> >Who is normally allied with whom? Over what issues? And is > >there really a Gary Schiff coalition? > > Clearly that's what it is. That's the problem with Gary not having a > strong opponent challenging him - it gives him time to mess in other > council races.
You are making an uninformed assumption stating that Schiff doesn't have a strong opponent challenging him. Perhaps you haven't been through Ward 9 lately where Shegstad signs outnumber Schiff signs by about 4-1. There is clearly strong support in the ward for independent candidate, Dave Shegstad. Here's what Southside Pride had to say: "Gary Schiff is facing a strong challenge by Dave Shegstad in the 9th Ward. Schiff was one of only three Councilmembers to vote against the stadium sales tax that will contribute $30 million a year to multi-billionaire Carl Pohlad. Shegstad agrees with him on that issue. He says, "I'm dead set against a stadium tax unless we own the team." Schiff was the original author of the anti-smoking ordinance that prohibits smoking in bars. Shegstad believes that the ban should be up to the individual bar owners. What looked like a sleeper now promises to be a spirited race." I expect that it will be a tough race, considering the DFL machine is backing Schiff, but I also expect, as Southside Pride says, a spirited race. Gary isn't well liked by his constituents, in my experience. I recently volunteered for Shegstad's campaign, and was making rounds on National Night Out. Shegstad, and his volunteers were well received at block parties, and plenty of people expressed dissatisfaction with Schiff. It was reported that there were tables with "Smoke Out Gary" signs set up at some parties. I wasn't aware this was going to happen. I had no contact with the people who did it, but it doesn't surprise me. The guy is plain unlikable. He's an elitist enemy of the working blue-collar majority in Minneapolis who sticks it to truckers, smokers, small business owners, and anyone else who doesn't fit his liberal-chic fashion-sense. The owner of the Sky Lanes reports that Schiff told him, "Bowlers and smokers are expendable." That kind of arrogance is going to earn one a few critics. Disclaimer: This post is my own personal opinion, and should in no way be construed to be representative of the Dave Shegstad for City Council campaign. Dan McGrath Longfellow http://www.smokeoutgary.org http://www.subversivepictures.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
