WHITTIER, STEVENS SQUARE, LORING HEIGHTS, VENTURA VILLAGE, and PHILLIPS WEST
Sustainability, conservation, and economy in Minneapolis government

January 10, 2009 seems to be about the day I decided to run for City Council.  That was the date I wrote a document describing “What I want from my government”.  It is still on the back of my brochures and on this website as the home page.  I am proud to say that it has hardly changed at all.

Had I been changing it would suggest that I was tailoring my message.  That has not been the case.

At someone’s doorstep last summer I was told, “I always appreciated Paul Wellstone not so much because I agreed with him, but because I always new exactly where he stood on an issue”

I hope I am living up to that standard.  This website is an in-depth review of my philosophies, Everyone who looks at it will be able to find something they disagree with.  However, now you know what I am about.

I don’t know what I will do, politically speaking, if I lose the election.  I may just concentrate on being a very good Refrigeration and Maintenance Mechanic, or I may take up a specific cause.  I think it might be good someday Minneapolis were to have a Part-time City Council.

But, win or lose, it has been interesting!

I want to win because we in Minneapolis simply have not been well served by our City Government.
HOME      ISSUES
One of the most frustrating things I have had is the lack of 'feedback' from elected representatives.
Public transportation is very important, but I am not sure Light Rail through inner city neighborhoods is what is best.  I do think a trolley on Nicollet might be cool, or on the Greenway, but in the end bus rapid transit may continue to be the backbone of public transportation.
 
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?  After my homested deduction, my taxes are over a $1000 per year, West of Nicollet $2000 per year, West of Lyndale $3000 per year and more - usually much, much more. And then there are the business's whose taxes are much more than you would ever imagine - a convenience market in our neighborhood owes over $100. in taxes every day before they unlock the door.   
 
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS AND EXPECT TO GET ANSWERS!!!  And them I intend to tell you, my constitiuents.
Although the Park Board sometimes appears dysfunctional, I think the separation of powers is good - and we do have a very nice park system.  
The Board of Estimation and Taxation does not seem to have increased efficiency in Government, but that may be through no fault of their own.
High density development, that is, large apartment buildings whether they be condo's or rentals.  The construction of these big, cheaply constructed, buildings scares me.  I want the neighborhoods DOWN-ZONED to give the City legal authority to prevent them from being built.
Why is it so hard to understand why people who live in the shadow of these buildings oppose there being built? 
How would you feel if with the approval of the City Council you suddenly had 700 new neighbors?
SOME DISAGREEMENTS IN POLITICS ARE PERSONAL, SOME ARE PARTISAN, AND SOME GO TO THE HEART OF THE MEANING OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY.
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