Conor Donnelly wrote:
>I appreciate your efforts in running for CM Ward 1. I just wanted to
>express my opinion on the topic of party affiliation. I tend to see
>identification with a party as a very general way of summarizing and
>identifying your political values, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
>When you claim to be an idealist that wants to "rise above party
>politics" I want more details. I want you to get to the point and tell
>us where you stand on specific issues so we can gauge your position the
>political spectrum. I don't really care what party you belong to, but we
>as voters deserve more specific disclosure from you about your political
>values and what you intend to do.
Conor raises some interesting points. His post helps to emphasizes what I'm
saying; let's get as much information as we can about the candidates so that
we can make informed decisions when we elect our next city administrators.
I did not intend my saying that we have to "see past campaign tactics and let
common sense guide us" to be a blanket criticizm of politics in general or to
use that statement itself as a campaign tactic. My only "campaign strategy"
is to learn as much as I can about the issues important to residents of the
First Ward (and the city) so that if I do get elected I can do the best job
possible for those I'll be representing. Okay, I know we've all heard that
before and I can understand your skepticism, so continue to ask questions. I
welcome the opportunity to reply in a public forum. That's why I'm on the
list.
Also, I have nothing personal against the DFL party (or any other party).
Party politics have their place, I just don't think that place is the City
Council.
Conor's right, running for office does make me a politician. What I should
have said is that I have never hald public office.
As for my views on issues that matter to voters, the very reason I decided to
join this list is to get a broad perspective from the community and find out
what concerns voters most so that I can address those topics. I also intend
to complete and post the "MINNEAPOLIS 2001 CITY CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE". I
hope other candidates for city office will complete and post it as well.
On the recent topics Conor mentioned:
Education -
As the parent of two young children (one in elementary school and the other
not yet in school), this issue hits close to home with me. I feel very
strongly that funds for education are nonnegotiable. Our children's future is
at stake and I want my children to be able to reach their full potential. How
can they do that if education funding continues to be cut? I support
guaranteed funding for public schools, small class sizes and high standards
for hiring competent teachers.
Target and TIF (Tax Increment Financing) -
I would not have approved this plan, it wasn't well-thought-out by city
leaders and the final cost is just too high. I oppose any misuse of funds
that may offer financial risk to the city.
The fact remains, downtown is the backbone of our city and we must keep it
vital and attractive not only to citizens, but also to investors and
developers. It's unrealistic to think that businesses will be eager to come
into the city without some incentives. Especially when suburban land is more
widely available and cheaper. Subsidies and Tax Increment Funding (TIF)
provide those incentives and are sometimes necessary.
That doesn't mean we should just hand out funds indiscriminately, there can
and should be limits and conditions to receiving those funds. Approval should
only be given if the end result will benefit the city and its residents and
the final cost is not excessive. For example: setting limits on the amount of
funding one entity can receive, requiring recipients of city subsidies or TIF
funds to create living wage jobs and make a commitment to actively support
the communities in which they want to do business as conditions of receiving
funds, and using viable buildings to house new businesses as opposed to
tearing them down at taxpayer expense (which would also aid in preserving the
history, charm, and unique character of Minneapolis, not to mention
revitalizing neighborhoods and boosting their economies).
For more about me or my views on current issues, go to:
www.mccreadysgiftworld.com/Vote2001/McCready_Ward1.htm and follow the
"Issues" link. Or contact me by e-mail.
Lori McCready, NE Minneapolis
Candidate for City Council - Ward 1
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lori, I appreciate your efforts in running for CM Ward 1. I just wanted to express my opinion on the topic of party affiliation. I tend to see identification with a party as a very general way of summarizing and identifying your political values, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. When you claim to be an idealist that wants to "rise above party politics" I want more details. I want you to get to the point and tell us where you stand on specific issues so we can gauge your position the political spectrum. I don't really care what party you belong to, but we as voters deserve more specific disclosure from you about your political values and what you intend to do. Would you say that you lean liberal, conservative, some combination of both? How do you feel about the discussions we've been having here about the school system, TIF financing of the Target store downtown, etc.. You claim that, "We have to see past campaign tactics and let common sense guide us." A blanket criticism of politics in general seems to be your campaign tactic, but I don't really buy it. Anyone attempting to run for elected office is a politician, party affiliation or not. So, I urge you to toss your opinion into the fray of discussion here and we'll get a better idea of where you stand on the issues that matter to us. Thanks, Conor Donnelly now of Waite Park, NE Ward 1 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
