Dennis Plante <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
To further the discussion, I would ask, what HAS NLJ done that gives me any indication she can "lead" people? All I ask is that everyone take a look at things objectively and answer the question "who has rolled-up their sleeves" and done the "real" work on behalf of the "people". There are social issues that can be effectively addressed at a city-level, and CM Samuels has taken those issues-on, head-on. There are issues that can only be addressed at a national-level, and that's what I continually hear from the "NLJ camp" - let's hold Mpls accountable for naitonal issues. The question remains - who will be most effective as an elected official..... TN: This one is just a little too easy. I live in the current 3rd ward, which prior to Don Samuels, had a council member who (although I'm no fan of Joe Biernat) had a plan to address environmental issues and economic development, and also led the fight against the Kondirator. Don is a step down. He doesn't really care about the northeast part of the third ward, doesn't seem to know what the upper-river master plan is, and doesn't care about listening to anyone who may have a slightly different opinion than he does. With his (and Rybak's) recent pressuring of MTN to drop Al Flowers without actually listing to the program, Samuels has also shown that he opposes free speech. His major accomplishment has been to hold grandstanding vigils that serve to scare people and make them demand that the police act more brutally, so that they feel "safe." NJL's accomplishments, and example's of leadership: Leading the drive to reform the civil rights department and other council members have refused to place an OUTSIDER of color on the civil rights board. Working hard to ensure a better standard of living by bringing jobs and business along West Broadway. as Council Representative that the taxi committee NJL LISTENS to cab drivers. (something Samuels hasn't figured out how to do yet.) Chair of the Health and Human Services committee, and worked to improve city services to the poor. Has been a consist ant and strong voice for those of us who have been mistreated by police in the past, and had demanded that city officials treat residents respectfully. and I'll end here with a anecdote. A Friend of mine who had paid for his taxi license was told that he would not get his license for a month. When he called the inspections office, the office called the owner of this particular company and told him that if they received one more call, that the city would refuse to license any of his drivers. The driver called NJL's office and had his license within the hour. Just a little thing, but NJL does a lot of those little things. She make us working class folks feel like there's one of us on the city council, looking out for us every day. Those little things are the mark of an effective council member. Let's also be clear that the 5th ward race is a PARTISAN race. Earlier today, an air quality alert was issued for the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, something that never happened before the SSB/Cherryhomes approved garbage burner that sits in the 5th ward. For me that alone makes the case for Greens to hold office. I know that some people feel as if elected office should only be reserved for "certain" people. I know that some people feel that Greens have no right to hold office in a DFL town (strangely enough these same people accept Republicans even though Repubs are further away from their values.) I know that some people feel that NJL had no right to unseat the powerful Jackie Cherryhomes, but her victory, and the fact that she has been a really GOOD CM means that elected office is for EVERYONE, not just lawyers and former corporate executives. Tamir Nolley Holland __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 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
