New site for the campaign.

From now on please use the following site for the campaign. We will no longer use this blog.

Here is the link, http://www.ratheforcitycouncil.politicalgateway.com .

Supporting Duluth Police.

I support our police and will do everything I can protect them, and give them what is needed to work to reduce the crime in Duluth.

In the past ten years I have noticed an increase in serious crime in Duluth. I have heard many times they many people no longer feel safe walking to there local gas station. This is very discomforting we need to make sure every citizen feels safe to walk just blocks to a store. Not only should you feel safe walking to a local store but you should also feel safe walking on our lake walk, downtown, or any were in are fine city.

The Duluth police department is in the process of hiring new officers this is a great step to helping the department. I also feel we need to have community cops and neighborhood watches. Again I will do everything I can to reduce crime in Duluth if elected.

This blog to move.

We will be moving our official blog some time soon. This blog may stay up and be used as a friends of of blog of some time. I don't know for sure. Please note, we will still post here tell we have our new place up and running so come check us out here for now. We will also let you know what is going on with the blog as we move.

Duluth needs to focus on providing what?

What do you believe the City needs to focus on first?

Your thoughts welcome.

Our first campaign peice.

Our first flier is ready!! We are getting going on the campaign. We need help with lit drops so if you are willing to help please send an email to us or just reply to this message. The email is ratheforcitycouncil@yahoo.com .

We have gotten a good response to the campaign.

Thanks everyone,

John Rathe

We need jobs and careers.

Duluth has one of the best and strongest work forces in the Country.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=41041&section=homepage This article in the Duluth News Tribune yesterday is just one more reason we need good jobs.

Without the jobs to keep young professionals here we will continue to not have the night life or any other events. As you know many people in Duluth live pay check to pay check. They can't afford any thing more then pay their bills and get groceries.

It is not because of a lack of things to do in Duluth that young professionals don't stay here. It is because of a lack of jobs that pay well. When we get the industrial and other jobs that pay then people will stay. This will ensure a better and more active Duluth community.

Again I would focus on the Health care industry, high tech, and airline. I will also work to help attract new business to Duluth.

A strong education and better jobs are the very key to the future of Duluth.

Thoughts on some of the issue's.

The third district is a very special district. The people that live in the district care about our community and surrounding areas. We want what's best for us on many issues facing the district and the City of Duluth.

Issues that face this district are tough but with strong leadership we can work them out.

Here are some issues our campaign feels are in important.

Economic Development

Jobs

Keeping our young people in Duluth

Youth activities

Crime

Housing



Now, Duluth and the third district need good paying jobs and economic development. We do this by making our city a business friendly environment and by using caution of spending. We need to be friendlier to business and not chase them out of Duluth. However, can’t be expected to fund everything for the business. We need a good balance of these two tide components on this issue.

Keeping our youth is very important. This includes our collage students and younger. I feel there are a number of ways to do this.

For our youth we need to have better parks and recreation area. We also need show an interest in our youth by reaching out and allowing them to be involved in our city.

To keep our young professionals here we need good jobs. Duluth needs to focus on its strengths in aviation, health care, and the high tech industry. We also need to look for new and growing business that would be interested in coming to Duluth.

Housing and crime kind of tie together, yet they are separate issues. I believe if we had more families involved in home-ownership, that would help reduce crime.

Housing is an issue on many levels in the 3rd district. We need to have a much better balance of home owners and rental property in our district. I have nothing against rental properties; in fact I believe them to be a vital part of our housing market. We do however need more families (permanent residence) in the district and the city as a whole.

Lets get the word out.

Let's get a campaign going to get on the radio and in the news paper. Call local talk show hosts and talk about the Rathe for City Council campaign. Be positive and talk about the issues.

Here are some contacts to radio stations.

Lew Latto Live Daily Talk show (m-f) 9 am to 11 am

Brad Bennett show (m-f) 10 am to Noon 722-0839

Ray comes to you live (m-f) 5 pm to 8pm 722-0839

Write a letter to editor:
Duluth News Tribune letters@duluthnews.com