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I’m not a huge fan of November. This is the time of year when it gets dark by 4:30 and the temperatures drop to a very uncomfortable level. It’s the beginning of heating season and the big ridiculous count down to the holidays that kind of make me crabby. I tend to become very hermit-esque and want to stay home and watch movies. To be honest I don’t even pay too much attention to the news. A few weeks ago though I did see a story that caught my eye. Duluth city council was debating a salary raise for our mayor. It stated they wanted to increase his salary about $20,000 or more clearly, 25%.

When I had read this bit of information in all honesty it slightly bothered me. It seemed so excessive! I had texted my best friend to whom I only have the maturest of conversations…it was something like “WOW! 20k raise??!!!!” and she responded along the lines of “ikr??? OMG!!” That conversation was literally about the extent of how much I cared about it. While I found it as I said, excessive, I also couldn’t think of any reason to debate it either, so I didn’t. I stayed away from any social media arguments about it, and when other people brought it up I would just shrug it off. While it bothered me because I see so many Duluth citizens go without the most basic necessities, I couldn’t say Mayor Ness did not deserve it because I like him, and that’s no small thing.

I don’t know if any of my readers remember this but a few years back I used to have a huge problem with Don Ness.  I felt like he wasn’t strong enough to handle the issues Duluth was taking on and I did not vote for him his first run. However, since then he’s grown on me and maybe I’ve just grown up a little too.  I am impressed with him. I appreciate how involved he is in this city.  He shows up at local restaurants, works out at the YMCA, has a beer at the brew house, goes to local concerts and shows, takes his kids to Chester bowl, etc. He loves Duluth! I love Duluth too, it’s my home, so when I saw how much he was invested in not only a leadership role but also be an interactive part of everyday life, how could I not change my mind?? On a personal level too- as most know I lost my mom last year in a really unimaginable manner, and he reached out to me. He had no obligation to do that as I had been a total brat since the beginning of his elected office, but he did, and I will forever appreciate that.

As I write this, last night the city council approved Don Ness to get the raise. The mayoral position in Duluth hasn’t seen an adjustment in thirteen years and it was decided that’s too long to go without an increase and Don Ness deserves this. Facebook and news websites blew up this morning at the decision. I can’t tell you how many level headed people lost their minds that he was going to get this bump in salary effective Dec.1, 2013. Yet as of a few hours ago, Don announced to the city he is not accepting it. He is going to refuse the offer, because he is a good person and didn’t feel right about taking the money when so many people are suffering. And now I feel awful. I could go along with the rumor that this was a big political circus from the beginning- as it did seem extreme-and well timed, but I don’t believe that. I think just about any time the issue of a pay increase for a government official is brought up constituents will get up in arms over it, there’s just no way around it.  I do think he deserved the raise. Duluth- as much as I love you- you don’t look like a fun city to oversee. Constant bullshit, petty crimes, money problems, - you are reminding me of a naughty child. While Don Ness was elected to his position, it is also his choice. He doesn’t have to be here. He’s young and dynamic and I think we need to keep him wanting to stick around.

Regardless of the true integrity he has shown declining the offer of a larger salary; I don’t think any one who opposed it to the extreme should feel good about it. Don has kids and wife, which are obviously his first priority, he could have accepted what any breadwinner wants which is a chance to live a little more comfortable to provide a little better for his family. I highly doubt we would have seen him low-riding in a caddy with a pimp hat and gold cane over twenty grand.  YES, I know Duluth has big expensive obstacles to over come and who has the money for pay increases right? But the problems will not go away just because he isn’t going to accept the money. Problems will still be here. Let’s just hope by the community making him feel like he doesn’t deserve this- we won’t lose him in the process which will hurt us a hell of a lot more than a 20k a year pay increase.