News and Current Affairs
Paved Trails at Hartley
I was out at Hartley Park this morning and saw that someone had posted signs letting visitors know that the city is considering paving a bunch of trails there. I looked up the mini master plan for Hartley that SRF Consulting Group prepared, and it does indeed call for paved trails running through the park to provide access for bikers, wheelchairs, and parents with strollers. I’m curious about what other PDDers think of this proposal.
… and now for the jury of public opinion
Duluth police officer Jouppi found not guilty of assault
[poll id=”59″]
This poll is now closed. The results are:
This is total bullshit — 90.6 percent
Jouppi was defending himself and the jury’s decision was wise — 9.4 percent
This fall at Lake Voice
This fall, Lake Voice News has been going stronger than ever. With each writer pursuing different interests and publishing at least one story a week, we have gathered a lot of different content. A few highlights from this past issue include:
Photo credit: Kim Hyatt
1. On Veteran’s Day, two ROTC cadets stood at attention watching the flag outside UMD, undeterred by freezing weather. Kim Hyatt covers the full story behind their watch, as well as a following up with more information about the 24 hour watch that occurred. Click here for the ROTC cadets, and click here for the follow up.
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Hero in the Hallways: UMD senior Marie Havrilla’s story of service
Our veterans both fight wars and personal battles. Read about this UMD senior’s experiences saving lives in Afghanistan and battling PTSD back in the States.
UMD Statesman: “Hero in the Hallways“
Medical Marijuana
My colleague and friend Shane Courtland pulled a great event together. I hope you’ll read the stories and advance the conversation.
Minnesota medical marijuana bill forum draws huge crowd
Legislation by an Iron Range DFL’er is drawing big attention in Duluth.
More than 200 people attended a public forum at UMD Monday on a bill to legalize marijuana introduced this spring with help from Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing. Since then she’s been getting input and feedback from the public.
Melin said medical marijuana will offer pain relief with fewer side effects. She also said there are stiff penalties should anyone misuse the system.
See also: Minnesota lawmakers, experts debate legalizing medical marijuana
Duluth 2013 General Election Results
39 of 39 precincts reporting
Duluth At-large City Councilor
Top two candidates are elected
Zack Filipovich – 9,658 | 33%
Barb Russ – 9,364 | 32%
Ryan Stauber – 7,884 | 27%
Ray (Skip) Sandman – 2,490 | 8%
Write in – 115 | 0%
Duluth Second District City Councilor
Patrick Boyle – 2,195 | 97%
Write in – 61 | 3%
Duluth Fourth District City Councilor
Howie Hanson – 1,853 | 61%
Garry Krause – 1,153 | 38%
Write in – 44 | 1%
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Voter’s Cheese
For years, I’ve noticed this sign when I go to vote at Pilgrim Congregational Church.
I assumed Voter’s Cheese was some sort of event, like an ice cream social, only with cheese, so I always just turned left and went to vote. Today I turned right and found a small room with tables displaying nuts, rosette cookies, felted hats, houseplants, frozen meatloaves, and several kinds of cheese.
The story I got from the nice church lady who was presiding was that the church holds its annual bazaar the weekend before Election Day and then sells whatever’s left over to voters. She said they sell more cheese on Election Day than they do at the bazaar.
Duluth 2013 General Election Sample Ballot
Click to see it larger. Keep in mind some races will not appear on your ballot, depending on which part of town you reside in.
The October Surprise: Local Astroturfing
I never voted for the fellow (and certainly didn’t intend to in the upcoming election), didn’t care for his politics but I did have a certain amount of respect for him and thought he was sincere and certain key issues aside thought he was an OK fellow.
Jim Stauber caught writing letter of support for himself
Ah Jimmy, looks like your twelve years of public service might be coming to a poor end.
Duluth monkeys on ABC’s World News Now
Lake Superior Zoo has named its baby Angolan colobus monkeys. “Kermit” has been chosen for the male monkey (born June 26). He likes to hop around like a frog. “Kaya” has been chosen for the female monkey (born July 16). She is named after a city in central Africa.
The zoo asked for the community’s help in naming the monkeys and guests attending Boo at the Zoo were given the opportunity to cast votes for their favorite names and make a cash donation toward wild colobus conservation efforts. A contribution of $500 from the baby-naming voting process and other visitor donations received at Boo at the Zoo will be sent to Colobus Conservation, located in Kenya.
Duluth Demon Demonized?
Four weeks ago a post on Perfect Duluth Day introduced the “Duluth Demon,” a masked character who apparently jumps out from behind trees in the Bagley Nature Area and scares the dickens out of UMD students. Whether it was a publicity stunt, all in good fun or a dangerous individual threatening public safety, the topic didn’t generate a lot of attention here.
Now that Halloween is upon us, however, we should have seen a twist in the story coming.
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City proposal to privatize 17 Park Point street-ends?
I’m wondering if anyone has heard of the city proposal to “privatize” 17 Park Point street-ends? Maybe this is old news?
Below is a letter from Dawn Buck, president of the Park Point Community Club, from this month’s Breeze of Park Point newsletter:
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Saving the Great North Woods
No doubt that many in the PDD audience have already read the “Saving the Great North Woods” cover story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. For those who have not, it is certainly worth a look.
R.I.P. Joe Gomer
Joe Gomer, Minnesota’s last surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen, has died at 93.
