Rybak surfaces tonight at a fundraiser for John Choi at the Minneapolis Club at 5 p.m.
Summary
- There are 7 posts — by 5 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Jeff Skrenes at 2009 Oct 27 19:51 UTC
Mayor Rybak will be a featured guest tonight at a fundraiser for John Choi, the St. Paul city attorney who wants to become Ramsey County Attorney. The event will take place at the Minneapolis Club, 729 Second Ave. S. in downtown Minneapolis., starting at 5:00 p.m. A number of the lesser known candidates for mayor of Minneapolis will be protesting the event. While the incumbent mayor has claimed to be willing to debate his opponents in this year's mayoral campaign, he has in fact focused on running for state office next year. The Choi fundraiser is an example. John Choi is not universally beloved in the Twin Cities because he has been the legal front man for a number of questionable policies and practices undertaken by the authorities in St. Paul. His role in prosecuting the RNC protesters last year is quite well known. Choi's office has also been accused of shredding legal documents in a racketeering case brought by three St. Paul landlords against the city of St. Paul. St. Paul city officials closed down a bar on Rice Street, Diva's bar, because neighbors did not like the clientele that the bar on several occasions had attracted. The former owner of this bar will be at the protest event to tell her story. For those who cannot wait, it's posted on the web at http://www.landlordpolitics.com/divas.html. This type of event is where money intersects with political candidates. Both Twin City mayors will be there at the Minneapolis Club along with prominent donors. Those who are affected by bad city policy can stand outside expressing their views. Any interested person is invited to participate.
Mr. McGaughey, Your broad, sweeping statement about John Choi is extremely strong and should be backed up with some real CREDIBLE evidence!!! Accused by whom of shredding papers, the three "landlords" who brought the suit. I was subpeonaed by one of them and have first hand knowledge of some of the claims made in the suit. Someone should have shredded the documents since they weren't worth the paper they were printed on. But I'm fairly sure Choi didn't shred them, like he's willing to put his stellar career on the line to make some punk claim against the city, that wasn't going and indeed hasn't gone anywhere in court, go away??? I think not. caty royce bancroft
On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 12:06 PM, <email obscured>> wrote: > Mayor Rybak will be a featured guest tonight at a fundraiser for John Choi, > the St. Paul city attorney who wants to become Ramsey County Attorney. The > event will take place at the Minneapolis Club, 729 Second Ave. S. in > downtown Minneapolis., starting at 5:00 p.m. A number of the lesser known > candidates for mayor of Minneapolis will be protesting the event. > > While the incumbent mayor has claimed to be willing to debate his opponents > in this year's mayoral campaign, he has in fact focused on running for state > office next year. The Choi fundraiser is an example. > > John Choi is not universally beloved in the Twin Cities because he has been > the legal front man for a number of questionable policies and practices > undertaken by the authorities in St. Paul. His role in prosecuting the RNC > protesters last year is quite well known. Choi's office has also been > accused of shredding legal documents in a racketeering case brought by three > St. Paul landlords against the city of St. Paul. > > St. Paul city officials closed down a bar on Rice Street, Diva's bar, > because neighbors did not like the clientele that the bar on several > occasions had attracted. The former owner of this bar will be at the > protest event to tell her story. For those who cannot wait, it's posted on > the web at http://www.landlordpolitics.com/divas.html. > > This type of event is where money intersects with political candidates. > Both Twin City mayors will be there at the Minneapolis Club along with > prominent donors. Those who are affected by bad city policy can stand > outside expressing their views. Any interested person is invited to > participate. > William McGaughey > Harrison, Minneapolis > Info about Bill McGaughey: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/williammcgaughey > > View all messages on this topic at: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7rAs7qiDuZ4A5Xuj2LVb4W > ----------------------------------------- > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > More information about Minneapolis Issues Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net<http://onlinegroups.net/> > > 1. Be civil! Please read the rules at http://e-democracy.org/rules. > If you think a member is in violation, contact the forum manager at > <email obscured> before continuing it on the list. > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > -- "If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to eachother." mother teresa "Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice." MLK Ubuntu: I am because WE are.
