I arrived a bit late at last night's Park Board
meeting and have a few observations.
1) There were a couple stars from the public portion
of the meeting, one of which was clearly Ann Berget.
Whoever filmed or recorded that meeting should have
her speech available on transcript cause it was very
moving. The other person was a longtime LWV activist
who read from her Strib Letter to the Editor and was
quite effective in her own way.
2) Jon Olson's election speech was a disgrace. I have
never, in my twenty years of political activity, heard
anyone being so condescending and patronizing toward
an electoral opponent, which is amazing since I used
to live in 59B. Olson never expressed a vision for
what he wanted to accomplish nor did he give any
reason why he would be a better Board Prez except that
he said that Erwin just wasn't ready. Sooo
disrespectful.
3) I'm suprised that no one mentioned that the Board
majority pointedly removed Annie Young as the Rep to
the Planning Commission in favor of Carol Kummer. This
isn't very suprising since a number of persons have
mentioned in the press that the Fab4 were trying to
peel her vote away from the others. What better way to
punish Annie than to remove her from a prominent
committee and replace her with one of the majority's
less secure members. Politics 101, folks.
4) I hate when people are disruptive at govt meetings
since it usually is counterproductive, but Keith
Reitman won big points in my book last nite. Walt was
going on about how great a lobbyist Brian Rice is and
how much money he has "brought us". When people in the
crowd started snickering, Walt got pissy and was
chastising the crowd when Keith yelled out "How much
money did he bring to your campaign, Walt?" or words
to that effect. Walt quickly wrapped up his words of
praise and sat back scowling.
5) Whether or not it accomplished anything or was even
listened to by many folks on the Board, I disagree
with Keith and will say that I didn't mind the four
pillars of the Greens speech that Annie gave. After
hearing nothing but political posturing coming from
the G5, it was quite refreshing to hear someone
talking about an ideological vision for a change, even
if I don't agree with her Party choice.
6) Erwin was great. I wasn't a delegate to the DFL
endorsing convention in 2001 and haven't seen him in
person before. I went away impressed by his speech for
President and have some hope for the future.
7) It's time that those of us in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
5th and 6th Commission districts start looking around
for new blood. Now is a good time to start. Only two
years til the new Board takes office.
Loki Anderson
Marshall Terrace
=====
As through this life you travel
You'll meet some funny men.
Some'll rob you with a six-gun,
And some with a fountain pen.
-Woody Guthrie
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