A number of interesting elections are slated in Duluth for Tuesday, November 4, not the least of which concerns the Duluth School Board. Two current Board members are in dire need of replacement. Those members are Bob Mars, running against Mike Akervik (also an incumbent; two at-large positions are being combined into one), and Harry Welty in the 2nd District, running against Tom Husted.I've known Tom Husted for 27 years and he has the thoughtful insight which is badly needed on the School Board. Harry Welty, on the other hand, suffers from terminal self-importance. A quick browse of his personal website (www.snowbizz.com) is proof positive of my assertion. Besides, who could possibly vote for someone who has stated that, if the referendum for a levy increase (to help fund the School Board budget) fails next month, he would rather not be on the Board? Let's give Harry his wish regardless of the referendum vote outcome. Bob Mars, for his role in the ouster of Mike Randolph as Duluth East boys' hockey coach, has shown a serious conflict of interest. I state this because of Bob's involvement and interest in the Duluth Marshall hockey program (yes folks, Mars-Lakeview Arena, where Marshall plays their home games, is partly named for the Mars family). His refusal to play fair in the Randolph debacle shows him to be nothing more than vindictive. For that, his reward should be relinquishing his Board spot to Mike Akervik. The other main election in Duluth has Charlie Bell and Herb Bergson facing off in the mayoral race. While both candidates came out in support of running clean campaigns, Charlie backed off of that pledge when he personally attacked Herb for "not working in Duluth". Why did Charlie do this? Simple; the candidates philosophies are too close to give voters a clear-cut choice, and Herb has name recognition. Not to mention the backing of several local labor unions. Sorry, Charlie, but Herb deserves to be Duluth's leader for the next four years. [ Back ] |