My response to the Spokesman-Recorder article is this: Both candidates said some really good things, that would send me, as an African-American, to the polls. However, how much of it is real and how much is political mumbo jumbo that will change after election day.
Here is what swayed me: Mayor Rybak said: I actively promoted the importance of community outreach at the Civil Rights Department. Michelle ask: When did this happen? What does community outreach entail? Mayor Rybak was asked: What have you done, and what would you do, to support minority-owned businesses in Minneapolis? He mentioned heritage Park as one of the largest construction projects in Minneapolis, that will benefit communities of color. Michelle Responds: Many of you will remember that "Heritage Park" is the old Northside projects. As I posted earlier, Minorities were trained, by the Urban League and TCOIC to work construction on this project and the last I heard none of those people received the jobs. The money awarded for the federal lawsuit was due to people of color initiating the suit against the city, MPHA and the federal Government. Now ask the mayor how many of them have the houses down there? The building contract went to McCormick-Baron, a white owned company, that is not in Minnesota and who will own the property for the next 60 years...thanks to which is right about the time the land will start to sink into the ground again. Did you also know that the money, from the lawsuit, given to suburban housing authorities for Minneapolis residents, has a time limit on it? After so many years they no longer have to rent to our low-income homeless people, but they get to keep the housing. Need I keep reminding the mayor of the Empowerment Zone money and the vote to change the requirements for the disbursement of the funds to minorities starting businesses. Instead they offered them assistance in getting low interest loans, which did not really have a low interest. I ask that the mayor office please post those who got Empowerment Zone funding. It went to places like the Urban League, Sabathani, Hospitality House, Spike Moss, etc....I did not go to the average resident in the community trying to start a new business. Did Basim Sabri get Empowerment Zone money, directly or indirectly through the Somali community projects? Mayor Rybak said: I put my political career on the line to hire Police Chief McManus because he is uniquely capable of healing the long-simmering racial wounds of our police force. Michelle: First, I'm not clear how hiring Chief McManus could cause you to lose your job. Secondly, did you select the people of color and women to be promoted to ranking positions or did the police administration do that? Wouldn't that be their responsibility and not the mayors? As to candidate McLaughlin I cannot measure whether he will live up to the things he said in his interview because he hasn't had the chance to walk the walk yet. I did like his response regarding the meditation team, especially since Mayor Rybak has chosen to ignore this group, even though it is under a federal agreement. My question, to Commissioner McLaughlin, since he has a strong police backing, will you be able to hold the police accountable, as we, in the community, should be doing to those hiding behind the African-American community? Michelle Hill Cleveland 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
