Newsletters

It seems like just yesterday we were standing in the cold outside the Piedmont Community Center, and now here we are, the end of summer! 20 days to the start of early voting on September 22nd, and 66 to November 7th! This weekend is a BIG one with Labor Day events, Duluth-Superior Pride, and the last few days of break before the start of school!

Earlier this week I made comments in response to the proposed City Budget. Core city services have been a top priority since the beginning of our campaign. From a call last spring to restore cuts to public safety, to our big state of the city response, we have said city services must be effective and efficient, and our property taxes must be affordable and sustainable.

First of all, if you are new here, WELCOME!!

I am so excited to see the increased engagement in our race since the strong Primary showing last week! We have added 173 new subscribers to the newsletter in just one week! Welcome to Team RFD (Roger for Duluth)!

What a week! Primary Day! We have passed another significant milestone in our journey to be Duluth’s next Mayor, and I could not be more honored, humbled and grateful for the outcome – all due to all of your support. We have heard from one end of the town to another that it is time for something different, and the results this week reinforced your message.

In 2016 the City of Duluth General Fund was $80M. In 2022, it was $106M. A 25% increase. In 2016 the City property tax levy was $24.2M. In 2022, it was $43.6M. And that was after a proposed 9% property tax levy increase last fall. That’s a 56% increase in the city property tax levy over the past eight years. No Duluthian I know has seen a 25%, or 56%, increase in their wages over the same time period.

One week from today is a VERY special day: PRIMARY ELECTION DAY!!! I am so motivated, inspired, and grateful to the many who have said you are getting involved with local elections again – or, for the first time. The key to winning any election is getting out and making sure your vote counts.

Downtown Duluth is our community’s heart, and we need a downtown that is vibrant and thriving. But first, we must address the reality of some very real concerns: attractiveness, safety, and cleanliness.

It seems like winter was forever ago, so it’s easy to forget our struggles with plowing. Then the condition of our streets this spring . . . and let’s be honest this summer as well. Streets, utilities, and public safety are basic expectations that residents have from our City.

This week, I tackle the next topic: commercial tax base development. We have to work hard to give Duluth a reputation as a great place to do business. Because in Minnesota, commercial property tax pays most of the bill when it comes to funding core city service: streets, utilities, and public safety. So when we’re not doing a good job growing our commercial tax base, we see that burden shift to residential – which we have all seen and felt.

This week, I tackle the first topic: housing. While the tiny house for sale for $195K is making national headline news, it is not the answer. However, it is a great teeup to discuss the tangible action steps we can take. 

It is hard to believe we are now just 38 days until the Primary! We are continuing to get out, and after it out in the community – our #everywhere #allthetime campaign. Attending RhubarbFest, Taste of Greece, the Park Point Art Fair, the Firefighter PFAS awareness film “Burned”, and a fundraiser for the Duluth Ballet. This is just to name a few. Literally!

SUPER excited to share that it’s time! Our first big blast of yard signs are going out this weekend. We’re putting out several hundred, including a few big ones! If you missed signing up earlier. please send us an email at signs@rogerforduluth.com with your name, contact info, and the address! We’ll get you one asap.

We use words like “running” and “race” when we talk about elections, and as many of you know I’m not just a candidate for Mayor – but also an avid runner. Each year, I typically have multiple running and race goals, but in 2023 when people ask me – “What’s your goal this year?” I answer: for Duluth to have a meaningful choice in November.

The theme in the first phase of our campaign was, “Everywhere; All The Time”. And, in this next phase nothing’s changing. You’ll see the same energy, positivity, and force that you’ve come to expect from our campaign. I’m continuing to have lots of great 1-1 and small group conversations (Let me tell you about streets! Or the City budget! Or market-rate housing development!), but now that it’s FINALLY summer in Duluth we’re adding in those favorite community events – and a few of our own!

I have an exciting new project to share: a PODCAST! We’re calling it, “Good Talk”, and our first episode is now available! In episode #1, I chat with Shane Bauer, Executive Director of Grandma’s Marathon. Shane gives us a peak behind the scenes of the event, and how COVID impacted large scale events in Duluth – and across the nation.

While we aren’t quite ready to have them out yet, this is the PERFECT time to SIGN UP to receive a Reinert for Mayor sign in your yard!

Tuesday marked a significant milestone in our campaign – official FILING to become your next Mayor of Duluth! I set a goal to be the first candidate to file for any office this election season, and as someone who does what they say they are going to (with a sprint up the steps of City Hall) – I did! To be honest, completing the paperwork to make this official was a little emotional. Duluth, I am so excited to get to work for you! 

This week we finished up our last of six Coffee & Conversations with another great turnout at Yellow Bike Coffee! These chats have been among my absolute favorite part of the campaign. At each event we have had people from different walks of life and political perspectives meet each other, share their concerns, and offer ideas. Did they walk away suddenly agreeing on everything? Nope. But they did speak to each other, listen to each other, and reflect on shared values.

I announced almost four months ago that I was running to be YOUR next Mayor of Duluth – and this week made a little news when I shared that I will not be seeking political party endorsements. The Office of the Mayor is non-partisan, and I’m working hard for the endorsement of everyday Duluthians.

Last week for Tax Day we went over facts about City of Duluth taxes and revenue. Last weekend, most of us received our proposed property values for 2024. Mine were a bit eye-popping at 15%, and based on what you all have told me, mine were on the low side.

Earlier this week was Tax Day, Tuesday, April 18. Did you know roughly 33% of Americans wait until that day to file? Forever a teacher at heart, on Tuesday I shared these random facts related to City of Duluth budget and taxes for folks to ponder while filing.

We’re all ready to start enjoying warm temperatures right?? But these nice temps are also bringing headaches as we deal with rapid snowmelt and our associated aging infrastructure issues. We know about snow removal and potholes. The news this week was flooded basements from overloaded storm sewers. I heard about these concerns again, and more, at our most recent Coffee & Conversation.

If you are new here… WELCOME! I’ve made SO many new connections recently – including over 650 of you chatting with me at the Arrowhead Home and Builders show last weekend!  Duluth, you have been talking with and introducing yourselves to me over this campaign, so I wanted to take this opportunity for ME to introduce myself to YOU!

With more storms in the extended forecast its hard to imagine spring actually arriving but we are close! And then . . . streets and potholes. Feel like our streets as bad as you can recall? You’re not wrong.

I want to start this letter expressing my immeasurable gratitude. Last night was nothing short of incredible. So grateful to the over 100 of you who came out last night at the Clyde to hear my assessment and vision for Duluth in my State of the City Response speech.

I’m hoping you survived another pair of classic mid-March Duluth back to back snowstorms! They left us all talking about effective and efficient core city services. Hopefully, you caught the real-time video I did last weekend on social media! Duluth deserves consistent communication to all residents.

Already, Duluthians have joined Roger in more than 100 one-on-one or small-group conversations. “You’ve shared your love, your concerns and your passion for our community,” Roger says. “It’s truly been a gift.”

Roger shares what he loves about Duluth. What pops to the top of your Duluth love list?

Roger shares a message about the importance of positive campaigning in the race for Duluth mayor.

Roger was overwhelmed by messages supporting and encouraging his campaign for Duluth mayor. He recorded a message thanking all those who reached out.

Roger announced his candidacy for Duluth mayor Jan. 12 with a message of “expect more, do better.”

Roger looks back with gratitude on an amazing first two weeks of his campaign for Duluth mayor.

On the same day he held a news conference to launch his run for Duluth mayor, Roger shared a video message directly with the city he hopes to lead.