Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
#1. I am the oldest of 9 children, while growing up I was often left in charge. From an early age I learned mediation, interpersonal and problem solving skills. I moved to Duluth in 1961 and worked for years in the community and was elected to the Duluth City council for 12 years from 1973 to 1985.
Family
#2. Husband, Don; Son, Dan (Vanessa); one stepdaughter, and her children; Daughter, Ra’a (Deceased)
Education
#3. BA, Mathematics, College of St. Scholastica; MA Candidate, Management, CSS; Civil and Family Mediation Training, Hamline Law School (Qualified under Minn Court Rules)
Employment
#4. Human Rights officer. Executive Director of Arrowhead Food Bank. Federal Community Action Program Monitor. Mathematics teacher.
Volunteer Background
#5. SHARE food drive. Woodlands Hills Board. Blood Donor. Empty Bowl MN Housing Finance board. Governor’s Crime Commission. Minnesota Labor Interpretive Center Vice Chair.
Hobbies
#6. Gardening, Pottery, Reading, Walking
Address and contact information
#7. Live at 609 W 2nd Street Duluth, MN 55806. Campaign mail at P.O. Box 16522, Duluth, MN 55816 Phone # 727-4965 megby4mayor AT yahoo 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?
#8. A vibrant community depends upon the interaction of a diverse population. Our economic development will depend upon our ability to attract and keep people from all ethnic backgrounds as members of our 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?
#9. NO
9a) If so, what do we do about it?
#9b If not, why not?
Fearmongering and blaming others will not solve our crime problems. We are all community members of Duluth and all of us are Duluthians. Many of us were born elsewhere and have become Duluthians by choice. If people move here, they are part of us. If you’re thinking of drug dealers or gang members they belong in jail wherever they live or came from.
#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?
I am excited by the ideas being developed for the Blue Print to end Poverty. Reducing barriers to full participation in Duluth’s economic life by ALL people will be key in this effort. I support increasing the living wage in Duluth, and expanding job training programs.
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?
Yes, we as a city must not rely on law alone. The ethos of ‘City Wide, City Pride’ should be year round and not just one week. We must be champions of all the ways that people can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
#12. Why do we have a law on the books if it isn’t going to be enforced?
This is a common problem in government. When short handed, as we are currently; it is a difficult if not impossible to enforce everything all the time. However, we do not have and we need adequate police, zoning and inspection staff.
#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 responsibility for waste removal lies with the owner. Our ordinance requires each owner to ensure waste removal. I was on the city council when we passed mandatory waste removal for each property. In some neighborhoods this needs to be better enforced.
#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?
The challenge is to provide job opportunities and quality of life amenities for this population. This issue has generated much attention in the last few years. I am encouraged by the efforts of the Downtown Council and the Workforce Institute.
#15 This city has yet to settle the retiree’s health care budget. What type of action would you take?
First, I would implement every recommendation of the 2005 taskforce report which remains viable but still undone. Most importantly, is to engage the retirees to whom we’ve accumulated this obligation to gain their cooperation in reducing future costs. I am the only candidate to advance a complete, practical approach to dealing with this problem on a long term basis.
#16 Is paying for health care a problem that needs to be addressed on the city, state or national level?
Ideally, this country needs universal, single payer healthcare access for all. Lacking that, we need to look for ways to engage local providers and consumers in a collaborative way that will reduces costs and emphasize wellness. I am intrigued with the prospect of uniting consumers, providers and the whole community in developing a regional wellness program.
#17 Have you or anyone you know, had trouble paying a health care bill or worried about how much health care would cost?
Yes, in fact almost everyone I know including friends, neighbors and my own family.
#18. Do the city departments work well together? How can inter-department work be done more efficiently?
No. The system in place must be changed drastically to reward and promote a team approach to service delivery. No department can stay just in their own little cubicle. Every employee works for the city, not a specific department. City departments must work together with all others to provide quick and competent service to all citizens.
#19. What makes you unique as a candidate for Mayor?
I am the only candidate with the unique combination of political and administrative experience in city government that will allow me to providing strong leadership from day one. My background in mediation, organizational development and my experience in service to this city is not matched by other candidates in this race. This year the best prepared candidate is a woman.
