Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
In a message dated 1/15/03 3:29:48 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: "especially DFL'ers"? Oh come on, Lisa! Who else are you comparing to DFL'ers? There was nobody on the Council except DFL'ers when you were there. Mr. Bonham is just plain incorrect in this statement. The first four years Lisa was on the Council she served with Steve Minn and Dennis Schulstad. Neither of them are DFL. The second four years she served with Minn/Barret Lane - both Independents. Karen Collier Linden Hills
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
"especially DFL'ers"? Oh come on, Lisa! Who else are you comparing to DFL'ers? There was nobody on the Council except DFL'ers when you were there. Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson ...was discussed on the Council. Council members don't like to run every two years, especially DFL'ers, it's more work. . . . Lisa McDonald East Harriet ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
JH-earlier post: "Not only is this legislation patently partisan, but it will cost our fair city a great deal of money to run a special election this year -- at a time when our city is strapped for money to cover even its basic needs. I have left a voicmail message with Suzanne Griffin, Director of Elections for Minneapolis, requesting a dollar figure on what such a special election would cost. As soon as I hear from Ms. Griffin I will share this information." JH-current: As promised, here is the dollar figure for a primary and general election for all City Council Member seats in 2003 as cited by Susanne Griffin, Director, City Elections: approximately $400,000, but it could go as high as $454,000 with overtime labor costs and other additional optional costs. In conversation with Susanne, she encouraged anyone who would like additional informational or more detailed information to give the Elections Office a call, (612) 673-2070. David Finke post: "As I recall, this was the same Rick Stafford who, out of friendship, agreed to allow Mr. Zimmerman to speak at the 6th Ward DFL Convention to give a farewell speech even though he had left the DFL Party and was running against whoever would be endorsed. The agreement was that Mr. Zimmerman would not turn it into a campaign event. And this was the same Mr. Zimmerman who then launched into a Green Party campaign speech and floor demonstration, proceeding to further disrupt that convention by parading with tape over his mouth when the delegates to that DFL event objected." JH-current: While I do not wish to engage in a "he said-she said" contest regarding Mr. Finke's revisionist historical account of the 2001 DFL 6th Ward Endorsing Convention, I would direct those interested in history to re-read the Doug Grow column about this convention (March 5, 2001) to better refresh their memories of what actually happened. Needless to say, either both of us have highly impaired memories or we did not attend the same convention. I also seriously question Mr. Finke's assertion that Rick Stafford and Dean Zimmermann were ever friends. And again, another correction, Dean Zimmermann never got near the candidate microphone nor the endorsing convention podium, well-guarded by Convention Chair Vernon Wetternach, to make a "Green Party campaign speech" or any other kind of speech during the convention. Such is the grist for future historians to sort through and debate about. Jenny Heiser Minneapolis/East Phillips - Original Message - From: "David Finke" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 4:04 PM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again > Quoting Dean Zimmermann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > > Does no one find it odd that this is the same Mr. Stafford who > > served as campaign manager for the DFL loser in the race for the 6th Ward > > council seat? The same Mr. Stafford who, right after leaving the adjourned > > Redistricting Commission meeting on 4/12/02, was overheard to say: "Now I > > got that Dean Zimmermann good!"] > > As I recall, this was the same Rick Stafford who, out of friendship, agreed > to allow Mr. Zimmerman to speak at the 6th Ward DFL Convention to give a > farewell speech even though he had left the DFL Party and was running against > whoever would be endorsed. The agreement was that Mr. Zimmerman would not turn > it into a campaign event. > > And this was the same Mr. Zimmerman who then launched into a Green Party > campaign speech and floor demonstration, proceeding to further disrupt that > convention by parading with tape over his mouth when the delegates to that DFL > event objected. > > Based on my sense of Mr. Zimmerman's past statements over the years, I > would think he would be enthusiastic about more election opportunities. > "Power to the People!" > > David Finke > Central Neighborhood > ___ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
