List Member David Brauer commented about a Third Ward fundraiser: "The occasion was a kick-off fundraiser for Kari Dziedzic, and Minneapolis' past greats and near-greats were out in force. DeMars, Risk, Campbell, Kaplan, Rockenstein, Rainville, Miller, Minn, Derus, Hofstede and even the patriarch, Walter D himself. Walter Duffy even reverted to form, showing up to keep counsel. Beyond a willingness to have their checkbooks at the ready, what still binds this cast of characters is a deep and abiding love for a city that they served so well."
Setting aside the also-rans, the DFL website report about the Third Ward convention informs us that Kari pulled 22-22-27 and Olin pulled 26-37-44 of the 71-72-71 votes cast. The stray sheep flocked to Olin's standard and gave him the endorsement. The Pioneer Press then reports that Kari apparently decided not to file, I assume in part in order not to be obliged to move into the old Third Ward proper as a condition of continued candidacy. I'm personally glad to see that Olin was endorsed in the DFL, Valdis Rozenthals in the IR, and Shane Price in the Green Party. Olin has ably represented Congressman Sabo at some of our Horn events; I was impressed by Valdis' thoughtful candidacy in 2001; and Shane has impressive activist credentials beyond his embrace of the somewhat arriviste Green Party. There are other significant voices in the lengthy list of candidates named in the Pioneer Press article and I view this expansive field as further confirmation of the changing complexion of the city's political landscape. "Vox populi, vox dei" once again and this message goes to old and new orders alike! It will be informative to see how the primary shakes out because the top two will have relatively small pluralities given the large field of candidates. Turnout in the old ward neighborhoods on both sides of the Mississippi - can you name them? - will decide who eventually gets to sit with the new mayor and the other twelve members of the City Council and the new incumbent won't be directly beholden to the Minneapolis "greats and near-greats" mentioned above. Fred Markus, Horn Terrace, Tenth Ward, where grassroots democracy thrives. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
