1. To ensure that commissioners operate in a manner that reflects the goodness of the people of St Louis County; that commissioners are Accountable; that the commissioners are Fair and that the actions of the commissioners are Just
2. Ensure Adoption of a Code of Conduct for St Louis County Commissioners and required
attendance at sexual harassment and diversity
training for all commissioners
3. To provide an avenue for the people of St Louis County to be more aware of the actions
of their commissioners
At their workshop on Monday, June 15, 2009 the SLC Board heard from Karen Diver, Tribal Chair for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
This was a follow-up to a prior county board workshop in January of 2009 at which time the County Board discussed their decision to not sell tax forfeit land to the Fond du Lac Band-land that is within the boundaries of the Reservation. Additionally, comments made by some commissioners at that January meeting prompted a protest on the steps of the courthouse by American Indian people and allies. State law requires counties to give “right of first refusal” to Tribes when such land is within Reservation boundaries and the Fond du Lac Band has consistently indicated they wish to purchase these lands in order to provide stability to their community and reclaim land that was originally theirs to begin with.
Chair Diver presented historical information, including the Treaty of 1854 and Federal Government policy that tried to “terminate” tribes. Additionally, she described government policies that led to the taking of Indian lands and subsequent mismanagement of lands. She also described a variety of policies that sought to destroy Indian culture and communities.
Chairwoman Diver described to the Board the significant economic development that FDL contributes to the community. In 2008 total income distributed by the Band was 105 million dollars-she indicated that many counties would welcome them with open arms and put them in a tax free zone-Commissioner Fink said, “make your case” and Chair Diver said she was making her case. They have 900 job descriptions on their reservation; not only “gaming” jobs.
Following Chair Diver’s presentation commissioners had an opportunity to ask questions and also state their own positions with respect to the sale of tax forfeit land. Commissioner Fink clearly indicated his concern with respect to his view that too much of the land in St. Louis County is controlled by various entities that do not pay tax on it-the State, the DNR, the Federal Government,etc. This is part of his rationale that the county should not sell the land in question to FDL. Chair Diver indicated that the land is needed by FDL to provide homes for band members as well as protect wetlands and maple trees, provide places for hunting and fishing as well as economic development.
Commissioner Nelson again criticized citizens at the workshop who were videotaping the proceedings indicating that that only “official record” was the audio tape made by SLC . He has previously called for a “ban” on all electronic recording devices from county board meetings and workshops.
Film of the meeting to follow.
County Board Sued.... Again
The St. Louis County Board has been again sued for harassment of employees.
This suit is much broader than previous suits and names unelected board employees and St. Louis County elected officials including
Steve Raukar, Commissioner
Mike Forsman, Commissioner
Keith Nelson, Commissioner
The suit also refers to the previous suit of Dennis Fink, Commissioner by his former assistant
Over two years ago, Ellen Quinn, the plaintiff in the case above asked the County Board to be more respectful. Her plea was ignored; public defamation continued by County Commisisoners and a somewhat weak code of conduct was developed
The Plantif spoke directly and bravely Sept 4, 2007:
Subsequently, several County Commissioners responded in an unprofessional manner; this week's summons and complaint references their remarks
May 18, 2009, The SLC workshop in Mt. Iron today included peaceful and calm discussion about the Chris Jensen / Ecumen budget. It seemed clear that closing the facility was a difficult thing to do and that leasing or better selling it would be preferable to the county. The board is in strong agreement that the facility needs to have professional management, Ecumen does not wish to buy it and the understanding that was conveyed was that county employment policies are such that the expenses are not able to be as low as at similar facilities and the cost of operation will continue to be more than the revenues. Ecumen's spokesman said that if Ecumen were deciding, they would not make the needed repairs to the building. Comments included concern for staff and clients and the impact of the transition on them. WAW has a recording of the workshop including the budget discussion and the solid waste discussion if anyone wishes to review it, it will be on the videos link (see left column) soon.
Overall it was a calm, respectful meeting, people seemed at ease. For better or worse the harmony on the board seems to draw greatly from shared beliefs by the majority about what government ought to do.
What is the mission of the St. Louis County Board? Has it changed?
“The mission of St. Louis County is to provide its people those services mandated and/or expected
by its citizens so as to provide a good quality of life.”
Resolution No. 620
July 25, 1989
May 12, 2009 Committee of the Whole
Several commissioners reiterated their positions that the county board should not provide services that are provided in the public sector - meaning for profit or non profit businesses. Commissioner Dahlberg, R, West Duluth moved that the assisted living program operated by the
county be terminated. The program provides services to disabled persons to remain in their apartments.
This resolution was voted upon in the Committee of the Whole and will be brought to the St. Louis County Board meeting next session
Bill Hardesty addresses the board : asks for Assisted Living Service to be given the needed managment and support by the county to continue it's success. Mr. Hardesty opposes the move to privatize the services.
The committee of the whole of the St. Louis County Board resolved to discontinue County Assisted Living Service at some point between July and December, voting in favor of doing so were Commissioners Fink, Dahlberg, Nelson and Forsman and Raukar. Departing Administrator Mitchell stated that administration recommends discontinuing the program.
Commissioners O'Neil and Sweeney spoke strongly in support of continuing the highly successful and award winning program that led the nation in provision of Assisted Living.
County Board Toured Polymet Site March 24, 2009
The map above shows the Duluth Complex - a sulfide and ore bearing area of mineral estate land - the location of Polymet due north of Duluth. The Boundary Waters are just north of Polymet, the Superior National Forest surrounds Polymet and the mining exploration includes the watersheds of the St. Louis and Cloquet Rivers as well as Lake Superior.
We are Watching has presented a report card to the County Board and asked the board to address the issue of the employees who have been harmed by the sexual harassment by Commissioners
November 2008
Over a year ago Citizens of St. Louis County gathered here to denounce the injustice perpetrated by four members of the County Board when they voted against holding fellow Commissioners Fink and Rauker accountable for inappropriate sexual behavior as determined by an independent investigation.
From that original gathering was born the We are Watching Campaign - concerned citizens who have been monitoring the County Board, reporting on their actions and advocating for greater accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, civility and responsible use of County resources.
We are now prepared to provide the community with a report rating the conduct of each commissioner for each area studied.
While our goals encompass more than the sexually inappropriate behavior and racist comments which served as a catalyst for this campaign, it is with renewed outraged that we call on citizens of St. Louis County to speak up for justice for the two women who, after being subjected to sexually inappropriate behavior have had their lives unraveled and their livelihoods taken away.
The men who were found to have perpetrated the inappropriate behavior continue to walk the halls of County Government as do those who voted to ignore the findings of the independent investigation while the women who stood up for their right to fair and respectful treatment are without work, without incomes and struggling to put their lives back together.
Today we call on citizens of St. Louis County to demand that County Government right this wrong and make the appropriate reparations for the harm that was done. We call on citizens of St. Louis County to contact the County administration and County Commissioners urging them to act responsibly and justly in resolving the outcomes for these two women and to undertake meaningful action to make County government more accountable and transparent.
This is the link to the recording of a land sale discussion that Commissioner Keith Nelson charged was just a couple of sentences taken out of context. It is more than 40 minutes long and has been posted here in it's entirety all along.
1. To ensure that commissioners operate in a manner that reflects the goodness of the people of St Louis County; that commissioners are Accountable; that the commissioners are Fair and that the actions of the commissioners are Just
2. Ensure Adoption of a Code of Conduct
for St Louis County Commissioners and required
attendance at sexual harassment and diversity
training for all commissioners
3. To provide an avenue for the people
of St Louis County to be more aware of the actions
of their commissioners
