Don Ness, the second-youngest mayor in Duluth's history, walked away from the job last week after two terms, months after he announced he would not run for a third term — despite approval ratings of 91 percent.
His many fans were surprised last fall when some local union members banned him from the Duluth union hall (Ness said it was based on a misunderstanding), but they soon repaired relations and the ban was rescinded.
The Ness era was remembered and celebrated at a free, open-to-all farewell party last month hosted by Ness that featured local musicians.
Ness, who turned 42 Saturday, told the Star Tribune that "it's been a real honor to go to work every day and try to make Duluth a better place." For his next move, Ness said he and his wife will stay in Duluth and launch a small business, Hillside Ventures.
Ness was succeeded as mayor by Emily Larson.
Matt McKinney @_mattmckinney
Cleanup sites
State grants awarded for pollution cleanup
More than a dozen redevelopment projects around the state will share $6.2 million in pollution cleanup funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
In its announcement Friday, DEED predicted that the funding will help create or retain 2,322 jobs.
