The real issues Was:Minneapolis result
First the background: > > Don Jorovsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: (Edited for brevity by Erik Riese) > >Let's talk about the election results in the city, > >Gore-Lieberman 115,566 or 67%; Bush-Cheney 38,865 or 22.5%, Nader-LaDuke 18,180 or >10.5%. > > > >What does this mean in terms of what Minneapolitans want? There are many > possible interpretations, but I'll start with a controversial one just to > get the ball rolling (and to get people yelling at me): Nader was > overplayed. . . . reading this list, one could get the impression > that Nader was the number one choice in Mpls, but his 10.5 percent showing > was in the end very weak, as voters came to their senses and exercised good > judgment. > --end of Don Jorovsky post-- Ken Bearman then wrote: = > [KB] This is short-sighted, condescending, and misses many points that the > DFL would like ignored. There are significant groups of citizens who are > hungry for candidates (and parties) who represent their views. But the way > we elect our council members and other office holders conveniently shuts a > lot of citizens out of representation in the governing process. > > 10.5% of the votes represents more than a full Council seat. If we > Minneapolitans could vote for Council in a proportional representation > election, Greens all over the city could demonstrate whether they're "weak". > So could IP supporters or Libertarians ... or even Republicans! Or do > those 22.5% represent another "weak" showing who deserve only scorn but > nobody in the governing? > > The DFL routinely gets 67% of the votes citywide. Currently 12 of the 13 > council members are DFLers ... 92.3%. This kind of unrepresentativeness > needs to be corrected. Finally Erik Riese snatched up his keyboard and said: I was predicting a Nader/LaDuke win in Minneapolis, but then again I also predicted a 51-11 Viking victory on Monday. I guess I'm no Morgan Mundane. Despite my poor prognostication skills, I'm certain that the issues raised by the Nader/LaDuke ticket are important aspects of political discourse that deserve serious consideration, not derision and realpolitking. I don't vote to say "I voted for the winner." I vote as an inherent duty of citizenship to support the views and opinions expressed, to select the person(s) I would most want to see in the office in question. If no candidate fits the bill, I leave the ballot blank. Yesterday, I voted a blank ballot in many elections because I wasn't inspired by the candidates or I didn't know the candidates. A local election next year will no doubt bring us 10, 11, or 12 DFLers on the City Council. Is this right. Must US democracy be so bi-polar? Despite our status as the "cradle of democracy" we are now an ossified, crotchety old fart who can't or won't keep pace with the times. There are democracies allowing proportional representation whose electoral systems are much more attentive to views of the people. An active polity is crucial to the sustainability of the republic and denigrating people in the minority whose views can not even find a seat at the debate does not engender interest in political activism. In Germany a 5% showing at the polls in a national election results in seats in the Bundestag (sp?)! In the US you can poll 200,000 more votes than your opponent and still be in danger of losing! What is wrong with this picture? A candidate like list member Steven Anderson can run a solid, upstanding campaign, poll 21% and walk away with nothing to show for it but a lighter wallet. Last spring, proportional representation advocate Tony Solgard, running for DFL endorsement in the Senate district 62 convention gave a speech that was head and shoulders above his five opponents in terms of inspirational content, call to direct action, and pure wit and wisdom. He polled 20 some votes out of over 1,000 conventioneers. What happens to brave people like this who put themselves before the public are are rejected? How many intelligent souls have we lost from community life due to our antiquated system? Can we rely on those currently benefiting from the status quo to propose meaningful change? I can answer this last question. No. We need to praise and celebrate these people. I was truly inspired by Mark Dayton who closed the final major party Senate debate on Sunday night saying "Your opponent is not your enemy, but your friend who makes you better through challenge." This is the spirit we simply must engender in our political leaders. After the election, we have to go back to work and work with our opponents. So, now the Citywide elections can start, right? Who had that great list of candidates and potential candidates? Let's get this show on the road! -- In cooperation, Erik Riese Seward 9-1 and ready for real representative democracy and not this winner take all crap - er, pardon me - stuff! ~~ mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~
Re: McDonald Mayoral link - third time a charm?
I give up! Another broken link! Go to Startribune.com, Metro section, and click on the left-hand menu to open up Metro/Region news stories. The McDonald story is in the list. David Brauer Annoyed List Manager, Mpls-issues - Original Message - From: "List Manager" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 11:32 PM Subject: McDonald Mayoral link - redo > Sorry that last link went dark. Try this one: > > http://www.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=82896700 > > David Brauer > List Manager, Mpls-issues > >
McDonald Mayoral link - redo
Sorry that last link went dark. Try this one: http://www.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=82896700 David Brauer List Manager, Mpls-issues
Library referendum
Hi all. I'm usually a lurker, but I was moved very much by something I heard today. Colin Hamilton, of the Friends of the Library was on the radio talking about the referendum, and about how nice it would be to make the new library more comfortable and friendly, particularly the Children's Room. I don't remember the first time I went to the downtown library. >From the time I could read, my mom often took my brother and me on the No. 4 bus from our home in south Minneapolis. I haven't taken the bus to the library in at least 15 years, but I still can feel the anticipation of the walk, off the bus, under the portico, through the lobby, up the escalator, down that wonderful hallway decorated with murals of storybook figures to the Children's Room. I suppose the paint was kind of stark and the furniture was dull, but that little room was the best place in the world. It was there I discovered "Mike and His Steam Engine,'' "Henry Huggins," "The Wizard of Oz," all of the "Little House" books, "Betsy and Tacy," and so, so many more. Over the years, we were allowed to take the bus ourselves (my dad worked at FDA, a block away), and my best friend Monica and I would lug our bookbags to the bus stop, pay our quarter and spend a whole day lost in beautiful books. I appreciated all of the discussion of the referendum, but it still didn't occur to me that a new central library would mean the demolition of that beloved place. My kid is too young to get much out of a library. At this stage, he literally devours his books. All I hope is that when he gets a little older we'll be able to take the No. 4 bus downtown and he'll experience the best place in the world too. Maria Baca Lyndale
Finally! Someone jumps in to the mayor's race...
