Forwarded from the Rybak campaign... - David Brauer, list manager September 6th, 2005
Rybak Campaign Manager John Blackshaw Responds to Police Federation's Unconscionable Attack It is an outrage for the leadership of the police federation to use the tragic events in New Orleans to score political points. They not only need to apologize to the thousands of police, fire and other public safety officials risking their lives to help the residents of New Orleans but, he needs to apologize to the residents of New Orleans and Minneapolis for using a national tragedy where many have died for political purposes. I call on all candidates to denounce this unconscionable attack. This is not the first time that the leadership of the police federation has put politics ahead of public safety. After delivering their endorsement to Governor Pawlenty in his run for office, they stood by and said nothing as the administration launched a budget cutting assault on the City of Minneapolis. At a time when the city needed the help of the federation the most, they were silent. They put partisan politics ahead of the well being of all residents and their own membership. In addition, this recent attack on Mayor Rybak and his record on crime is cynical and is based in nothing more than transparent partisan politics. When Mayor Rybak announced that he was putting more police officers on the street, the leadership of the federation expressed great support. However, after the Mayor declined to support a budget busting salary increase for union members, the federation flip-flopped, launched these attacks and fought efforts to place officers on the street. Mayor Rybak's record on crime is clear. Public safety has been his highest priority since becoming Mayor. He has increased the fire and police budgets by $22 million. He is putting 71 additional police officers on the street to protect or neighborhoods. He put prosecutors in neighborhood precincts top keep repeat offenders off the streets. He appointed strong new fire and police leadership. And he has focused on providing affordable housing, creating job and youth initiatives to attack the core issues of crime. Mayor Rybak is the only candidate in this race who has shown how to pay for more officers on the street. ### 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
