[Mpls] Third Ward race more
Congrats to Don Samuels for a well run campaign and his victory in the 3rd. And, I hope the DFL party appreciates supporters like Vanessa as much as Vanessa appreciates and believes in the DFL. Supporters do help win elections. Now that all neighborhoods (Wards) are again represented at the table, the City Council can refocus on important business in areas like affordable housing policy, community development, budgets and services. Should community development/housing funds and programs be centralized downtown or decentralized in the neighborhoods, and to what extent? What is the overhead cost associated with maintaining neighborhood control of some development funds-- in dollars and as a percentage? What are the benefits of maintaining decentralized neighborhood control-- over the short term and the long term? Are the benefits worth the cost? How can the overall process be improved? I'm sure Council Member Samuels will hit the road running and bring many important issues to the table, adding new dimension to city leadership in Mpls. And a tip of the hat to mpls.issues/mnforum for providing an open forum for discussion of this election, unique as it was compared to the normal CC elections where candidates are running in 13 Wards simultaneously. I'd be interested in hearing comments from list members on what if any role this issues-list played in this election- your perspective, relative to the conventional lit drops, live forums and door knocking associated with political campaigns? Fewer than 2300 votes cast in this election. Does this medium (and this particular forum) hold value in future elections? Michael Hohmann Linden Hills -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of V.L. Freeman Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 10:15 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] The Futureof Third Ward I am still a believer in the DFL party and always will be. This election has given me time to reflect on community and a sense of purpose. I just would like to say, that I will be on watch. Making sure that the whole ward gets proper representation. I will be checking everyday about the progress of the promises that were made. The good thing about this election is the term is only for a little under two years. During that time, I will work hard and strongly for the DFL party to recruit people of all races and backgrounds, and bring their voices to the table, so they can be heard... snip Good Night All Vanessa Freeman Hawthorne TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Third ward race
.WM: This is their family business. They grew up in politics; it cannot be a surprise that some of them will go into politics. The same goes for acting families (second a third generation actors, e.g. Drew Barrymore, Emilio Estevez, etc) and plumbing families... JK: No, exactly, my point. Politics is NOT a family business. It should NOT pass down from generation to generation, uninhibited. Public servants need to earn their place in the public domain. Clearly they DO inherit contacts and open doors. They inherit lots of advantage. All the more reason the party of inclusion and diversity needs to insure that new voices from new communities are brought into representation. And these parties must make, I believe, special efforts to reach out to disenfranchised folks instead of instinctively spreading opportunities to the children of the advantaged and the agents of the advantaged. This is boilerplate Democratic principals. In this light, it may be illuminating to examine the 3rd ward convention. Of the 70 or so endorsing conventioneers one (1) was of African -American descent. That's a total of one where 40 per cent of the ward is about 60 per cent African American. ( These would be about the percentages one might expect out of Mississippi.) Not what one expects out of the DFL party in progressive Minnesota. Of course this problem is neither numerical nor simplistic, it's systemic. The forces, obviously, of segregation and disenfranchisement are potent and pervasive. And our party MUST do better at being more inclusive, more diverse, especially in the poorest of the poor areas like the 3rd ward, Northside. How then do we enlarge the tent of opportunity? Do we wait for more programs to increase outreach to people of color as one City DFL official recently mollified on this list? No, of course not. We must advocate for change, now. In the party of Paul Wellstone and Martin Luther King we must desire inclusive representation now. The policies of segregation and discrimination have always said, Wait 'till later. Mr. Samuels far outshines Mr. Moore in experience, neighborhood involvement, and personal stature. Will a black man represent the largely white NE 3rd Ward for the first time? This is the story. This is truly a historic time. We will see people's courage in this race. The momentum appears to be on the side of this historic change. In terms of the unmitigated disaster for the DFL , this election feels like a loss either way. Either their appointed son Mr. Moore loses or a large community of color feels like one more grand opportunity for change has been snatched from them. Why the Congressman and the State Party got involved BEFORE the endorsement in a local race one has to wonder. (The Party Brass--obviously--should be finding, not defeating, qualified, quality candidates of color in wards like the Third of Minneapolis.) This failure is the unmitigated disaster. __ To Representative Kahn: Thank-you for the typo correction, and thank-you for listening to NE neighborhood activists on the freeway location 35 years, or so, ago. John Kremer Live in Whittier/ Work and Play in Bottineau TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Third ward race
