In a message dated 3/24/2001 11:43:24 PM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> It seems that the discussion about the 6th Ward convention is missing
> what should be the big story. Besides the longstanding questions of the
> emphasis on caucus system because of the small number of participants,
> it appears that the 6th Ward convention has now raised questions about
> whether the process itself is even open or democratic. I have now heard
> from a few corroborating sources that even though Dean Zimmerperson was
> nominated by one or more delegates, the leadership refused to allow him
> to speak! So anyone who does not meet the DFL party hack purity test is
> not allowed to compete for the DFL endorsement? I will not rush to
> judgment since i was not there, but i am anxious to hear explanations.
>
> Jordan Kushner
> Powderhorn, Ward 8
My fellow Mpls residents,
The 3rd and 5th paragraphs of my below posting clearly answers the questions
around Dean Zimmermann's exclusion from being able to speak at yesterdays
Ward 6 dfl convention:
Dean "Zimmerperson" Zimmermann has been a very active member of the dfl for
roughly 30 years. Dean has worked on campaign after campaign, from the Co-op
wars to the Jesse Jackson campaign, always working to promote a set of values
he has held dear. In 1993 Dean Zimmermann was overwhelmingly elected as a
dfl endorsed candidate to the Mpls Park and Recreation Board and
overwhelmingly re-elected in 1997 with the endorsements of both the dfl and
the Green Party.
Dean Zimmermann attended the dfl 6th Ward convention yesterday to address
local activists and friends he has worked with over the years and ask for
their personal support of his City Council candidacy. Dean did not go to
this convention to seek the dfl convention, he attended because he has strong
ties with and shared values with many committed activists and friends within
the dfl in the 6th Ward.
Traditional dfl rules allow any elected official who carried the dfl
endorsement (which Dean Z did) to address the convention for 2 minutes.
Early morning the convention debated the new (special) rules proposed for the
convention with specific rules not allowing "anyone who has or who is seeking
the endorsement of another major party" to speak at the convention. While
these rules were debated, the Chair of the convention did allow Dean Z to
address the convention for about 1 minute with the stipulation that he not
mention his candidacy for City Council (which he did not).
Dean Z has been clear to everyone for weeks that since he is running with the
Green Party endorsement that he will not seek the dfl endorsement, delegates
fought to nominate their friend Dean ZImmermann anyways. Dean Z was
nominated, there was a debate both for and against Dean Z' being allowed to
even be nominated (which should at most conventions allow him to address the
convention).
The ruling of the convention Chair was that Dean Z could be nominated, but
would not be allowed to speak at all (while all the other 5 candidates were
invited to address the crowd for 8 minutes each and participate in a question
and answer forum). At this point Dean did consider withrawing his nomination
(since he did not come to seek the dfl endorsement), but we realized that
this was not our party's convention (Dean Z & his son Klaus' status as
delegates had been revoked before the convention by the credentials
committee).
We allowed the dfl convention to proceed however the elected dfl delegates
wanted (without our interference or organizing of the floor). It was ruled
that Dean Z would so blatantly be exluded from being able to speak, even
though many delegates clearly wanted to hear him, this was when Dean placed a
large peice of tape over his mouth where it remained for the rest of the
endorsement process. 7 ballots later (and one close vote which almost
adjourned the convention between the 6th and 7th), the dfl 6th Ward
convention endorsed Dean Kallenbach with only 53 votes (just enough votes on
the button).
I will be proud to be a part of electing one of the first Green Party
candidates to the Minneapolis City Council through a direct vote of the
people of Minneapolis.
Chris Allison
Campaign Manager for Urban Superhero, Dean "Zimmerperson" Zimmermann,
Green Party endorsed candidate for Mpls City Council, 6th Ward
612-872-2342, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.zimmerperson.org
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