I’m fresh off a camping trip...four days of no worries, no issues and no having to dodge the creepy, sadistic mailman (long story).  How nice- as I’m a little high strung for an individual and I really needed to de-stress; a couple days in the woods, in the sun with pickle chips, a rope swing into a cool lake, and a sandy beach was heaven for me.   

There has been a lot to be stressed about lately. For one, the fact that I’m seriously burnt out at work....You know the feeling, you hit a rut- a dry spell - and you have to push your foot on the gas peddle with severe mental willpower to arrive in the morning. Another thing is my unadulterated notion that lately strangers are going out of their way to have random conversation with me. My idea that these people are suffering from different levels of obvious mental illness is almost void- as too many people are doing it. I don’t know if it’s me- or the individuals doctors- refusing to write out the prescription for anti-psychotics, but either way- people are talking at me a lot. Then of course major stress to all of us northlanders; there was the flood. A strange happening in this city if ever there was one. I’m pretty sure most of us were under the impression- founded or not- that since we live on a literal hill- we were flood resistant.

I came home from my trip refreshed and rejuvenated. Yet,after four days without wifi or cell phone reception, I was really ready to plug in and see what’s going on. I am thrilled to see we were approved for federal funding for our disaster. We definitely need it as everyone knows Duluth is more than a little broke, I would imagine the same goes for outer lying counties that had flood trouble as well, there’s barely money to tackle projects planned rather than disastrous acts of nature that come completely unexpected.

I find myself very curious as to how the city plans to tackle the many streets affected by the flood damage. I feel, of course for home owners who are devastated throughout, but the roads are a big concern for the entire population. Truth be told (as I’m known to tell) I’m extremely perplexed at the quick fix jobs I have seen thus far. I’m becoming more and more worried about the “fix-it” priority list Ness may or may not have in his office.

 Take for example Chambersburg Ave. A highly driven road in suburban Duluth. A chunk out of the middle of Chambersburg was obliterated during the flood and closed off accordingly. Well, now it’s been reopened and the quick fix seems to be a pile of sand. No orange cones, no warnings whatsoever. So, if you don’t know about the damage to Chambersburg, or are unfamiliar with the area, and you hit the pile of sand going any faster than 10 MPH you are going to bottom out and wreck your car.

What about west Duluth? A good friend of mine lives on 57th Ave west. Her street- after the flood looked like a jackhammer on crack went up and down it about 15 times- it’s been now “fixed” with a thin layer of blacktop. As we all know that kind of blacktop is Duluth’s idea of completed job-however, we all also know there is nothing sustainable about thin blacktop unless it’s in a driveway; it’s  completely inappropriate for a street.  The road that connects to 57th- called Olney Street seems to have been “fixed” by turning it into a dirt road, and I find that shameful.  Streets damaged in lakeside are the same- it’s a sandy patch or its thin blacktop. I really don’t understand.

I have mentioned several times before that I work in an area that is considered a little “ghetto” in Duluth. It’s mostly really nice people but for the most part it’s section 8 and HRA housing that dwells in this neighborhood. These streets in the hillside were hit also by the flood and of course are due their fix as well, but why are these streets- actually being fixed? Why there and only there, do I see real road construction crews hard at work, and not elsewhere at all? Why again is it first, Duluth government, will service the non-tax paying citizens while the rest of us will have to wait and see? This entire situation seriously concerns me. Yes, we all were on some level, devastated by the flood, but once again is our only concern going to be for the welfare recipients in this city?? When and where will Don Ness, Mark Dayton, or anyone else going to finally say” enough is enough”- lets not single out the people who don’t pay their way through life, who don’t contribute to the economy, who don’t really even live here because they love it? They live here because it’s easy. When can we stop catering to them? Can you please....PLEASE..Minnesota government for one time give back to those of us who work our asses off to be here? Fix it the streets according to a priority we all agree too- or lose even more faith from trusting citizens in a very wavering city. Tax payers and blue collar neighborhoods matter too- it’s time to start seeing that. In fact, we are the ones who vote for you.