The tiny North Shore Town of Two Harbors has received more press coverage in the last month than it probably has in the last 10 years thanks to Mayor Chris Swanson. Most of the stories appear in the Duluth News Tribune, but their rhetoric is spreading to the Star Tribune, Bring Me the News, and even Ann Arbor, Michigan.
What’s all that reporting about? Innovation, brainstorming, community investment, creativity, and a dream to make Two Harbors a thriving tourist destination adding to employment and the economy.
But if you’ve read any of the articles from the DNT, you’d get this message loud and clear.
“Dreams? We don’t do that here.”
They aren’t wrong. Stagnant Duluth with its progressive mouthpiece Mayor hasn’t brought anything more innovative than Costco to Duluth for some time now, making the petulant DNT and Duluth sound like a jealous big sibling. In response, they’ve taken out their big spoon and are trying to stir up drama – but even the MN Attorney General isn’t having it.
It was announced last summer that Two Harbors would be the 2022 location for the Festival of Sail – also known as Tall Ships Festival. The Mayor’s daughter owns a newly formed non-profit that would function as the festival’s event coordinator, while the event itself would be produced by Duluth resident, Craig Samborski. Samborski produces tall ship festivals around the country including the last one in Duluth. Samborski also produces giant Rubber Duck events around the country – from New York to Duluth to LA. But the negative tone of the DNT articles make it sound like the event is destined to flop.
Mayor Swanson also appeared on a podcast brainstorming about an underwater hotel in Lake Superior with above and below water rooms and a submarine. A wild and expensive idea that would certainly attract the attention of tourists to the town. An anonymous investor, Mr. O, was part of the discussion and a willing investor. The idea – at this point, is just an idea with a little google research to see if it’s even possible, but the reporting makes it sound like Swanson has hijacked the city’s coffers and is secretly planning to bankrupt the city with his crazy ideas. All while running headlines that the Mayor’s comments are being sent to the MN Attorney General for review. In three articles about comments being sent to the AG, the main photos were 3 different shots of Mayor Swanson with Vice President Pence during his visit back in 2020. If only we lived in a digital age where we could find more applicable photos to go with our articles – instead of intentionally using inflammatory images to try and set the tone of the article.
Much to the DNT’s dismay (we assume), the reports that Mayor Swanson potentially violated city ethical communications protocols were dismissed by Keith Ellison’s office because no contract was proposed to the city and there’s no proof of Swanson getting any financial gain.
Conflict of interest storylines are running wild, as well – the Swanson family – a born and raised Two Harbor’s family, have several businesses in town – from the Mayor’s internet marketing and mentoring businesses to his daughters’ businesses a fish shop, and gift and candy shops. Mayor Swanson has approved, moved, or voted for any request to review both his comments and conflicts of interest, so far all the city has found is a loan procured by one of his daughters, through the city from the IRRRB. No grants, free money, or gains. Just a loan.
In contrast, a deep dive in the DNT archives won’t find any articles discussing the conflict of interest in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s husband’s architecture firm being given the Steve O’Neil Apartment building project while she sat on the Duluth City Council – nor was any noise made about her employer CHUM being given the management contract to the project. If the DNT wants to run conflict of interest stories, they can probably find juicier ones closer to home.
While Swanson’s ideas may be off the deep end for some, it’s invigorating to see what a business person brings to the role of a community leader. Promotion, innovation, an expectation of growth, and the willingness to take the first steps on big ideas to see if they will float – or in this case find a foundation in the rocky bottom of Lake Superior.
The Festival of Sail event will be a big undertaking for Two Harbors. The concerns of the council aren’t unfounded – but they can look to the example of Grandma’s Marathon and the immense number of volunteers that event brings to their area – including dozens of volunteer EMRs and EMTs to work medical stations along the racecourse. The concerns they have about security and medical access can be overcome. The potential gain from this event to the Two Harbors Community is worth the risk, especially with an experienced event producer at the wheel. Not only will business in Two Harbors see an economic gain, but so will communities to the North and South, especially Duluth where it’s likely many of the estimated 40,000+/day guests will stay.
Our message to Two Harbors – don’t stop brainstorming – and Do Dare to Dream. It’s your time to shine on the North Shore.