It seems to me the opponents would be better served by putting on their tennis shoes and knocking on some doors, rather than protesting at a fundraiser. You'll get more votes by talking positively about what you want to accomplish than by protesting at an event where you will not be well received. Or is it the publicity you want, rather than actually interacting positively with voters? Linda higgins Old highland
-----Original Message----- From: <email obscured> <email obscured>] Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 12:06 PM To: <email obscured> Subject: [Mpls] Rybak surfaces tonight at a fundraiser for John Choi at the Minneapolis Club at 5 p.m. Mayor Rybak will be a featured guest tonight at a fundraiser for John Choi, the St. Paul city attorney who wants to become Ramsey County Attorney. The event will take place at the Minneapolis Club, 729 Second Ave. S. in downtown Minneapolis., starting at 5:00 p.m. A number of the lesser known candidates for mayor of Minneapolis will be protesting the event. While the incumbent mayor has claimed to be willing to debate his opponents in this year's mayoral campaign, he has in fact focused on running for state office next year. The Choi fundraiser is an example. John Choi is not universally beloved in the Twin Cities because he has been the legal front man for a number of questionable policies and practices undertaken by the authorities in St. Paul. His role in prosecuting the RNC protesters last year is quite well known. Choi's office has also been accused of shredding legal documents in a racketeering case brought by three St. Paul landlords against the city of St. Paul. St. Paul city officials closed down a bar on Rice Street, Diva's bar, because neighbors did not like the clientele that the bar on several occasions had attracted. The former owner of this bar will be at the protest event to tell her story. For those who cannot wait, it's posted on the web at http://www.landlordpolitics.com/divas.html. This type of event is where money intersects with political candidates. Both Twin City mayors will be there at the Minneapolis Club along with prominent donors. Those who are affected by bad city policy can stand outside expressing their views. Any interested person is invited to participate. William McGaughey Harrison, Minneapolis Info about Bill McGaughey: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/williammcgaughey View all messages on this topic at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7rAs7qiDuZ4A5Xuj2LVb4W ----------------------------------------- To post, e-mail: <email obscured> Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" in subject, then send to: <email obscured> More information about Minneapolis Issues Forum: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules ----------------------------------------- Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net 1. Be civil! Please read the rules at http://e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the forum manager at <email obscured> before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.33/2461 - Release Date: 10/26/09 20:22:00
I happened to be living near Rice St. in St. Paul when Diva's was shut down. Like a lot of actions taken against slummy rental properties, (in)convenience stores, and problem dive bars, that was THE BEST thing to happen to that block in a LONG TIME. Look at the difference between Stand Up Frank's and Donnie Dirk's Zombie Den. The way a bar is set up and managed, and the literal 180-degree turn in clientele there shows that the bar owners are absolutely responsible for what happens on their property. So RT and John Choi are fraternizing? All for the better, I say. Jeff Skrenes Hawthorne
Mayor Rybak has been spotted at a mayoral campaign event! It happened last
evening at a candidate forum sponsored by the Lyndale Neighborhood Association.
I even have a photograph!
I don't know why the mayor decided to participate at this late date. Because
of pressure exerted by the "minor candidates"? Because he thought it was the
right thing to do? The mayor did fire a parting insult at Al Flowers as he
left the meeting, and Flowers returned the fire with a remark ("coward") of his
own. I was the last speaker and did not have a chance to exchange views with
the mayor. But now Mayor Rybak can legitimately claim to have participated in a
mayoral forum other than the one on MPR next week.
An unexpected piece of good news for me was found in Sunday's editorial which
endorsed Rybak’s re-election. It allowed that several of the other candidates
had some good ideas. The editorial included this statement: "Landlord Bill
McGaughey is right to question whether targeting 'problem properties' rather
than criminal conduct itself is either a just or effective crime-fighting
strategy." Since the "problem-property" concept is at the core of the city's
crime-fighting policy, this is quite a statement.
