Richard Mammen Meet & Greet

I received an email today about a meet and greet for Richard Mammen (at large School Board candidate).  It would seem as if the campaign took my advice as this event is scheduled for Tuesday May 11th from 5-7 at the Minneapolis Club.  The event is being hosted by Don Fraser, among others.  Thanks also to the campaign for not including emails of everybody that it was sent to. 

Ward 1 Pothole Situation

I can't take it anymore!  This pothole situation has gotten completely out of control.  I've held off posting about this issue for quite awhile, trying to give the city some time to get out and work the miles of roads in our great city before complaining.  I think enough time has been given, and now I'm turning my anger on the individuals that represent the Ward.  Not long ago Mayor Rybak allotted an extra million dollars to be used on pothole repair.  I'm beginning to think that all of that money was used to repair roads in South Minneapolis rather than the East Side.

Maybe my route to work is just the worst in the entire city but I'm beginning to think that I may need to start looking for a Lunar Rover as my next vehicle to maneuver the craters on St. Anthony Pkwy/Industrial Blvd and Broadway.  I have actually seen hubcaps fly off of vehicles as their wheels disappear into a cavernous hole.  The sound of your shocks and struts bottoming out is never a pretty sound, and it is something that I hear on a daily basis.  I can no longer dodge the holes on my route due to the sheer number of them.  I know this isn't the most heavily traveled route in the city but it's getting ridiculous. 

I don't say this very often but I am thrilled when I hop on 280 and cross into St. Paul right now because they have done a fantastic job at filling every pothole, even on the very light traffic roads that I take into work.  I'd like to thank the city of St. Paul for their hard work (even though some news stations would disagree with me).  I'd also like to call out our Councilman, Kevin Reich, and implore him to do something about this situation.  If it would help, I am volunteering to walk behind a tar truck to fill the potholes myself.  I'm sure I could find more than a few volunteers for this activity.  Mr. Reich, would you like to join me?  Help me save our cars!

State Convention

Sorry I have been absent for a few days, I spent the weekend up in Duluth taking in the sights and smells of the DFL State Convention.  Although it didn't turn out the way I had hoped when I rode into Duluth, it was a very good convention.  Saturday was of course the most active day with the endorsing of MAK.  I wasn't a delegate since I was married on the day of the SD59 convention but I did watch from the gallery all that took place on Saturday.  I 'Tweeted' most of the event from my perch at the DECC so my play-by-play can be seen on my Twitter.  MPP does have a great post up that really summed up my feelings of how things went in regards to the winners and losers of the convention so I'll let you head over there, and read that.

I'll try to get some more stuff up later today regarding the hopefully upcoming District 1 School Board Forum.

District 1 Candidate Forum Update 1

So after a lot of digging I've finally been able to find a few answers regarding a proposed candidate forum for District 1.  As I said in my previous post I emailed both campaigns, and only had received one response back.  I've still only have that one response (from the Marcia Thomas campaign) in my possession, and have posted the email from the campaign below.  I decided to post the email(s) so that I didn't get anything wrong in my attempt to paraphrase. 

Hi Nolan,

Here are the currently scheduled forums:

April 22:
6:00-8:00 pm

Dowling School

3900 West River Parkway

Minneapolis, MN 55406
Sponsored by Area B PAC (parent advisory committee).
I understand that 10 of the 11 candidates will be in attendance

May 13
6:30-8:30
Sanford School
3524 42nd Avenue South
Hosted by Mpls DFL
11 of 11 candidates will be in attendance

May 22
Prior to convention – about 1.5 hours
Patrick Henry HS
4320 Newton Ave N.
All candidates – at least 11


Marcia Thomas’ campaign believes that forums are a great way for delegates to learn about the candidates and compare how candidates work together. Since District 1 is contested, we would like to see a District 1 specific forum to allow delegates to make a more informed decision about who to support.

Obviously the Thomas Campaign is ready and willing to attend a forum.  So, since I didn't hear anything back from the Arneson campaign I decided to email PEN and SD59 to see if they had anything in the works.  PEN informed that they are indeed trying to organize a forum with the help of SD59 on May 12th at NE Community Lutheran Church.  Letters went our yesterday to both campaigns, and the Thomas Campaign has already accepted the invitation.  At this time there has been no response from the Arneson camp. 

I'm hoping that they is an acceptance from both sides on this forum to give delegates, and interested parties an opportunity to hear both sides.  Forums are a great opportunity for individuals to get an understanding of where the candidates stand, and to decide who will best represent them on the Board. 

