Rob McGraw wrote:
He's taken credit for just about every positive thing that has
happened in Minneapolis since he's lived here, including improving
RT's crime agenda: doesn't that just about say it all???
Despite the very nasty e-mail I got from you off line, I'm going to try
to educate you, Mr. McGraw.
Yes that does say it all, but not in the way I think you intended.
McLaughlin HAS improved Rybak's lack of substantive anti-crime moves.
Before McLaughlin brought it up, Rybak was not bringing on more officers
despite what is happening. However, in order to bring on officers
quickly after McLaughlin pointed out the emperor's lack of attire, Rybak
acted counter to the contract signed with the feds to bring on more
protected class officers first. As a consequence, whole areas of the
south side of Minneapolis did not get the attention needed through this
past long, hot summer and we suffered for it. What happened on the north
side about crime has been all over the papers and it's just terrifying
for folks living there. There are also two law suits to date from MPD
officers.
The ultra-wasteful Access Project, no where have I seen McLaughlin
take credit for that boondoggle! I'm guessing he's blaming RT for it,
ha! Does Peter think that his promises to Allina and other big
businesses, which fly in the face of constituent best interests, have
gone unnoticed??
There are more lies surrounding the access project than even the Bush II
administration can deny. Since I was there when the action around this
happened, I can say that the 35W access project came out of the NRP
process and was spearheaded by Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Org. PPNO
was stellar both in its commitment and follow through. The invitations
to the meeting were sent out to Allina and Honeywell at the time, as
well as St. Mary's, and a bushel of Lake St., Chicago, Bloomington, and
Cedar Ave. businesses, plus all the office holders in the area, except
for Park, Library, and E&T boards, though A.Young, MPRB, was there.
Those attending included McLaughlin, Dorfman, Wecjman, Berglin, Clark,
Herron, Niland, and Thurber, Wetternach represented SSB, I believe. I'm
really tired of people giving away the credit for the initiation of this
project to McLaughlin, Allina, Honeywell, Wells Fargo, and everyone and
their shirt tail cousin who did not do this. The engine that pushed this
was PPNO and they deserve bunches of credit for so doing. So, if blame
is to be placed here, look to your Phillips neighbors, or my Central
neighbors, or both our neighbors in Corcoran and Powderhorn.
We, the residents of South Central Minneapolis asked all the politicians
to support our request for freeway access on Lake St. It arose directly
out of the NRP process, anything else you may have heard to the contrary
is a vicious and pernicious lie. Our request followed a study
commissioned by PPNO with concurrence from Central, Phillips, and
Corcoran. That study, done to the tune of more than $250,000 by was it
Ackerberg, returned a plan which included. access to 35W. In terms of
freeway access, the study mirrored some seven or eight other studies
gathering dust either in the city's planning office, MCDA, the Municipal
Library, or all three. That was eight studies done over a period of more
than 15 years. The question which brought forth all the studies was as
follows: How do we rebuild the economic engine of the south side?
Peter McLaughlin seems to be best at grandstanding. The tone and
conduct in this campaign truly reveals that Peter McLaughlin is
nothing more than a mean-spirited bully, in my opinion.
Of course I disagree. From the purely theoretical standpoint, one of
McLaughlin's problems as a candidate is that he does not grandstand.
I've watched him in a variety of situations, but have never observed any
bullying behavior. Further, being well connected to the south side grape
vine, drums, moccasin telegraph, etc. I think I would have heard about
it if such a thing had happened. When he is completely frustrated,
usually because either he is not getting his point across or because
he's having to repeat himself for those who apparently are not paying
close attention, he does get really intense. Not loud, not bullying,
just pointed.
What would McLaughlin do to property taxes??? Beyond that, RT has
done much more for minority communities than McLaughlin. While
McLaughlin was busy funding the "old white guys" at Urban Ventures, RT
has been working directly with the Somali community, working to
promote diversity (a long slow process given the size of the ship that
needs to be turned) on the police force, etc.
The old white guys at Urban Ventures, as you put it, consist of two men,
Art Erickson and Ralph Bruins. They may just be old white guys, but they
did convince Colin Powell to support their sports program and building
plans. UV is also backed by a board of directors which includes former
Gov. Quie, among other heavyweights.
Unfortunately, the rise in property taxes is a direct result of changes
in the state and federal tax codes, state changes in taxation, screwing
around with TIF financing at the state level, and other moves guaranteed
to move money out of your pocket. In terms of taxes collected, either
candidate will have no options but to continue to level 8% per annum
until something is done at both the state and federal level. The cost of
running a city is not going to go down.
As an illustration of Rybak's posture vis-a-vis minority people, I
recently went to a feast at Little Earth designed to have DFL candidates
meet Little Earth and surrounding street's voters. Both Rybak and
McLaughlin showed up. Rybak stood under a clump of trees and waited for
people to come to him. He stayed a short time. McLaughlin came in while
Rybak was still there. He went through the area and greeted all the
elders. He sat down and shared food, talked with people, talked with the
kids. He stayed till the end.
Now look at the list of political contributions (available through
City Pages website); Peter McLaughlin has stron big business & old
guard "good-ole-boy" support, including Smith Parker!! This is not
the agenda that will be good for Minneapolis. Constituent and
business interests need to be balanced.
Were I the type willing to go through candidates lists of contributors,
I'm sure I'd find heavyweights there on virtually every contender's
list. All the businesses who do business with the county will have
contributed to McLaughlin's campaign. Smith Parker is praying that
McLaughlin will be able to support the access project from the mayor's
chair, so, of course, will support him. Remember, McLaughlin got into
this 35W access project at the urging of his constituents. So, yes, if
McLaughlin is elected, there will be more work pushing for a 35W access
project. However, due to the cost of fossil fuels, my guess is that the
project will be redesigned. Whether he stays on the county board or
becomes mayor, I expect McLaughlin to do everything in his power to keep
the promise of freeway access at Lake St.
Peter McLaughlin's record is one of arrogance. I know from experience
that if you disagree with him, you are the enemy, you're "either with
him or against him", and that's just not collaborative at all.
I think there must be someone running around wearing a McLaughlin mask
and pretending to be a county commissioner. Arrogance is not a term I
would apply to McLaughlin, having known the man in his various
professional capacities since the late eighties, I think. He is
reserved. I've disagreed with him, vehemently, and I'm fairly sure he
doesn't consider me an enemy. This past Sunday morning, on local talking
heads TV, McLaughlin and Rybak had a debate. Mclaughlin sliced and diced
Rybak on all the issues. This is not arrogance, but McLaughlin does not
speak if he is not sure of his facts.
As I recall, during the last election for county commissioner, Peter
McLaughlin's now ex-wife put up a lawn sign supporting his opponent.
Their relationship issues aren't fair game, but her lack of support
for him is, because after all those years together I'd guess she knows
him better than anyone.
If it's not fair game, why do you bring it up? That you did so says that
you think it fair game. Sheesh!
WizardMarks, Central
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