As Aide to Councilmember Lilligren, I have to wholeheartedly disagree with the position that "the eight ward in effect has no council member" it is false and in my opinion highly inflammatory. Everything that myself, and the councilmember does is related to the improvement and betterment of the eight ward. I will not comment on the proposed HF67, or what other councilmembers may be doing , but we represent the eight ward (ONLY). Andrea Jenkins 8th Ward Policy Aide City Council-Minneapolis (612)673-2208 -Original Message- From: Lisa McDonald [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 5:44 PM To: Greg Abbott; Michelle Mensing Cc: forum issues Subject: Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again Good luck getting a charter amendment through. The Charter Commission can't even agree with the Council on housekeeping changes. There are several council members that want this to go away. But whether or not this occurs legislatively there could be a legal challenge which would be sent directly to federal court because of voting laws. I believe the wards have changed substantially. The eighth ward in effect has no council member (no offense Robert I think you're doing a good job!). Plus we have a huge influx of minority voters. People have a right to have a say in who governs them. One person, one vote. Lisa McDonald East Harriet - Original Message - From: Greg Abbott Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 4:58 PM To: Michelle Mensing Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again On Tuesday, January 14, 2003, at 09:54 AM, Michelle Mensing wrote: > I suggest that the legislators address this issue in 2005 to remedy > the situation for the 2010 census and redistricting. > > Michelle Mensing > Armatage A couple of points: 1. This is a problem that will crop up every 20 years - every other decade. There is a general city election scheduled for 2013, immediate after redistricting occurs in 2012. Hence, there is no problem to fix after the 2010 census. However, there is no city election scheduled between 2021 and 2025, and the problem will reoccur after the 2020 census. 2. We can fix this ourselves with a charter amendment without going to the legislature. Every other decade we simply need to divide in half the four-year term starting in a year ending in a "1." Simply amend the charter to say that council elections in a year ending in "1" are for a two-year term, and that council elections occurring in a year ending in "3" which are produced because of a previous council election in a year ending in "1" are also for two-years. Meaning that council elections held in years ending in "5" would revert to the full four years. Thus, the sequence of elections would be (or would have been) as follows: 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2025, 2029, etc. The sequence of terms would be 2-2-4-4-4-4, 2-2-4-4-4-4, etc., every 20 years. Greg Abbott Sent from the computer of: Greg Abbott [EMAIL PROTECTED] Linden Hills 13th Ward(612) 925-0630 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
Just want to clarify and set straight a part of this post. As someone who was involved in working with the Charter Commission on setting up redistricting language, the issue of running in two years did come up and was discussed on the Council. Council members don't like to run every two years, especially DFL'ers, it's more work. That's why the DFL team got a legal opinion from the Attorney's office and decided not to go with an election next year. Entirely self-preservation. Lisa McDonald East Harriet - Original Message - From: Dean Zimmermann Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 11:21 AM To: Steve Sumner; Mpls@Mnforum. Org Subject: Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again Dear Steve, I am not, repeat not, opposed to the excellent democratic principle of"one person, one vote." I am opposed to the partisan nature of the timing ofRep. Kahn's legislation and the additional cost our city will have to bearby holding special elections (which no one commented on). I also believethat if Rep. Kahn was so concerned about a few hundred Minneapolis citizensbeing represented by someone for whom they did not vote for, that thislegislation would have been enacted either prior to the 2000 census or atthe least prior to the 2001 municipal elections. Doesn't anyone else find it odd that Mpls. DFL leaders were complacentlysilent on this election law snag until two Greens were elected to theMinneapolis City Council? (The Green Party-United States opened an office inWashington, D.C. in 2001 for the first time. There are over 300 Greens inpublic office across the U.S -- admittedly a drop in the bucket in terms ofthe 1,000's of public offices in the U.S. The Duluth, MN City Council hashad a Green Council Member for the past 3 years and will likely add a secondGreen in 2004. Phenomena that has not escaped the notice of people in otherpolitical parties, both locally and nationally.) Not to mention waiting until the highly partisan city RedistrictingCommission made it apparent that the city DFL was out to hog-tie the newlyelected Green "insurgents" with their new ward boundary lines. [Yes, yes, Iknow, some might point out that it was DFL'er Rick Stafford who, on themorning of Friday, April 12th (the date the commission held its last meetingand voted to pass the new redistricting plan) put forth a motion, with awink and conspiratorial smile, to redraw the Ward 6 boundary line to putDean Zimmermann back into the 6th Ward from which the commission members hadousted him. Which motion was voted down, just as I suspect Mr. Stafford knewit would. Does no one find it odd that this is the same Mr. Stafford whoserved as campaign manager for the DFL loser in the race for the 6th Wardcouncil seat? The same Mr. Stafford who, right after leaving the adjournedRedistricting Commission meeting on 4/12/02, was overheard to say: "Now Igot that Dean Zimmermann good!"] Folks, is THIS what democracy looks like?Is this what is meant by creating a more level, more fair playing field sothat all comers can seek public office? Is this what our forefathers andmothers had in mind when they set up our representative democracy? After