Giant Signs on Target Center Wall

The Star Tribune is reporting that the Timberwolves have received 3 offers to place large sings on the Target Center, facing Target Field.  Right now they are just waiting on receiving permits from the city to construct the billboards that will fetch them a cool $300,000.  I really hope the City Council votes against this permit.

I can just see it now, beautiful Target Field, Twins playing the Yankees on national television, and as the camera pans to show the view over right field there's the Captain himself standing on a keg promoting that family friendly beverage.  Or maybe we'll get a view reminiscent of the old Calvin Klein ads.  Let's not pollute Target Field with some hideous billboard.  I agree that the Target Center is an eye sore looking out over right field but let's cover it with something more Minnesotan than some advertising.  Let's get a local artist to do a mural.  I know this won't bring the $300,000 annual revenue to the Timberwolves but maybe they should try to boost their revenue by putting a winning team on the court rather than selling building space.

AFSCME Endorses Marcia Thomas

Just received an email from the Marcia Thomas campaign announcing the endorsement from AFSCME.  This is a great endorsement as it shows that Marcia has the ability to work with not only teachers and administration but with everybody involved in keeping the Minneapolis schools running.  AFSCME is a great union with some fantastic members that are sure to help propel Marcia to vicotry.

Congratulations!

Great Doorknock with Mayor Rybak

On Saturday I braved the cold to do a little door knocking for my friend Hal Kimball out in Annandale.  We made it through about 1,000 doors after it was all said and done.  What was more impressive to me though was that Mayor Rybak came out to help with the cause, and he brought a handful of volunteers with him.  I have a lot of respect for anybody willing to knock on doors, and I have even more respect for people that are willing to come out to a traditionally red district to do that. 

SD 18 is a place where most people haven't seen any politician at their door in many years.  Probably not since '06 when Hal and I knocked it last.  For Mayor Rybak to drive an hour West, brave the sleet, and then knock on moderate doors is a testament to his dedication to the DFL.  Thanks Mayor Rybak, and thank you to all the volunteers that came out.

Pothole Update #2

SUCCESS!!  After a phone call, and an email to 311, I received a work order saying that the potholes will be repaired by May 21st.  I'm hoping that all of this rain doesn't push that completion date back a few days but even if it does I'll still be thrilled when they are repaired.  In 2 short weeks I will be able to drive home to work without having to feel like I'm taking a ride on a jackhammer.  Thanks Minneapolis!

No District 1 Forum

Just got word today that there will NOT be a District 1 School Board forum before this years endorsing convention.  I'd be lying if I didn't say I was extremely disappointed, especially after getting my hopes up after initially hearing that both candidates had accepted.  I understand that there a 3 forums for all candidates prior to the convention but considering the longest of these is only 2 hours, that's hardly enough time to get anything but a small 'soundbyte' from any of the 13 candidates. 

I have an earlier email from the Marcia Thomas campaign that makes it sound like she was very willing, and almost eager to debate the issues in a District 1 specific forum.  All I received from the Arneson campaign was what I would call a questioning phone call, that was more or less attacking my view that there should be a forum. 

With the facts that I have laid out above, and without any official word, I can only infer that the reason we won't see this forum is because the Arneson campaign declined to participate.  I have my own opinions as to why a campaign would refuse to debate their opponent but I'll let the reader come to their own conclusions. 

I do plan to ask each candidate personally as to the reason there was no arena to compare our next representative on the Board side by side.  I don't anticipate that I get many straight answers as to the reason but it's worth a shot.  Also, because of the experiences that I've had with the Arneson campaign, you can expect to see me in a Marcia Thomas shirt at the convention.  Next step is to figure out how I might be able to get my hands on one of those.  Any ideas?

In closing, I have embedded my favorite political ad of all time.  I feel the Paul Wellstone Looking for Rudy' ad really speaks to this issue.  I only have one word for all of this, DISAPPOINTED!

