Media should cover planning process Terry Brown DPPA Pres. - for the DPPA board Letter to the Editor - Duluth News Tribune - Aug. 18 2003 Just weeks ago the news media, including the Duluth News Tribune, offered extensive coverage of the eminent domain question and proposed development on Sixth Avenue East and Fourth Street. The City Council determined that the best solution to the concerns expressed by both sides was to send the plan back to the Administration to be redesigned without requiring eminent domain. Since then there has been no News Tribune coverage of this issue. Open government is a primary concern of the Duluth Public Policy Alliance. At times, it seems as if the public is only informed about the details of developments when there is no longer any possibility of flexibility in the planning process. Therefore, the board of directors of the Duluth Public Policy Alliance urges regular News Tribune coverage of this project as the planning department and city officials consider the process of redesign. Issues of this nature are best dealt with in a transparent and open manner, so any concerns or questions can be answered prior to a final presentation to the City Council. Better to operate in full public view now, and perhaps avoid more delays later. Please don't wait. Continue keeping the public informed of the status of this project during the planning process so that all concerned can work with the city for a positive new development. These articles are retained on the web for historical interest and do not necessarily reflect the views or goals of DPPA today.