Budget Ax Swings At Spirit Mountain; Veterans Affected

DULUTH - The financial belt is being tightened at Spirit Mountain in the form of layoffs; just one month after the new executive director took over. FOX 21's Dan Hanger learned exclusively Thursday that some long-time Spirit Mountain executives are out of a job.The cuts involve the marketing director, director of operations and director of skier services. And while layoffs are always tough, officials say it's crucial for a sustainable Spirit Mountain.Spirit Mountain's new year-round attractions like the Timber Twister may be a sign of a more vibrant future for the adventure park, but right now behind closed doors, it's a financial rollercoaster of a crisis."Our top priority is making sure we are good stewards of tax payer dollars. We can't continue to subsidize at the rate we have been subsidizing," explained Daniel Fanning, with the Mayor Don Ness' office.Fanning says the park owes the city of Duluth around $1 million, and that's something newly hired executive director Brandy Ream is tackling right away in the form of layoffs."We're trying to be supportive of her. So far, we've been very impressed and pleased with her. She's doing a great job of communicating with the city with some of the changes that need to happen and why," Fanning explained.Last winter's extreme cold shut Spirit Mountain down for a record amount of days, which didn't help the situation at all -- combined with its past financial struggles, according to Fanning."We have a serious investment in Spirit Mountain, and we want to see it be successful and we know it's likely on the path to be successful but some changes are necessary in the short term," Fanning said.The abrupt layoffs involve three long-time executives, including 18-year veteran Briana Johnson, who is most known as the face and marketing director of Spirit Mountain."For the past 18 years, I've had the amazing opportunity to serve Spirit Mountain as part of a dedicated and loyal team of people I came to know as dear friends. Spirit Mountain will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish them the very best," Johnson told FOX 21 in a written statement.And as for any future layoffs, that's not off the table right now, but it's not the goal, according to Fanning.Hanger did reach out to Ream for comment on this story, but a call and e-mail were not returned. It's also important to note, Spirit Mountain is its own authority and has its own board, but final decisions, like layoffs, are approved through city administration and the council.