Andy's Blog

I have finally done it. I have offended the conservatives.

Last week the conservative group Connect Duluth – some of whom are Chamber members - was outraged at the Duluth City Council for wanting to hold a planning retreat at a Two Harbors resort & conference center. Connect Duluth was angry because the city would spend approximately $2,500 - shocking in light of the budget shortfall - and the conference center is not even in Duluth! When asked for my opinion by an independent blogger, I suggested the city’s plans were not a big deal and that we should hope the city council uses the opportunity to build toward future success. My candid response was offensive to members of Connect Duluth.

I am used to having groups of people angry at me. After all, I do work for the Chamber. Different groups of people have different perspectives of what we at the Chamber do and how we do it. Even more, people often misunderstand my role & responsibilities at the Chamber. How people perceive the Chamber and its operation – and, by extension, me - at times, tweaks their ire and they speak out against the Chamber and me. My home number has been released on the radio; members of different groups have called me at my office; and a few have complained to the boss. These harassing phone calls have amounted to nothing.

In all this I have not lost any sleep. In fact, over the weekend I took several naps and even slept late. I feel no real need to defend my statement or even explain myself, although I did receive a phone call from one of the founders of Connect Duluth who respectfully asked for further clarification. I was most happy to tell him that I meant no offense to Connect Duluth and that I think we really ought to give our city councilors some space to do their jobs – especially since they give up a great deal of their personal time to run our city government. Seemingly, this satisfied the caller. I have moved on.

What the whole thing does remind of, however, is one of my favorite psychologists: Albert Ellis. He purported that people differ in three ways: how they take in information, how they process information, and how they give information out. The whole matter regarding Connect Duluth revolves around Ellis’ model.

Let me apply Ellis’ model here: First, I think the whole matter was blown out of proportion by Connect Duluth. We have bigger fish to fry. Our streets are a mess and we are spending our street improvement monies for recreation centers, hockey rinks, and other proposals that could seriously deplete the fund – leaving our streets (which everyone uses) a ridden with potholes. These initiatives, while well intentioned, may not be the best use of the money. Secondly, my opinion is just that - my opinion. If I disagree with Connect Duluth, or any other group for that matter, I am not condemning them, I am disagreeing with them. This does not mean I don’t like these folks or think that their efforts do not have a place in our republic. When I disagree, I simply disagree - nothing more, nothing less. Finally, I simply stated my opinion when asked. That’s my style.

When you look at things in the light of Ellis’ model, the whole thing comes into perspective. Which leads me to my final point: we all want what is best for Duluth.