several years' of intense involvement in Minneapolis politics,this involvement coming after years of being a community activist, I nolonger wonder why over 41% of eligible voters do not exercise their votingfranchise, nor why the average voter is distrustful of public officials. Iunderstand clearly now that there are people within the political arena,often referred to as "players," who consider politics to be a sport or agame. They especially like to play 'Cutthroat Poker.' They dare to trifleshamelessly with your rights and mine, with the very fabric of ourcommonwealth. What they are about and how they go about it has norelationship to even a minimal concept of fairness -- which, of course, asfar as political players are concerned, is not the point. I truly wonder howsuch people sleep at night. Perhaps they don't.Jenny HeiserMinneapolis/East Phillips___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mplsGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
Good luck getting a charter amendment through. The Charter Commission can't even agree with the Council on housekeeping changes. There are several council members that want this to go away. But whether or not this occurs legislatively there could be a legal challenge which would be sent directly to federal court because of voting laws. I believe the wards have changed substantially. The eighth ward in effect has no council member (no offense Robert I think you're doing a good job!). Plus we have a huge influx of minority voters. People have a right to have a say in who governs them. One person, one vote. Lisa McDonald East Harriet - Original Message - From: Greg Abbott Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 4:58 PM To: Michelle Mensing Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again On Tuesday, January 14, 2003, at 09:54 AM, Michelle Mensing wrote:> I suggest that the legislators address this issue in 2005 to remedy> the situation for the 2010 census and redistricting.>> Michelle Mensing> ArmatageA couple of points:1. This is a problem that will crop up every 20 years - every other decade. There is a general city election scheduled for 2013, immediate after redistricting occurs in 2012. Hence, there is no problem to fix after the 2010 census. However, there is no city election scheduled between 2021 and 2025, and the problem will reoccur after the 2020 census.2. We can fix this ourselves with a charter amendment without going to the legislature. Every other decade we simply need to divide in half the four-year term starting in a year ending in a "1." Simply amend the charter to say that council elections in a year ending in "1" are for a two-year term, and that council elections occurring in a year ending in "3" which are produced because of a previous council election in a year ending in "1" are also for two-years. Meaning that council elections held in years ending in "5" would revert to the full four years.Thus, the sequence of elections would be (or would have been) as follows:2001, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2025, 2029, etc.The sequence of terms would be 2-2-4-4-4-4, 2-2-4-4-4-4, etc., every 20 years.Greg AbbottSent from the computer of:Greg Abbott [EMAIL PROTECTED]Linden Hills13th Ward (612) 925-0630___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mplsGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
On Tuesday, January 14, 2003, at 09:54 AM, Michelle Mensing wrote: I suggest that the legislators address this issue in 2005 to remedy the situation for the 2010 census and redistricting. Michelle Mensing Armatage A couple of points: 1. This is a problem that will crop up every 20 years - every other decade. There is a general city election scheduled for 2013, immediate after redistricting occurs in 2012. Hence, there is no problem to fix after the 2010 census. However, there is no city election scheduled between 2021 and 2025, and the problem will reoccur after the 2020 census. 2. We can fix this ourselves with a charter amendment without going to the legislature. Every other decade we simply need to divide in half the four-year term starting in a year ending in a "1." Simply amend the charter to say that council elections in a year ending in "1" are for a two-year term, and that council elections occurring in a year ending in "3" which are produced because of a previous council election in a year ending in "1" are also for two-years. Meaning that council elections held in years ending in "5" would revert to the full four years. Thus, the sequence of elections would be (or would have been) as follows: 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2025, 2029, etc. The sequence of terms would be 2-2-4-4-4-4, 2-2-4-4-4-4, etc., every 20 years. Greg Abbott Sent from the computer of: Greg Abbott [EMAIL PROTECTED] Linden Hills 13th Ward(612) 925-0630 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
David Finke brings up an interesting point below. While I do agree with Jenny Heiser on the poor timing of this legislation, it shouldn't automatically put Greens on the defensive. One could approach this 'extra' election as an opportunity to pick up even more support in the city? The 2001 race was mighty close in Ward 2 if I remember correctly. Conor Donnelly Waiteprk David Finke wrote: > Based on my sense of Mr. Zimmerman's past statements over the years, I > would think he would be enthusiastic about more election opportunities. > "Power to the People!" > > David Finke > Central Neighborhood ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
