Hermantown officials caught on tape mocking data center opponents
Hermantown city officials, including Police Chief Jim Crace, were caught on an audio recording mocking opponents of Google's proposed data center, using derogatory language. The recording, shared with the Duluth Monitor, has sparked significant public pushback and calls for the officials' removal. State lawmakers and community members express a loss of trust in local leadership.
An audio recording from a June Hermantown Department Head Meeting has surfaced, revealing city officials, including Police Chief Jim Crace, using derogatory and expletive language to describe two data center opponents. The recording was anonymously shared with the Duluth Monitor, which first reported the story, and has ignited serious concern among community members and state lawmakers.
The comments have sparked public pushback, with many residents and officials calling for the removal of the city leaders involved. Duluth resident Jim Klukkert, one of the individuals mocked in the recording, expressed anger, describing the officials as "bullies" and criticizing comments made about a Native woman and a woman running for city council. He highlighted concerns about corruption, sexism, and racism among city staff, stating that he does not expect an objective level of information from them for the city council.
Duluth State Senator Jennifer McEwen echoed Klukkert's concerns, calling Chief Crace's comments "disheartening and shocking." She questioned how Hermantown residents could maintain confidence in their law enforcement after such an incident, emphasizing the broken trust. State Representative Liish Kozlowski also spoke out on social media, asserting that a simple apology would not be sufficient.
Many, including Klukkert, McEwen, and Kozlowski, believe that the involved officials should be replaced. Another anonymously shared video with the Duluth Monitor showed city staff discussing putting together scripted questions for councilors to ask at a council meeting, further fueling concerns about transparency and ethical conduct.