Coleman hears about forest-products concerns

Jane Brissett

Duluth News Tribune

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman spent more than an hour Friday afternoon listening to Duluth business people and a homeowner talk about how they’re faring in the current economic environment and heard viewpoints that ranged from disheartening — from the forest products industry — to optimistic — from real estate agents.

During the informal public meeting, held in a conference room at the NewPage (formerly Stora Enso) paper mill in West Duluth, Coleman, R-Minn., listened more than he spoke. It was an opportunity for him to learn and hear ideas during these “clearly challenging economic times,” he said.

“The great ideas don’t originate with me sitting behind my desk in Washington,” Coleman said.