It seems odd to me that Third Ward Neighbors In Action (TWNIA), the first
serious grass roots opposition to an unresponsive Third Ward DFL incumbent,
in a DFL stronghold, working on a shoestring budget, using an innovative
technique like advertising for candidates is seen as sinister because we won
�t turn over sign-in sheets to the NorthNews.
Can we get real here? Anybody who wants to offer the Third Ward voters a
choice is welcome to join TWNIA. It is fair to say that it is through the
efforts of TWNIA that we now have some serious challengers. Call the message
line at 651-251-0545 and ask to be notified of the next meeting. You will
have to give your name and address, but we promise not to turn you in to the
NorthNews.
If you support a choice in the Third Ward, don�t sit around reading about
it, get involved like I did. Just call `em and get on the mailing list
(651-251-0545). Meetings are open to the public. People at the meetings
identify themselves, and I have yet to see people walk in with a paper bag
over their heads.
One needs to be careful about believing everything one reads in what passes
for community newspapers in north and northeast Minneapolis. They ain�t the
SW Journal. I am a member of TWNIA who joined after seeing their ads in
the Northeaster and NorthNews and attending a couple of their meetings. I
did not find it difficult to contact them by telephone and had no problem in
finding out when their meetings were held. I talked with the president and
asked some questions, which she freely answered.
The group is nonpartisan and includes people from both north and northeast
Minneapolis from various political affiliations. We are clear that our
mission is to elect a Third Ward Council Member who is more responsive to
the needs of the ward. We expect to act as a resource for anyone coming
forward to seek the seat. While there has been some discussion about
screening candidates, it is more likely now that we will act as a catalyst
for bringing candidates to the people rather than supporting one candidate
over another.
This �secretive� group has appeared on KMOJ�s north side forums at Lucille�s
Kitchen, and attended at least two Minneapolis Property Rights Group (may
have the name wrong) meetings. They published several ads in both the
NorthNews and Northeaster. Several residents have come forward indicating
their interest in becoming candidates. Two candidates have made their
candidacy public. One appeared at the Third Ward DFL Convention and was
nominated by me, a TWNIA member. A public forum is being planned. Not much
secrecy there.
TWNIA has been trying for two months to get a letter to the editor published
that would provide more details on the organization�s purpose and would
solicit public participation. Unfortunately, the Northeaster has declined to
publish the letter.
Incidentally, the NorthNews was able to find out that the �secret� TWNIA
raised $650 (all from small, individual contributions) in 2000. How about a
story about how much incumbent Joe Biernat raised and from whom?
Fran Guminga
Bottineau, Ward 3
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