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --=_NextPart_000_0007_01C049DA.2497CC00 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable ..are you surprised it's Lisa McDonald? Patiently waiting until the end = of the 2000 election cycle (everywhere but in Florida), she leaps! Check = it out at: http://www.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=3D82896700 David Brauer List manager, Mpls-issues --=_NextPart_000_0007_01C049DA.2497CC00 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable ...are you surprised it's Lisa = McDonald? Patiently=20 waiting until the end of the 2000 election cycle (everywhere but in = Florida),=20 she leaps! Check it out at: http://www.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=3D8= 2896700">http://www.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=3D= 82896700 David Brauer List manager,=20 Mpls-issues --=_NextPart_000_0007_01C049DA.2497CC00--
Re: City Budget Hearings
In a message dated 11/8/2000 5:08:16 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << FYI -- I am told that the budget hearings will *not* be on cable TV. >> What is the reasoning here? This seems like just the kind of Council hearings that should be on cable TV, given that they directly influence our public services, tax revenues and city expenditures. Why aren't the city budget hearings being televised??? M. Hohmann 13th Ward
Re: Church and State?
--part1_47.3362368.273b6ee9_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I surely hope they were not giving the Augustana folks any cigarettes. Bob Gustafson 13th --part1_47.3362368.273b6ee9_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I surely hope they were not giving the Augustana folks any cigarettes. Bob Gustafson 13th --part1_47.3362368.273b6ee9_boundary--
Church and State?
Hey, In light of all the questionable results coming in from Florida, I think we may want to look into some odd polling places right here in Minneapolis. A friend who lives in Elliot Park was sent to vote at the Bethel Bible College at 14th and Chicago. Does this strike anyone else as awfully strange? He said the room full of scripture-reading students (one quoted as saying "I'm voting Republican because Democrats vote for Jews") was intimidating, and it was unclear who exactly was helping some of the seniors from the Augustana home next door in filling out their ballots, but whoever it was, election judge or volunteer, was wearing Bush/Cheney buttons (whatever happened to 'no electioneering beyond this point?'). I find it very hard to believe that there aren't any neutral community center type sites in this neighborhood since I work nearby at MAP and see the options; hell, Augustana would make more sense. I'm telling this friend to complain to the Secretary of State's office; anyone else have ideas? Thanks, Caroline Palmer Kingfield
Re: Minneapolis results
Don Jorovsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >Let's talk about the election results in the city, now that the tallies are all in. If we add them up, we see that the Gore-Lieberman ticket received 115,566 votes for a total of 67 percent; Bush-Cheney received 38,865 for 22.5 percent, and Nader-LaDuke received 18,180 for 10.5 percent. > >What does this mean in terms of what Minneapolitans want? There are many possible interpretations, but I'll start with a controversial one just to get the ball rolling (and to get people yelling at me): Nader was overplayed. Very often when reading this list, one could get the impression that Nader was the number one choice in Mpls, but his 10.5 percent showing was in the end very weak, as voters came to their senses and exercised good judgment. = [KB] This is short-sighted, condescending, and misses many points that the DFL would like ignored. There are significant groups of citizens who are hungry for candidates (and parties) who represent their views. But the way we elect our council members and other office holders conveniently shuts a lot of citizens out of representation in the governing process. 10.5% of the votes represents more than a full Council seat. If we Minneapolitans could vote for Council in a proportional representation election, Greens all over the city could demonstrate whether they're "weak". So could IP supporters or Libertarians ... or even Republicans! Or do those 22.5% represent another "weak" showing who deserve only scorn but nobody in the governing? The DFL routinely gets 67% of the votes citywide. Currently 12 of the 13 council members are DFLers ... 92.3%. This kind of unrepresentativeness needs to be corrected. -- Ken Bearman, King Field 11-1, 60B, HC 3, CD5
City Budget Hearings
FYI -- I am told that the budget hearings will *not* be on cable TV. Barret W. S. Lane City of Minneapolis Council Member -- Ward 13 Minority Leader 307 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55415-1383 Voice: (612) 673-2213 Fax: (612) 673-3940 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Minneapolis results
Don Jorovsky wrote: > Let's talk about the election results in the city, now that the tallies are all in. > If we add them up, we see that the Gore-Lieberman ticket received 115,566 votes for >a total of 67 percent; Bush-Cheney received 38,865 for 22.5 percent, and Nader-LaDuke >received 18,180 for 10.5 percent. > > What does this mean in terms of what Minneapolitans want? There are many possible >interpretations, but I'll start with a controversial one just to get the ball rolling >(and to get people yelling at me): Nader was overplayed. Very often when reading >this list, one could get the impression that Nader was the number one choice in Mpls, >but his 10.5 percent showing was in the end very weak, as voters came to their senses >and exercised good judgment. > I definitely disagree. Given the fear about Bush winning and the heavy pressure and propoganda from establishment liberals against voting for Nader, the returns in Minneapolis and statewide were very strong showings for a minor party with no funding for advertisements. jordan kushner powederhorn > > Don Jorovsky > former 25 year resident of Mpls, > former member Mpls Charter Commission
Re: Minneapolis results
Oh, we've had so much going back and forth on Nader and Gorebut what I find more interesting is the School and Library funding referendums passed. I heard that Wally Swan had opposed the Library referendum--but have not heard why. Can anyone on this list fill me in on that one. Eva Eva Young Mpls., MN At 04:01 PM 11/8/00 -0600, Don Jorovsky wrote: >Let's talk about the election results in the city, now that the tallies are all in. >If we add them up, we see that the Gore-Lieberman ticket received 115,566 votes for a total of 67 percent; Bush-Cheney received 38,865 for 22.5 percent, and Nader-LaDuke received 18,180 for 10.5 percent. > >What does this mean in terms of what Minneapolitans want? There are many possible interpretations, but I'll start with a controversial one just to get the ball rolling (and to get people yelling at me): Nader was overplayed. Very often when reading this list, one could get the impression that Nader was the number one choice in Mpls, but his 10.5 percent showing was in the end very weak, as voters came to their senses and exercised good judgment. > >Don Jorovsky >former 25 year resident of Mpls, >former member Mpls Charter Commission > > > >