I guess I'll take this opportunity to ask Jenny Arneson to accept the invitation from PEN and SD59 to attend and participate in the forum. 

More to come on this later...

District 1 School Board Forum?

Earlier I posted dates for School Board forums that will involve all, or most, candidates.  Being that this is a Ward 1 blog though I'm very interested in the District 1 race that is getting pretty heated.  I have been unable to find any mention of a District 1 specific forum but would really like to see one show up.  I have emailed both the Arneson and Thomas campaigns seeking comment as to the possibility of a forum.  I've received an email back from one of the campaigns but will hold it until I give time to the other campaign to comment.  If I don't receive any feedback from the other campaign by Monday I will post the 1 email I do have. 

I've been getting several emails, and heard numerous rumors about this race.  It sounds like things are getting pretty interesting between the campaigns which could make for a very interesting convention.  With all the 'drama' surrounding this race I really hope that they can work out a forum in the near future. 

More to come on this very soon.

New Owner for Block E

I'm happy to report that Block E has a new owner (almost).  Bob Lux, the developer of Grant Park and the Carlyle has signed a purchas agreement to take over 213,000 sq ft of the Block E building (excludes Graves 601).  I think by having somebody that actually lives in Minneapolis owning this building we will see a pitch to get tenents that make sense.  Now that Target Field is open, and attracting thousands of people to the area it could actually work out.

I'm hopefull that Mr. Lux doesn't make the mistake that the previous developers made by brining in mediocre tenents.  I look forward to seeing a multitude of fun and trendy shops and restaurants open in the space.

One question that I have.  Didn't Bob Lux also try to open the Pinnacle in St. Paul?  Did that thing ever get built?

DeGrio Meet and Greet

Just received an Email from the DeGrio Campaign about a Meet and Greet this Saturday from 9-11 at Urban Harvest (2311 18th Ave NE).  I know I've already stated that I'll be supporting David at the City Convention this year but I still plan on attending the event.  I encourage everybody (even if you're not a delegate) to attend as many meet and greets as you can.  Should your first picks be dropped from the ballot, it's always good to know who your #2/3 is so you're not scrambling at the last moment.  If anybody has any other meet and greets that they know of feel free to shoot them over to me.  I'd be happy to post them. 

First Game

Just wanted to upload a quick picture from the game on Saturday.  I have to say that they did a great job on the stadium.  We had a lot of fun, and look forward to many more games.

Target Field

Well the time has finally arrived for baseball to return outdoors in Minnesota. For the past 4 years people have been battling over whether it was the right thing to build the Twins a new stadium. Well, let the bickering end now because the stadium is here, and the games will be played, and the seats will be full, and there's nothing that can be done. Politicians have battled for years over whether to use public finances to fund the stadium, Democrats and Republicans have both used this argument when running for office.
Well building the stadium was the right thing to do because baseball transcends political rhetoric, and holds a much different place in the hearts of Americans...be it Republican, Democrat, Green, Socialist, or Fascist; we've all picked up a stick and ball at some point in our lives. Baseball doesn't discriminate based on creed, color, political affiliation, or economic status. Baseball, is the great equalizer. Baseball gives us an excuse to forget all the chaos in the world, and give us the ability to just enjoy watching something as simple as hitting a ball with a piece of wood. Baseball has brought families together for generations, and dads around the state are bringing their kids to see the same game that their dads brought them to see. So for one day, on April 12th, I suggest we take a cue from baseball, and that when we see a fellow Minnesotan with TC branded across their forehead, that we simply smile and wave, and that we know that as a state, cheering for a group of boys, we all have something in common.
I'm rambling now so I think I'll just put up a quote from Field of Dreams that sums up what I was trying to say much more eloquently.

Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.

And Then There Were 5?

I just read that Chanda Smith Baker has officially announced her at-large School Board candidacy.  So, if my count is correct, I believe that makes it 5 official candidates now in the race.

David DeGrio
T. Williams
Richard Mammen
Chanda Smith Baker
Doug Mann (green candidate?)

I'm probably missing somebody, and if I am just let me know.  So from what I can tell, as of right now we'll have 4 candidates that will be seeking the DFL endorsement in May.  Like I said earlier I am supporting David DeGrio but am 100% undecided on who else to support for the at-large endorsement.  I'll keep digging for as much information as I can find in my attempt to find a great candidate.