Statement from Mayor Ness:
Duluth lost a national hero with the passing of Joe Gomer, one of the few remaining Tuskegee Airmen who served in WWII. Joe and his family moved to Duluth in 1963 and have been an integral part of our community ever since. While we mourn, we can also take comfort in knowing that he received the recognition he rightly deserved. Joe was able to witness the unveiling of a life-sized statue at the Duluth International Airport. The Joe Gomer Monument will forever serve as a reminder of Joe’s vast contributions to our community and country.
Duluth News Tribune: Legendary Tuskegee Airman Joe Gomer of Duluth dies
“This is where the talent wants to live”
In the article “A New Type of Growing City,” The Atlantic quotes “the mayor of a city that has similarities to Sioux Falls and Burlington” who “sent this extremely interesting note.”
Who could that have been?
I was particularly interested in your recent story about Burlington. I believe there is a new class of city emerging across the country which are positioned to succeed in the coming decade – a class of city that has not yet been identified on a national scale.
This city is a small/mid-sized regional center. The population range I have been studying are cites between 50-125k. These cities are defined by natural beauty, outdoor recreation, strong and supportive arts community, entrepreneurial spirit, progressive outlook, and a strong sense of place and ethos connected to the place people choose to live. Cities like Burlington, Asheville, Flagstaff, Bend, Missoula, Santa Fe, Provo, and Duluth.
These cities are all at least a couple hours outside of the major metro in their area, which affords them their own character and identity. They are popular destinations for the metro – primarily tourism, but increasingly companies are coming to realize they can locate in these small cities and find the talent they need to find. Because this is where the talent wants to live.
Jim Carlson – Guilty
From the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Headshop owner guilty of selling illegal synthetic drugs
A Duluth headshop owner was found guilty of selling banned synthetic drugs Monday afternoon in a case likely to have major impact on the handling of artificial hallucinogens.
Jim Carlson, 56, owner of the Last Place on Earth, was found guilty on 51 of 55 felony counts. His girlfriend, Lava Marie Haugen, 33, was convicted on all four counts against her, including conspiracy. Carlson’s son, Joseph James Gellerman, 35, was convicted of two of four counts against him, but not guilty of conspiracy.
The trial lasted two weeks, and the seven-woman, five-man jury deliberated for about two days over the 55 felony counts.
Duluth News Tribune: “Jury finds Last Place on Earth owner Jim Carlson guilty on most counts”
WDIO: Carlson guilty on 51 counts
Northland’s NewsCenter: “Jury upholds 51 counts against Jim Carlson in federal court“
Closing Graffiti Graveyard?
The Minnesota Dept. of Transportation is posting no trespassing signs up at the entrance of graffiti graveyard.
Shoddy construction
Before I begin my condemnation of BlueStone Lofts and the Park Point Marina Inn, I just want to preface my position with this. I don’t mean to vilify anyone personally. I do not begrudge anyone for trying his level best to make an honest living. I just feel there has to be a voice of reason where there is none and that happens to be me on this occasion.
I’m far from perfect and I’m not a know-it-all. I simply hate this throw-away practice of our modern, disposable society. And for some reason, I still want the very best for Duluth even though I haven’t lived there for decades.
There are some good people there doing great things. In architecture and house building, it’s David Salmela and the Bruckelmyers. Builders’ Commonwealth is up with the best, too.
It is the armchair urban planner, the aesthete, the eco-warrior, the idealist and the public advocate that is writing this. That said, here is my tirade.
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Rachel Maddow talks EPA MED in Duluth
For those of you who don’t know, we have a branch of the EPA in Duluth called the Mid Continent Ecology Division. Last night, Rachel Maddow used an example of some of the work that is done at MED to demonstrate what could happen during the government shutdown at the EPA. She also uses it as a lead in to an interview with the EPA administrator. And finally, she uses it to demonstrate how old EPA training videos look.
Minnesota North Shore Fall Colors Report 2013
The leaves are starting to fall and colors are starting to change in Duluth and along the North Shore. Let us know where you are in the Northland and if you are seeing any great fall colors yet.
Four main groups of biochemicals are responsible for the various yellows, oranges, reds and browns that we see in the fall — chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins and tannins. Each has its own color and chemistry. Varying amounts of these chemicals will give subtle variations in color from one leaf to the next or even from tree to tree.
Jim Carlson vs. United States of America: How will court rule?
Last Place on Earth store owner Jim Carlson’s trial is scheduled to begin today. He’s accused of 54 55 counts of violating federal drug and regulatory laws. How many of them will stick? Perhaps you’d like to take a lucky guess. There’s a prize involved, so concentrate and read on.
More explanation below, poll question now:
[poll id=”43″]
This poll is now closed.
Following the ruling on the case, everyone who has chosen the correct number will be entered into a drawing for the prize. What is the prize? It’s a little vague, but PDD will buy you something nice at any shop located near the Last Place on Earth. Maybe you’d like a nice lunch at the Chinese Dragon, some copies at Shel-don, some tokens at Fond-du-Luth Casino or a couple Starfire Ales at Tycoons? We’ll figure it out.
Normally we turn off the commenting feature on polls, but this time we are leaving it on, because it could be interesting to get into some discussion about strategy.
It should be noted that there are three other defendants in this case, charged along with Carlson on some of the counts. For the purposes of this poll, we are considering them irrelevant.
Any changes to the ruling on appeal do not apply to this poll/contest.
Also, because this poll was recklessly hatched overnight, we reserve the right to change the rules at any point, should there be something stupid we overlooked.
Below is a copy of the indictment, courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio. Click here to read it bigger.
Free Jim Carlson
Welcome to Duluth.
(Image courtesy of Tyler Scouton.)