--- john [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In this light, it may be illuminating to examine the 3rd ward convention. Of the 70 or so endorsing conventioneers one (1) was of African -American descent. That's a total of one where 40 per cent of the ward is about 60 per cent African American. ( These would be about the percentages one might expect out of Mississippi.) Not what one expects out of the DFL party in progressive Minnesota. Of course this problem is neither numerical nor simplistic, it's systemic. The forces, obviously, of segregation and disenfranchisement are potent and pervasive. And our party MUST do better at being more inclusive, more diverse, especially in the poorest of the poor areas like the 3rd ward, Northside. Eric Writes: John, While I agree with your overall point and work everyday at inclusion in this party across the state, your post can be misleading if some points aren't clarified. The delegates are the delegates the one who were delegates to the previous Senate District Convention. In other words, if you walked in to your precinct caucuses last year, you were more than likely a delegate to your Senate District Convention. You can't get more grassroots and open than that. There is no proof of being a DFLer needed, no litmus test or previous attendance required. Just show up - literally. Moving up to the 2002 precinct caucuses, I printed up brocures and booklets on the DFL caucus system, in both english and spanish. They were distributed at some neighborhood community meetings in Mpls and St Paul. Phone calls into the Near Northside were made as well as public service announcements on community radio. I also met one on one with community leaders from different groups of people of color. Matthea Little Smith (DFL Affirmative Action Officer at that time) even held workshops at the Urban League and Sabathini Community Center (I believe). We at the state DFL really tried to get everyone involved in the last round, by making more people aware that the political process begins at the precinct caucus, not just voting in the primary (I would like to see more turning out for that as well). I encouraged people of color to be more involved in the decision making process, not just wait for the decision to be made by others. Can we at the state DFL do more? Sure, I'm open for more suggestions, but understand this clearly, that there is no contrived effort to segregate and disenfranchise, that's irresponsible of you to throw out there without reviewing the efforts of the Party in the last few years. Since we are talking about political parties, check with the others and ask what have they done internally to include more people of color. JK contiues: How then do we enlarge the tent of opportunity? Do we wait for more programs to increase outreach to people of color as one City DFL official recently mollified on this list? No, of course not. We must advocate for change, now. In the party of Paul Wellstone and Martin Luther King we must desire inclusive representation now. Eric writes: Again, the desire is there, coupled with the effort. I beleive that over the previous years, the Party has not lived up fully to its committment of inclusivness and it will take a little time for people to trust that committment is being followed through on. That's reasonable. JK: The policies of segregation and discrimination have always said, Wait 'till later. Mr. Samuels far outshines Mr. Moore in experience, neighborhood involvement, and personal stature. Will a black man represent the largely white NE 3rd Ward for the first time? This is the story. This is truly a historic time. Eric writes: Actually, the policies of segregation do not dictate wait til later, its more like get your own, just stay out of my ___ (fill in the blank with any institution). In this case, there wasn't any policy that prevented Don from seeking the endorsement and running as a member of the DFL. Don picked up some of the best DFL organizers as well. People's individual bigotry and problems with race will be the challenges to overcome that will be historic with two good candidates who are of different races. JK: In terms of the unmitigated disaster for the DFL , this election feels like a loss either way. Either their appointed son Mr. Moore loses or a large community of color feels like one more grand opportunity for change has been snatched from them. Why the Congressman and the State Party got involved BEFORE the endorsement in a local race one has to wonder. (The Party Brass--obviously--should be finding, not defeating, qualified, quality candidates of color in wards like the Third of Minneapolis.) This failure is the unmitigated disaster. Eric writes: You want to be more specific with the State Party getting involved? I can see the Congressman or staff supporting a fellow employee, but you need to
