Tamir writes:
I do not condone what Booker Hodges said on MTN. It was irresponsible and,
I believe, destructive to both Don Samuels and Natalie Johnson-Lees
campaigns, and as someone who is involved with MTN, I support the decision
to suspend that show, but I'm very much an NJL partisan and here's my take
on this thread so far.
Dennis responds:
Tamir, without getting too far-off on a tangent, how can you believe on the
one-hand that Booker's actions were "irresponsible", yet CM Samuels choosing
to run against NLJ in the upcoming elelction as the cause of in-figthing
between "community leaders"? This just doesn't make sense if you're looking
at it objectively.
Tamir Writes:
Don Samuels arguably started the community infighting with his decision to
challenge a great incumbent council member, after promising he would not do
so during his 3rd ward campaign for office and publicly praising Natalie
Johnson-Lee as a good and effective council member.
Samuels had previously said, both to me personally through members of his
campaign, and in print media that he was "inclined to move in to the new 3rd
ward" rather than challenge NJL. Therefore, his decision (unlike Robert
Lilligren, who made it clear that he would run in whatever ward he ended up)
is dishonest.
Dennis Responds:
Tamir, I am asking that you clarify these statements. How exactly is CM
Samuels starting the in-fighting by running for public office? He and his
family have made the decision to stay on the northside and are very
committed to helping facilitate positive change in their ward. Should they
just make the decision to not run against NLJ, because of this personal
choice? I would like to know when he promised to not run against NLJ in
2005? When was this statement made and by whom?
In fact, I remember distinctly when the question was posed to him on
numerous occaissions, that he stated it was not a question that need be
answered at that time.
Tamor Writes:
I believe he knew he would challenge her and told people like me what we
wanted to hear in order to gain our support. In retrospect, I regret
supporting Don Samuels, I regret voting for Don Samuels and I apologize to
everyone in the 5th Ward who now must endure this bitter nasty campaign.
Dennis Responds:
In fact, I know this to not be true. Having been intimately involved with
CM Samuels campaign in 2002/03, This subject came-up numerous times. CM
Samuels AND his staff decided against answering it until CM Samuels AND his
family made a decision.
Your regret is based more in the decision that you now face than the one you
faced during the Ward 3 special election. Your candidate of choice, Shane
Price, lost in the primary and you were faced with either supporting CM
Samuels, the DFL endorsed candidate - Moore, or refraining from
participating. You chose to support CM Samuels. You now face the very real
dilemma of having to choose between him, and the candidate of your party -
NLJ. Your choice is understandable.
dennis plante
lind-bohanon
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