I don't know if it was that comment in the paper which produced a backlash from
snipers on this list or some other motivation, but there appeared a series of
attacks on me to which I will now try to respond. I will try to remain civil
while doing it. Tim Bonham's accusation that the candidates debates sponsored
by Metro Property Rights Action Committee were not legitimate debates has
already received a response. Now for the others:
Dean Carlson wrote yesterday: "William's 'let the rental owners alone' stance
demonstrates quite clearly why most people ignore the so called 'fringe mayoral
candidates.' For the most part these candidates have one issue they have
thought deeply about and have some different solutions. Unfortunately there is
very little thinking about all the other stuff that happens in the City and
what a Mayor deals with on a day-to-day basis and these candidates fall back on
trite and simple (and sometimes weird) answers to complex problems. That's why
most people will be voting for R.T. in two weeks, you may have issue with some
of his stances and previous performance, but at least he has a universal,
coherent strategy for running the City." He then characterizes me as being
among "a bunch of other candidates who would give me pause to even watch my
dog."
I don't know what watching the dog has to do with anything, but I will say it
is unfair to assume that I or any of the other non-Rybak candidates are
single-issue people with no thoughts on other subjects. I have published seven
books on various subjects and ran for Congress last year not mentioning
rental-property issues. Carlson's characterization that we have done little
thinking on other aspects of the mayor's job, without any supporting evidence,
may reinforce his own stereotype more than reflect the actual situation.
Later in the day Jim Graham weighed in with a message too long to quote
substantially. He suggested that state law precludes repealing the Minneapolis
ordinance - 244.2020, 'conduct on licensed premise'". I doubt that. Yes, I am
aware of the state ordinance and I favor repeal of that as well. The threats
of $3,000 fines and a year's jail time may be meant to rattle my cage, but the
cage is more rattled by other events in the campaign for mayor.
Graham suggests that Metro Property Rights Action Committee is "continuing to
defend any and all bad behavior of landlords". No, that is not our position.
We have never taken that position. I will say, however, that MPRAC is not an
organization that exists to police the business of its members. We are focused
instead on our common relationship to city government.
Graham would have more influence with our group, and more say in the type of
organization that we are, if he joined the group and contributed to its
activities. He has never done that. We have supported him in his 1997
political campaign, but he has never supported us. I would say that, if Graham
thinks we should have a "good landlord" group (like the one that existed in St.
Paul), he should start his own. Good luck, Jim! Do the organizing work. Then
you can talk.
Now we came to Caty Royce's typically pungent statements, made later in the
day, about John Choi and shredding documents. Yes, this is alleged in a
lawsuit now in federal court. The evidence will be presented and evaluated in
court. Then, reversing course, Royce writes: "Someone should have shredded
the documents since they weren't worth the paper they were printed on."
Destroying evidence in a trial, despite a court order to the contrary, seems a
light matter to her. This racketeering case brought against the city of St.
Paul she calls "some punk claim against the city, that wasn't going and indeed
hasn't gone anywhere in court..." Such clairvoyance!
In response to the posting about about a protest at the fundraiser for John
Choi, Linda Higgins writes: "It seems to me the opponents would be better
served by putting on their tennis shoes and knocking on some doors, rather than
protesting at a fundraiser." We are, she thinks, publicity seekers rather than
candidates with our own serious views on city policy.
This gets back to the fallacious thinking that Dean Carlson exhibited in his
posting. Because we candidates do one thing that is publicized does not mean
that we do not do other things as well. I have done plenty of door knocking in
my campaign. I have tried to discuss serious issues. If interested, you can
read position papers on several subjects at http://www.newdignityparty.org.
Having said that, however, I also think it would be nice if some of the lesser
known candidates got publicity, such as that given us by Channel 9 news last
Wednesday, instead of news reports that say the election is effectively over.
We do need to communicate with voters on a scale that will affect city
elections.
Finally, we come to Jeff Skrenes' reaction to the fact that the former owner of
Diva's bar was expected at the Choi protest event. He writes: "I happened to
be living near Rice St. in St. Paul when Diva's was shut down. Like a lot of
actions taken against slummy rental properties, (in)convenience stores, and
problem dive bars, that was THE BEST thing to happen to that block in a LONG
TIME."
That is only your opinion, Mr. Skrenes. You have many negative views of people
that are posted on this forum. The closing of Diva's bar has to do with the
fact that a fatal shooting took place in the bar, despite screening procedures,
and a city council member used this as a pretext to go after the bar owner.