Re: [Mpls] Third ward race
john wrote: .WizardMarks wrote: This [politics] is their family business. JK: No, exactly, my point. Politics is NOT a family business. WM: There are two reasons, in my mind, why that cannot work. First, as Lynn Doyle lined it in his Ballygullion stories, The childher about Ballygullion is just like the childher everywhere else, they're terrible fond of imitatin' their eldhers. We're hard-wired so to do; I doubt it can be legislated away. Two, at present it has not been legislated away. The children of politicians are inhibited by their own talents and our tollerance. All the more reason the party of inclusion and diversity needs to insure that new voices from new communities are brought into representation. And these parties must make, I believe, special efforts to reach out to disenfranchised folks instead of instinctively spreading opportunities to the children of the advantaged and the agents of the advantaged. This is boilerplate Democratic principals. WM: I do not think that the DFL, as a party, has been thinking on its feet throughout the state since the unexpected death of Paul Wellstone and the major losses in the mid-term elections (not to mention the Bush coup d'etat ). When people are hurting badly, they turn toward the known and the comfortable. It is my personal preference as a DFLer to lean toward the new faces, listen carefully to lots of voices, and go from there if I am a delegate. As a delegate, I'm there to represent specific people, not just myself. In this light, it may be illuminating to examine the 3rd ward convention. Of the 70 or so endorsing conventioneers one (1) was of African -American descent. That's a total of one where 40 per cent of the ward is about 60 per cent African American. ( These would be about the percentages one might expect out of Mississippi.) Not what one expects out of the DFL party in progressive Minnesota. Of course this problem is neither numerical nor simplistic, it's systemic. The forces, obviously, of segregation and disenfranchisement are potent and pervasive. And our party MUST do better at being more inclusive, more diverse, especially in the poorest of the poor areas like the 3rd ward, Northside. How then do we enlarge the tent of opportunity? WM: I'd say this is on every DFLer. Each one mentor one. The other is that folks like all us happy delegates have to vote for the ones mentored and give up seats to the new people. Personally, I don't have much trouble with that scenario, I'd like some other folks to carry this stuff into the future. However, I do believe it's a pie in the sky notion in that I doubt that every DFLer can or will go along with a program like that. Do we wait for more programs to increase outreach to people of color as one City DFL official recently mollified on this list? No, of course not. We must advocate for change, now. In the party of Paul Wellstone and Martin Luther King we must desire inclusive representation now. The policies of segregation and discrimination have always said, Wait 'till later. WM: I don't disagree with the theory. Mr. Samuels far outshines Mr. Moore in experience, neighborhood involvement, and personal stature. Will a black man represent the largely white NE 3rd Ward for the first time? This is the story. This is truly a historic time. We will see people's courage in this race. The momentum appears to be on the side of this historic change. WM: Not being in the 3rd, it's not my call. In terms of the unmitigated disaster for the DFL , this election feels like a loss either way. WM: I would never say that the outcome in this election is an unmitigated disaster for the DFL. That's somebody else's foot and I'm not letting it in my mouth, no sir! Either their appointed son Mr. Moore loses or a large community of color feels like one more grand opportunity for change has been snatched from them. Why the Congressman and the State Party got involved BEFORE the endorsement in a local race one has to wonder. (The Party Brass--obviously--should be finding, not defeating, qualified, quality candidates of color in wards like the Third of Minneapolis.) This failure is the unmitigated disaster. WM: Perhaps Mr. Moore has aspirations of his own and thinks now is the time to step up to the bat. I'm also looking for another focus on an election. What does the 3rd ward need at this juncture (only they can say)? Can Moore fulfill those requirements? Can Samuels? Which one has the more skills to address what the ward says it needs? I cannot say I know that. In terms of how the ripple effect touches against life in the 8th ward, I would choose Mr. Samuels. This opinion and a buck eighty-three will get you coffee in a greasy spoon. WizardMarks, Central TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible.
