I few people have asked for my speech to the DFL convention (yes, I'm surprised anyone would be interested). Here it is (since I ad-libbed quite a bit, I've tried my best to recreate it.) (I did luck out, I was number 10 of 10 candidates to give my endorsement speech) ......................................................... GO AHEAD, it's OK to applaud the fact that I'm the last speaker. HELLO, I am Sheldon Mains and I'm asking you for your endorsement for the Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees. I will abide by the DFL Endorsement. Period. I want to thank all the individuals here who are supporting me and the AFL-CIO COPE, AFSCME Council 14, the DFL Feminist Caucus, the DFL Stonewall Caucus, and the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council for their endorsements. I TAKE THIS ELECTION SERIOUSLY. I did not decide to run at the last minute. * Since February I have been attending Library Board meetings.. * In the last six weeks, I have visited every branch library. I have seen really lively libraries and really dead libraries. * I have attended seven of the last nine meetings of the New Central Library Implementation Committee. That is more than some of the current committee members. I know what I'm getting into and I look forward to it. Also, I VALUE YOUR ENDORSEMENT. You deserve to know who you are endorsing. * That is why I attended every DFL ward convention. In fact, myself and Diane are the only two library candidates who spoke at every ward convention. * My website, www.shamelessagitor.org has been available since February, and * My campaign literature has a summary of my background. NOW LETS GET TO THE ISSUES: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free expression thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." The First Amendment to our Constitution. This is what your library is about. Make sure the people you endorse will defend your First Amendment rights. I WILL. Last December, Congress passed a law requiring filter software on computers in libraries and schools. I will work to fight that law: * I believe it is unconstitutional and * Filtering software just doesn't work. It doesn't protect kids from pornography. With the Internet, there is another threat to access to information: The digital divide. If you don't have access to a computer and the Internet, you don't have access to a lot of information. Places like the computer labs in the Franklin and Hosmer libraries help close the digital divide. But we need to do more. But I believe the First Amendment goes beyond the right to have access to information. It includes the right to produce information. New electronic tools can allow everyone to be an author-everyone to be a publisher--If they have access to the tools. The library system should be helping to provide these tools to everyone. It is happening now to a limited extent: At the Franklin Library, I saw a Somali immigrant working on a Somali Refugee website. ANOTHER BIG ISSUE: In the next four years we will be building a new downtown library. We have only one chance to do it right. It has to last for at least 50 years. As I said, I am already attending the implementation committee meetings. And I have not been shy about stating my opinion. One concern I have is that there are City Council members who want to add a lot of retail to the project. It seems that they think we are building a shopping mall, not a library, not a special public space. FINALLY: Our new downtown library and all the branch libraries need to be the town squares of our communities. * Our libraries need to be the gathering places for everyone in our community * Our libraries need to be welcoming to everyone. * Our libraries need to be accessible to everyone. * Our libraries need to be where we can openly find and exchange information. * Our libraries need to be where we meet old friends. * Our libraries need to be where we meet and learn about people who are different from ourselves. * Our libraries need to be where a new immigrant learns English * Our libraries need to be were high school students work on team projects * Our libraries need to be where a grandfather teaches his granddaughter the joy of books * Our libraries need to be our town squares. If you question the idea of a library as a town square, I challenge you to visit the Franklin Library on any afternoon. Every nationality that lives in Phillips--every community in Phillips--is using that library. It rocks! Thank you for your time and attention. Again, I am Sheldon Mains and I am requesting for your endorsement. Now, LETS VOTE! >.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.>.> sheldon mains seward neighborhood minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] the shameless agitator in the electronic town square yes, i really am running for library board. check http://www.shamelessagitator.org for details. _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
