David's BlogMonday, January 26, 2015The Greatest of Greater Minnesota
Eighteen
years ago, in 1997, a group of approximately twenty of Duluth's
community leaders gathered at the Minnesota Capitol Building in St.
Paul. They were there to advocate on behalf of our beloved community.
They called this foundational trip to the Capitol - Duluth Days.
They were
well-intentioned, sincere and motivated. But, alas, they were also
loosely organized and underfunded. Their visit to the Capitol went
largely unnoticed. They campaigned lightly before returning to Duluth to
reflect and regroup.
Those were the humble
beginnings of what has developed into the most sophisticated, largest
and most effective annual community gathering at the State Capitol. This
bold initiative has been expanded to include a concerted advocacy
effort on behalf of our entire St. Louis County. Now, Duluth and St.
Louis County at the Capitol brings more than six hundred community
advocates to the Capitol.
Imagine, six-hundred of
us encouraging the state to fund local projects that will improve the
quality of life for residents of our region. We have come a long way in
eighteen years. In many ways, we are the powerful political force those
twenty community leaders were waiting for, eighteen years ago. They
prepared the way for what is now a successful coalition of business and
labor leaders, city councilors, county commissioners, school board
members and private citizens.
We have a responsibility
to those who have gone before us and to our community. We must keep
this unequaled initiative moving forward. We will do exactly that when
we gather at the Capitol February 25th and 26th.
Yet, this year, we have a
heightened challenge. It is our community's shared challenge. Our
historic and elegant Capitol Building is being refurbished. It is
largely barricaded and inaccessible to visitors.
Consequently, few
communities will even try to host events at the Capitol during this
upcoming legislative session. I recently learned that other communities,
which have shamelessly attempted to replicate our Days at the Capitol,
have announced they are cancelling their gatherings. It appears the
obstacles are too daunting.
Not so for those of us
who work and live in beautiful St. Louis County. With resiliency and
creativity as our constant companion, we will set up our operations a
few blocks from the Capitol Building, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Paul
- Riverfront.
A record number of local
organizations are registered to host exhibit booths at the Grand
Reception. We anticipate a strong attendance. Additionally, we are
inviting Governor Dayton, and other state leaders, to join us for our
Legislative Breakfast, scheduled for February 26th at the Crowne Plaza.
Wednesday, February 25
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront
Thursday, February 26
7:30 am - 9:00 am
Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront
In support,
David Ross, President & CEO
posted by David Ross
at
6:41 AM
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