Why I'm Voting for Robert Wagner for St. Louis County Board, District 5

Rob Wagner

Tuesday is a special election for a St. Louis County Board rep for District 5. If you don't know whether this applies to you, here are the communities represented in this district: Brevator Township, Canosia Township, Duluth Township, Gnesen Township, City of Hermantown, Lakewood Township, Midway Township, City of Proctor, City of Rice Lake, and Solway Township.

I could be flip and say vote for Rob because he's better looking than the other candidates. Or I could say to vote for him because he's my nephew and I watched him grow up, and I can testify to him being a hard worker and very responsible.

Those reasons are probably insufficient for most folk. So my reason for casting a vote his way would be this: Robert Wagner would be "a voice for people who have no voice."

How many times have you felt that your views weren't being represented by your representatives? Over the course of a lifetime I have routinely seen bad decisions being made "for our good" which really were not good for the poor at all, decisions that helped the wealthy people who selected our "leaders." There are numerous occasions in which what looked like a wise decision turned out to be a wily decision with consequences that hurt people with lesser means.

I had an incident occur several years that make me distrustful of government, even at these lower levels. There was a new piece of regulation that the county board wished to pass that I saw as having negative consequences for homeowners. I know a few older folk on fixed incomes for whom this new law would be a hardship. I went to a Town Hall hearing with my notebook, aiming to question the county board members there. It was a packed house, like the Norman Rockwell painting called "Freedom," about freedom of speech.

One of our representatives from the county came and sat by me. He made me feel like he didn't like what I was doing... which was taking notes.

I sent an email to all the board members and tried to share why this was a bad idea. None replied. Nor did the rep from my district return my calls.

I'm sure it has to be hard, but after having been to a few of these kinds of "open hearings" the feeling I always come away with is that the hearing is a formality, that there is no real interest in hearing what we want because they already made up their mind. They have an agenda and let's not upset the apple cart with questions about the details.

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If he were still alive, this Hermantown WW2 vet would be voting for Rob.
(Rob Wagner seated on his grandgather's left.)

On Sunday the candidates running in this special election were given an opportunity to field questions from the Duluth News Tribune. Here were Wagner's responses. You can check the Sunday paper for all the rest.

DNT: Prioritize what you believe are the three most important functions of county government.

Rob Wagner: (1) Providing essential services. County government must insure that the residents of St. Louis County are taken care of. This includes health and human services, public safety, and the maintenance of roads/bridges to name a few. Budgeting and oversight of county funds so these services are met and to make sure that each department has the adequate resources to function properly.

(2) Economy and jobs. County government must create a business friendly atmosphere.

(3) Protection of the environment, and the oversight of land use.

DNT: Where can the county improve most? / conversely, what do you think the county does well?

RW: There are still many disparities, too many people that are homeless or living in poverty. The county could be of greater assistance in that aspect. On the flip side, St. Louis County roads are maintained very well, in my opinion.

DNT: In a sentence, why would you make a good commissioner?

RW: I am currently serving my 3rd year on the Lakewood Town Board. Town government is quite similar to county government, & I would take my experiences and expand on them.

DNT: What are the most pressing issues faced by county citizens (name two and expand if you want)?

RW: The opioid epidemic in our area stands out. The pharmaceutical companies that manufacture and distribute need to be held accountable for what they are doing.

Also, housing and homelessness is a continuing problem that needs to be addressed.

DNT: What does it mean to you that the primary has six people, but no women?

RW: Women currently hold roles in Minnesota government. Both our senators are women, Duluth has Emily Larson as mayor, St. Louis County has Beth Olson... The list goes on. Women have the option to run for office and that’s what matters.

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I have lived a year each in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Those experiences instilled in me a belief that all Americans would benefit by living in a Third World country for a period of time while they are young. Their perspectives would be enriched, even if they are left uncomfortable.

Just this past week someone was saying that it would be valuable if people could change places for a short spell... that is, white and black, male and female, rich and homeless, politically Left and Right. We talk about walking a mile in others' shoes, but do we do it?

Bottom line for me, though, is that I feel it is important ordinary people and poor people to have a voice on the inside. Rob would be that, would bring perspectives to issues that might not be getting heard.

Disclaimer: I am not part of the Robert Wagner campaign. I'm just one voice throwing an endorsement out there, and encouraging you to vote tomorrow.