Response to Gina Palandri (Standish) by Bicking campaign worker
Carrie Anne Johnson (East Phillips)
I do not wish to exacerbate this discussion, but it needs to be
addressed.
What Happened
I walked up to the first house I went to doorknock with a bit of
confusion. I saw a beautiful Farheen for Mayor sign, an A for Artists
sign, a Liberate the Media sticker, something that was clearly an
anti-Bush sign, followed by a Gary Schiff sign.
Point One
Ginas post said:
I understand wanting "your guy" to win. But yesterday I got door to
door service, from a Bicking campaign worker, who instead of talking
about the positions of Dave Bicking, proceeded to try to talk me out of
my support of Gary Schiff, 9th Ward Council Member, by telling me
things that I know not to be true of Gary's positions or his actions.
I knocked, Gina answered. I believe I said something to the effect of
Hi. My name is Carrie Anne, and Im a volunteer working to support
Dave Bicking for City Council. I see you have (and I mentioned signs
listed above), so I was wondering what issues are driving you to
support Gary Schiff? I normally wouldnt start this way, but someone
with a lawn sign for someone usually means theyve made their mind up,
and theyve already decided against the other candidates. So why would
I only continue to present Daves positions and not highlight the
differences?
Her answer was something to the effect that they were friends, and that
she felt Gary had been doing a good job and moving our city in the
right direction.
Point Two
I believe I responded by pointing out that Dave Bicking believes we
need to establish better priorities for the city, and that as just a
private citizen he has worked hard to expose the stadium issue to the
public. I said he believes that we shouldnt be talking about a stadium
when there are far more important issues remaining to be addressed like
housing, education, etc.
Gina said that Gary was against the stadium too. Her post quotes me as
- I was told that Gary was very pro-stadium subsidies, which he is
not, I did NOT say he was pro-stadium; my EXACT words were that Gary
has essentially been silent where it counts which continues to be
true.
Point Three
I was then told that she has had good response from him regarding the
Light Rail process.
Ginas post said: And about the LRT, and supporting the people living
next to the train.... Those of us who actually sleep next to the train,
know that without Gary's work with the Metro transit people, we'd be
hearing much higher decibel horns than we are now.
This surprised me because most people I know and have spoken with were
and are quite upset about the LRT. I believe I said I wasnt familiar
with his exact actions in getting public input, but that many people
were upset about the process. I personally know someone who lives next
to a stop. I remember as the LRT was going in, her husband went to all
the meetings and I personally heard him come back from them and express
serious frustrations over the lack of response to public concerns. I
dont see how Mr. Schiff could have been doing that great a job, with
such feelings that I see and hear regularly.
Point Four
Gina also brought this up: Also the critical parking issue, which for
those of us living next to the train was a big issue!!-which is no
longer an issue, happened very fast. I know my entire block
appreciates all of the work Gary did for us and metro transit
"outreach" people certainly were not going to listen to us alone,
thats for sure.
Gina, I think you should walk outside and talk to your neighbors down
the street on this one, because most of them brought this up to me (I
personally wasnt familiar with the problem). Parking is VERY much a
concern. I found out the residents have to pay $35 for a permit to park
in front of their own houses. Ridiculous. I also noted as I walked past
that I saw a number of parking tickets. I bet some were residents cars
and that MUST be frustrating.
Point Five
Gina then told me, Besides, I would NEVER vote against a gay
candidate!
So I responded, Personally Im bisexual, and I think that Dave will be
as good as Gary if not better on gay issues
Ginas post said: and even that Dave Bicking would be more helpful on
gay issues than Gary has been! I am sorry, that one was over the top!
I am sure Mr. Bicking is "gay friendly"...Did he do anything to extend
domestic partnership benefits in the city of mpls??
