What's the value of special interest endorsements to local politicians? How
about to the general public? How do such endorsements influence candidate
platforms and decision making in local politics, before and after the
election? In general, are city residents and property taxpayers (renters &
homeowners) well served by the special interest endorsement process? Or, is
decision making on behalf of city residents and property taxpayers distorted
and compromised by the special interest endorsement process?
Jeremy Wieland says, in part, regarding special interest endorsements and
park board race/MPRB reform recommendations:
> ...I think their method is more honest because I look at the City
> Council race
> in the 13th, where the endorsements are vs. candidate resumes and
> ideology,
> and I believe firmly that groups in Minneapolis are not endorsing based on
> ideology or policy, but rather on whom they think will win.
{MH} ...Or who they can get to take their endorsements! Don't forget you
have an independent candidate for 13th Ward City Council-- a candidate that
neither seeks nor accepts special interest endorsements, PAC funds, etc.
As the independent candidate, I only accept endorsements and contributions
from individuals. I seek no organizational special interest assistance of
any kind. As a result, I'm facing an uphill battle against two opponents
well-funded with special interest contributions and special interest/party
volunteer assistance. I'm running a low-budget campaign with assistance
from volunteers from the 13th Ward neighborhoods-- not party volunteers
and/or members of special interest groups. I haven't hired out-of-state
campaign managers or paid consultants to develop fancy campaign literature
like my opponents. I'm being outspent 10:1 in this race. Who is putting
that kind of money on the table to get a council member elected, and what do
they expect in return? It sure isn't mom and pop homeowner and the renters
down the street laying out that kind of money for a city council campaign.
I offer voters an alternative in the 13th Ward City Council race. I will
represent the voters and property taxpayers-- not special interests.
As a parent and homeowner, my focus is on livability and financial stability
for the city. My priorities are to ensure basic city services (fire and
police), infrastructure (roads, sewer and water), improve the financial
outlook (continue paying down old debts and resolve pension fund deficits)
and curb spending (development subsidies).
I've got well-over two decades of finance-oriented private sector work
experience, plus non-profit and government experience, BS and MBA degrees.
I've been a member of the City Planning Commission (VP for two years),
served on capital budgeting committee (CLIC), co-chaired NRP committees,
received a citywide NRP volunteer of the year award, and have volunteered
with the public schools and community education for years. I've trained
with the Mpls. Fire Department and am a certified member of the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT), and I'm a VietNam veteran. I've studied
public policy and been a member of the Citizens League for decades- serving
on study committees and writing reports recommending legislative action in
areas such as Livable Communities (pre-Livable Communities legislation),
K-12 education, workforce training, and state energy policy, to name a few.
I've got energy/environmental credentials (work experience and formal
training) my opponents can't touch (even with a Sierra Club endorsement).
I'm a straight-shooter and can work all sides of the political aisle in
order to achieve compromise and progress toward common goals. I'm no career
politician; I'm an experienced business person with a financial background,
and a longtime student of public policy with years of relevant municipal
board/committee experience in Minneapolis. Vote for Mike Hohmann on Sept.
13th!
Mike Hohmann
Linden Hills
the independent candidate for 13th Ward City Council
no party affiliation; no special interest endorsements
I'll work for the voters and taxpayers, not special interests
www.mikeforcitycouncil.org
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Behalf Of Jeremy Wieland
> Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 5:19 PM
> To: 'mpls-issues'
> Subject: RE: [Mpls] Park Board Reform Slate announcement
>
>
> Tim writes:
>
> "This group appears to be unique in that they did not
> actually screen the candidates before giving their endorsements. As
> far as I know, all the other Minneapolis groups sat down and talked
> with candidates before deciding who to endorse.
>
snip
> Park Board Reform has done something that I consider to be both
> more honest
> and more effective than what traditional special interests appear to me to
> do. First, I believe that members of the Park Board Reform
> either recruited
> candidates to run, which is something that I would like to see more of, or
> built personal relationships. I'm not aware of any screening because the
> Park Board Reform folks already have a relationship with their slate.
>
> I think their method is more honest because I look at the City
> Council race
> in the 13th, where the endorsements are vs. candidate resumes and
> ideology,
> and I believe firmly that groups in Minneapolis are not endorsing based on
> ideology or policy, but rather on whom they think will win. By
> siding with
> winners they likely hope that favors will fall off the back of the truck.
> Compare that to the endorsements of Betsey Hodges or Dorian Eder by
> Progressive Minnesota. True, there was a screening. But both Ms. Hodges
> and Ms. Eder were already in tight with PM before their races began. PM
> knew going in that they might lose, but if they win, oh what a win.
>
snip
>
> Jeremy Wieland
> Northeast
snip
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