Re: [Mpls] Third ward race
The situation is a mess and is made messier if there is no election until 2005. My preference, besides my judgement on the quality of the candidates, is to elect someone who lives in both the old and the new ward. I agree that everyone should have appropriate representation as soon as possible, which is why I want an election in 2003, a position supported by Olin Moore and avoided by Samuels (to my knowledge). I also want council members to care about the whole city (and even the state and the nation) and I take nothing away from Samuels for the good work he has done in his neighborhood. Phyllis Kahn State Rep. 59B TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
GO DON!!! Re: [Mpls] Third ward race
I have purposefully stayed out of the 3rd ward race after the dismal showing that Shane Price had in the primary. I have been torn about who I would support in the Feb 3rd election. I am extremely active in the Sheridan Neighborhood, where Olin Moore has lived for three years, but I did not know who the hell he was till he decide to run for the 3rd Wards seat. Supporters for Don Samules are all over the map, from Natalie Johnson Lee and Shane Price to Barb Johnson, Barett Lane and Valdis Rosentals, I am wary about support from such a wide group of political strata. I want to thank Phyllis Kahn for helping me make up my mind. As one of the plaintiffs that have filed suit over the redistricting ward boundaries I do not see how an election can happen using these disputed boundaries when citizens in MPLS have not had our day in court about the legalities of these new boundaries. I firmly join the ranks to 3rd warders standing behind Don Samules and I urge all others to do the same. GO DON!!! tom taylor Sheridan Neighborhood The situation is a mess and is made messier if there is no election until 2005. My preference, besides my judgement on the quality of the candidates, is to elect someone who lives in both the old and the new ward. I agree that everyone should have appropriate representation as soon as possible, which is why I want an election in 2003, a position supported by Olin Moore and avoided by Samuels (to my knowledge). I also want council members to care about the whole city (and even the state and the nation) and I take nothing away from Samuels for the good work he has done in his neighborhood. Phyllis Kahn State Rep. 59B TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
re: GO DON!! re: [mpls] Third Ward Race
I'd also like to thank Rep. Khan for her patronzing assumtion that most of us are too stupid to vote for the ovbiously superior candidate, that one who will answer to people like her. Thank you for making up my mind firmly for Don Samuels. So now we're going to have to have more elections so she can get rid of Natalie, Dean Zimmermann and Barret Lane sooner than later. Hey Phyillis, Since we're all obviously too stupid to recongize your superior intelligence, why don't you simply support a constitutional amendment allowing the Minneapolis delegation in the legislature to choose the city council and simply declare a yourself the philosopher queen (a la Plato) of Minnepolis. That way you won't have to have new elections when we elect people that you don't like. It would be more honest. Tamir Nolley Distgusted with partisan politics in Holland,A resident of the CURRENT ward 3. __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: GO DON!!! Re: [Mpls] Third ward race
In a message dated 1/27/2003 10:51:24 AM Eastern Standard Time, Phyllis Kahn writes: My preference, besides my judgement on the quality of the candidates, is to elect someone who lives in both the old and the new ward I also want council members to care about the whole city (and even the state and the nation) and I take nothing away from Samuels for the good work he has done in his neighborhood. I met Don Samuels last week after also having initial misgivings about him. He strikes me as someone who does care about the city, the state, and the nation. So he lives in North Minneapolis--so what? Why should he, and not Olin Moore as well, keep answering to charge that he works only for his neighborhood? Don't get me wrong. I've met Olin too and I like him very much. But why is the (white) Northeast candidate assumed to be representing everyone and the (black) North candidate assumed to be speaking only for a select few? Especially when the (black) candidate is signing up so many new voters, as did Shane Price and Johnson-Lee? It disturbs me that the DFL refers to the possible election of Samuels as a disaster (STrib) for the Democratic Party, when the percentage of people in Ward Three who do not vote is not similarly considered to be a disaster, not for the DLF, not for the city, not for the state, nor for the nation. This election is not just about this election. Now that the Trent Lott affair is over with, can white liberal DFLers own up to the fact that our nation was never really desegregated in the first place? That a recent national study shows that schools are just as, if not more, segregated now than in the 1950s? That Minneapolis is a deeply segregated city? (Gasp! Now I've done it.) Boy, don't even get me started on quality candidates. Samuels strikes me as more than qualified. Once upon a time, Democrats believed in Affirmative Action and didn't toss out this we want those who are qualified language used by so many conservatives. Now I wonder if the Mpls DFL even believes in equality anymore. Kristine Harley Sheridan TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Third ward race
