I think it is unfair to talk under the table about Barb Johnson winning her ward because of being Alice Rainville's daughter. I door knocked with Barb Johnson when she was first running for Council office and I have to say that I was absolutely amazed (maybe a little frightened) at how much she knew about her ward. Going door to door, she knew who the people were. Knew their families. Knew their issues. Knew what they needed to get done. In an amazing depth of knowledge. My sense with Barb is that she had been volunteering for things since she could walk and had paid her dues several times over. If there was any impact from being the daughter of a Council Member, it was to spur her to become more and more involved in her community, which built an expertise which she brought into the office.
As to the comment that being Council President would take away her focus from her ward, first off, the duties of Council President aren't that extensive. Second, traditionally the Council President has had an additional aide to help with the load. Third off, if this is true, someone still has to be Council President regardless. And frankly it concerns me that someone levels this kind of a charge against a woman and not a man who is seeking the same office. 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