Minneapolis turnout
Wow! Totally surreal! Calling for the resignation of a statewide official over this. I don't recall any harsh words spoken about Joan Growe when the unexpected hordes of Jesse voters used up all the ballots and had to wait for more to be printed. Do you have some sort of grudge against Mary Kiffmeyer? Did anyone else have a hand in the selection of the number and type of voting machines and the quantity of associated ballots? Someone like the Minneapolis City Elections office? Or their counterpart at Hennepin County? While we're being surreal, we might as well ask Phyllis to resign. She actually lost a Minneapolis precinct to a Republican. When was the last time that happened in Minneapolis? Rich Chandler - Ward 9 > -Original Message- > From: Russell Wayne Peterson > I think that this and the style of our ballots warrants a new Secretary of > State for the State of Minnesota. I think part of the long lines is due > in part to the extra time it takes to fill in those stupid ovals in just > the right way. This of course discourages voting which is generally an > advantage to our conservative friends. > > I still believe the connecting the arrow was much faster. And it wasn't > as hard as filling in the oval with those who have arthritis or are > disabled and have a hard time with fine motor skills. This might not seem > like much relative to the disaster in Florida, but I think we need to > start demanding better balloting and more intelligent and creative > methods. > > Russ Peterson - Ward 9 > > -Original Message- > From: Phyllis Kahn > In District 59, at least 4-5 precincts ran out of ballots. There were > long lines of people kept waiting for more than an hour (in some cases) > with some leaving. In addition one precinct had a broken ballot reader and > everything stopped until that was replaced. The results with a 91% > turnout (of registered voters, not eligible voters) obviously wouldn't > have changed, but this is a disgraceful situation and someone's head > should role. The expense of printing more ballots than anticipated should > be a necessary cost of democracy. Anyone know who makes these number > decisions and were there any other places with this problem? > > Phyllis Kahn - State Rep 59B - Ward 5
Minneapolis results
Let's talk about the election results in the city, now that the tallies are all in. If we add them up, we see that the Gore-Lieberman ticket received 115,566 votes for a total of 67 percent; Bush-Cheney received 38,865 for 22.5 percent, and Nader-LaDuke received 18,180 for 10.5 percent. What does this mean in terms of what Minneapolitans want? There are many possible interpretations, but I'll start with a controversial one just to get the ball rolling (and to get people yelling at me): Nader was overplayed. Very often when reading this list, one could get the impression that Nader was the number one choice in Mpls, but his 10.5 percent showing was in the end very weak, as voters came to their senses and exercised good judgment. Don Jorovsky former 25 year resident of Mpls, former member Mpls Charter Commission
Re: turnout and ballot design
Privacy folder? Andy Driscoll -- "Whatever keeps you from your work is your work." Albert Camus The Driscoll Group/Communications Writing/Graphics/Strategic Development 835 Linwood Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105 651-293-9039 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > From: "Bruce Gaarder" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 14:52:56 -0600 > To: "Multiple recipients of list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: turnout and ballot design > > Russ Peterson complained about the ovals on the ballot. It must be a > Minneapolis thing, the ballot I filled out yesterday in Saint Paul still > had the arrows. > > Of course, the ballot was so tall that the ballot privacy folder didn't > shield all of the votes as you slid it into the machine. > > Bruce Gaarder > Highland Park Saint Paul > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
Re: turnout and ballot design
Russ Peterson complained about the ovals on the ballot. It must be a Minneapolis thing, the ballot I filled out yesterday in Saint Paul still had the arrows. Of course, the ballot was so tall that the ballot privacy folder didn't shield all of the votes as you slid it into the machine. Bruce Gaarder Highland Park Saint Paul [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [RE: Minneapolis turnout]
"Russell Wayne Peterson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I think that this and the style of our ballots warrants a new Secretary of State for the State of Minnesota. I think part of the long lines is due in part to the extra time it takes to fill in those stupid ovals in just the right way. This of course discourages voting which is generally an advantage to our conservative friends. I still believe the connecting the arrow was much faster. And it wasn't as hard as filling in the oval with those who have arthritis or are disabled and have a hard time with fine motor skills. This might not seem like much relative to the disaster in Florida, but I think we need to start demanding better balloting and more intelligent and creative methods. Russ Peterson Ward 9 Standish R U S S E L L P E T E R S O N D E S I G N "You can only fly if you stretch your wings." Russell W. Peterson, RA, CID Founder 3857 23rd Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-724-2331 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Phyllis Kahn Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 11:05 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Minneapolis turnout In District 59, at least 4-5 precincts ran out of ballots. There were long lines of people kept waiting for more than an hour (in some cases) with some leaving. In addition one precinct had a broken ballot reader and everything stopped until that was replaced. The results with a 91% turnout (of registered voters, not eligible voters) obviously wouldn't have changed, but this is a disgraceful situation and someone's head should role. The expense of printing more ballots than anticipated should be a necessary cost of democracy. Anyone know who makes these number decisions and were there any other places with this problem? Phyllis Kahn State Rep 59B Ward 5 Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://home.netscape.com/webmail
RE: Minneapolis turnout