Nobody asked me to make my personal endorsement, but I've been working for Olin Moore's campaign since the beginning of January. Besides having worked with him for years (campaigns and other stuff), I want a candidate who lives in and will continue to live in the ward. As a resident of the new 3rd ward, and disenfranchised by this election taking place in the old third ward, I have a particular stake in this selection. I fully expect a complete city council election in 2003, either through legislative or court action. An election 15 years after the census (in 2005) makes a mockery of one person- one vote, one of the cornerstones of democracy. Olin is one of the few candidates from the original field who lives in both wards (and has lived on the North Side). (And also supports a 2003 election.) I understand that Don Samuels has not promised to move within the boundaries of the new third ward, even if elected. (If, I'm wrong on this point, I expect a Samuels supporter to correct me.) One of the principles of representative government is residency so I would prefer to have a now and future resident elected. I also find it outrageous that one ward (6) has two resident council members and another (8), has none, but that's really an issue for a general elections piece, not a Third Ward discussion. Finally, to John Kremer, worried about Southside involvement in NE issues, the freeway fight 30+ years ago was over Hiway 335, not 394. It did not get built because I passed an amendment stopping it in state law with the help of an important Southside resident, Martin Sabo, then Speaker of the House. Phyllis Kahn State Rep. 59B TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Third ward race -Phyllis is incorrect
[DFL Rep. Kahn said] I understand that Don Samuels has not promised to move within the boundaries of the new third ward, even if elected. (If, I'm wrong on this point, I expect a Samuels's supporter to correct me.) This is not accurate. Talking once with Don would confirm this. In fact Don has spoken numerous times at public forums, house parties and on this list about this issue. Don is not a career politician planning his next election now. For Don, the council seat is not a launching block for a political career. He is running to represent the current residents of the Third Ward. If the voters choose Don, after the lawsuit is finalized, the borders of our new wards are secured, and Don has had the experience of serving as a Council Member he will take three variables into consideration: 1. What will be best for his family? 2. What type of representing will the residents of the new Fifth be receiving? 3. What is the feedback and support from residents in the new Third? As Don and Sondra did in this race -- he will get together with neighbors and supporters from throughout the Ward -- and decide what is in the best interest of the people of the Third Ward. If that means Don and his family moves -- then they will move. Joseph Barisonzi Samuels Campaign Coordinator TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Third ward race -Phyllis is incorrect
Perhaps Ms. Kahn would like the 16 year olds to vote dfl to stop any real public involvment.(she did sponser abill asking for children to have the right to vote). Dain Lyngstad phillips/edina --- Joseph Barisonzi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [DFL Rep. Kahn said] I understand that Don Samuels has not promised to move within the boundaries of the new third ward, even if elected. (If, I'm wrong on this point, I expect a Samuels's supporter to correct me.) This is not accurate. Talking once with Don would confirm this. In fact Don has spoken numerous times at public forums, house parties and on this list about this issue. Don is not a career politician planning his next election now. For Don, the council seat is not a launching block for a political career. He is running to represent the current residents of the Third Ward. If the voters choose Don, after the lawsuit is finalized, the borders of our new wards are secured, and Don has had the experience of serving as a Council Member he will take three variables into consideration: 1. What will be best for his family? 2. What type of representing will the residents of the new Fifth be receiving? 3. What is the feedback and support from residents in the new Third? As Don and Sondra did in this race -- he will get together with neighbors and supporters from throughout the Ward -- and decide what is in the best interest of the people of the Third Ward. If that means Don and his family moves -- then they will move. Joseph Barisonzi Samuels Campaign Coordinator TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Third ward race
