Unfortunately, I see many projects here (in McInerney's missive) that many people connected to them might well refute Blakey's claims of credit for their completion. These may be projects undertaken on Jerry's watch, but I doubt very much that his involvement was always the catalyst for completion of them all. Moreover, several individuals connected to some of these projects openly opposed Jerry's re-election, perhaps twice or three times.
Here's the real deal: Blakey's gone. He went to a corner of the DFL convention to pout over his failure to receive enough votes after one ballot to keep him in the running, scolded the convention for being racist instead of merely "not-for-Blakey", then switched parties all too easily days after that. Overnight, he became the darling of the GOP overnight and ran dead last in the primary election. Like Norm and a lot of politicians, Jerry betrayed his politics as the politics of self-promotion and not policy work. I recall a frustrating and lengthy exchange with Jerry in which he found it impossible to believe anyone advocating for anything could stand on principle and not politics in the pursuit of a policy goal. I'd never encountered anyone so cynical over the motives of citizen activism as Jerry demonstrated. The result was a loss of credibility with many of his colleagues and the establishment of one-on-one feuds with a few of them for no particular reason save their disagreement with his ideas or his assumptions. Today he could be for, tomorrow against the very same issue. Jerry's political career in St. Paul came to naught by his own hand - no one else's, and in so many ways, he could be a charming guy. Poor judgment all the way 'round as I watched it unfold. Let's concern ourselves with St. Paul today - and the need to address serious policy issues, not Kelly's not unexpected, but merely delayed defection from the DFL - simply more opportunism than effective politicking. Let's build some constituencies for what best serves the interests and good health for residents, neighborhoods and small businesses of St. Paul. Let's encourage ever higher levels of citizen participation (starting with voting) and community engagement as part of being a citizen, especially in the field of education - preparing the coming generations for community and policy leadership so desperately needed. It's this year's vote, this year's governance, this year's policies - like bringing smoking in public food and drink establishments to a screeching halt and properly financing every service a city should offer its people - and let others worry about party politics in a nonpartisan city. The welfare of your city is your political party. Andy Driscoll Crocus Hill/Ward 2 ------ From: "GERARD MC*INERNEY" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [StPaul] Jerry Blakey's Contributions? Gee Dan, how about answering the original question? Do you have any factual data to support the following you wrote: <I am miffed that Bostrom now rants against "The Gang of Four" when he is on the losing end of this. He never talked about how his "Gang of Five"; him, Jim Reiter, Chris Coleman, Jerry Blakey and Pat Harris quashed almost any progressive idea in this city for ten years under Norm Coleman and Mayor Kelly for 2 years.> What progressive ideas? This type of vitrolic unreasoned response to a question of clarification with facts is one of the greatest reasons this forum lacks credibility. But let me respond to your other missive with some factual data about Jerry and his work: Housing Marshall Dayton Properties - 96 low income units rescued from a defaulted HUD mortgage and rehabbed Cathedral Hill Properties - another HUD rescue 109 units (behind the cathedral) Rondo Community Land Trust - 18 properties rehabbed Frogtown CDC - 46 vacant lots turned into new affordable housing Aurora St. Anthony - Acquisition of 9 lots for the continuation of Bill Wilson's dream to get rid of the Faust, now to have a new community library and housing Summit-University - 14 houses rehabbed by the SACDC plus the corners of Selby and Dale with the Mississippi Market and Louisiana Caf� Charles and Cedar - 40 units new housing Just about every HUD property along I-94 received rehab funding to make the units more liveable Recreation All children's play areas in Ward One renovated with new equipment including providing funding to all the schools in a joint project to replace outdated equipment Lex Ham Community Center MLK rehab and new tennis courts Commercial Development Selby and Dale University and Dale - Pan Asian Yes the financing for the partners fell through, somehow that becomes Jerry's responsibility? University and Dale - New library and housing development funding approved Selby and Grotto - SACDC development of low income housing and commercial space Selby and Victoria - Minority developer, city loan guarantee, in the process of being pre-sold University and Lex - Wellington and the city (including Jerry) have been working on this project since the Home Depot deal fell through Dale and Minnehaha - Phase two of the Great Northern project (due to railroad reluctance and severe brownfield) To David: Jerry supported the compromise position on Ayd Mill. Open it up but with a two lane parkway, bike paths and perhaps some housing. Regards, Gerry McInerney Battle Creek St. Paul, MN 55106 ------ End of Forwarded Message _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