I think that this and the style of our ballots warrants a new Secretary of State for the State of Minnesota. I think part of the long lines is due in part to the extra time it takes to fill in those stupid ovals in just the right way. This of course discourages voting which is generally an advantage to our conservative friends. I still believe the connecting the arrow was much faster. And it wasn't as hard as filling in the oval with those who have arthritis or are disabled and have a hard time with fine motor skills. This might not seem like much relative to the disaster in Florida, but I think we need to start demanding better balloting and more intelligent and creative methods. Russ Peterson Ward 9 Standish R U S S E L L P E T E R S O N D E S I G N "You can only fly if you stretch your wings." Russell W. Peterson, RA, CID Founder 3857 23rd Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-724-2331 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Phyllis Kahn Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 11:05 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Minneapolis turnout In District 59, at least 4-5 precincts ran out of ballots. There were long lines of people kept waiting for more than an hour (in some cases) with some leaving. In addition one precinct had a broken ballot reader and everything stopped until that was replaced. The results with a 91% turnout (of registered voters, not eligible voters) obviously wouldn't have changed, but this is a disgraceful situation and someone's head should role. The expense of printing more ballots than anticipated should be a necessary cost of democracy. Anyone know who makes these number decisions and were there any other places with this problem? Phyllis Kahn State Rep 59B Ward 5
vouchers
I still think voucher discussion is irrelevant hereHELP, DAVIDbut as long as people want to continue, perhaps assuming it will be coming down on Minneapolis soon, heres some stuff. I am the first to characterize the majority of voucher advocates with a level invective that is not permissible on this list. Bad, bad people, willing to sacrifice a lot of kids just to knee-cap teachers unions. Many of the opponents, Ms. Johnson included, do not do themselves proud in opposition, however. Her citing of Molinar (actually its Molnar) as a source opposing vouchers ought at least to include an ID as one of the most ferocious left-wing critics of educational criticism. (His last book, Giving Kids the Business: The Commercialization of America's Schools, is helpful but a bit hysterical.) The research on vouchers is ALL advocacy research. Period. More important, voucher opponents always talk about protecting public schools but say almost nothing about the kids who attend them and are not getting much of what they deserve...no matter how hard nor wisely the good folks in the Minneapolis schools and on the school board work. To argue as Ms. Johnson does, that: <> is reasonable political rhetoric but hardly beyond dispute. I know of wonderful educators in the private sector elsewhere in the U.S. who would love to work with kids who are slipping through the gaping holes in public school systems. No one is offering them the chance. Its hard to look negatively on vouchers in that context. As long as people defend public schools but ignore the kids those schools fail, the voucher vultures will have lots of fertile territory...and, unfortunately, some moral legitimacy. Dennis Schapiro Linden Hills
Re: Meadowbrook dialogue
Carol Becker wrote: > Meadowbrook Golf > Course is 3 miles outside of our city limits and benefits almost no > Minneapolis residents. > Is there data to support this contention? Catherine Shreves 13th Ward
Vouchers
Not knowing the outcome of the Presidential race, I feel that vouchers loom on the horizen as a big educational debate. I am opposed to the idea of vouchers. I believe them to be unconstitutional. Whenever publically raised money flows into private hands, it crosses a line because there is no direct accountability to the public. (Charter schools get the state formula funding as do the public school students. Charter schools are considered to be public for the sake of the argument, although there is always room for more discourse in this area.) The public schools are subject to many state and federal mandates, although they are not funded for much of this, especially at the federal level. We are required, as we should do, to provide services for children with special needs whether they are learning disabled, emotional or physically challenged. Parochial and private schools do not have to do this, and if a student does not fit in to their educational methods, they are asked to leave. Charters are suppose to be regulation free, but they are not, they too, are subject to the same mandates as public schools; but if a child can not stay in a charter, they come back to the public schools. We take everyone, we do not discriminate. Many private and parochial institutions do not want to accept vouchers because they do not want any governmental control over their internal affairs and decisions. To take public money is to accept the regulations of the federal and/or state government. I can almost guarantee that attorneys will get rich on this constitutional challenge alone! When we take money from public schools where there is a body that is held accountable through elections, and send it to private and religious schools, we are, in essence, support the teaching of that particular religion. Students attending parochial schools are required to take religious classes. That truly crosses the line between the separation of church and state. Many private schools are operated by religious entities, and they too require religious training commiserate with those beliefs. Constitutional questions aside, the research that is now available shows a number of trends. In a commentary entitled Voucher & Class Size, by Alex Molinar and Charles Achilles that appeared in the Oct. 25th edition of Education Week, they state that the research supporting vouchers recently touted in the New York Times, comes "from the privately funded voucher programs, such as those in Dayton, New York and Washington." These 2 scholars also call into play how these studies were done. I am not a statistian, but the methodology used to reach certain conclusions looks like it is vague at best. The authors called attention to another report issued by Mathematica, a private research firm entitled "Vouchers Claims of Success are Premature in New York City". I have not read this report yet. In response to the current research, Molinar and Achilles say "The literature on vouchers and academic achievement adds up to an inconsistent gaggle of results that do not offer intelligible guidance to either parents or policymakers." In light of all the research, that includes the recently RAND study as well as the Tenn. STAR study, there is a much stronger argument to be made for small class sizes and early childhood preparedness than with merely providing vouchers for students to attend private or parochial schools. They conclude that many voucher supporters support their positions by stating that it has not been proven that vouchers harm the public schools. They contend that this is flawed reasoning; if policy makers are to use the current research to strenghthen public education, then research clearly shows that the current direction being taken here in Minneapolis is the correct direction we should be going, smaller classes, early childhood preparedness, attendance, teacher training and development, and strenghthening parent involvement. PS Thanks again for the support on the Better Schools Referendum! Audrey Johnson, MPS BOE 10th ward
List manager
I call your attention to page 9 of the November 2000 issue of Law & Politics which is graced by a photo of our leader, David Brauer, with Nellie Stone Johnson, a remarkable Minnesotan. Clark Griffith 7th Ward