I guess then the question becomes, should we just have the residents living in the "new" 3rd ward hold sway over the upcoming special election? While in fact an election for all city council positions may, or mayNOT be forced by legislative action in the upcoming future, a special election for a currently vacant city council seat exists and WILL take place next week on February 3rd. Unless I am missing something, it would appear that The Honrable Rep. Kahnis suggesting that residents of the existing 3rd ward cast their votes to accomodate her concerns and needs, instead of theirs. Who then would be faced without "one person, one vote" representation ? Or should "they" just wait for representation until redistricting occurs? Dennis Plante Jordan From: "Phyllis Kahn" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Mpls] Third ward race Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 22:46:23 -0600 Nobody asked me to make my personal endorsement, but I've been working for Olin Moore's campaign since the beginning of January. Besides having worked with him for years (campaigns and other stuff), I want a candidate who lives in and will continue to live in the ward. As a resident of the new 3rd ward, and disenfranchised by this election taking place in the old third ward, I have a particular stake in this selection. I fully expect a complete city council election in 2003, either through legislative or court action. An election 15 years after the census (in 2005) makes a mockery of "one person- one vote", one of the cornerstones of democracy. Olin is one of the few candidates from the original field who lives in both wards (and has lived on the North Side). (And also supports a 2003 election.) I understand that Don Samuels has not promised to move within the boundaries of the new third ward, even if elected. (If, I'm wrong on this point, I expect a Samuels supporter to correct me.) One of the principles of representative government is residency so I would prefer to have a now and future resident elected. I also find it outrageous that one ward (6) has two resident council members and another (8), has none, but that's really an issue for a general elections piece, not a Third Ward discussion. Finally, to John Kremer, worried about Southside involvement in NE issues, the freeway fight 30+ years ago was over Hiway 335, not 394. It did not get built because I passed an amendment stopping it in state law with the help of an important Southside resident, Martin Sabo, then Speaker of the House. Phyllis Kahn State Rep. 59B TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Third ward race
Having started doorknocking in late November is very odd. When I mention that Shane is running for office and is determined, many here in St. Anthony west are positive about that prospect. But more than likely they are a bit perplexed, that just when the days grow long and cold and windy, that this isn't quite right. We shouldn't be doing this, this is foreign. We should be preparing for holiday cheer and family and so forth. We've already had our election this year. What could be so counter to this, is like a never ending war, is an ever ending election without politics.. not only has Joe made his bed, but we the grassroots have the choice of campaigningin near zero conditions.I think here we go again, like falling from my bike, here we go. I wonder how patient people will be around the holidays, today, thanksgiving, I am not canvassing. But this weekend.. I wonder why Valdis would run as an Independent, with all the republican tide, maybe he could surf all the way to fifth street. Or is it that he knows that ne isn't populated with Reagan democrats.My only two cents is that this should be a good, positive, joyful, campaign. May the best woman or man win. Robert Yorga St. Anthony West Third Ward- A river runs through it. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Third Ward Race and Minority Candidate Issue
Steve Brandt's article about the issues of getting a minority candidate in the 3rd ward raised some issues. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3451588.html from the article: I think the Third Ward should elect a person of color, said Lilligren, whose own South Side ward has a minority population of about 62 percent. He said that some of his black constituents go to Johnson Lee -- who represents parts of the North Side and downtown -- with issues of concern, just as Indians from across the city come to him. Besides easing Johnson Lee's call load, having another minority member on the council would give minorities a greater sense of ownership in city affairs, Lilligren said. = EY: This raises the question -- why are African Americans in Lilligrens ward going to Johnson Lee? Is it because they think an African American is the only person they can talk to about their concerns -- or is it because Robert Lilligren's office has a poor track record of returning constituent calls? I have written before about the infamous pile in Lilligren's office. When I've followed