----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Barisonzi" > Wow, I have never been called a "babe in the woods" before. . . . .Makes me > want to get a calendar contract. "Babe in the Woods 2002"; unlike Buck, I > promise I will show no skin! <smile>
Congratulations! Now people are calling you names too! Welcome to the club! > Okay, now seriously . . . Let's consider the "shrewd" argument for a > moment. Why did the mayor accuse RT of cutting a deal with the police > federation after their endorsement -- but not after any of the other > endorsements? Why is there not outrage at the deal cut to get the Fire > Fighters endorsement? Why is there no knowing winks in the discussion of the > Sierra club endorsement? Why no accusations of under the table agreements > when the Minneapolis Professional Employees Association endorsed RT? Obviously employee unions have a special interest when they endorse because they are endorsing for their boss. When they choose to endorse against an incumbent, they usually have a bone to pick. As to MPEA for example, it is clear why MPEA did not endorse the Mayor. They had a dispute with the City over whether federal law allows for exempt employees (i.e. salaried) to be treated like hourly employees and earn overtime or comp time. Everyone who knows about the deal understand that MPEA came very close to striking over the deal. The resolution to this problem was not what MPEA wanted and they endorsed against the Mayor because of this. The Police represent a special case even in the context of employee unions because of the role that we ask police officers to play in our society. There is an inherent tension between police and the community which exists in every city department and always will. Endorsement by the police makes certain statements about this tension and how the police employees feel a certain individual will deal with it. This is why I personally think that even though it may be that no explicit out loud "deal" was cut, that if Mr. Rybak is elected, he will replace Chief Olson. In fact, here is my full prediction if Mr. Rybak is elected: He will fire Olson, with much ballyhoo but hopefully much questioning from the press as to why you would fire the chief when crime is at a 34 year low. He will do a national search. He will hire someone who is currently or has been on the Minneapolis force. I'm, in fact, willing to bet Mr. Barisonzi a pitcher of beer at the Poodle Club on this one. Carol Becker Longfellow _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
