Mpls-Issues tip: PLEASE trim the previous message when responding. The redundant characters make tough reading for Digest subscribers and needlessly lengthens download times. ----------- FRom a message put forward by Rosalind Nelson of the 8th Ward.... "City council candidates would do themselves and the rest of us a favor if they made more contact with party delegates and the voters in general. I'm not just talking to upstart candidates here. I've met plenty of people in the city who don't know who their council member is. And 69 people are an awfully a small group to decide the endorsement considering what a huge advantage that gives in the election." ------------------------------------------------------------ I have received calls and inquiries regarding this small number issue. Like suggesting that because only 50-60 people attend the Green Party Endorsing conventions - what a small number that is. Well, yes! But the Dems had a potential 2000+ available pool to attend the convention and less than 1,000 did cast votes. I have been grunging numbers the past few days and may I remind people that total voter turnout for the city election in 1997 of eligible 200,311 voters only 96,772 voted for 46.49%. And I am sure that the many campaign wizards running around town trying to elect the 31 people who will serve this city as officeholders next year can all rattle off the numbers in each ward and precinct, too. That's not the point. I find the operative words in Rosalind's statement to be "the huge advantage" of both or either the DFL or Labor endorsements. All week I have been going around and around with my Labor friends about whether it is about DFL and party affliation or is it about Labor and labor issues. Viewing some other members of the lists comments about the GLBT endorsements I would submit to all, I once was DFL resolutions chair and served on several DFL platform committees. We no longer even debate the DFL platform at the local level. The special interest groups are just that - as are the paries. I believe a candidate should seek support from as many groups and organizations as possible in order to really represent the diverse citizens of our city. You will find I support almost all of the special interest groups agendas - up to a point- and that point becomes the relationship of my votes and actions in my service on the Park Board. How does that special interest impact my decision-making and representation, I hope naught? I hope my decision based on sound, viable reasons for the decision whatever it may be. The hardest part of making the decisions about my party affliations and the organizations who support me is what are the issues, do my values and beliefs jive with theirs. They are giving me their blessing - I am not really giving them any blessing - they are saying they support my values and beliefs as I serve on the Park Board. The whole endorsement process before the filings is all about "advantage and access to the power". When I go ask for support and a vote on Sept. 11th and Nov. 6th, it is up to each of these groups and the individuals in that organization to make their own decision in this non-partisan race when they are in the voting booth if I represent their concern, issues and passion for a better city. Let's get back to the issues at hand - how to make this a better city. I love hearing from, you, the citizens with your creative ideas and solutions. The score card---Plus, minuses and change, Go Twins, Annie Young Annie Young www.annieyoung.org (new info as of 5/7/01) Ward 6 - East Phillips in Minneapolis Citywide at-large Park Board Commissioner _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
