What's new with Mayor Bergson? By Tim Bearheart, DPPA board member After the first few months of the new administration, changes are already evident in City Hall. One of the first tasks for the Mayor is the process of finding a new City Planner. Mayor Bergson has named a diverse committee (including DPPA's own Vicki Sanville) to review applications for this important position. The committee of about ten members includes a former mayoral candidate, members from Duluth's Planning Commission, a member from the American Indian Commission, local business owners, and other citizens from the community. With the new administration comes a new focus and priority for diversity on all city boards and commissions. The Mayor has also named a new Advisory Committee, whose responsibility is to increase the number of minorities, women, young people, and citizens from all geographic areas of Duluth to serve on the many boards for Duluth. (The Advisory Committee reviews all applications for Duluth's Boards and Commissions and recommends appointments to the Mayor. To apply for a board or commission, call the city clerk at 730-5500). Mayor Herb Bergson has also named Friday as his weekly community day, where he visits a school classroom each week, dines with tourists for lunch, tours a local business, and rides a bus with the DTA (Duluth Transit Authority). Herb's "Friday Community Day" has been very successful and popular; his schedule is already filled with school visits for the remaining school term. He's had lunches with visiting tourists and at various conventions; and has made many appearances in classrooms in Duluth. (A question students ask frequently to the Mayor: "How much do you get paid?") Another change which is rapidly occurring in City Hall is an improved level of accessibility to the Mayor's Office. Citizens with questions or comments can usually expect their message to be heard, and often times quickly returned with a phone call or email from the Mayor himself. Although he is, at times, overwhelmed with communications, the Mayor typically stays late at City Hall to talk with citizens. You can reach Herb at 218-730-5230 or email him at hbergson@ci.duluth.mn.us. 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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