2 weeks Ago By Karen Maverick, Ely and Scandia, Minnesota
On March 29, the public was invited to discuss federal policies and their impacts on the local community at a “people’s town hall” at Duluth East High School. Many of us have seen clips of similar meetings in recent weeks. Across the country, people are angry, afraid, and deeply concerned.
Congressman Pete Stauber did not attend. The only way to entice him, it seems, would be to discuss reversing the removal of wolves from the endangered-species list or to praise the future of copper-nickel mining projects. ADVERTISEMENT Despite Stauber’s absence, school board members, other local officials, and former state Rep.
Jennifer Schultz, who lost to Stauber in the last two elections, were present. Of those who stood up to speak, there was a retired politician, a nurse, a Native American educator and mother, a Vietnam veteran, a grandmother advocating for her transgender grandson, a Chinese immigrant, a retired miner with elderly parents who relies on VA health care, a 17-year-old environmental activist, and a 16-year-old concerned for LGBTQ+ rights. The auditorium was packed, and people lined up to speak.
Some spoke with confidence while others were quiet, their voices cracking. There were even some tears. It was their truth.
It was raw. It was emotional. It was heartbreaking.
It was important. It was their story. Most of all, it needed to be said out loud.
They needed to be heard. The event did not conclude until every voice was heard. This is what true leaders do: They listen to all the people, not only those who voted for them.
Even if Stauber had had the courage to show up, would the concerns have fallen upon deaf ears? Karen Maverick Ely and Scandia, Minnesota ADVERTISEMENT Email submissions to: [email protected] Include a full name, address and daytime phone number. Only names and hometowns will be published.
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