Repeat reminder: be sure to clip the previous post, or excerpt what you're referring to in the body of your email. Constant reminder: our rules allow pointed disagreement but require respectful discussion. -- List, I empathize with Ms. Becker's frustration and anger about the second stunning setback of her mayoral candidate one week ago. But, especially in the light of the recent outrageous attacks on democracy, to insinuate that the active participation of myself, Mr. Martinez and Councilmember Niland's involvement in the political process is undemocratic is irresponsable at best. I respect Ms. Becker enthusiastic support of the status quo leadership. I also respect her consistant attempts to defend the current council leadership's votes and priorities. Just as I dissagreed with the assertion that Governing Magazine ever refered to Minneapolis as America's Best Managed City, I find her current attempt to say that the City Council never voted in support of Hennepin County's efforts to secure financing for a stadium which included a sales tax equally misleading. "Checking the record" at City Hall is difficult; the legislative style of the current council leadership does a great job of obscuring their actions in clouds of bueracracy, process, and context-based voted. Too often resolutions pass unanimously, hiding the deep divides and rich debate that went into a decision. Too often this allows Councilmembers to stand on whatever side of an issue they choose base on the mood in the community and who they are trying to spin. To figure out what is really going on one needs to patch together a combinaition of council resolutions, press reports, and interviews with Councilmembers. This is what "A City for Neighbors" did when we put together a report card documenting the Council's votes on key issues. In June of 1999, Hennepin County was considering imposing an additional half cent sales tax to pay for a stadium and other projects. The proposed tax increase was projected to raise $70 million dollars. The resulting resolution was Resolution 99R-230. It was voted on June 25, 1999 and received the support of the esteemed Councilmember from the 12th ward. The votes split was right down the line of Councilmembers who had consistantly support/opposed public funding for the Twin Stadium. The City Council debate "assumed that any financing would include an additional half cent sales tax increase throughout Hennepin County." (Star Tribune, June 26, 1999) People can read the docuementation and the vote for themselves at: http://www.acityforneighbors.org/vote6.html Now Ms. Becker can agree with our interpretation or not. But democracy is about letting the voters decide. Last Tuesday 72% of the voters said they wanted a change in executive leadership in the City of Minneapolis. However dissapointing this is to Ms. Becker, I would propose lashing out at her political opponenets with accusation of sexism and undemocratic behavior is not the most helpful response. Joseph Barisonzi Lyndale, Ward 10 PS: Also check the docuementation on the true cost of the Target Center at: http://www.acityforneighbors.org/vote4.html _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
