[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: "When the community asked for Empowerment Zone money to create jobs and opportunities CP Samuels vetoed them, after giving them letters of support."
Michelle, While I will not be entering the debate on who is a better candidate, Don or Natalie, as I like and respect both of them and wish we could have both on the Council, I would like to point out that you have raised the point above on the list before back in May and that I provided you with the correct information back then. This statement above is inaccurate. Don did not and CANNOT veto any proposals to the Empowerment Zone. You're original post can be found here: http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2005-May/041432.html. It's a May 21, 2005 posting entitled "Response to socialiost2001", and your specific statement was: "Council Person Don Samuel met with several people with Business proposal at the UL. Even after giving letters of recommendation, Mr. Samuels voted not to approve." My response can be found here:http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2005-May/041436.html. It is the same date with the same title as yours, and my response was: "The proposals you mentioned were small business startup proposals submitted to the Small Grants program, they were ineligible based on not being non-profits, and further, many did not have business plans or other sources of funding. The recommendation and information was presented by the Staff to the full 30-member board, which approved the declination. Don could not single handedly turn them down even if they were eligible. I explained this to Booker when I met with him in December." I believe Booker has another editorial in the Spokesman which states this again, and I am really concerned that despite my clarifying this, people still make the same false accusation. Whatever reasons anyone has for disliking Don, this should not be one of them, because it is completely and utterly false. Don not only did not veto them, he CANNOT veto them, even if they were eligible proposals, which they were not. The proposals for the samll grants are reviewed and recommended by staff and brought to the full board, no one person can veto them. If you have any questions regarding the Empowerment Zone or it's workings, please feel free to contact me directly by email or phone or through this forum. I am happy to explain any situation and provide the correct information. Jonathan Palmer Victory 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:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