When I said as good if not better what I meant was that Dave has been
a consistent OUTSPOKEN advocate for ALL human rights. Yes, Gary has
done great in passing the ordinance for equal rights. And I certainly
dont doubt that Gary _supports_ all human rights, but I dont see him
as an OUTSPOKEN advocate. As an example, something I didnt mention
then but knew of personally, was Progressive Minnesotas difficulty in
getting Gary Schiffs support for the Living Wage ordinance. I was told
he was sitting on the fence on this one, and they werent able to
secure support until Dave Bicking ran supporting it.
Point Six
A point Gina did not address in this post that I brought up was police
brutality. At this point in time, Mr. Schiff (and his printed
literature) says that he supports putting more police on the streets.
As a community member familiar with Communities United Against Police
Brutality, I have been told that he was not helpful on this issue.
Yes, theres crime and it needs to be addressed, but there has to be
trust between the community and the police first. I personally have
witnessed police brutality on more than one occasion. I have heard
scores of stories. The police need serious training, and this is one
area which our City Council person has direct authority over. I
pointed out that despite this being a major issue to the neighborhoods
that Gary Schiff represents, that Dave took the time to come to the
National Day of Protest against Police Brutality and to speak out
against it, and that Schiff did not attend. I also mentioned that I
dont think hes doing the right thing by supporting more police on the
streets and not addressing the issues.
Point Seven
Lastly, because Gina is obviously against the war and our current
political situation, I pointed out that Dave has been an anti-war
activist since the Vietnam war, as a member of the Students for a
Democratic Society. I added that he recently even went with to DC for
the national day of protest. At this point, Gina told me that Gary is
against the war. Heres where thats over the top to me.
Ginas post said: I was told that because Gary is not present at all
the peace rallies; he might be for the war?? I mean, even me a non
elected normal "regular "person, I cannot go to all the peace
rallies...that does not make me for the war, just because I do not take
action against it.
I did NOT suggest that he is FOR the war, but I disagree with your next
comment
Seeing thru this, as just because someone does not actively take an
"action" against something-does not equate to that they are" for"
something else.
Gary Schiff is currently in a position of authority and representation.
Right now, especially if he is against the war, it is his
responsibility and duty to speak out and be heard. This doesnt
necessarily have to happen at City Council meetings, but if his
constituents have requested it, it certainly should be. He doesnt have
to go to ALL the peace rallies but it certainly would be nice to see
him at one or two, given what a large issue this is. Ive seen Dean
Zimmerman at ALL the peace rallies and he seems to fit it into a City
Council persons schedule quite neatly.
I also think that, as an example, if I watch a person come out of a bar
drunk and get into a car, and I dont DO anything, Im not necessarily
FOR drunk driving, but Id much prefer having my representative be the
kind of person who would ACT.
I would like to add personally that I know more about the positions of
City Council members in several other districts than I do for the one
who supposedly represents me. I have tried to meet with him on
occasions, and have always found myself speaking with his aide. I know
of many people who also wonder what are his positions because he is
not outspoken on them. And thats not the kind of person I want
representing us. Dave Bicking has been open, honest, candid and
forthright. And I know he will continue to be as our representative for
the Ninth Ward.
Point Eight
Oh come on, people! I expect this kind of stuff from our politicians
in WASHINGTON, not here in Minneapolis--we are nicer than that (so I
thought).
I was very happy to meet you Gina, and thought well of you. Our debate
was friendly and cordial, and we were smiling the whole time. Now I
know that your smile was more of a smirk since you neglected to mention
that you are Gary Schiffs treasurer. Oh well, I wouldnt have said
anything differently.
Point Nine
I am happy we have Green Party candidates, and some elected officials
of the green party- I am and still supporting Farheen to the end, and
would love to see her run for another local election- but- I would urge
Mr. Bicking's campaign workers to speak about what Mr. Bickings
positions are, instead of just stating things that are not true about
the positions of Gary Schiff. The quality of this type of campaigning
could be negative on the Green Party as a whole, and personally thats
not what I want.
I am glad you are still voting for Farheen I am as well. But, I do
not believe I said anything that was not true, and I think anyone whos
just read this can make up their own mind as to how local campaigns get
smeared.
Carrie Anne Johnson
East Phillips
Bicking Campaign Volunteer
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