The other aspect is that a church in the neighborhood wanted that property to
build a church-owned facility and it did not want to pay much. You can read
about this at http://www.landlordpolitics.com/divas.html.
A question: How long have you lived in Hawthorne, Mr. Skrenes, Hawthorne Hawk?
I would like to thank people for letting Mpls residents know about this candidate debate/forum....the day after the event. Are you sure it really happened ?
-- Lyndale neighborhood assn. website...no announcement...just a calendar mention of a general membership meeting. Did anyone see flyers posted in the neighborhood ? -- random sampling sampling of 1/2 dozen candidate websites...zilch -- why no posting on this forum by candidates/others ? -- strib...nothing in yet. Mpls mirror, Minn.Independent etc. ? moderator ? if it were the Lwv...not on their calendar. IF the event did occur and any forum members attended, perhaps they could share the questions asked and the candidates' responses. did the neighborhood assn do a video ? Who participated ? Smart of the mayor to show up at a forum very few knew was happening. ***************** Did anyone cover the ward 7 (downtown) forum including the board of est/tax candidates? An article in the downtown journal yesterday stated Lisa Goodman would not be attending due to a 'scheduling' conflict...if true, unfortunate the sponsors were unable to find an alternate date. Would anyone who attended that forum be able to share questions for both the council and BeT candidates ? Altho a candidates, maybe Michael Katch could recap ? ********************************** Tonight's candidate forum: T U E S D A Y , October 27, 6:30-8:00 pm Ward 1 City Council candidates, Northeast Community Library, 2200 Central Ave.NE., sponsored by LWVMpls (check out the library before it closes Thurs night) other than ward 9 and Gary's breakfast forum with at-large parkboard candidates .............. any other forums ? best wishes, cheryl luger nokomis east “I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.” --- Jonathan Swift
Mr. McGaughey: In terms of the effects of actions taken against Diva's in St. Paul, you are correct. That IS only my opinion. However, I felt it was a pertinent one to give since I had direct experience as a local resident at that time. Regarding my "negative comments:" I was only formally told by a site administrator once that I had violated a rule, and that was for neglecting to post my full name and neighborhood at the end of a comment. I made one sarcastic remark about putting a campaign platform to song, which specifically referred to you, and had someone (although not a site administrator) tell me they felt it may have crossed a line. I do agree with some other folks, by the way, that I wouldn't mind hearing Kolstad sing about his political views, even the ones I don't agree with. In terms of specific people who have been the focus of my "negative comments," there is far more negativity here directed at Rybak (and hey, although I'm a supporter I'll admit that I think some of it is even warranted). It is my belief that neither you, Mr. Flowers, nor any other mayoral candidate besides Rybak has shown the capability to run this city. I will state that belief and others when I feel compelled to do so. Furthermore, I believe that the landlordpolitics.com site is little more than an apologist for those who will not or cannot take responsibility for what happens on their own property. (By the way, I'm sure there are plenty of people who disagree with the blogging that John Hoff and I do, and I do not take it personally when such views are stated here or elsewhere.) While crime can happen anywhere and property owners must be served more than penalized by the city, there comes a point where the property owner bears responsibility. Successful landlords and business owners CAN and DO set the tone for what happens on and around their property, and I fully support holding the ones that don't accountable--especially once a pattern of neglect is clearly demonstrated. We have fundamental disagreements and I hope we can emphatically yet civilly state them here. Finally, you ask how long I have been living in Hawthorne. For the sake of demonstrating that I did not begin calling MYSELF the "Hawthorne Hawkman," here is the johnnynorthside.com post where that nickname was born (by an anonymous commenter): http://adventuresofjohnnynorthside.blogspot.com/2009/04/warning-city-inspectors-hawthorne.html Perhaps I am reading your question from too defensive of a standpoint, but I detect an accusatory tone and therefore will answer this way: I've been living in Hawthorne long enough to publicly state my opinions about and passion for my community with a certain degree of confidence that such beliefs are grounded in the experience of many of my fellow neighbors. Jeff Skrenes Hawthorne
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