(((I attempted to post a version of this to Minneapolis Observer Ballot Box in repsponse to Craig Cox's report from the Thursday night forum. I kept getting error messages about the upload failing. I am assuming that it never went through. So, here it is, edited to make a bit more sense in this context.)))
I attended the Saturday morning Stevens Square forum between Robert Lilligren and Dean Zimmermann, and the contrasts between the two were much sharper than those related by Craig Cox in his Minneapolis Observer Ballot Box report of their Thursday night forum. This show was Robert Lilligren's, who made a strong case for activist government that delivers concrete results for all residents, emerging as the far more knowledgeable of the two candidates. He engaged the questions put before him with ideas, concrete examples, and strategies for action. Zimmermann, on the other hand, seemed not very aware at points, relying on generalities to elide very specific questions. Zimmermann blurred the distinction between locally owned small businesses and corporate chains, using an ill-defined rumination in favor of property rights as a justification for a new Wendy's on Franklin, a development that, oddly, he voted against. More damaging was Zimmermann's attempt, when supposedly talking about small business development, to take credit for the new building kitty-corner from Acadia, the locally owned coffee house/theater where the forum was hosted. As we left Acadia, each of us was confronted with the Starbucks in "Dean's" new development across the intersection at Franklin and Nicollet. Zimmermann talked about bureaucracy hindering business to the point of almost sounding Republican. Indeed, his examples of his vaunted "constituent service" seemed to be delivered almost exclusively to businesses. While Zimmermann talked about rent strikes he organized in the 70s, Lilligren delivered a compelling argument that renters and rental property owners deserve better service from city government because they produce significant revenue for Minneapolis. In their time on the council together, Lilligren certainly matches Zimmermann's progressive credentials--and quite possibly surpasses them, and while I appreciate Dean Zimmermann's social activism, it was clear to me at this forum that the 6th Ward will get better representation from Robert Lilligren. Russell Raczkowski Bancroft--8th Ward 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
