I was privileged to serve Grand Forks for 14 enjoyable years as president of the City Council. Mayor Mike Brown and I were elected in the same year, 2000.
Brown was always unfailingly courteous, collaborative, even-handed and receptive to new ideas. He has proved to be a fine leader in a growing city of complex and competing interests.
I always respected the mayor's demeanor and tone, whether he was interacting with children, citizens, council members, staff or four-star generals at the Pentagon.
Between 2000 and 2016, the mayor's budgets-debated and approved by the City Council-reduced the city mill levy by 40.3 mills. Without this decrease, collectively we would be paying $7.8 million more in property taxes this year.
I would point out that during this time, our city has seen no reductions in services or quality-of-life amenities.
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I believe Grand Forks has become one of America's great small cities in no small part due to the positive leadership of Brown. I urge Herald readers to join me in re-electing Brown as mayor for a continuing positive future for our city.
Hal Gershman
Grand Forks
Gershman is a former president of the Grand Forks City Council.