We Need More of This

My good friend Hal Kimball who is running for State Senate is SD 18 (Hutchinson, Litchfield, Annandale et. al.) wrote a great open letter to both Speaker Kelliher and Rep. Emmer about what the focus should be this election cycle.  I think he hit the nail on the head with his pledges.  I hope they really take a look at this letter, and that other candidates/elected officials follow his points. 
This is the type of bi-partisanship that is so desperately needed in St. Paul. 

Dear Speaker Kelliher and Representative Emmer,
Congratulations on your hard-earned and well-deserved victories at your respective party conventions over the last two weekends.

As the campaign for governor enters a new phase, I’d like to encourage each of you to remain focused on the critical issues facing our state and engage in the kind of substantive and spirited debate Minnesotans deserve regarding your ideas for the future.

Two years ago, the Senate race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman was a boon for political consultants, spinmasters and negative ad peddlers, but both candidates, with their heavy reliance on the politics of personal destruction, provided a grave disservice to the people of Minnesota. That’s not a path we can afford to go down again. Our state faced great challenges in 2008. Now, the stakes are even higher and all candidates owe those they seek to represent an honest conversation and real, workable solutions for Minnesotans.
Across my district, I’ve met countless people concerned about finding jobs, paying for health care, keeping their small businesses up and running and providing their children with every opportunity to succeed. These are bedrock principles across Minnesota and we once led the way in each of these areas. Today, sadly, we’re struggling on every front—and we’re losing the race for the future.
Unfortunately, at a time when we need the very best from our candidates and elected leaders, many of the people I’ve talked to in Wright, Meeker and McLeod counties have lost faith in the ability of government to do anything. Liberal, conservative, or something in between, Minnesotans have grown frustrated with the same old promises, the same old tactics and the same old results at the Capitol. That’s why I’m making the following pledge to voters in my district. I hope you’ll join me in taking these principles statewide:

I will tell the truth.

I will not promise things I know I can’t deliver.

I will not take my marching orders—in this campaign and after taking office—from interest groups of any variety. I will do what’s right without regard to politics.

I will acknowledge that government is not the enemy of the people, but there’s also not a government answer for every challenge we face.

I will never forget that our ideas must be paid for. Tax cuts and/or program expansions need to be offset with spending cuts and/or revenue enhancements.

I will always remember that my opponent is a good person who wants the best for Minnesota. Our debate must remain focused on who has the best ideas for achieving our shared goal.

Again, congratulations on winning your respective endorsement contests. I look forward to seeing you both on the campaign trail and I can’t wait to work with you starting next January so we can move Minnesota forward.
Sincerely,
Hal Kimball
DFL-endorsed Senate candidate, District 18

Pothole Update

I received my May Newsletter yesterday from CM Reich, and hallelujah it talks about potholes, and what Minneapolis is doing to fix them.  I'd like to thank CM Reich for voting in the funds to help solve what I'd like to call a crisis.

As you are probably aware, May also brings another month of potholes. Due to specific weather conditions that occurred this past winter, the pothole season is worse than usual this year. In response to the high volume of needed work, the City Council in April approved an additional $500,000 to double the number of repair crews for a 6 to 8 week period this spring.

First Ward residents who want to report potholes now have three options: call 311, go online at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/311 or call the Ward One office.

So I was wrong, I thought it was a million dollars additional added to the 'pothole fund' but $500,000 is still a pretty nice number.  Doubling the number of crews should mean that I see Industrial Blvd, and Broadway fixed up here soon.  The potholes are actually starting to resemble rock quarries. 

Anyways, you can bet that I've called 311, and I will also be going online to report the potholes.  I'm thinking of maybe taking some pictures as well just to really drive home the point.  Or perhaps I'll just send in the bill I get from the mechanic for an alignment...Nah, I think I'll just keep fightin' the good fight by going through the proper channels, and not pissing anybody off.