Chamber President & City Councilor Speak Out
By Dave Minor & Warren Bender
Dave Minor, President of Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
In today’s toxic political environment, it’s important for Superior voters to know that our business and labor communities are united in our support for the Better City Superior Exposition District advisory referendum.
We encourage Superior residents to Vote Yes on Tuesday, November 8th!
The Better City Superior Expo District advisory referendum is the first step in a multi-step process to give Superior the tools it needs to help ourselves grow. If the referendum passes, then we will need to work to change state law to create an exposition district in a city the size of Superior.
Finally, voters will have the last word in a binding referendum next year on what the district will look like and how it will work. Voters hold the key to our future.
The Better City Superior Expo District will give Superior an opportunity to:
- Create jobs and reduce unemployment.
- Increase recreation and entertainment options for residents and visitors.
- Keep tourism money in our own community.
- Build the community through expanded tourism dollars.
- Boost Superior’s economy and improve our quality of life.
The Exposition District will be funded by consumption taxes paid for by everyone who lodges, eats or drinks out, or rents a car in Superior.
Better City Superior will not be funded by property taxes.
With so many folks divided over the current political choices, this is one issue we can all agree on. The Better City Superior Exposition District referendum has the support from numerous business organizations in Superior including:
- Chamber of Commerce
- Development Association
- Business Improvement District
- Superior City Council
- Douglas County Board
- Douglas County Tavern League
- Superior School District
- University of Wisconsin-Superior
- Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
- Superior Amateur Hockey Association
Warren Bender, Superior City Council for the 3rd District and Labor Representative
Better City Superior is also supported by the following unions and associations:
- Carpenters 361
- Cement Masons 633
- IBEW 242
- Laborers 512
- Duluth Builders Exchange
- Insulators 49
- Ironworkers 512
- Laborers 1091
- Operating Engineers 139
- Painters 106
- Sheet Metal Workers 10
- Teamsters 346
- Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
- Minnesota LECET
- NECA Twin Ports Arrowhead
- Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 11
- Northern Mechanical/Plumbing Contractors.
As the Superior Telegram editorial said, it’s time to go big! The Exposition District referendum will advise tax-wary legislators (in Madison) that we are willing to take a risk to invest in our future.
It will start us on a path that could change our future.
Let’s come together on Nov. 8 to support the Better City Superior Exposition District referendum, and send a message to Madison that we want the tools to help ourselves grow.
Dave Minor is president of the Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce and Warren Bender is a Superior city councilor who serves as the corresponding and recording secretary for the Superior Federation of Labor.
