Unraveling the Mysteries of DEDA DPPA’s ``Unraveling the Mysteries of DEDA'' Panelists include Former Mayor John Fedo, Ken Hogg, and Greg Gilbert. Saturday, October 12, 11 a.m. Fireside Room, behind Bennett’s Restaurant. Former Mayor John Fedo to Join in DPPA Forum The Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) is Duluth’s official economic development engine. DEDA was created in 1989 amidst controversy, during the Fedo administration. Yvonne Prettner-Solon and Cynthia Albright - City Councilors of that era - walked out of a City Council meeting to protest what they said was the Council surrendering too much power to an appointed body. Since then, DEDA has used its special powers of spending and taxation to attempt to create economic development for Duluth, putting its punch behind such projects as the Bayfront Festival Park, Aquarium, Holiday Center, Phoenix building, Cirrus, and Technology Village. Until a few years ago, DEDA made even multi-million-dollar financial decisions without review by an elected body. Then, efforts to more directly control DEDA gained momentum. In 1998, the City Council voted to give a majority of seats on DEDA to City Councilors (the rest are appointed by the mayor). And in 1999, City Councilor Greg Gilbert authored an ordinance requiring that the City Council review and approve all expenditures over $25,000. Of that vote, Gilbert says, ``The approval of that ordinance was one of the most significant actions taken by the Council over the last five years to improve accountability of public expenditures. It has permitted the public to become aware of DEDA transactions, and it has improved the transparency of those transactions. All of this has been healthy for our city.'' Current DEDA President Ken Hogg concurs: ``The 1999 resolution… has been an excellent tool to ensure public review and DEDA accountability for large commitments of public funds controlled by DEDA. It has been successful in opening up the public process to a substantial degree, though I would argue that the community could profit from an even more open process.'' What is DEDA’s true mission? And has DEDA been successful in fulfilling it? Is DEDA ``the Enron of Duluth,'' as some have dubbed it? Or is it the responsible and effective economic tool others have lauded? Come to the DPPA-sponsored forum ``Unraveling the Mysteries of DEDA'' at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, where you can ask questions of the panelists, who will discuss the history, role, strengths, and weaknesses of DEDA. Panelists will include former Mayor John Fedo, current DEDA President and City Councilor Ken Hogg, and City Councilor Greg Gilbert. This forum is free and open to the public. These articles are retained on the web for historical interest and do not necessarily reflect the views or goals of DPPA today.

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