Pretty good synopsis. Savage provides some much needed comedy relief, but a one note concert gets pretty boring after awhile. Moore seems like a genuinely nice guy but clearly not ready for prime time. Gay Noble talks about the need for better planning, which I agree, but that's all she talks about, I wish we could hear something else from her. You can tell Remington was an actor, he's a great speaker, articulate and comforting. Too bad there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of substance behind the well spoken platitudes. Both Persons and Bernard seem like they would be the kind of Council Person who will get things done for the Ward. They won't be flashy, but will definitely be compentent.
So it comes down to what you like from your councilperson. Want flash and probably a mayoral run in the future, Remington's your guy. Want a bomb-throwing (rhetorically speaking of course) uneffective, but amusing council person - then run with the Harry Savage. Want someone wants to talk about vision and process - you'll find a cohort in Gay Noble. Want someone who will return phone calls, solve your constituent problems, and not have to learn on the job, Either Bernard or Persons will fit your need. Dean E. Carlson Ward 10, East Harriet ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Mackey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, September 1, 2005 9:00 pm Subject: [Mpls] 10th Ward Candidates' Forum: Observations from a Neophyte > 10th Ward Candidates' Forum: Observations from a Neophyte > > Some observations and questions from a newbie to local politics, followingthe 10th ward's City Council debate on August 30. I'm still open to voting for any one of three candidates, and would love to hear others' viewpointson this forum. Perhaps others who are better versed on this race will chimein? > > ALLAN BERNARD emphasized his experience and intimate knowledge of the inner workings of Minneapolis government, apparently having worked at City Hall under other councilpersons. He has a clear grasp of the issues, and emphasizes his ability to "get things done," whether helping a constituentwith garbage collection problems or helping a new business navigate city bureaucracy. He comes across as knowledgeable and efficacious, and he's certainly the guy I'd want on the phone if I had a garbage collection problem. Yet he still sounds like the assistant to the councilperson. QUESTION: Has Allan graduated from assistant to leader? Does Allan have a vision that is broader than constituent service, and can he tackle the larger problems, such as development and long-term quality of life issues? > > > If Allan Bernard's message centers on constituent service and the humdrum of garbage collection, GAY NOBLE has more of the "vision thing" going. Gay repeatedly turned to issues of development and quality of life, calling"walkable communities the physical form of democracy." She emphasized a need for long-term development planning, density in construction, and both a minimum and maximum height on buildings. Gay noted the absurdity and lack of urban planning along Hennepin Avenue: allowing a strip-mall-> like box and parking lot (Chipotle) just blocks away from a thirteen-story glass high rise (neither of which fit the character of the neighborhood). Gay's ideas resonate with me (and with my partner, whose vote she earned at the debate); beautiful cities are built not by reacting to the short-term > interests of developers, but by long-term proactive planning and judicious zoning. Yet, I wonder about Gay's leadership experience and political abilities. QUESTION: Is there more to Gay than just a dreamy rhetorical vision? Does she have the experience and political instincts to work with others and turn her vision into reality? > > SCOTT PERSONS eloquently defended the need to fund neighborhood revitalization programs, noting that it was through such an organizationthat he became civically engaged and emerged as a leader in his community. Scott seemed to appreciate the need to build communities from the grassroots and to cultivate local leadership and local ownership. He impressed > me as the candidate who has most arisen from an active life in civil society, with a wealth of experience in local community building. For me, Scott won the "ethos" contest: This is a candidate who appears to love his city, a candidate who wants this position not to fulfill some ego need, but because he believes he can serve the city. He apears to have the experience, gravitas, calm temperament, and doggedness to make accomplishments. And, like Allan Bernard, Scott appeared very well versed in the nuances of Minneapolis governance, giving detailed policy responses to questions, rather than pithy sound bites. Yet, I understand that Scott was a supporter of the glass high rise on Hennepin and Lake and, although he noted the need for a master development plan, the debate did notclarify his > vision for the city. QUESTION: With Scott Persons in City Hall, will Uptown feel like a Houston of hideous glass buildings, or a quaint neighborhood of San Francisco? Does Scott have a defined vision of development for the city? > > I am not considering voting for the other three candidates, each of which was difficult to take seriously at the forum. HARRY SAVAGE initially provided great comic relief, but by the thirty- fifth "Guliani-style crackdown" on crime comment (his standard response, regardless of the question asked), I was exasperated with the candidate's appeals to > fear. I wish TOM MOORE were my neighbor and I'd have coffee with him any day, but he clearly lacks experience and substantive knowledge on the core issues that the ward faces. In my view, RALPH REMINGTON's responses consisted > primarilyof populist sound bites (finally there's someone who care's about you; I'll take your voice to City Hall...). This apparently appeals to some, but I'm looking for more experience and substance, less packaging.> > > Again, I'd love to see responses on this forum. > P. Michael Mackey REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! 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