I thought I'd share my notes as well.
St. Paul Mayoral forum put on by DFL SD67 (East side)
Rafael Ortega and Chris Coleman
(Jay Benenav and Randy Kelly were both invited as well, there was contention as to why these two were invited, as neither has said they would be seeking the DFL endorsement.)
They were both given time for and opening statement, questions, closing statement and straw poll. (I left before the closing statement and straw poll so I'd love to get #'s on the poll.)
RO=Rafael Ortega CC=Chris Coleman
*_Opening Statement _*
RO:
Need a mass transit system, focus on neighborhoods not just LRT and larger systems, smaller neighborhood focus as well
Investment in neighborhoods is very important
Public safety and environment
Need to work on upgrading the infrastructure for public safety, fire trucks need more than 3 etc
Be honest about raising taxes, it's happening be honest, not skirt the issue, invest in good things not just spend
Work on collaborations
Need to do more consensus building
Have a strong relationship with school board members, not just superintendent, need to do more than just talk
CC: (he spoke a lot about how bad Pawlenty was, how bad Kelly was and how bad Bush was, I didn't take notes on that stuff)
Ayd Mill Road is Kelly coming in and running over the community
Wants to work to not divide the community, building and working with the community and the neighborhoods
Invest in the future
Work with school districts, need better cooperative relationship
Need to think about the relationship with between MPLS and St. Paul, we are a region, we need to work together, need to have the mayors talk to each other work together
Q&A (I didn't write down the whole question, just enough, you get the idea.)
_Retain Businesses? Grow Business community?_
RO:
Front of the agenda
Need to focus on small neighborhood
Develop an office of small business
Ideas should come from the communities and the business owners
Not just struggle to pull in large businesses that will leave, but work with local people who want to building businesses here
CC: Entrepreneurs Grow businesses that are here Better off with lots of small businesses Work strongly with the new immigrant community
_Airport expansion?_ RO: Balance investment Look at whole spectrum Need more info on dyke but no, it's a MAC issue
CC: Voted for Levy to keep Guard, Guard left Need to look at enviro and housing issues it would raise
_How to fund City?_
CC:
Will raise levy and do it an a straightforward manner if needed, only get what is needed "not one penny more"
RO:
Prioritize
Would raise taxes if needed and be honest about it
Need to think about what would be a good investment where do you get a good return?
_Stadium and you?_ RO: Kids and neighborhoods come *first* No stadium until kids and neighborhoods are totally taken care of
CC:
The deal we are being offered is worse than other cities
Need to focus on keeping the Ford plant if we are going to use subsidies for big industry
_Riverfront Casino?_ CC: "hard to comment without throwing up" What are other options? Get new leadership There are other ways to get money, find other ways
RO: Balancing budget on a casino? All this is doing is pitting people against each other it's obscene
_Public Safety? 3 Man Fire rigs?_ RO: Need to make the investment to keep it strong Can do a lot through bonding Ramsey county has a AAA bond rating, city needs that
CC: Need to change the way things are now Need to be ready for a real emergency
_Minorities in campaign and gvt?_ RO: Diversity is important Talk about the color of agenda Work with mentors Bring in a broad range
CC: Chief Finney is cochair of campaign Not going to ignore parts of community Reaching out Working with immigrants is important
_Women's rights?_ RO: It's a woman's right Need good education
CC: Pro choice Keep access to PP safe
(Like I said I didn't stay for the end comments and straw poll.)
-Sara
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