Duluth Chamber of Commerce CEO David Ross told his luncheon audience yesterday that they would be much tougher minding their schedule than even the military. They would end their luncheon to explain the economic benefits of the Red Plan’s construction no later than One O’clock, maybe even a couple minutes earlier. He made good on that promise and then some.
After four of the six questions addressed to the economic researchers expressed skepticism or aired grievances Mr. Ross called the meeting to a close fifteen minutes before One. I’m not sure he was all that eager to have any doubts aired on the Chamber’s promised pod cast. I was one of the skeptics.
When I raised my hand to ask a questions Paul Goosens, one of a lot of MFD supporters among the architects, contractors and JCI suits at the luncheon got up to ask the first question. He prefaced it with an attack on that rascally Harry Welty and accused Welty of saying mean things about the economic study and using personal attacks.
I’ve forgotten what his question was. Watch the podcast.
When I followed I admitted to skepticism then commended Dr. Skurla for his work and his honest explanation that he was only asked to describe the economic multiplier effect that attends public spending and that he didn’t attempt to delve any deeper.
I brought copies of an 8 page Let Duluth Vote analysis of the risks to Duluth of proceeding with the Red Plan. It begins:
PREFACE
Supporters and opponents of the Red Plan both want Duluth’s Public Schools to be the best in Minnesota. Originally the Red Plan was described as a step in this direction. As the plan has come under attack there has been a greater reliance on describing its beneficial economic impact on Duluth than its educational affect.
Clearly some people will benefit from spending $300 million at least in the short term. Let Duluth Vote would like the BBER to address these following questions.
THE INDIRECT ECONOMIC DAMAGE OF A FLAWED PLAN
If the completion of the Red Plan results in a damaged school system with lost programs, students and the revenue that follows them and new maintenance expenses for schools that are suffering from unanticipated out-migration how will the damage to the reputation of the Duluth schools affect local business and efforts to attract new business to Duluth and the local economy?
Would a short term economic benefit outweigh long term economic problems?
