Please tell us a little bit about yourself…
Family – Single, No Children
Educational background – Graduate of Ely Memorial High School (1995)/Bemidji State University (1995-96)/University of Minnesota Duluth (1996-1999)
Employment background – KDLH-TV (1996-1997) I worked as a production assistant and interned as a reporter. Red Rock Radio Corporation (1997-Present) I worked as an on air DJ on 92.1 FM from 1997-2000. Since 2000 I have worked as an advertising executive. I am also a veteran of the Minnesota Army National Guard.
Volunteer background – Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank (Board of Directors 2001-Present); Duluth Playhouse (Board of Directors 2004-05); Empty Bowl (Chairperson 2004-Present); Taste of the Nation (Corporate Sponsorship Chairperson 2002-Present); United Way of Greater Duluth (Board of Directors 2005); Duluth Community Development Committee (Member and Past Chair 2002-Present); Duluth Housing Commission (Vice-President 2003-Present); Duluth Charter Commission (Member, 2005-Present); Duluth Air & Aviation Expo (Board of Directors); 7th Senate District DFL (Board of Directors); 8th Congressional District DFL (Board of Directors); Duluth Legacy Endowment Fund (Vice-President 2006-Present)
Hobbies – Walking, Reading, Volunteering
Your address and contact information – Jeff Anderson, P.O. Box 385, Duluth, MN 55801 (218) 590-5970 or votejeffanderson AT gmail DOT com or http://www.votejeffanderson.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?
Our diversity and differences bring strength to our city and to our communities. They enrich our community and are positive factors in our economic development efforts. In the coming years I believe our community will become even more culturally diverse. As a city we need to prepare for this and continue to build a welcoming, culturally sensitive and inclusive community.
Some people blame the increase in neighborhood problems, such as crime, on immigrants from Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
Do you think it's true?
I think its naïve to blame our neighborhood problems and crime on people moving to Duluth from other communities. What is important is that we show criminals this community will not tolerate their behavior. We need more police on the streets (especially community and neighborhood officers) and we need our judiciary to pass down tougher sentences for offenders. Our city should also facilitate in the creation of more neighborhood watches/patrols.
If so, what do we do about it?
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?
Jobs are key to this. So many of our citizens are working poor. We need to concentrate our economic development efforts in areas such as health care, education, and aviation – economic sectors that will pay a good wage.
The city has a mandatory recycling laws yet walking by many people’s homes it is obvious that they do not recycle. Is recycling important? Why do we have a law on the books if it isn’t going to be enforced?
It’s silly to have laws that we don’t enforce. Recycling is very important. We need to encourage recycling throughout the community through increased awareness and enforcement.
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?
We need to continue to crack down on landlords and tenants who don’t take care of their property. Landlords have a responsibility to provide a safe, clean living space. Tenants have a responsibility to keep their apartments or homes and the areas around them clean and livable. We need to enforce laws we already have dealing with these issues.
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?
Jobs in health care, education, and aviation combined with new mid-range downtown housing options will help to attract and retain people in the demographic. As a member of this age group, I am ready to work to fix this in city hall. A passenger train line between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Duluth will also be a part of this solution. A coming employment crunch with retiring baby boomers will also help to keep people of this age in Duluth.
This city has yet to settle the retiree’s health care budget. What type of action would you take?
The administration and council must continue to pursue task force recommendations and cost saving measures. Part of that entails the city completing fair and open negotiations of new labor agreements with the remaining unions that reduce the number of health plans available to city employees. Future councils must keep promises made and fully fund the health care liability for active and retired employees.
Is paying for health care a problem that needs to be addressed on the city, state or national level?
The bottom line is that all levels of government must address this crisis. Unfortunately, our leaders in Washington, DC have been unwilling to tackle the issue with the massive reform that is needed. Our state and local leaders must send the message up the ladder that universal health care is needed now.
What makes you unique as a candidate for city office?
EXPERIENCE! EXPERIENCE! EXPERIENCE! As a candidate for Duluth City Council At-Large the Duluth Democratic-Labor-Party, Progressive Action Duluth and the LGBT Victory Fund have endorsed me. These organizations believe I have what it takes to be a positive and effective city councilor. Through my work on the Duluth Community Development Committee, the Duluth Charter Commission and the Duluth Housing Commission I have the experience to get things done in city hall.