up on calls with his office, his staff will say -- oh I put that message in the pile. I can't imagine thinking, oh, I'm going to call a gay council member for any gay issues that have to do with the city. I'll call my own council member, or when I call other council members it will be because they are on a particular committee. This reminds me of how last year, Wizard Marks posted about how Neva Walker shouldn't be expected to do any work to repeal the sodomy law because she was an African American woman - and had too much else on her plate -- and said that the white senators or reps, or glbt sens or reps should take this issue on. This is absurd. The article continues: State Rep. Greg Gray, DFL-Minneapolis, said he has no doubt that a capable minority candidate can transcend racial identities if he or she knows the ward and its issues. But he said minorities also need to master the infrastructure of campaigning -- raising money, networking, getting lawn signs made and pounded in. == EY: True. People are mostly going to be concerned about whether a candidate is going to represent their interests. If an African American candidate runs on issues like Reparations, then they probably will not win. If they run on issues like reducing crime, livability in the ward, etc. they should do well. Personally I wish Don Samuels of the Jordan Neighborhood would run for the seat. I think he'd be a fantastic candidate, and he seems to be a problem solver type of person. The article continues: Policy interests also diverge, Gray said, noting that while Northeasters might emphasize police protection, North Side residents might be more concerned about racial profiling. EY: It was very clear that the Jordan neighborhood wasn't happy with Spike Moss dog and pony show last summer. Most of the residents in that neighborhood want police protection -- and I've also talked with people who are concerned that excessive worry about profiling will prevent police from doing their job. Racial profiling is a serious issue, but there is also the issue of people trying to say well it's racism that caused a situation rather than taking personal responsibility for their own behavior. Eva Eva Young Near North Minneapolis You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be. --Article II of the Bill of Non-Rights. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] third ward race
I know republicans still live in Mpls. and yet we don't have any running whatsoever. As Shane Price has said on occasion this is because their needs are getting met by the ruling democrats. They don't need to run any candidates. This is going to sound strange coming from a green, but I wish they were in the political mix for a couple of reasons. It gets more ideas and views out into the public, it breathes health into the dfl party and makes them spend money against another foe instead of just us the greens. But finally it will make the dfl stand for something. And if Mpls is a dfl town they won't have any problems with being who they are. We won't have Paul Zerbies running aroung next time saying I'm more green than the green. The republicans have to take a position on where the city should be heading, but I don't know what that would be, I haven't heard any vision from the republicans I know this matchup between dfler's and greens is heaven sent and I won't look a gifthorse in the mouth, but for the kind of democracy John Adams was speaking of we need everyone.. It is sad to me to see the whole spectrum of candidates running as dfl or moderate dfl or progressive or middle, it shows the weakness of the party, not necessarily the weakness of the candidates. I like some of them and hope them the best. In the third ward race I believe two ran as dfler's one as an independent dfl one as a green and Brian Monroe was an independent candidate of another stripe than Valdis. But there was no doubt who was getting the dfl endorsement. I guess I should be happy with five candidates. It is good though from the aspect of seeing where some people lean publicly in the dfl. As far as Sharon taking the third ward, I guess Tim is wishfully hoping and praying, I've got a lot of people voting for Shane, and even alot of the Biernat voters are throwing their support behind Rybak, not that Sharon has done a bad job they say, but that it's twenty years of the same administration. Haven't had anybody call from the Belton campaign so far.. Concerning a question on this list about the third and fifth ward green party candidates, I believe the only endorsements they sought and secured were from the Green Party and Acorn, I haven't asked either candidate why they haven't sought other endorsements. Robert Yorga new3 Lord, there goes Johnny Appleseed, he might pass by in the hour of need, there's a lot of souls..ain't drinking from no well. Locked in a factory. If your looking after getting the honey, then you don't go killing all the bees. Lord, there goes Martin Luther King, notice how the door closes, when the chimes of freedom ring? -Joe Strummer's Johnny Appleseed ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
