I have been a single parent for 20 years. Nicole, my oldest daughter, is a student at Lake Superior College and works for SMDC. My son, Charlie, graduated from The University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology with a Master's Degree in Engineering. My baby, Natalie,graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management in May, 2007. My Grandson, Ian is a student at MacArthur West Elementary School.
2. Education
I grew up in Duluth and attended Longfellow and Laura MacArthur Elementary schools, and West Junior High School. I graduated from Shattuck School, a college preparatory school in Faribault, Minnesota, in 1968 and received a B.A. Degree in Political Science from UMD in 1972. I also attended the school of Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota in 1972-73.
3. Employment
My brothers, Tom and Frank, and I became business partners buying Bell Brothers Funeral Home in 1973. We sold the business in 1998. I have since built Spirit Valley Assisted Living I & II and now working on a 15 unit town home development, Bayhill, in the western part of Duluth.
4. Volunteer backround:
*Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Duluth – President
*Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce – President
*Duluth Park’s and Recreation Task Force
*First Witness – Board of Director’s
*Ordean Foundation – President
*St. Luke’s Board of Directors
*Scottish Rite Language Clinic for Children – Chairman
*Spirit Valley Citizen’s Neighborhood Development Association – President
*United Way Board of Directors
*Scout Master – an Eagle Scout since the age of 15.
5. Hobbies
Working on community projects is what I enjoy spending time on – whether it is judging at local 4-H events, being in a dunk- tank for our local churches, helping small groups find funding for the many fine projects they do for our community.
I do enjoy golfing and fishing when I have the time. And even though it is not a hobby, I do enjoy anytime I can spend with my children.
6. Address and contact information
Charlie Bell – 226 N. Central Ave. Duluth. Mn. 55807 218-624-0164
How do you see Duluth’s ethnic diversity as an asset to Duluth?
It can and should be a catalyst for creating leadership and economic opportunities for a racially and ethnically diverse city. We need to provide a voice to surface and tackle issues of discrimination, racism and bigotry, and to inspire our city to value differences, to be sensitive to prejudice, and to reflect the society we serve.
Ethnic diversity should be embraced as a positive factor in Duluth. The key is communication and mutual respect.
Disclaimer:
Added Nov. 5, 2007
"The Hillsider" apologizes for this question. It was originally asked in August 2007 and published in the September issue. "The Hillsider" does not believe the statement/question below is true. It was asked in an effort to pin down the candidates on an his or her personal beliefs on crime and newcomers. The statement is often heard at many venues. "The Hillsider" did not intend that newcomers were immigrants as in not citizens and did not mean the word in a negative connotation.
Blaming the increase in neighborhood crime on the immigrants from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. True?
I have the endorsement of the police union because they know my commitment to all areas of our city and to the issue of safety and crime. Where ever our crime issues are coming from we need to address them. It doesn’t solve the problem of crime by labeling where they may be coming from. We must optimize public safety and security by ensuring that budget challenges do not lead to the deterioration of police protection. Visible, uniformed police officers, whether patrolling on foot or in squad cars, provide an effective means of limiting crime and enhancing citizens’ sense of security.
What are some ideas to bring Duluthians out of poverty?
You need leaders who understand the reasons and emotions that revolve around the issue of poverty. I was a part of a group that detailed “Blueprint to End Poverty”. Duluth has addressed what needs to be done in this area and it is called Community Action Duluth (CAD). We need educated and compassionate leaders who will look at the issue of poverty from outside the box. Increasing educational and training opportunities for those in need of better jobs and more income is really the key to the issue of poverty.
What to do when it is apparent that people don’t recycle? Is recycling important?
Absolutely!! This is a serious environmental issue! You could call the City of Duluth’s Solid Waste Compliance Officer at 730-5151 or Building Safety at 730-5300. Maybe friendly reminders to the landlord or possibly ticketing chronic violators. But the owner is more likely to respond to a thoughtful, courteous and respectful neighbor before getting city officials involved. Make the recycle bins as easy to receive as possible and get local churches and community centers to sponsor “How to recycle” clinics on a monthly or by-yearly basis. You have got to make the issue important to the people and they are the ones that need to see it as important otherwise enforcement gets to be a big burden on our police and we won’t have the budget to enforce. So the emphasis needs to be on educating our citizen’s as to the vital importance of this issue. We should create incentives for landlords to comply with the recycling laws.
Why do we have a law on the books if it isn’t going to be enforced?
There is a priority placed on what gets enforced – as far as our laws go – and the recycle laws are not seen as the most important and so they are not always enforced. We need to understand that if we can’t enforce the law we need to appeal more to the common sense or will of our citizen’s. It is hard to put a mandatory law to recycle on the books when we know it is very hard to enforce year in and year out. We hope that the laws we do make are of importance and enforcement will happen.
Over-flowing garbage cans at rental units. Ideas for landlords to encourage tenants to take better care of property?
You’ve got to appeal to the Landlords and make them want to keep their property looking good. Give them incentives for keeping their properties in excellent condition. We can also set up penalties for violaters. Calling the garbage haulers to come and take the excess garbage away and bill the landlords or renters might be an option. If I were elected mayor I would meet with the neighborhoods that are expereincing these issues and work with them for solutions. There is a Landlords group where they could share ideas and get feedback. Arrowhead Multi-Housing Association in Duluth. 1794 Wildwood Rd. 218-525-1805.
What can be done to attract people in the age bracket of 24-35 to Duluth?
This is the age group of people raising young families and establishing careers. We need good educational and recreational opportunities for their children, professional jobs with opportunities for career growth, wages that will sustain young families in a comfortable lifestyle, affordable family housing for first time buyers. This could mean encouraging our more elderly couples to move by providing them with opportunities for good senior living spaces. Encourage economic development by helping existing businesses expand, and giving new businesses help to locate here in Duluth.
What type of action would you take to settle the city’s retiree health care budget?
Reduce the expenses of the plan, aggressively manage the plan, reduce the costs of the plan (go to deductibles and fully insure post 64 year olds), make sure that post 64 year olds are using Medicare Part B. Follow through with the Task Force that was created to see this problem through and make sure their ideas and work is used.
16. Is paying for health care a problem that needs to be addressed on the city, state, or national level?
All 3.
Have you or anyone you know had trouble paying a health care bill or worried about how much health care would cost?
Yes. One of my campaign workers daughters had a severe medical issue last year. The young woman was only 24 and had to have surgery to remove a mass in her breast. This young woman had a good health insurance that paid 80% but the still left her to pay 20% or $4,000.00. Needless to say that was a huge medical bill for this young college graduate to start paying off. I have a friend who could retire except that a spouse has a medical condition so he has to work for the health care benefits.They can never afford the health care and might not be able to get health care for his sick wife.He is still working at age 62. So of couse I am aware of the needs of these people..they are my friends and family members! That’s why I feel so strongly about running for mayor..I want to help in any way I can.
How can inter-department work be done more efficiently…getting city departments to work well together?
By fostering good communication and leadership from the mayor that allows discussion and group discussions. Having leaders that have a positive attitude and an environment at work that is optimistic. We need to work for cooperation and not competition. We need to bring staff together and show them that their opinions and comments are important. Train staff in areas of interpersonal communications and understanding their own communication style.
What makes you unique as a candidate for Mayor?
I am one of very few candidates running for office that has not held a political position. I also feel not being affiliated with a specific party is unique. Both of these qualities also make me the best candidate. I have not spent time, like city counselors, passing ordinances and policies, instead I have been DOING leadership, economic development and financial decisions. I have over 30 years in business and would use that in leading this city.