Quoting Dean Zimmermann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Does no one find it odd that this is the same Mr. Stafford who > served as campaign manager for the DFL loser in the race for the 6th Ward > council seat? The same Mr. Stafford who, right after leaving the adjourned > Redistricting Commission meeting on 4/12/02, was overheard to say: "Now I > got that Dean Zimmermann good!"] As I recall, this was the same Rick Stafford who, out of friendship, agreed to allow Mr. Zimmerman to speak at the 6th Ward DFL Convention to give a farewell speech even though he had left the DFL Party and was running against whoever would be endorsed. The agreement was that Mr. Zimmerman would not turn it into a campaign event. And this was the same Mr. Zimmerman who then launched into a Green Party campaign speech and floor demonstration, proceeding to further disrupt that convention by parading with tape over his mouth when the delegates to that DFL event objected. Based on my sense of Mr. Zimmerman's past statements over the years, I would think he would be enthusiastic about more election opportunities. "Power to the People!" David Finke Central Neighborhood ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
Just a quick weigh in on this one: I think I would like to see our city council elections happen every two years. (using IRV to streamline and improve voter voice, of course) However, I think this should be left up to each city to determine for itself. If St. Paul wants to have their elections every 10 years and Brainard wants to have theirs every six months, let them. I'd like to see the MPLS city council enact this, and I'd like to see the state one dropped. (And yes, due to time, budget, and consitency concerns, I think it should start at the next scheduled election cycle rather than doing it during the middle of the current term) - Jason Goray, Sheridan NE __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
I don't think you can blame the Greens for playing a "safe" defense here considering the supporters of Cherryhomes are the ones pushing this issue. However, I don't think they have anything to fear in that race (Jackie is damaged goods). I would think that they should worry about the other parts of the city. As far as the failure of the DFL leaders to see this problem before it crops upwell there are alot more things to say they have failed at and this is minor in comparison. Crying about the redistricting "hog tie" isn't going to do any good. It's true it happen, but take it from a Republican who knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of the "hog tie"... figure out how to change it (other words make lemonade). Steve Sumner ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
Hello Rep Kahn and Mpls Folks: I have great respect for Representative Kahn and admire her work and advocacy on many important issues. I have to disagree with her desire to introduce a bill to have new elections next year and agree with Michelle and Jennifer. Representative Kahn should have addressed this issue before the 2001 census and election. I have a hard time understanding the motivation behind this legislation. Did Representative Kahn or other legislators raise this issue prior to the census? Ken Bradley Corcoran Neighborhood Michelle Mensing <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I strongly agree with Jennifer Heiser's statements, and I'm not married to aCity Council Member. The only point I would add is that the legislature hascertainly known about this situation well in advance of the redistricting.If they felt it was anti-democratic, then they should have had the forsightto deal with it before the 2001 elections. We elected our Council Membersfor 4 year terms and the voters' decisions should be honored for the full 4years. I suggest that the legislators address this issue in 2005 to remedythe situation for the 2010 census and redistricting.Michelle MensingArmatage___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mplsDo you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
My apologies to both the Issues list and to Dean Zimmermann. I forgot to post this message from my account. Jenny Heiser Minneapolis/East Phillips - Original Message - From: "Dean Zimmermann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Steve Sumner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Mpls@Mnforum. Org" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 11:16 AM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again > Dear Steve, > > I am not, repeat not, opposed to the excellent democratic principle of > "one person, one vote." I am opposed to the partisan nature of the timing of ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
Dear Steve, I am not, repeat not, opposed to the excellent democratic principle of "one person, one vote." I am opposed to the partisan nature of the timing of Rep. Kahn's legislation and the additional cost our city will have to bear by holding special elections (which no one commented on). I also believe that if Rep. Kahn was so concerned about a few hundred Minneapolis citizens being represented by someone for whom they did not vote for, that this legislation would have been enacted either prior to the 2000 census or at the least prior to the 2001 municipal elections. Doesn't anyone else find it odd that Mpls. DFL leaders were complacently silent on this election law snag until two Greens were elected to the Minneapolis City Council? (The Green Party-United States opened an office in Washington, D.C. in 2001 for the first time. There are over 300 Greens in public