I commented the other day on the forum that I really hope the Mayor will set up public testimony of persons who have or are experiencing homelessness to come and speak their minds to our city leaders. And before the election.
I do not think it would be fair for me to then turn around and criticize the Mayor without allowing for time for him to act on this recommendation...again, this was a formal Rec from the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness. Cathy ten Broeke (Cathy forgive if I have slaughtered your name) is a wonderful advocate and she organized and set up just such a public testimony when she was an aide to Gail Dorfman. As the potential housing czar for Mayor Rybak if he is re-elected....she could put together such testimony. Sometimes I know that activists can say they want something and then actually hope that the person they are appealing to fails to respond. Easy to get caught up in forgetting that the point is to get change to happen...no matter who makes that change happen. I try to avoid that mindset...the mindset I try to practice is to push for change and always, always acknowledge when a public official make that change. And to sincerely thank them for what they do. Often it easy to criticize and then forget to say the thankyous. If there is anyone I have not thanked in the public arena.... let me know..I will make that right. And, I don't expect the Mayor to call me up and say "Yes Margaret, I am going forth with the public testimony." He has Cathy, he has the entire CABH he can work with to do this. All I care about is that he makes it happen. And I will respect him for doing it. Such an action would deserve respect and sincere thanks. He will not here from me "Yeah well he only did it because of the election." Even if that might be an accurate criticism there is a flip-side to that. People and officials often respond to issues that they deem important and prioritize accordingly. If the Mayor in an election year chooses to respond to advocates for those experiencing homelessness with public testimony....that tells me that the Mayor is giving some importance and priority to that issue. And that deserves respect. With hope the Mayor will allow the voices of those who are robbed of their voice on a daily basis to speak via public testimony. Margaret Hastings (p.s. just to clarify when I was a member of the Decrim Task Force--now dissolved-- I have never been a CABH member. When I say "us" in postings related to this, I am referring to the Decrim Task Force. Kingfield 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