Re: Candidate Questionnaire
timothy connolly wrote: > Hello Jordan: > > while the idea of a questionnaire has some merit, i > have some discomfort with this process. who are > various members of the minneapolis issues internet > discussion group for instance? All of the questions were posted on the disccussion group by myself and severals others, where you could have seen them if you read those messages. You could have also had input. > and who are these > anonymous members of the group to take it upon > themselves to, in effect, demand answers to your > questions?\ i do not understand the choice of the word "demand". Obviously, no one has the power to force any candidtates to answer any questions. The questionnaire is by nature voluntary. > > > i, for one, reserve the right to move at my own pace > and to address these issues in a thoughtful discussion > over the length of a campaign. if that does not meet > with your approval or the various unnamed members of > the list, so be it. the questionnaire was for candidtates; i did not know that you were running for office. if so, i am interested in which one? if you are not running for office, the questionnaire was not intended for you to answer, but you are of course welcome to do so. the same applies if you are running for city office. > > > my experience with politics as an independent observer > for many years makes me extreme leery of the sort of > process you propose. politics must stop being the sole > province of the political class. it is just the sort > of arrogance inherent in your notification that turns > me and so many others away from politics. is it any > wonder that so many citizens of this country feel > disenfranch- > ised and cynical? i have a completely opposite interpretation of the questionnarie, and do not at all understand how you arrive at your perception. The purpose of the questionnaire was to open up the process to those beyond the inner circles, and to let us independent communtiy members/activists find out details about where the candidates stand. I also of course would like to steer the issues to areas that i think are important, as would anyone presumably who is asking a question. we all have the right to ask questions. we might have a better shot at getting answers if they come from a group rather than any one of us individuals without any signficant political power. jordan kushner powderhorn ward 8 > > > sincerely, > > tim connolly > ward 7 > candidate for mayor > > > The following is a candidates questionnaire that was > > developed through > > the input of various members of the Minneapolis > > issues internet > > discussion group. A copy is being sent to all > > incumbents (who have not > > announced that they are not seeking reelection), and > > persons whose names > > have been put forward as possible candidates (if I > > have their email > > addresses. Please complete the questionnaire within > > the next two weeks > > and send your responses to the Minneapolis Issues > > discussion forum at > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > Jordan Kushner > > Powderhorn > > > > P.S. I do not have email addresses for the > > following people who were > > named as prospective candidates: Cam Gordon, Tony > > Solgaard, Jim Graham, > > Michael Guest, Dan Nizolek, Scott Benson, Ken > > Bradley, Brian Hanninen, > > Cathy Teenbroeke, Dean Kallenback, Juan Linares, > > Bridget Reilly, Neil > > Ritchie, Doub Kress, Greg Abbot, Walter Gutzmer, > > David Piehl. > > > > Anyone who has any of these email addresses, please > > send them to me so > > that I can forward copies of the questionnaire. If > > there are any other > > prospective candidates, please send me their emails, > > so that I can > > forward the questionnaire. > > > > > > > -- > > > > MINNEAPOLIS 2001 CITY CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: > > > > > > Under what circumstances would you support any > > public funding for sports > > > > facilities intended primarily for the use of private > > professional teams? > > > > Under what circumstances would you support subsidies > > or special tax > > breaks for for-profit corporations engaged in > > commerical development? > > > > What is your position on domestic partner benefits > > for city employees? > > > > What, if any additional civilian oversight for the > > Minneapolis police > > department do you support? > > > > Do you have any proposals to address racial > > profiling and other racial > > disparities in police encounters with citizens? > > > > What support or criticism do express for current > > police department > > practices such as the following: > > - CODEFOR > > - SAFE program > > - Responses to political protests > > > > Do you believe that police department leaders should > > have a role in > > setting policy for the city government? If so, what > > do you believe > > should be the scope and extent of that role? > > > > Do you support the city's policy of
Fwd: Re: Candidate Questionnaire
--0-1365180540-973703963=:12749 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline Note: forwarded message attached. __ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one Place. http://shopping.yahoo.com/ --0-1365180540-973703963=:12749 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Received: from [207.225.128.223] by web3404.mail.yahoo.com; Wed, 08 Nov 2000 09:08:32 PST Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 09:08:32 -0800 (PST) From: timothy connolly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Candidate Questionnaire To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Length: 5784 Hello Jordan: while the idea of a questionnaire has some merit, i have some discomfort with this process. who are various members of the minneapolis issues internet discussion group for instance? and who are these anonymous members of the group to take it upon themselves to, in effect, demand answers to your questions?\ i, for one, reserve the right to move at my own pace and to address these issues in a thoughtful discussion over the length of a campaign. if that does not meet with your approval or the various unnamed members of the list, so be it. my experience with politics as an independent observer for many years makes me extreme leery of the sort of process you propose. politics must stop being the sole province of the political class. it is just the sort of arrogance inherent in your notification that turns me and so many others away from politics. is it any wonder that so many citizens of this country feel disenfranch- ised and cynical? sincerely, tim connolly ward 7 candidate for mayor --- "Jordan S. Kushner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > To Candidates and prospective Candidates for City > offices: > > The following is a candidates questionnaire that was > developed through > the input of various members of the Minneapolis > issues internet > discussion group. A copy is being sent to all > incumbents (who have not > announced that they are not seeking reelection), and > persons whose names > have been put forward as possible candidates (if I > have