Report from Ward Two - Precinct Six
We must be one of the most underrepresented precincts around! We only had
six "regulars," plus our fantastic new Chairwoman/Schoolteacher, her
Personal Assistant (not a resident), and our token German observer (not
even a resident alien). Four of us are Trades & Labor people, so were
hesitant to choose a canditate until the Union's screening has been
completed. Two of us were "freer" to speak our minds but are still on the
fence. We all seemed to agree that Kelly is a <del - AMH>, any casino idea
is a bad idea, a downtown stadium and/or a publicly-funded one is a very
bad idea, and transit needs to be looked at sensibly (as opposed to "Hey!
I got $40MM so let's blast through West 7th Street's sidewalks with it!").
I praised Ortega's knowledge of the Railroads and also forgave Coleman of
some of his trespasses/missteps. Of course, we also bashed them as
appropriate.
We were visited by Connie Lewis (sp?), who spoke for Josh Syrjamaki (DFL
Chair candidate); Rep. Carlos Mariani, who spoke for Raphael (and had a
chat with our Schoolteacher and us about NCLB and regaining control of the
House); and Underdawg & Sweet Polly Purebred, who just wanted to say "Hi,"
I think. George Latimer snubbed our little group, so that didn't go over
very well. No school board candidates were visible and we did not discuss
that race.
Due to my bad Resolution experience last time (ditto what Tim E said: "Its
like - it gives you the feeling that you've done something, but it's really
just an illusion. I never hear any mention of the DFL platform or DFL party
positions outside of caucus debates and am skeptical that they have any
real significance."), I had no interest in resolving anything on paper, and
everyone else in the room felt the same way. So we blew that off and just
gabbed instead.
We read letters from Thune, McCollum, Progressive MN (the Bowl-Off is a
great idea, btw), and I think that was it.
All this talk about campaign coffers is disconcerting. In this day and age
of cheap webpages and e-mails, I can't imagine it would take $500,000 for a
savvy and articulate person to win people over on the merits of what they
stand for and not what they sit on (wallet). I don't get it... I don't
think I want to...
I won't go into "Coleman As Past Ward Two Councilman" here, but I will
comment on the Chamber. I infiltrated their recent dinner, you know, so am
intimately in tune (dischord?) with their aura, or lack thereof. Generally
I agree with David S's "broad brushing." But we also have specific details
that are annoying. The community (not inc. me) has worked very hard for
years to prepare "Victoria Park" for more housing and some retail, ...
<deleted in fear - send reporters, lawyers, guns, & money... and stay
tuned...>
Queen Victoria will be rolling in her grave.
A. Hine
Armstrong & W 7th
"Once a mind has been stretched by a new idea, it will never return to its
original size." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Andrew M. Hine
Corporate Research Materials Laboratory
3M Center 201-1W-28
St. Paul MN
55144-1000
USA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tel: (651) 733-1070
Fax: (651) 737-5335
Lab 201-W110
Tim Erickson
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To
Sent by: "St. Paul Issues Forum"
[EMAIL PROTECTED] <[email protected]>
forum.org cc
Subject
03/01/2005 11:41 [StPaul] Caucus Night Report
PM
I'm eager to hear from others how their caucus night went. Do we have
any "first-timers" in our forum, I'd love to hear your comments.
The early results of our caucus night recruitment drive are still
very sparse, so I won't report anything yet - but, enthusiasm was
high for what was the biggest single E-Democracy.Org recruitment
drive ever. Thanks to the dozen or more volunteers who stepped
forward to help out.
Here are my quick observations, anxious to hear yours......
1) Was thrilled to finally see some activity on the School Board
Front. Elona Street-Stewart had the most visible (school board)
campaign and was present and campaigning in Ward 4.
2) Was even more excited to see a new school board candidate. A very
young woman by the name of Rachel Kaiyalethe Gillespie gave a very
nice speech at the Ward 4 convention. Finally, a little life in the
school board race.
3) Chris Coleman was present and active at the Ward 4 convention. I
loved it when he showed the crowd his BUS PASS explaining that his
family is a one car family, for environmental reasons. He talked a
lot about making St. Paul into a leader in mass transit options. I
love the idea, but I'm not sure how much a Mayor can REALLY do about
transit - which is really a regional issue - OR?
4) I heard rumor that Randy Kelly was caucusing with the Democrats on
the East side. I wonder what kind of reception he got there?
5) I listened in on a few "resolution" debates. I have really have
mixed feelings about this resolution process. Sometimes, it has the
same effect on me as filling out a petition. Its like - it gives you
the feeling that you've done something, but it's really just an
illusion. I never hear any mention of the DFL platform or DFL party
positions outside of caucus debates and am skeptical that they have
any real significance. I'm open to being convinced otherwise.
I've also seen some fairly flaky resolutions pass, just because its
not worth the effort to argue against them (just my opinion). I
suppose every chance for citizens to debate and discuss issues is
worth something, or I wouldn't spend so much time managing this forum.
:-)
I couldn't stay too late....... so that's all I have. Anxious to hear
what others thought!
Best wishes,
Tim Erickson
Hamline Midway
Ward 4
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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