In December of 2024, due to ongoing building code violations at Hermantown’s Maple Field Trailer Park, the owner, Steven Schneeberger, was charged with six...
Within the past year, two active lawsuits against Cirrus Design Corporation have been transferred to the St. Louis County District Court. Both lawsuits allege...
On May 20, 2026, St. Louis County deputies arrested Portage Township resident Daniel Pettit on suspicion of shooting at a firefighting airplane as it...
Why on earth is there an HRA? They have always been this shadow, quasi-government in Duluth that runs around, somehow involved in real estate. Another unaccountable, cronyism bureaucracy that seems to only be there to make up high-paying jobs for the entitled.
The big question is how did this happen? Doesn’t the HRA or some agency monitor these things? Who is going be held accountable? This area has been a failure for the purpose. Someone stand up and be accountable or shut all TIFs down until there is a clear person that is accountable.
We have like 16 TIF districts and growing in Duluth that are not contributing to our tax base. Someone needs step up and be accountable and explain to all us taxpayers how this will NEVER happen again–not just HRA, but all TIF districts.
Our newly elected mayor has stated that TIFs need to be reined in, so when and how does he plan to do this? Maybe it’s time for Roger to do a TIF 101 on his media site where he doesn’t take questions but explains the basics. TIFs need to explain the downsides, not just the upside. This issue here is a huge downside. No one is monitoring TIF compliance in a timely manner.
So, “nearly half” of these homes will continue to be enjoyed by unqualified buyers? And left unavailable to qualified buyers? And no one will be held liable for breaking that agreement? And we will still hand out TIFs left and right?
Why on earth is there an HRA? They have always been this shadow, quasi-government in Duluth that runs around, somehow involved in real estate. Another unaccountable, cronyism bureaucracy that seems to only be there to make up high-paying jobs for the entitled.
The big question is how did this happen? Doesn’t the HRA or some agency monitor these things? Who is going be held accountable? This area has been a failure for the purpose. Someone stand up and be accountable or shut all TIFs down until there is a clear person that is accountable.
We have like 16 TIF districts and growing in Duluth that are not contributing to our tax base. Someone needs step up and be accountable and explain to all us taxpayers how this will NEVER happen again–not just HRA, but all TIF districts.
Our newly elected mayor has stated that TIFs need to be reined in, so when and how does he plan to do this? Maybe it’s time for Roger to do a TIF 101 on his media site where he doesn’t take questions but explains the basics. TIFs need to explain the downsides, not just the upside. This issue here is a huge downside. No one is monitoring TIF compliance in a timely manner.
So, “nearly half” of these homes will continue to be enjoyed by unqualified buyers? And left unavailable to qualified buyers? And no one will be held liable for breaking that agreement? And we will still hand out TIFs left and right?
Jim:
Stay tuned!!