Thanks for clarifying. Others in Stonewall - as well as Robert Lilligren told me that Gary Schiff had NOT made this claim about Mayor Rybak at the membership endorsement vote. Schiff did talk about how Rybak had encouraged Annie Young to run against him. Without talking to Annie, I have no idea whether this is true or not. Perhaps since Annie Young is on this list, she can clarify whether she got encouragement to run for 9th ward from Mayor Rybak. Gary Schiff should relax about this. A challenging election makes a person a better candidate - and a better council member.
From Annie...
I love how Eva just digs and digs and digs for the gossip and how to make into reality.
Without putting the Mayor or anyone else on the spot I will tell you that I talked with over 50 people about the possibility of running for the 9th ward seat and got great encouragement from folks. Comments and input ranged from people who thought I should go for it, or that I should stay on the Park Board and others who gave me lots of advice about the complexities of running against a DFL machine, an incumbent that loves to politick and on and on and on. I have a very extensive plus and minuses list.
Not only did I have words with the Mayor but had words with Peter as Peter and I serve on a Board of Directors together. I consider myself friends of both and co-workers with both. I see both people frequently as we all work to make Minneapolis and Hennepin County great places to live, work and play.
I hope you understand I try to stay neutral in all the races in a local election year because if one is elected one must serve with everyone else who gets elected so I find it easiest to be a fence sitter.
As usual, there are rare exceptions to that rule but it really is my normal modus of operandi and not everyone appreciates that thinking. (Good friend of 32 years - Dean Zimmerperson is one of those exceptions and Party endorsed candidates )
What I don't quite understand in Eva's question is what difference does it make if the Mayor encouraged me or not and why do you care so much about who supports who?
I wish people would rise above the fray and get down to asking the serious questions - like who can do the best job to keep this a vibrant, healthy and beautiful city on a shoestring budget? Most of these local races are non-partisan and believe me the last time I talked to them the River, the Lakes and the Trees didn't really care what political party anyone belonged to.
The City, too - people want a safe city (less crime), the barking dogs quieted, the snow shoveled and the garbage picked up. After that each citizen has their own bend of what they want from their City Council member or the Mayor to do. More parking, better education and less taxes are usually high on people's top 10 list of what they want from their Elected Officeholders.
To me the real election begins July 19th after filing closes and we see who is in the races and who isn't. There is a lot to still tell us about the political playing field in Minneapolis this election cycle. And remember most of the citizenry doesn't wake up to the fact that there are even elections until the week after Labor Day. So "insiders" keep on posturing and moving those chess pieces all over the board - there's nine months to go before the winners are declared.
Ranting and Raving over what seems to be an excruciatingly long election season already,
Annie Young
East Phillips and Park Board Commissioner
REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