their email > addresses. Please complete the questionnaire within > the next two weeks > and send your responses to the Minneapolis Issues > discussion forum at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Jordan Kushner > Powderhorn > > P.S. I do not have email addresses for the > following people who were > named as prospective candidates: Cam Gordon, Tony > Solgaard, Jim Graham, > Michael Guest, Dan Nizolek, Scott Benson, Ken > Bradley, Brian Hanninen, > Cathy Teenbroeke, Dean Kallenback, Juan Linares, > Bridget Reilly, Neil > Ritchie, Doub Kress, Greg Abbot, Walter Gutzmer, > David Piehl. > > Anyone who has any of these email addresses, please > send them to me so > that I can forward copies of the questionnaire. If > there are any other > prospective candidates, please send me their emails, > so that I can > forward the questionnaire. > > > -- > > MINNEAPOLIS 2001 CITY CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: > > > Under what circumstances would you support any > public funding for sports > > facilities intended primarily for the use of private > professional teams? > > Under what circumstances would you support subsidies > or special tax > breaks for for-profit corporations engaged in > commerical development? > > What is your position on domestic partner benefits > for city employees? > > What, if any additional civilian oversight for the > Minneapolis police > department do you support? > > Do you have any proposals to address racial > profiling and other racial > disparities in police encounters with citizens? > > What support or criticism do express for current > police department > practices such as the following: > - CODEFOR > - SAFE program > - Responses to political protests > > Do you believe that police department leaders should > have a role in > setting policy for the city government? If so, what > do you believe > should be the scope and extent of that role? > > Do you support the city's policy of holding > landlords and their property > accountable for the criminal actions of tenants, > non-tenants and > passerby? What changes or enhancements to this > policy, if any, would > you support? > > How do you feel about the city's physical > appearance? > > Do you believe that there is any problem with the > amoung of trash and > graffiti on the streets? What solutions would you > propose? > > What initiatives would you propose to increase the > supply of affordable > housing? > > Do you support strenghtening the living wage > ordinance? If so, > describe. > > What solutions or initiatives would you propose to > improve the quality > of life in the most impoverished areas of the City? > > Do you believe that the City should be committed to > social > responsibility in determining its investmen
Re: Minneapolis turnout
In District 59, at least 4-5 precincts ran out of ballots. There were long lines of people kept waiting for more than an hour (in some cases) with some leaving. In addition one precinct had a broken ballot reader and everything stopped until that was replaced. The results with a 91% turnout (of registered voters, not eligible voters) obviously wouldn't have changed, but this is a disgraceful situation and someone's head should role. The expense of printing more ballots than anticipated should be a necessary cost of democracy. Anyone know who makes these number decisions and were there any other places with this problem? Phyllis Kahn State Rep 59B Ward 5
Re: Candidate Questionnaire
--- "Jordan S. Kushner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > To Candidates and prospective Candidates for City > offices: > > The following is a candidates questionnaire that was > developed through > the input of various members of the Minneapolis > issues internet > discussion group. A copy is being sent to all > incumbents (who have not > announced that they are not seeking reelection), and > persons whose names > have been put forward as possible candidates (if I > have their email > addresses. Please complete the questionnaire within > the next two weeks > and send your responses to the Minneapolis Issues > discussion forum at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Jordan Kushner > Powderhorn > > P.S. I do not have email addresses for the > following people who were > named as prospective candidates: Cam Gordon, Tony > Solgaard, Jim Graham, > Michael Guest, Dan Nizolek, Scott Benson, Ken > Bradley, Brian Hanninen, > Cathy Teenbroeke, Dean Kallenback, Juan Linares, > Bridget Reilly, Neil > Ritchie, Doub Kress, Greg Abbot, Walter Gutzmer, > David Piehl. > > Anyone who has any of these email addresses, please > send them to me so > that I can forward copies of the questionnaire. If > there are any other > prospective candidates, please send me their emails, > so that I can > forward the questionnaire. > > > -- > > MINNEAPOLIS 2001 CITY CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: > > > Under what circumstances would you support any > public funding for sports > > facilities intended primarily for the use of private > professional teams? > > Under what circumstances would you support subsidies > or special tax > breaks for for-profit corporations engaged in > commerical development? > > What is your position on domestic partner benefits > for city employees? > > What, if any additional civilian oversight for the > Minneapolis police > department do you support? > > Do you have any proposals to address racial > profiling and other racial > disparities in police encounters with citizens? > > What support or criticism do express for current > police department > practices such as the following: > - CODEFOR > - SAFE program > - Responses to political protests > > Do you believe that police department leaders should > have a role in > setting policy for the city government? If so, what > do you believe > should be the scope and extent of that role? > > Do you support the city's policy of holding > landlords and their property > accountable for the criminal actions of tenants, > non-tenants and > passerby? What changes or enhancements to this > policy, if any, would > you support? > > How do you feel about the city's physical > appearance? > > Do you believe that there is any problem with the > amoung of trash and > graffiti on the streets? What solutions would you > propose? > > What initiatives would you propose to increase the > supply of affordable > housing? > > Do you support strenghtening the living wage > ordinance? If so, > describe. > > What solutions or initiatives would you propose to > improve the quality > of life in the most impoverished areas of the City? > > Do you believe that the City should be committed to > social > responsibility in determining its investments and > business > transactions? For example, would you support the > following: > - Refusal to contract with or invest with companies > that use sweatshop > labor > - Refusal to contract with or invest in companies > that have are actively > > involved with oppressive governments > > What proposals would you advance to reduce the high > levels of air > pollution in the city? > > What level of priority and what initiatives would > you support for > maintaining the quality and integrity of the lakes, > creeks, and rivers > in the City? > > Would you support any initiatives to encourage the > use of organic > foods? If so, please describe. > > Do you support the current noise plan for the > airport? Do you support > moving the airport to another location? How would > you go about > addressing the noise issues? > > What is your analysis of the current process for > distributing NRP funds? > > What are your feelings and assessment of the > diversity of people that > you would be representing, in terms of ethnicity, > income, values, life > styles, age, and physical appearance? How will you > be able to respect > and serve their needs? How will you balance the > needs of different > groups whose concerns or interests my at times be in > conflict? > > __ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one Place. http://shopping.yahoo.com/
