I think Jim Graham's memory is playing tricks on him. In 2001, none of the mayoral candidates were talking about adding cops or meddling with the school board.
Now, Mayor Rybak was talking about supporting NRP and increasing the amount of affordable housing available when he was a candidate. Personally, given the hand he was dealt by the governor and state Legislature, I think he's done about as good a job as anyone could have. Between the LGA cuts, the changes in commercial property tax rates and the TIF changes the state enacted AFTER Rybak had been elected and started his first term, I'd really love to hear from Commissioner McLaughlin or his supporters on what they would have done differently. Especially since Commissioner McLaughlin was voting to cut the budget for the county sheriff's office as recently as 2003. What was that stuff McLaughlin was saying about "election year conversions" again? It's pretty easy for Commissioner McLaughlin to talk about how he's been an NRP supporter, for example, when he's never been in the position of having to weigh that against the city's various other needs like public safety, for example, by actually preparing a city budget and getting City Council to go along with it. Mark Snyder Windom Park On 8/31/05 9:54 PM, "gemgram" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Gee, you sound a whole lot like RT Rybak back in 2001. It worked for him, > so Barry maybe you will get elected. You forgot promising to not support a > stadium. With that promise you truly would have sounded like the > resurrection of the 2001 RT. > > Jim Graham, > Ventura Village On 8/31/05 10:53 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > It's apparent from what's currently happening in this mayoral campaign how > easy > it is for challengers to bash the incumbent,promise everything, and spend > nothing. So, of course, I've decided to get in on the action too! > > In my administration, we will add 150, no wait, make that 250, police officers > immediately. It is SHOCKING that we haven't eradicated crime in the urban > center of this large metropolitan area and its obviously the incumbent's fault > for not thinking of the brilliant solution of hiring 250, no wait, make that > 350, more cops. Plus, they'll all be Ambassadors of the City and will treat > all our residents nonviolently and with respect. Cool, huh? > > Are schools your bag? Even though education is a state function delegated by > the legislature to local independent boards and the mayor has absolutely > NOTHING to do with educating our children, my administration will improve test > scores, eliminate drop outs, reduce class size and modernize our educational > facilities. The only reason the School Board and staff haven't done so to > date is because they haven't had such a smart Mayor to give them these great > ideas! I'll make sure all this happens right away. > > NRP? Fully funded, right away, of course. Another $20 million, no wait, $40 > million on deck - and I promise you can spend it however you want! > > Affordable housing? Lots of it, right away too. Jeez, why hasn't anyone else > thought of these things? > > Oh and that sacred cow of yours, whatever it currently is, in City government? > You know, a specific department, program or union that you really like. Don't > worry, I won't touch them - in fact, I'm convinced whatever you're for is so > important, I will increase funding. > > Taxes? Don't worry about it. I'll pay for this all by eliminating fraud, > waste > and abuse (unless it's your sacred cow, in which case don't worry). I'll also > "partner" with the State and County and, because of my "proven track record," > they'll fork over millions from someone else's pocket. Yeah, that's right, > the > suburbs and the Republican governor will be happy to kick in lots of dough so > you don't have to. And, if these don't work, well [mumble, mumble, cough, > cough...]. Good, I'm glad that's clear! > > So, with a platform like this, how can I lose? Start sending money now - but > don't worry, no matter how many promises I make now, I will never be beholden > to any special interest groups (keep those checks coming though). Thank you > for your support. > > Barry Clegg > Nicollet Island 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
