There will be a literature piece at the City DFL Convention with more
details on the enclosed information and on the website soon.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YOUNG FOR PARKS CAMPAIGN
Takes Green Path to Reelection
Minneapolis, MN
April 28, 2001
ARBOR DAY
Minneapolis Park Commissioner Annie Young will seek reelection to her
at-large seat on the Park and Recreation Board as a member of the Green
Party of Minnesota. She made her announcement at a "riverside chat" with
her family, friends, and campaign volunteers on Sunday afternoon, April
29th, 2001.
"I am a strong environmentalist, I want a change of priorities in the City
of Minneapolis and I must go forward to help make that change in my own
way," Young said. "I am truly looking forward to my campaign this summer as
a Green."
"I think it is time to get a new perspective for vision and direction in
the City of Minneapolis, especially for our parks," she said. "I think I
can best do this by joining with the Green Party and its active, young, and
progressive members."
A rank-and-file Democrat for almost 40 years, Annie Young is a two-time DFL
endorsement winner in her three successful campaigns for the board. She
says she has been considering a break with the DFL Party for over two
years. Young, a 12-year veteran on the Park Board notes that it is a
non-partisan race where Park Board candidates show no party affliation on
the ballot.
"As recent as two weeks ago, I was just going through the motions of
getting endorsed and reelected as a Democrat even though friends told me
that I was sure to win again no matter what I did," said Young. "Why the
switch? First, because too few people decide who gets the DFL endorsement.
And, second, because my heart just told me that wasn't the right path," she
said.
In 1997, when the city DFL convention adjourned before completing
endorsements for all three at-large Park Board seats, Young successfully
ran as an unendorsed Democrat, finishing with the most citywide votes than
anyone except Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton.
Young has just completed a round of labor union screenings and was endorsed
by the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council's COPE committee and the
Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council. However, as Young
decides to NOT seek the DFL endorsement on May 5th accepting Young as a
Green may change that support although Young is a former Communications
Worker of America and has received endorsement in her last three elections.
(Since this press release Young has received AFSCME Council 14, AFL-CIO
endorsement and confirmation that the Building & Trades Council will
continue their support)
"I am looking forward to building a blue and green coalition, bringing
together organized labor, environmental organizations and groups of
disenfranchised people," she said. "I truly believe that people have a
right to organize, bargain, and be safe in the workplace which is as
important as the rights of all citizens to a clear, clean, and green
environment. Both sets of rights are basic. Both sets of rights need
constant attention."
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board oversees 6300 acres covering 10
square miles [most of them linear] of parks and a $50 million dollar
operating budget with an additional $10 million capital funds. It has six
commissioners elected from city districts and three at-large commissioners.
# # #
For further information and a listing of monthly summer garden chats to be
held in Minneapolis' public and private gardens throughout the campaign
season and other campaign activity visit:
www.annieyoung.org
International Worker's Day - Dance around the Maypole!
www.annieyoung.org (see NEW pictures)
_______________________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
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