Shawne:
I'd really like to understand the motivation for your inquiry. If I'm to understand you correctly, the question you'd like answered by Anne McCandless is whether or not Don Samuels is a person of substance, or a media hype?
I am somewhat dismayed by the fact that you would ask for a third person opinion (and I'm assuming here) from someone that you really don't know, to help you come to such a serious conclusion. The future leadership of the 3rd ward hangs in the balance of this election.
If you have reservations, or concerns regarding Don Samuels' substance, I suggest you p/u the phone and talk to Don, as this would allow you to form your opinion on this issue from good information - first-hand...
For what it is worth, Anne is dead-on target in her explanation. Don, along w/ several other board members, stopped participating in JACC because of their belief that JACC was too focused on housing related issues (check the expenditures for like neighborhoods for NRP phase I) and not adressing some significant and serious issues within our community.
To his credit, Don along with numerous other residents played an integral part in recently seating several board members (on JACC) that DO realize that there is much more work to be done (in our community) than just rehab houses.
Further, Don, again along with many others from within our community has put forth a tremendous amount of VOLUNTEER time over the last year in an effort to bring a highly fractionalized neighborhood together. We are currently on the verge of being able to FINALLY unite JACC, JLF and the Jordan Jam into a single (much more powerful) focused entity, serving a much wider range of issues than any of them did in the past, separately.
If your yardstick for measuring a candidates worthiness (for city council office) is measured by the sheer number of volunteer hours that they have dedicated to their community in recent history, Don would win the election in a landslide.
In fact, if the truth were known, I would hazard the guess that in terms of "true" volunteer contributions to a community, the other candidates would probably rather not have to measure themselves against Don.
Dennis Plante
Jordan Community
>From: "Anne McCandless" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "Shawne FitzGerald" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>CC: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [Mpls] Matt Thoren
>Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2002 12:52:05 -0600
>
>Mr. Fitzgerald,
>
>I am sorry I did not reply to you sooner, but some of us have other things going on today. To say the least, Don Samuels has been an asset to this community. Furthermore, I know that his commitment started long before this campaign was even thought of and will continue whether he wins or loses this election.
>
>Like many people, myself included, Don got frustrated with JACC as it was in recent years. It had become wrapped up in NRP and real estate matters and seemed to many of us, to not respond to the needs of the community. Through the work of many people, Don being one of the most active, we picketed against the drug dealers, started a community garden and formed our own neighborhood organization, the Jordan Livability Committee.
>
>When the riot occurred, Don had the guts to stand up to outsiders and questions their claims to represent Jordan since they didn't even live here or belong to any neighborhood organizations. For those of you who are not familiar with the dynamics of the African American community, this may seem like a small thing to do. In fact, it was not. It took allot of guts and the risk of being ostracized by the community. It also gave others in the community the courage to stand up and speak out. While we could not stop the county from paying $250 per bag to City, Inc to pick up trash along 26th Ave, I bet they will think twice before doing something like that again without talking to the community first.
>
>We have now joined the Livability Forum, JACC and the Jordan Jam into what we hope, will be one more inclusive organization which will speak with an even louder voice. Unlike many who gave up on JACC and organizations like it, Don looked for ways to improve and change. He is also willing to keep trying, and is currently back on the JACC board. Unlike some who use the excuse that they tried once and it didn't work, so the heck with it, Don doesn't give up.
>
>Finally, if Don Samuels wins this election it won't be because of mud slinging and half truths. I questioned Toren's use of JACC connections after checking with the staff at JACC who have worked there for at least five years. He has apparently made the claim and it cannot be substantiated.
>
>Anne McCandless
>Jordan
>
>
>
>
>
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>----- Original Message -----
> From: Shawne FitzGerald
> To: Anne McCandless
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2002 6:57 AM
> Subject: Re: [Mpls] Matt Thoren
>
>
> Ms. McCandless,
> I'm an old friend of Margo Ashmore's from college days working on her campaign - most recently affixing labels for a mailing. So all on this list knows my bias.
>
> The rumor mill has it that during the year Don Samuels served on the JACC board, he attended only four meetings. Do you know the truth of this? And also, what did JACC accomplish that year? Whaat role did Mr. Samuels play in those accomplishments?
>
> Actually, I like Mr. Samuels - he and Margo are very close on the issues. I guess the question is, is Mr. Samuels a flash in the pan, a caring man who has enjoyed some good media exposure this past year - or is he more than that, a neighbor and possibly a leader, who has done more than to be interviewed by the media.
>
> Shawne FitzGerald
> Powderhorn
>
>
>
>
>
> Anne McCandless wrote:
>
> As a board member of the Jordan Area Community Council, I can assure you the Matt Thoren is not now, and to the of everyone's recollection, has he ever been active with JACC. In fact, nobody even seems to know him. Anne McCandlessJordan
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