SMDC Seeks Wage Freeze As Money Booms
Zenith City News
Abstract: St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic (SMDC) is seeking to freeze wages and outsource entire departments, according to the union representing workers in ongoing contract negotiations. Meanwhile, despite their tax-free status, St. Mary’s made $28.7 million in 2007, the last year for which tax information is publicly available. Essentia [...]

John, if you’re going to assert that “it simply happens,” the burden of proof is on you to show that there are a statistically significant number of confirmed cases of illegal voting in recent elections in Duluth. I doubt you could come up with one.

At an October 27 Luncheon, the United Way of Greater Duluth released its annual Community Impact Report for 2009. The report is one of the most comprehensive resources for those of us who scrutinize the quality of life in Duluth and how to improve it. This year’s report is not yet online, but other years [...]

Town Without Pity: St. Louis County’s Sabotage of Assisted Living Services

In early October, St. Louis County’s long-standing assisted living programs came to an end. Established in 1979, they were the first of their kind and won national recognition, providing seniors and adults with disabilities services such as cleaning, laundry, meals, and medication management, while allowing [...]

Forty people marched with candles on Monday evening to mark the eighth anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan and call for all troops to be brought home now.

“We believe that after eight years of occupation, the war has only brought more suffering upon the people of Afghanistan and hasn’t brought the world closer to peace. [...]

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Abstract:

Duluth’s most vulnerable residents will lose their health insurance in March 2010, while middle class and lower-income renters will get less property tax relief, as part of Governor Tim Pawlenty’s state budget unallotments. Additional cuts are being made to mental health, chemical dependency, and disability services that help prevent [...]

Tom, I’m not sure the exact address, but it’s on Skyline Parkway above West Duluth, close to 40th Ave. West. It’s an eyesore in the hillside; go to Spirit Valley and look up, you can’t miss it.

At Monday night’s city council meeting, the council voted unanimously against letting these wealthy, selfish home builders close a public overlook at night for their sole benefit. They see teenagers parking to make out and look at the stars as an infringement on their right to peace and tranquility. I see their development as an [...]

My latest article from the Zenith: What happens to a dream deferred

Abstract:

People of color face an uphill battle for jobs, housing and education everywhere, but Duluth is worse than many other cities, according to local racial justice advocates. African-Americans break the silence with their experiences and what it will take to tackle the institutional racism [...]

My Duluthcitizen profile intentionally lies. I clicked “labels are not for me” under political views. But that’s not true. I’m totally into labels. The correct label just wasn’t an option (Duluthcitizen admins, take heed). I am a socialist. Not “extremely liberal” (I feel a little like spitting whenever I say the word “liberal”), not a [...]