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Daniel Fanning on President Biden commuting the drug trafficking sentence of Jim Carlson, the former owner-operator of the Last Place on Earth in Downtown Duluth (Source: LinkedIn post) – "I strongly disagree with President Biden’s decision to commute the sentence for Jim Carlson and think it’s a slap in the face to our community, and especially law enforcement: https://lnkd.in/gri6WJfd (StarTribune.com)
Carlson spread his poison through downtown Duluth like a cancer for many years, and it caused deaths and ruined lives. I saw it firsthand as I was working for Mayor (Don) Ness and the City of Duluth at the time, and helping lead communications and outreach efforts. It was an honor to work with many dedicated community leaders who stepped up and helped make our downtown much safer by helping put Carlson behind bars, where he belongs.
From then Mayor Don Ness, to then Police Chief Gordon Ramsay, to then City Attorney Gunnar Johnson and his team, then County Attorney Mark Rubin and his team, the Duluth City Council and other local leaders, state and federal partners, David Ross and the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, and many other community partners rallied together and helped put a stop to Carlson’s brazen illegal activity and destruction. Many of us worked diligently to help make our downtown safer, and it was with Carlson behind bars.
What he was selling was nothing similar to marijuana, it was far worse, and far more dangerous and deadly.
Fortunately, the collective work of our community, insisting Carlson be held accountable, helped save many lives and made our streets safer, and better off, for years to come. Local developer Brian Forcier and his team at Titanium Partners eventually helped turn that once disgusting location into a now beautiful and thriving business, positively contributing to our downtown and economy.
We were, and still are, all much better off with Last Place on Earth closed and with Carlson behind bars – where he should remain much longer."
DULUTH EDUCATION LEADERS
Stella Maris Academy has completed Phase 2 renovations at its high school campus with a new state-of-the-art science wing. The milestone will be celebrated with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Blessing on January 3 at 8:15 a.m. The beautiful high school campus is located at 4321 Allendale Avenue in Duluth.
The event will officially mark the opening of the innovative science wing, which reflects Stella Maris Academy’s ongoing commitment to providing students with exceptional educational resources and facilities. The wing will create a dynamic environment for student exploration and discovery.
“This milestone represents our dedication to equipping our students with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in their academic pursuits,” said Andrew Hilliker, president of Stella Maris Academy. “We are thrilled to see this vision come to life and to celebrate it with our community which generously supports Catholic education in Duluth.”
