On 12/15/03 9:47 AM, "Michael Atherton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Mark Snyder wrote: > >> On a different note, by virtue of having supported Rybak's >> campaign, I was also a recipient of the New Year's Eve >> fundraiser invitation. I'm probably not going to go because >> it's not really my kind of event... > > What I liked about R.T. four years ago was that the > fundraising event I attended was an interesting mix of > neighborhood and more well-to-do DFL money people. > > Somehow I don't think that this $100 a person New Year's > Eve party I've been invited to this election will have > quite the same "diversity," but maybe that just shows > "maturity." > > Four years ago I was able to talk to R.T. for a few minutes > and was impressed with his candor. This year I imagine > that I'd be body blocked by corporate lobbyists. Sad to > think that the weeds have grown up among the grass roots. > > Michael Atherton > Prospect Park My guess is that this event will probably be more diverse than Michael thinks, even at $100 a person. I also doubt that there will be any great number of corporate lobbyists at this event. They tend to follow the money and from what I've seen and heard, the mayor has kept his campaign promise to "put down the checkbook and pick up the phone." My main reason for supporting RT when he ran was that he was talking about issues that I found important, like sustainable neighborhoods and reducing the city's impact on our environment. Plus, I was attracted to the creativity of the campaign and the energy I saw when RT would get out among the people. And since his election, I've still seen that energy. The best example has been at the Celebrate Northeast! parade the past two summers. For as long as I can remember watching this parade, politicians would ride in a convertible for the mile and a half route. Not RT. He runs it. Back and forth, crossing the street, shaking hands and, at the last one, passing out pamphlets about MERP. I remember once seeing him approach someone talking on a cell phone and took it long enough to say hi to the person on the other end. That was pretty funny! The best part was noticing at this last parade that some of the other politicians are starting to follow his lead and actually interact with the people rather that sit up on their fancy cars. Even though I'll likely support RT if he runs again, I'd rather spend New Year's Eve with my friends and family than at a dinner party with a bunch of people whom I mostly won't know. Mark Snyder Windom Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
