DULUTH COUNCILMAN UNHAPPY WITH POLICE ENDORSEMENT

I just received this email from a dedicated reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed. Enjoy!

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I thought you may be interested in this latest installment of weird politics in Duluth. Both Greg Gilbert and Herb Bergsen are democrats. The email from Gilbert to Bergsen this email references can be viewed in full at www.connectduluth.com I believe it is filed under opinions and editorials.

The email is legitimate. Councilor GIlbert has acknowledged sending it.

Looks like he's promised to use his official position to retaliate against the police union after his use of his position to try to bribe the union to endorse him failed.

The local paper decided this was not an important issue for the voters to find out about before the election. They have refused to print a story on it and refused to publish any advertisement that refers to the email.

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From: info@connectduluth.com
Reply-To: info@connectduluth.com
Subject: Gilbert Unhappy with Cop Endorsement
Date: Thu, 03 Nov 2005 10:59:01 -0500

Connect Duluth has been furnished with an e-mail dated Thursday, October 20th from Greg Gilbert to Mayor Herb Bergson. The text is as follows:

The police endorsed Hansen and Horton last night for city council. I know you will forgive and understand my over reaction and I know you will continue to do what you think is right for the city, but you don’t have to go out of your way to help the department on my account any more like I have asked you to do recently. I have been taking so much heat for proposing a tax increase to fund additional officers and then the union turns right around and supports the parties that have been criticizing me for the increase in funding to the department. I apparently don’t understand how this system works. They can be on their own. Thanks.

Greg.

Greg C. Gilbert
Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A.
800 Wells Fargo Center
230 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: (218) 722-6331
Fax: (218) 722-3031

http://www.duluthlaw.com

A copy of this e-mail is being posted on the Connect Duluth website at www.connectduluth.com, underneath the Op/ed section.

Another interesting nuance to this e-mail is that we were told a copy of this e-mail message was furnished to a Duluth News Tribune reporter last week. Apparently, they did not find this newsworthy.

Now, our reaction to this e-mail is that of feeling uncomfortable. Political favoritism has long been embedded in politics, but an overt e-mail message of this sort is disconcerting, unprofessional and goes against that of the office of our city council. The comment "They can be on their own" is counterproductive.

Election day is Tuesday, November 8th. Please support candidates that will represent YOU.

Connect Duluth