Thanks, Minneapolis! Continue to expect great things from MPS
(you can also find the following on-line at http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/district/referendum_outcome.shtml) As many of you know, Minneapolis voters approved the renewal of the Better Schools Referendum by a vote of 114,152 yes (73%) to 43,021 no (27%). There were 6,444 more voters in 2000 than when the 1996 referendum passed. This renewed levy will go into effect in 2002 and last for eight years. Please note that the bright yellow "Thank you, Minneapolis! Continue to Expect Great Things" banners hanging on all Minneapolis schools were paid for by the Citizens Vote Yes committee. The following is a message from Superintendent Carol Johnson and Board Chair Judy Farmer: In an overwhelming show of support for public schools, Minneapolis voters approved renewal of the Better School Referendum levy to keep classes small and provide early childhood education opportunities. The levy is a continuation of one approved in 1990 and again 1996. We are extremely grateful to Minneapolis residents for their strong support of our students and our schools. We want to thank all of the volunteers, parents, staff, students and community members who worked tirelessly on behalf of this referendum. Our first priority continues to be delivering a quality education to the children of this city. We have shown measurable success in academic achievement for all student groups over the past several years and we intend to build on our success and accelerate achievement for all students. We should all be encouraged by the show of support our community has demonstrated for our schools. Only 18 % of Minneapolis voters have children in our schools. Even though 82% of Minneapolis voters do not have children in our public schools, the vast majority of them still sent a clear message that they support and believe in our schools. Thankfully, we can continue to assure our families that their children will learn in small classroom environments. District research shows that small classes matter. Students who were taught in small classes for seven years passed the eighth grade state tests in reading and math at almost twice the rate of students who were new to the district. Overall, passing rates on MN Basic Standards Tests have improved each of the last four years. All student groups are achieving at higher levels with the help of referendum revenue. We know that being accountable for the extra revenue provided by this referendum is important to Minneapolis voters. They expect us to live up to our message: Minneapolis Public Schools. Expect Great Things. We intend to do so. -- Debbie Urbanski Communications Department 612-668-0233 Minneapolis Public Schools. Expect Great Things. http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us
Better Schools Referendum
Thanks you all, list members, supporters and the entire Minneapolis community for your continued support of the Minneapolis Public Schools. Knowing that we can continue to provide our children in the elementary level small classes that allow them to receive more attention through strengthened relationships with their teachers, and allow our students at the high school level to have a wider variety of electives, will keep us on the right track to improving student learning and achievement! We will also continue to support early childhood education as about 1 million raised will go into supporting early childhood education programs. Thanks you all and continue to Expect Great Things! Audrey D. Johnson MPS BOE NOTE: About 2 weeks ago, a lower court in North Carolina ruled that the state needed to expand it's definition of education to include early childhood ed. The Gov. there, Jim Hunt, is a very big supporter of early childhood education. The MPS BOE recently sponsored a resolution that is going to the Minesota School Board Association (MSBA) to strengthen early childhood education. With lots of research to bakc this up, we will be workign to increase the understanding of the value in early childhood education. For many children this make the difference in educational success!
Schedule for Council Budget Hearings
Here is the current schedule for Council Budget Hearings to be held in City Hall, Room 317 (Council Chambers). These hearings may also be on cable TV. I will post additional information on that as it becomes avaialble. Nov 159:30-4:30 Budget Overview -- Operating budget, internal service and enterprise funds Nov 169:30-12:00 Public Works 1:00-4:30 Budget Overview -- Capital Nov 1710:30-12:00Coordinator -- Admininstration and Special Projects Intergovernmental Relations, Communicaitions, Finance, Human Resources 12:30-2:00 Information Technology Services and Strategic Information Plan 2:00-3:00 inspections 3:00-3:45 Licensing 3:45-4:30 Convention Center/GMCVA Nov 209:30-10:15 Planning 10:15-10:45Neighborhood Revitalization Program 10:45-11:15Assessor 11:15-11:45Public Housing Authority 1:00-1:30 Civil Rights 1:30-2:00 Health 2:00-4:00 Park Board Nov 2110:00-12:30Police 1:30-2:30 Fire 2:30-3:30 City Attorney 3:30-4:00 City Clerk 4:00-4:30 Municipal Building Commission Nov 271:00-3:30 MCDA 3:30-4:30 Library Board Dec 019:30-4:30 Hold for "follow-ups" Dec 111:00 Ways and Means Committee Meeting -- Barret W.S. Lane Attorney at Law Hanlon & Lane, P.L.L.P. 2925 Dean Parkway, Suite 300 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416 Firm: (612) 928-7612 Direct: (612) 924-0496 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: List members in the Legislature
Thanks to everyone who supported the School Referendum. It means everything to the children and families and to to our city. I'm always proud to live in Minneapolis, but never more so when all those people without school-age children stand in support of the kids in our city. Quick note: Strib will run a correction tomorrow, but just in case you don't see it, the front page report said that the school levy will raise $155 more a year on a $100,000 home. It's only $10.57 a year more--or about $155 a year total. Ginny Craig North Loop
Re: List members in the Legislature
Dear Mr. List manager, you listed the Mpls Issues winners without party designation. Was that simply an inadvertent error due to sleep depravation? Clark Griffith 7th Ward, where there is a petition for a recount.
