Vote ELISE

After several weeks of planning and preparation, the Big MAC (Mayor’s Advisory Committee) 2008-2009 Alumnus group reformed and met at Steverino’s to discuss how we, as a group, want to engage Duluth regarding issues and challenges facing us today. Several constructive ideas surfaced, and so we are off to a great start.

The planning and preparation committee consisted of Janet Tidwell, Janice Polack, Mayor Harris, and myself; others who joined or participated the first inaugural meeting tonight were Chuck Mason, Robin Gail Sessions, Harry Andrews, and Rob McQueary.

A few topics discussed included signage at new intersection of Pleasant Hill and Buford Hwy.; downtown traffic and road realignment; the Buford Hwy. corridor; and Old City Hall block. The group concluded that we needed more information and that attending City Council meetings would be a good place to start.

Thank you, Steverino’s, for graciously providing the space for our Big MAC Alumnus group.

Today, I had the awesome privilege of supporting our Duluth youth by becoming a sponsor of the Duluth High School Wildcat Band. GO WILDCATS!

I met with a Duluth business owner today regarding my campaign platform, political philosophy, and economic perspectives. Overall, we seem to be in sync with common sense approaches to address economic concerns and I look forward to working together to secure economic sustainability for Duluth families and businesses.

I spent a productive day of meetings with various Duluth citizens who expressed enthusiasm and support for the “VOTE ELISE” campaign—thank you for standing strong with me in preserving and advancing core values of faith, family, and flag.

Today, I had several meetings with campaign volunteers to finalize a few strategies, and then I was off to the Duluth Fall Festival Sponsors and Volunteer Taste of Duluth dinner. There I sampled gourmet treats and chatted with Senator David Shafer, Mayor Nancy Harris, a few council members, fall festival sponsors and volunteers, and chilled with Miss Cindy and her mom. This city likes to have a good time and it is great to be a part.

Today I was attending to business at Albion Farm HOA meeting, and then off to the Duluth Fine Arts League Forum moderated by Wallace Reid and held at the Duluth Gallery. League members had an opportunity to ask questions of Council Member Marsha Anderson-Bomar and the three candidates for City Council Post 3, which is the post for which I am running.

As a way of staying current with city business, I am continuing to attend City Council work sessions and council meetings, as I have been for the past year. Work sessions and council meetings provide a great opportunity for citizens to be informed and involved. Some work sessions include periodic status updates from staff regarding various projects, and citizens are always given an opportunity to present their ideas or concerns to council during the “matters from the citizens” part of council meetings.

For today’s news update, I felt it was important to communicate where I stand on a few important issues. Simply, I believe in:

• The primary responsibility of government to ensure the safety and welfare of its citizens
• Fiscal accountability of government
• Strong national defense
• Free enterprise of individuals and businesses
• The primary responsibility of elected officials to serve as representatives of the people
• The right of each citizen to have a voice regarding governmental process and policies
• Traditional American core values
• Individual constitutional rights of free speech and private property ownership, the right to bear arms, and justice
• Reformation and restraint in areas of government that have moved beyond its constitutional boundaries and roles
• Facilitating and empowering citizens to take an active role in government

As expressed on the “Challenges” web page of this web site, how the country goes is ultimately the responsibility of its citizens, and it is vital that each citizen become informed and involved.