office across the U.S -- admittedly a drop in the bucket in terms of the 1,000's of public offices in the U.S. The Duluth, MN City Council has had a Green Council Member for the past 3 years and will likely add a second Green in 2004. Phenomena that has not escaped the notice of people in other political parties, both locally and nationally.) Not to mention waiting until the highly partisan city Redistricting Commission made it apparent that the city DFL was out to hog-tie the newly elected Green "insurgents" with their new ward boundary lines. [Yes, yes, I know, some might point out that it was DFL'er Rick Stafford who, on the morning of Friday, April 12th (the date the commission held its last meeting and voted to pass the new redistricting plan) put forth a motion, with a wink and conspiratorial smile, to redraw the Ward 6 boundary line to put Dean Zimmermann back into the 6th Ward from which the commission members had ousted him. Which motion was voted down, just as I suspect Mr. Stafford knew it would. Does no one find it odd that this is the same Mr. Stafford who served as campaign manager for the DFL loser in the race for the 6th Ward council seat? The same Mr. Stafford who, right after leaving the adjourned Redistricting Commission meeting on 4/12/02, was overheard to say: "Now I got that Dean Zimmermann good!"] Folks, is THIS what democracy looks like? Is this what is meant by creating a more level, more fair playing field so that all comers can seek public office? Is this what our forefathers and mothers had in mind when they set up our representative democracy? After several years' of intense involvement in Minneapolis politics, this involvement coming after years of being a community activist, I no longer wonder why over 41% of eligible voters do not exercise their voting franchise, nor why the average voter is distrustful of public officials. I understand clearly now that there are people within the political arena, often referred to as "players," who consider politics to be a sport or a game. They especially like to play 'Cutthroat Poker.' They dare to trifle shamelessly with your rights and mine, with the very fabric of our commonwealth. What they are about and how they go about it has no relationship to even a minimal concept of fairness -- which, of course, as far as political players are concerned, is not the point. I truly wonder how such people sleep at night. Perhaps they don't. Jenny Heiser Minneapolis/East Phillips ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
I strongly agree with Jennifer Heiser's statements, and I'm not married to a City Council Member. The only point I would add is that the legislature has certainly known about this situation well in advance of the redistricting. If they felt it was anti-democratic, then they should have had the forsight to deal with it before the 2001 elections. We elected our Council Members for 4 year terms and the voters' decisions should be honored for the full 4 years. I suggest that the legislators address this issue in 2005 to remedy the situation for the 2010 census and redistricting. Michelle Mensing Armatage ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Rep Kahn introduce HF 67 leds to City Council members to run again
Fellow Minneapolitans: [In the interest of full disclosure, my husband is Minneapolis City Council Member/Ward 6 Dean Zimmermann, a Green Party of MN member.] While this bill looks like "good" democracy on the surface, it is clearly aimed at stultifying grassroots democracy gains in Minneapolis by a political party other than state Rep. Kahn's. Thus Kahn's introduction of this legislation in the MN House, once again, and Linda Higgins' sponsorship in the Senate, is disingenuous in the least and down right antagonistic to true grassroots politics in reality. It is mean-spirited; likely to fail in getting out of whichever Senate committee it is sent to, just as it failed last year. Do not be hoodwinked into thinking that this particular piece of legislation represents "good" democracy. If the enactment date for this legislation was timed to the next municipal election cycle I could be persuaded to believe that Rep. Kahn had only the best of intentions for the citizens of Minneapolis, our local commonweal. But it is not. What Rep. Kahn and Sen. Higgins in essence wish to accomplish is an overturning of the 2001 municipal election results with an election mandated to take place this year, 2003. Not only is this legislation patently partisan, but it will cost our fair city a great deal of money to run a special election this year -- at a time when our city is strapped for money to cover even its basic needs. I have left a voicmail message with Suzanne Griffin, Director of Elections for Minneapolis, requesting a dollar figure on what such a special election would cost. As soon as I hear from Ms. Griffin I will share this information. It is a given that there will be some in the MN House with a lot of time on their hands. I suppose we might as well brace ourselves for more mischief such as this for the next two years . . . perhaps even longer. Is it any wonder why other legislators from around the state snicker at the political goings-on in Minneapolis? This sort of legislation, harassing and decidedly partisan, is exactly what gives Minneapolis a black eye in the state legislature and predisposes suburban and greater MN legislators to discount other Minneapolis-related legislation. Jenny Heiser Minneapolis/East Phillips Green Party of MN member/activist ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