FW: Minneapolis Passes Library Referendum
This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. --_=_NextPart_000_01C0499B.F4557A58 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable FYI... the official press release..=20 Jan Feye-Stukas Minneapolis Public Library > For immediate release - 11/08/00 >=20 > Contact: Kristi Gibson, Public Affairs > Minneapolis Public Library > 612-630-6260 >=20 > Minneapolis will get new Central Library, better neighborhood = branches > Library Board thanks Minneapolis voters for supporting Minneapolis = Public > Library Referendum=20 >=20 >=20 > (Minneapolis; November 8, 2000) - Libraries are for everyone. That = message > came through loud and clear when Minneapolis residents voted > overwhelmingly to approve the Minneapolis Public Library Referendum, = which > appeared on the general election ballot, Tuesday, November 7, 2000. >=20 > The $140 million Referendum, passed with a vote of 67% in favor, will > provide funds for a new Central Library and significant improvements = to > neighborhood libraries throughout the city.=20 >=20 > "We are so grateful to Minneapolis voters for their strong expression = of > support, and to everyone who helped advocate for the Library = Referendum," > said Laurie Savran, Minneapolis Public Library Board President. "All > people-from local citizens to greater Minnesota residents and = beyond-will > benefit from the Referendum once Minneapolis has 21st century = libraries to > meet information-age needs. We thank everyone who saw the importance = of > providing a top-notch facility for the state's largest public library > collection and the best possible library service in our = neighborhoods. > This is a significant investment in Minneapolis' cultural, = educational, > and economic infrastructure."=20 >=20 > The Referendum provides $110 million for a new, five-story Central = Library > to be built on its present downtown site at 300 Nicollet Mall, and = $30 > million to complete improvements to all 14 community libraries in the > city. The Referendum will increase property taxes on commercial or > residential property by approximately $5.00 per $100,000 of market = value > in the first year. By the fifth year, it reaches approximately $57.00 > annually, and remains at that amount through the thirtieth year. That > averages to about 15=A2 a day over 30 years. >=20 > Now that funding has been approved, the next steps are to select a > world-class architect for the new Central Library and to locate an = interim > site to afford full library service in a temporary downtown location > throughout the construction period. Construction is expected to begin = in > 2003 and culminate with a grand opening in late 2005 or early 2006.=20 >=20 > Planning will also proceed on a new Minnesota Planetarium to replace = the > existing Planetarium located within the current Central Library. The = new, > high-tech space theater/science center will be a significant regional > attraction, comparable with the new Planetariums recently opened in = New > York and Chicago. In recognition of its statewide significance, the > Minnesota Legislature last session allocated $1 million toward = planning > for the new Planetarium. Funding for the Planetarium was not included = in > the Referendum, but will be sought through private contributions = and/or > additional state bonding. >=20 > The $30 million portion of the Referendum for community library > improvements will accomplish the goal of completing all neighborhood > branch projects within 10 years. A timeline will be developed and = specific > plans will be refined, addressing each building's need for remodeling = or > expansion, handicapped accessibility, technology upgrades, historic > preservation, or replacement.=20 >=20 > Ongoing public comment and participation will be an important part of = the > entire process. For more information, or to be added to a mailing = list > that will provide regular updates, please call (612) 630-6263 or see = "MPL > Future" on the library website, www.mpls.lib.mn.us. Questions can be = sent > to "Ask Us" on the website or e-mailed to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >=20 > ### > Statistics: > Number of Minneapolis citizens voting on the Library Referendum: = 159,889 > Number of YES votes: 107,076 (66.97%) > Number of NO votes: 52,813 (33.03%) > Required to pass: Simple majority >=20 > Actual vote exceeds estimate from survey > In a survey prepared for The Friends of the Minneapolis Public = Library,* > 62% of Minneapolis residents said that they supported building a new > Central Library (support had increased from 56% in 1997) and 88% of = city > residents supported improving community libraries. In the same = survey, 65% > of Minneapolis residents said that they would accept a property tax = hike > to build a new Central Library and to improve community libraries.=20 >=20 > *Minneapolis Resident Sur
Library Referenda
A special personal big thank you to list members and especially to list manager David Brauer for the attention and discussion you gave to the library referendum. It enabled us to answer questions that we otherwise might not have known were out there. The new facilities -plural - Central Library and community library improvements - will be awesome.We look forward to many more discussions with you as we move ahead. Jan Feye-Stukas, Associate Director Minneapolis Public Library 300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55408 PH: 612-630-6208 FAX: 612-630-6210 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
List members in the Legislature
Quick congrats to all the Mpls-issues members who won election last night! First-time winners: State Rep.-elect Jim Davnie State Rep.-elect Scott Dibble First-time Senators: State Sen.-elect Myron Orfield Repeaters: State Rep. Margaret Kelliher State Sen. Linda Higgins State Rep. Phyllis Kahn Congrats, folks! And also to everyone who worked hard on the library & schools initiatives! David Brauer List manager, Mpls-issues
List in the news
A tale of strife, graffiti, then healing in Lyn-Lake. First told in Mpls-Issues, get the denouement here... http://www.citypages.com/databank/21/1040/article9121.asp?page=2 David Brauer List manager, Mpls-issues
IN the early hours - turn on MPR
As most of you have figured out I'm in love with this stuff Gore has retracted his concession and it maybe weeks before we have a President. All calls are premature. Nixon-Kennedy stuff - go to bed - we're in for the long haul! At this hour of the night the news pundits are absolutely in seventh heaven with the race of our new millenium... turn on MPR - right now they say it may be 10 days to get the real numbers. The story is history (just as we said), comparisons over the decades, no one can figure out the closeness, and is it really Nader or is it not Nader, and after the next few weeks and all is analyized to death everyone will continue for ad nauseum. Never-the-less America is now awake or on the couch - in the middle means everything is up for grabs! At 2:52 there is no new president - turn on MPR! In California 83% of the Hispanic vote was for Gore - excessive Get Out the Vote campaign in East LA and Southern California. MINNESOTA's Monday poll: The Star Tribune Minnesota Poll showed that support in the presidential race was fluid. Vice President Al Gore's lead narrowed to 6 points on Sunday and Monday, and exit polling showed him with a four-point lead when the polls closed "If the election for president were held today, would you vote for ..." Oct. 31 - Nov. 3 Sun.- Mon. Exit poll Gore 47% 44% 49% Bush 37% 38% 45% Nader 8% 9% 5% Other 3% 3% 1% No opinion 5% 7% 0% Sample size 1,013 617 1,109 Source: Star Tribune Minnesota Polls of likely voters statewide and the Star Tribune/VNS Exit Poll. Margins of error (at a 95 percent confidence level): plus or minus 3.1 points for the Oct. 31-Nov. 3 poll; and plus or minus 4 points for the Sunday-Monday poll and exit poll. Great Party, Great campaign; we did what we had to do in Minnesota. EVeryone worked hard and did what they had to do! Isn't the rest of this in America, quite unbelievable - we really are making history down there in Florida. And think about those people that are counting ballots at this late hours - do not make a mistake. Americans abroad could have a a big say in this whole thing. The Constitution provides for these type of situations. The teetering and tottering. Go to bed and sleep tight - no one is going on stage any time soon they say. Nader is a factor they say at 2:57. The country is divided. Florida recall... For now... in the early hours, the campaigns continue for the countdown. Maybe it's time for the athletes or an "old patriarch" to elect the President: Mayor Daley - someone needs to score a touchdown or some county needs all the dead people to vote. Electoral College: 249- Bush 246 - Gore Good night! Annie Young Dear George: Nothing will make a man fall on his face faster than hitting the ceiling. (or) Dear Al: The only fellow who gets anywhere playing both ends against the middle is an accordion player. "Quotoons"
