I returned an email to Jana Peterson of the Budgeteer answering two questions. Here it is:
I have several questions, Harry, that I hope you will answer.
* Are you advocating that voters vote no on the levy referendum? Or are you putting this out so voters can express their displeasure more directly?
I am in no way advocating voting “no” on the levy. Let Duluth Vote will not take a stand on the levy either. I am attempting, as always, to give Duluth voters a chance to express their disagreement on the Red Plan. If they can’t vote on it I will do what I can to stop it some other way.
Because the three tiered ballot question has been asked in a confusing way to suggest that voters have no choice but to vote “yes” on one of the three requested levels of funding, Let uluth Vote will make it clear to voters that they have the option of voting “no” on all three tiers should they want some tax relief or to send a message to the school board.
• What is Let Duluth Vote doing about fleshing out Plan B so it can be presented as a viable alternative first to the state, then to the voters? Have you started on that process (of putting exact numbers and doing the research to back those up) yet?
A committee is being formed to put a Plan B together. Keep in mind, however, that the School Board and Dr. Dixon have made it quite clear that they are under no obligation to honor it even it is put before the voters and approved. They also made it clear by delaying sending our completed petition to the Atty. General for seven weeks and then delaying sharing the favorable ruling with us for a week that they were doing everything in their power to prevent its being put before the voters this fall. I believe that this is an entirely typical example of their bad faith.
By the way Jana. Now that Governor Pawlenty is no longer angling for the Vice Presidency he has now apparently switched sides and believes voters should have had a right to vote on the Red Plan. He will even support changing the law that permited this to happen.
I look forward to your reply.
Jana
P.S. I really enjoyed your “Andrew” column in the reader. You tied it all up very nicely. Well done.
Thank you Jana. I enjoyed writing it.
Harry
