I would like to extend my best wishes to all of the candidates in the primary election. I respect each and every one of you for your efforts. I wish that a number of the candidates for Mayor would have had more opportunities to participate as equals in more of the forums. Tim, Marcus and others deserved more attention they have very good points that I do not feel were addressed. Marcus, if you receive this please call me at 612-221-2080, I would like to talk to you. I would also like for all of the city council candidates to know that all of you are winners. It takes a lot to do what all of you have accomplish thus far. As for those of you that advance on to the general election, the work is in front of you. It is time to kick into high gear. Those of you running in the 8th ward, I can only say that I feel that only one of you would be able to do a good job as the 8th ward council member. I represent those that I call "the forgotten people." Those that cannot vote, or feel the vote does not matter because you have not addressed the issues that they face day to day. I'm sure that after the primary once I kick my campaign off full force, the other two candidates will try their best to address these issues as I bring them out. I only ask that the community remembers who brings the issues out first\ then realizes who has a heart felt purpose to address them. At the endorsement meeting of the DFL that selected Brian for the 8th ward, I was the one that talked to each of you about the Empowerment Zone before the meeting started. It was news to everyone except Brian, because he had worked with the Mayor to receive this important federal status. It is important that all of the city council candidates understand that the challenges that people of color face in Minneapolis are indeed the greatest challenges to the metropolitan regain as a whole! I urge all voters to take a good look at who will address these issues, this work has to be done. We cannot just move people out of the city, that's like sweeping dirt under the rug. So in closing I would like to say this, I know that my work is cut out for me. But I have always liked a good challenge. Some say my reputation is at stake, it always has been. Some will attack me because I know Basim Sabri, yet he has never asked me to do anything illegal. The people have witnessed us ( Basim and myself) going at each other over community issues. We are both men that have our own values and virtues. I learned at an early age to see people for what they can be. I was taught by my mother that if a friend asks you to do something that I did not like or think is right, to say no. If they are a true friend they will understand. Basim understands this about me and calls me the humanitarian of Minneapolis. Even though we may not agree on something, he respects me and my opinion. To have respect from Basim is not an easy task and he does not give it freely to all people. I do know that he feels this way about a current council member. I'm one of the leaders in this city that has a lot of peoples trust and respect, this means more to me then anything, (other then my family). I have always been known as the guy that does his best to do the right thing. I have lost a number of associates because of it, just as my mother said, " they were not true friends". I have been interested in economics for over 20 years. I have worked on economic development in South Minneapolis for the past 5 years. The work that Basim has done and the 160+ small businesses that now have opportunities because of it are major economic assets for the South Side of Minneapolis. I have never voted in any capacity for Basim to receive funds. Zachary Metoyer Write-in Candidate (November 6) 8th Ward _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
