Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
I was born and raised in the Hillside. I was the oldest of four boys, preacher’s sons, and I attended Grant Elementary, Washington Junior, and Central High School before taking a Hunt Scholarship at UMD. I’ve served on the council for 8 years, including two terms as council president. I’ve tried to serve the community with integrity, civility, and an innovative approach to public service.
Family
I am married to the most wonderful person I know, my wife Laura. And we have two little kids – Eleanor is 2 and James is 7 months.
Educational background
I graduated from UMD with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. I am a Humphrey Policy Fellow and have taken graduate-level course work in Management.
Employment background
I am the Programming and Policy Director for the Zeppa Family Foundation. Previously, I worked as Congressman Jim Oberstar’s Campaign Manager.
Volunteer background
Over the past ten years I have been a mentor, a reading partner, a basketball coach, for two years I’ve been festival director for Homegrown Music Festival, I founded the Bridge Syndicate and several smaller community initiatives, and I’ve served on many different board of directors including organizations like: YMCA, Red Cross, Renegade, Duluth DFL, and the Music and Arts Collective.
Hobbies
Reading, noon-time basketball at the Y, attending local music and theater, spending time with my family.
Your address and contact information
Don Ness
717 E 13th St
Duluth, MN 55805
724-4184
don AT nessformayor DOT com
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?
I feel very fortunate to have grown up in the Hillside, living in a community with such great diversity – I think I am a better person for the experience. My first involvement with city government was serving on Duluth’s very first Human Right’s Commission.
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.
Some people blame the increase in neighborhood problems such as crime on immigrants from Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Do you think it's true?
There is absolutely no question that there are folks coming to Duluth from larger communities to sell drugs and who have a terrible influence on our community. We cannot afford to believe otherwise. There are also people from larger cities that are bringing real value and positive energy to our community – those folks should not be punished for the actions of others. Duluth must be a welcoming community to those that want to bring positive value to our city.
9a) If so, what do we do about it?
Focus on behaviors. There should be absolutely no tolerance for those coming to our community to sell drugs, commit crime, or damage our neighborhoods. It doesn’t matter to me what a person’s background , race, or income is, what matters to me is what kind of person they are. Are they a positive influence or a destructive one? If they are a destructive force in our community, then I’d encourage them to either change their behaviors or leave Duluth.
9 b) If not, why not?
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 key is an investment in Work Force Development – investing in the skills and talents of our residents to meet the specific needs of local employers. We can start moving people into better paying careers and benefit local employers – it’s a win – win.
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?
Absolutely – our family is committed to recycling. Each person’s goal should be to produce more recycling material than garbage every week. That’s our family’s goal and most weeks we are successful doing that.
12) Why do we have a law on the books if it isn’t going to be enforced?
Many community laws are in place with the expectation of voluntary compliance. That’s the way our government works without imposing a police state. However, when folks choose to blatantly ignore the law, the city must be willing to enforce it and pass out fines.
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?
The council has begun to address many of these quality of neighborhood issues - focusing on the responsibilities of residents – including landlords and their tenants.
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?
I have spent the past 10 years working on this issue and will continue to do so. We have to provide additional civic, cultural, and economic opportunities to our young people. The health of our community’s future depends on it.
15) This city has yet to settle the retiree’s health care budget. What type of action would you take?
We have to stay true to the recommendations of the Task Force. First and foremost, we need to have completed contracts in place in order to move forward with a number of cost saving measures called for by the report.
16) Is paying for health care a problem that needs to be addressed on the city, state or national level?
Yes, at all levels – starting from the top down.
17) Have you or anyone you know, had trouble paying a health care bill or worried about how much health care would cost?
Our nation’s health care system is nothing short of a travesty. Per capita we pay 50% more than the next most expensive country (Switzerland) and yet we have over 80 million uninsured, and millions more who are struggling to hold on to their insurance.
18) Do the city departments work well together? How can inter-department work be done more efficiently?
There is certainly room for improvement. Most importantly, we need to improve the working culture at city hall. We need to protect city workers from the burden of politics and give them the tools needed to do their jobs well. We need to increase our customer service and create a “can-do”, cooperative attitude in city government.
19) What makes you unique as a candidate for Mayor?
I bring a positive, cooperative, and innovative approach to public service. My goal as mayor would be to bring city government system and city politics into the 21st century. We’re planning to shake the dust off of these old systems and make them work for the people of Duluth.
