REP. PHYLLIS KAHN WROTE:
The difference is that Keith has been incredibly effective both in
the community and in the Legislature. He almost singlehandedly started
EJAM (Environmental Justice Association of MN),bringing together the
most incredible collection of diverse activists. He has worked on (and
passed through committee) the important issue of getting the right to
vote back for felons as soon as they are out of jail and has been a
consistently good vote on just about every liberal issue before the
House. He is highly respected by his colleagues on both sides of the
aisle.
MICHELLE HILL RESPONDS:
This I will agree with. I too attended the environmental meetings held at
the
Urban League. He is quite sincere in his efforts to help us breathe
better.
So for that I will say thanks. However, there are many other areas that he
is
silent on that has nothing to environment. Since I am a Democrat and a
citizen
in North Minneapolis, I can and will express my opinion of a democrat. I
can
understand why Keith is respected on all sides of the aisle, where his
colleagues are concerned, his views more in line with your and that's OK.
However, his constituency needs his representation in more areas than
environment. As to Randy Staten, people can change. I hope you have Rev.
Staten.
Keith has been a leader in far more areas than the environment. So much so
that MAPA (Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action) a group representing a
broad spectrum of progressive interests throughout the state--most of those
issues directly impacting our North Minneapolis neighborhoods--awarded him
their Progressive Legislator of the Year Award in 2003.
I am proud to be represented by Keith Ellison.
And I like Randy Staten. Having lived in his precinct for 20 years and
attended caucuses and meetings with him for much of that time I know his
heart is in the right place. But for the moment Keith is doing a great job
and I see no need to offer any one up in his place UNLESS Linda Higgins
moves to the county position and Keith moves up to Linda's senate seat
leaving his seat open.
Steve Nelson
Willard Hay
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