We had a crackerjack election - there are many new faces around town who had
never been in the municipal trenches before and many more familiar faces who
have now seen these new brooms do their work.
I'm particularly glad to see that the Greens were not swept away.
I have no desire to switch parties. I'm situated in the DFL where I think I
can do the most good but I'm also truly gratified to see so many talented
and passionate presences gaining valuable experience across both my favorite
majority parties.
Now I think we have to look to 2006 and the resources our city will be able
to bring to the larger tables at which we all sit - the metro region and our
state government. There are moderate folks of whatever political persuasion
who are surely ready to help clean house if that's what it takes to bring
sanity and sustainability to Minneapolis' relationships with other
jurisdictions.
I strongly believe that our commonalities of purpose should trump the
bromides of partisan wrangling. Imagine what we accomplish if we find common
cause with our surburban and exurban and rural neighbors. Imagine how
transparency in process compares to "gotcha" politics and banal soundbites.
We've been learning how to live with one another here in Minneapolis despite
lots of differences - cutting one another a little slack now and again.
Learning to listen.
Now just maybe we can collectively take that show on the road.
Fred Markus, Phillips West, Ward 6
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