In January of 2020, the City of Duluth hired Sustainability Officer Mindy Granley. Earlier this year, Granley resigned from that position. Since then, Duluth has been without a full-time Sustainability Officer, an issue that has raised concerns with some residents.
"We heard that the mayor had hired a part-time person with the announcement or plan of hiring a full-time person to replace Mindy," says Tone Lanzillo. "Then a group of us heard about a month ago that the mayor decided not to hire a full-time Sustainability Officer, let go of the part-time person, and then closed the office." Since then, a group of locals have been working to get city officials to reconsider.
For Lanzillo, the evidence of the positive impacts is argument enough for reinstating the position. "Between 2020 and 2025 Mindy's position had brought in over $50 million in external funding to the city." Previously, plans were in place for the city to reduce admissions by 80% by 2050. "They were looking at things like reducing energy consumption in buildings, how to support renewable energy, support low-carbon transportation options, improve stormwater management."
The elimination of a full-time Sustainability Officer is seen by some as a move that will have a domino effect ultimately impacting community development and economic growth. "It definitely diminishes quality of life in Duluth," says Lanzillo. "If we want to secure the future of our city, we need to look at sustainability initiatives."
A petition has been started to further amplify the voices of those in support of filling the full-time Sustainability Officer role.
You can hear Green Visions at 8:20am every Wednesday on Northland Morning.
