Mayor Larson Appoints Filipovich To DECC Board, Mayor-Elect Reinert Asks Council To Deny
This comes after Reinert asked Larson to let him appoint board, commission seats opening in December
DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is in power until Jan. 2, and she is using that power to appoint former city councilor Zack Filipovich to a seat on the DECC board that’s opening up at the end of the year.
It’s a move by Larson that goes against the request of Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert.
Last week, Reinert told FOX 21 he wants to make appointments for any opening board and commission seats. He said the election results called for change at City Hall, so he believes he should appoint the DECC board member seat, for example, and allow the new city council to vote to approve or deny that appointment — not Larson and the current council. 
“I would like to not see the council approve appointments that are going to last my entire term, as one administration is going out the door and a new one is coming in. Because, obviously, the work we have to do is not just the work in City Hall, but it’s the work through all those boards and commissions as well. So ensuring that appointments there align with these conversations we just had with the community and what Duluthians expect from an election that clearly was about change,” Reinert told FOX 21 last week.
Council President Janet Kennedy and Council Vice President Roz Randorf told FOX 21 last week that any item on the agenda, like an appointment, will be treated like business as usual, with nine councilors voting for or against.
Mayor Larson denied FOX 21’s request for an interview on the mayoral transition. But her public information officer, Kelli Latuska, released a statement on Larson’s behalf when asked if Larson would let Reinert fill any open seats.
The statement reads: “It is within Mayor Larson’s authority until the end of her term to fill board and commission appointments, and she is conducting this business as usual to fill some of the open seats.”
Reinert released a statement on the appointment topic. It reads:
“This was an election with one loud theme – it’s time for something different. Appointments and commitments that will last for four, or even six, years is not consistent with what the voters said on November 7th. The ability of my Administration to affect change includes leveraging the many Boards, Commissions and Authorities in our community.
On Monday we will be 22 days away from a new Mayor, and a new City Council. The Mayor has the authority to recommend appointments, but the City Council has the authority to approve them. I hope Duluthians will join me in asking the City Council to table any new appointments until after January 2nd.”
