Wednesday, November 23, 2005
On Open City Government
Our forefathers left Europe for a number of reasons: religious oppression, taxation without representation, and an inability to participate in government. As a result, the United States is the most diverse religious nation on earth. We hold separation of church and state to be a sacred value. And nobody can say that our elected officials feel an ability to raise taxes without political repercussions. However, our city council violated our rights as Duluthians the other day when it met behind closed doors to discuss the prickly issue of retiree benefits. Our ability to participate in local government was stymied.
For this blatant disregard for Duluthians and our role in the political process, the city council deserves extraordinary criticism.
Clearly, any government body should meet in closed session in the face of a law suit, when a public meeting might compromise the integrity of the case. Once the case is decided by a judge, the matter should then be open to anyone. In the case of the retiree benefits, it is unclear why the city council met behind closed doors. No known immediate court case was pending. Therefore, one can only assume that the council met secretly to avoid criticism - either from those who are demanding immediate resolution to the matter or from the retirees who have reason to be concerned.
To be sure, the retiree benefit crisis is one of the most important issues the city needs to resolve. At last count, the unfunded portion of retiree benefits stood at $178.5 million dollars. Conflicting information now indicates that the city might be liable for up to $280 million dollars – dollars that by law we must begin to pay. This says nothing of static revenues that assure diminished city services or the effects of cutting benefits to the retirees. These issues must be resolved or we may face bankruptcy.
Regardless of what criticism or heated discussion might come when our local government discusses sensitive issues, we must discuss them openly and embrace whatever criticism arises. Certainly, we would not tolerate this kind of behavior from the federal or state government – why would we tolerate this kind of behavior from our local city council?
posted by Andy Peterson www.duluthchamber.com at
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
On Being Pro-business
According to Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, commerce is one of life’s basic activities. If you spend any time watching the news, you’ll quickly come to realize the ancient Greek knew what he was talking about. For example, despite the war and civil unrest in Iraq and Afghanistan, people continue to do business. Considering the political and social climates in the area, being a business person in the Middle East is challenging. Yet commerce goes on: people will find a way to buy and sell goods – regardless of the circumstances.
That being said, the statement that Duluth is tough place to do business is a myth.
Certainly, our boom and bust cycles, particularly relating to the extraction industries, bear witness to the risks business people take in uncertain times. However, at the moment, Duluth is doing very well. There is a booming higher education industry. We have a higher ratio of students to population than does the Twin Cities. Our medical industry is recognized as one of the best in the upper Midwest and draws patients from as far away as Canada, Brainerd, International Falls, and upper Michigan. We have new development in almost every corner of town, whether it is new houses, condos, or professional buildings.
Duluth – contrary to popular belief – is seemingly a good place to do business.
What is challenging, however, is acting proactively to ensure Duluth remains on the mend. This is what being “pro-business” is all about. France, a culturally wonderful country, seemingly never understood this concept. Civil unrest in Paris, its capitol, is a direct result of unemployment and discrimination. This is due, in no small part, to France’s anti-business attitudes. Living wage laws, a thirty-two hour work week, and inflexibility have hobbled its employers. As such, innovation, business flexibility, and job creation are at a standstill. Mass unemployment and subsequent discrimination towards less educated minorities is the result.
France would have been much better off to have modeled its economy after the United States, where business not only calls for flexibility and innovation, but embraces these pro-business values as part of its cultural identity. Duluth is not Paris; but we will be stronger in the long haul if, in fact, we adopt more pro-business attitudes.
Surely, we need to stop thinking about jobs as our number one priority. To be sure, jobs are important. Instead, we need to think about forwarding careers and fostering business growth. Education is the key to upward mobility. Business flexibility is central to the career development of our young people. Both will help create wealth in our city. And wealth in our city, when properly channeled, will lead to better lives.
Like I said in the beginning, there is much to be learned from the ancient Greek. We should take a lesson.
For 135 years, the Chamber has been the chief business apologist in our area. And we continually strive to do better. On Thursday, November 17 at 7:30am, we will discuss the basic tenants of a “pro-business” attitude at our Policy Member Meeting. Our intent is to build a formal broad-based position paper that outlines what our area needs to do remain competitive, growing, and seen as promoters of business. It is only too bad the French President, Jacques Chirac, didn’t do the same ten years ago, when he predicted civil unrest because of his country’s uncivil attitudes towards business.
Public Policy Member Meeting
Thursday, November 17
7:30am - 8:30am
Chamber Conference Room
posted by Andy Peterson www.duluthchamber.com at
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