(apparently the original post was too long, so here it is, broken up.)
Mayor:
One question that keeps popping up is: can a "normal" person who isn't part of
his neighborhood orginization or well known to the "activists" get easy access
to services?
I recently had to clear up a traffic ticket from a camera. I spent about four
hours going to different Hennepin County centers before I gave up in
frustration. Later, a very helpful person directed me to the city Public
Safety building where a very helpful Minneapolis Police Officer (I know, you're
thinking I've lost my mind) cleared up for me in 3 minutes what would have
taken the county an entire day.
After X number of years in public service, Peter McLaughlin seems to have
changed a little. He says that the environment is more of a priority. He is
more willing to listen, and finally, towards the end of his campaign he's
starting to spell out a vision for Minneapolis that's not just a reactionary
diatrabbe about how bad RT is, but looks attractive. It's still too little and
too late, and you can really judge a candidate by his supporters.
McLaughlin has the support of the "Old Guard" council members, like
Cherryhomes, who participated on a vicious attack on the counter culture by
supporting tha police action against ISAG protesters, and revoking the license
of the Hard Times cafe, and gave us LSGI, the Kondirator and the Garbage
Incinerator.
The support of the Police Federation, which to this day continues to believe
that the killing of Barbara Schneider, Abuka Sanders and Abu Jelani were
justified.
The majority of Republicans in Minneapolis.
Finally, the policies which McLaughlin advocates especially in dealing with the
crime rate(hiring more police, concentrating on core services, keeping a lid on
property taxes) are the EXACT SAME policies advocated by Randy Kelly in St.
Paul.
Despite these policies, St. Paul has experienced a much larger per capita rise
in crime than Minneapolis (source: FBI stats as reported on NPR)
Mayor Rybak is not much better (I feel so wierd saying this becuase I really
like RT personally.) Despite his public skills, he's been very heavy handed at
times. He hasn't really delivered on the promise to "bring in new ideas," and
generally ignores (when he can) those with whom he disagrees.
In some ways, McLaughlin is the more attractive candidate. I'm also worried
about property taxes and a rise in violent crime, but I also want a police
force that deals with crime without harrassing the people who don't deserve it.
Ultimately, I just can't get past that Police Federation endorsement. Despite
my problems with the SSB aministration, I voted for Sharon Sayles-Belton
because Rybak had the Police federation endorsement in the last election. My
contempt for the federation was twisted in to my arm and whacked in to me with
a police night stick in 2000.
For me, the recipient of this endorsement belongs in a box with Charlie Stenvig
and John Derus. It means that he agrees with the positions taken by the
federation regardless of what he actually says.
McLaughlin is running as the Campassionate Conservative in this race (a
distinction much more obvious when you notice how similar his platform is to
Randy Kelly's.) Also, the earlier post by John Schrom is very persuasive. I
don't want the Mayor to be a jerk to his constituents.
I plan to hold my nose and vote for Rybak.
Tamir Nolley 9-9
---------------------------------
Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.
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
