluth Little League for eight years.
6) Hobbies. Golf, camping, all sports and anything with my sons.
7) Your address and contact information. 9421 Lanigan Blvd, 260-1937. website = HerbBergson.com
8) The Hillside and the Lincoln Park neighborhoods are some of the most ethnically diverse areas in the city of Duluth. How do you see this ethnic diversity as an asset to Duluth?
We are all different. How boring would it be if we all were white males with blue eyes? I enjoy my time in both the Hillside and Lincoln Park. They are unique neighborhoods that should remain a wonderful mix of cultures. we support the ethic and cultural events in the hillside and we look forward to the variety.
9) Some people blame the increase in neighborhood problems such as crime on immigrants from Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Do you think it's true?
9a) If so, what do we do about it?
9 b) If not, why not?
We can’t tell people they can’t live in Duluth based on where they came from. My family arrived five generations ago from Europe. What if someone had told them they couldn’t live in Duluth? I recently met a doctor from SMDC. He recently moved here with his family from Chicago.
10) It is estimated that 15 percent of Duluthians are living below the poverty line including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65. What are some of your ideas to bring Duluthians out of poverty?
The plans to end poverty and the plan to end homelessness are a good start. The worker’s maintenance position we have created will help also. It allows new workers to get a job, even though they perhaps couldn’t afford to go to school or receive training.
11) The city has a mandatory recycling law yet walking by many people’s homes it is obvious that they do not recycle. Is recycling important?
Of course it is important. Every item we waste requires creating another to replace it and it uses fossil fuels to produce the item. The city recently became an eco-city and we are practicing what we preach. We are now using green cleaning products, using scooters for site inspections and using better policies at the steam plant.
12) Why do we have a law on the books if it isn’t going to be enforced?
I am not sure which law you are speaking of, but it doesn’t make sense.
13) Over-flowing garbage cans are a problem in lower East Hillside. Many of the homes where this is a problem are rental units. What kinds of ideas do you have to prompt landlords to encourage their tenants to take better care of their property?
Our solid waste compliance officer is currently reviewing a list I had compiled of homes and apartments with debris in their yards and on their porches. There will be citations issued for those who refuse to comply.
14) In the last census, Duluth had a dearth of people age 24 to 35? What can be done to attract and keep this population in Duluth?
Respecting the rise of the creative class is important. The young people today are taught new and different methods and they want to live where their ideas are accepted. Northland Works is a program suggested and developed by our Workforce Development office. It will steer 75,000 young people into fields where vacancies will occur over the next 10 years.
15) This city has yet to settle the retiree’s health care budget. What type of action would you take?
The six step plan I took to the legislature is a good first start. I have stood firm on what the citizens can afford and we must stop handing out this benefit to new hires. Four of the five labor unions understand it has to stop, but the largest will not without a trade off." The problem was ignored for more than two decades. I said I would work on this issue and I have, in spite of a great deal of criticism from labor leaders.
16) Is paying for health care a problem that needs to be addressed on the city, state or national level?
If the federal government would do the right thing and create a national healthcare plan, it would help Duluth a great deal. We aren’t the only city in an unfunded liability problem. Many cities have much larger problems. Duluth just happens to be doing the right thing and is working to resolve it.
17) Have you or anyone you know, had trouble paying a health care bill or worried about how much health care would cost?
Of course, there are way too many people who can’t afford healthcare for themselves or their loved ones, yet their taxes are paying for a very healthcare for others. It makes it tough to justify.
18) Do the city departments work well together? How can inter-department work be done more efficiently?
Right now, we are short staffed. We are short staffed because we can’t hire in certain departments without offering new employees a healthcare plan for life. It would be the politically easy thing for me to do to hire some people now, but our children and grandchildren would have to pay for that decision 20-30 years from now.
19) What makes you unique as a candidate for Mayor?
I have a blend of experience from both the political world and the law enforcement world. With my knowledge of law enforcement issues, I am able to better understand the needs of the police department and its officers. I have not shown any weakness in my resolve to fix the retiree healthcare issue. While some ask for more, I have refused to back down. I treat your tax money like it is my money.
