LENNIE CHISMI am a graduate of The Ohio State University. I moved to Minnesota in 1988 to work for Cargill. I created the economic publication Black Pages in 1990. I was the difference then and now.
I am running for the 5th Ward City Council because I strongly disagree and I am opposed to Don Samuels anti positions on the following issues, small business, public schools, people of color, gay rights, affirmative action and economic development.
HE MUST GO!!!!
The incumbent has done nothing to encourage development of the vacant lots of the 5th ward along West Broadway, Glenwood avenues, Plymouth Ave, Penn Ave, or Golden Valley Road. No political will for small business development evidenced by the city’s razing of Uncle Bill’s convenience store, The big stop, the recent raids of business on West Broadway due to a rumor of missing cell phones from Target. Business owners were put in jail for up to 36-hours with no cell phones found and no charges filed.
The West Broadway projects bragged as one of his accomplishment are the results of lobbying by former city councilperson Jackie Cherryhomes for her clients. These are sweetheart deals at excessive cost above typical projects this size and nature.
Don Samuels participates in corruption of city hall. A recent lawsuit, Hoyt v. City of Minneapolis, revealed the city council was in violation of the city statues, Minnesota laws and the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The city council was found to be “closed minded”, “violating due process”, “and practicing an unwritten policy of king of my ward. The case may cost the city over $26 million dollars of tax payer money. The FBI is seeking obstruction of justice charges against city council members for failing to turn over documents.
Don Samuels is anti-jobs as evidenced by the recent $1.7 million in demolition contracts awarded by the city to remove properties from the 5th ward with all the affirmative action requirements by city and federal laws stripped. This is an excellent example for the use of residents in our community, job and business development. The lack of a job opportunity is known to encourage crime.
For most of us who cannot send our children to private schools, the incumbent Don Samuels has stated he would never see his kids in a public school. He is anti-public education. He has a far right wing position in opposition of public education. What would most of us do without public schools?
Regarding his recent statement that the 5th ward needs an exorcism; we all know who he wants to remove. Black People. The only thing we need to exercise from our community is Don Samuels
Vote for Lennie Chism as your first choice. The leadership the community needs for a better community. Lennie Chism.
NATALIE JOHNSON LEEAfter serving as a Councilmember for four years and observing as a resident of the Fifth Ward for four years I decided that the Ward would be better served by my leadership. The doors to city hall seem to require a private invitation for participation. Opportunities remain virtually nonexistent for people who actually live North Minneapolis. We can no longer build the Fifth Ward from the outside in. Through partnerships we can shine as a beacon of hope. Together, we can mount an effort to build upon our successes. Access to opportunity and equitable resource distribution will be important in this effort.
If elected, I pledge to:
• Protect home ownership investments, property values and the rights of renters.
• Assist entrepreneurs and existing businesses by providing the capital necessary for expansion and job creation.
• Work with the Minneapolis Public School Board to develop a city-wide plan to prioritize youth leadership, strong parenting and educational opportunities.
• Facilitate first-class educational opportunities to all residents of the Fifth Ward who desire to improve their lives and secure a brighter future.
• Maintain autonomy of Minneapolis Park Board and work collectively with the Board to preserve and strengthen our parks, lakes and wetlands.
We must ensure that federal stimulus monies be used to reinvigorate the economy in North Minneapolis. However, our dreams for a better future must extend beyond federal assistance as we seek to transform North Minneapolis into a viable economic engine that lifts all boats and transcends all tides.
As regional transportation is set, we must be vigilant in working with the Metropolitan Council to ensure that LRT implementation adds to the value the 5th ward and its residents.
As I have traveled the Fifth Ward knocking on doors and visiting with residents, I am excited about the serious resolve of the residents who are committed to realizing the full potential of the Fifth Ward.
When voting on Tuesday, November 3, we can send a strong message that we will not view each other by socio-economic status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race or religion, but rather begin to view each other as neighbor, friend and fellow human being. It is time to tap the vast pool of talent that exists in North Minneapolis.
I ask for your vote November 3 as your first choice and pledge that if elected, I will work continuously at being a bridge-builder and community healer.
Most importantly, if elected, I will harness all of my experience and knowledge to be an effective voice at the table of ideas and innovation at City Hall . . . working tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the 5th Ward.
KENYA MCKNIGHTI have lived in North Minneapolis for the past 23 of my 32 years and have seen some very destructive disheartening political behavior and narrow approaches to addressing our challenges and increased division in recent years that has torn the fiber of this community into pieces. This momentum must change now.
• I will champion legacy leadership initiatives,
• I will fight for full and expanded funding for deserving and accountable work and services;
• I will promote entrepreneurship and business development; advocate increase service and opportunity for children and families,
• I will encourage the youth of the community and those seeking to enter the workforce and higher education;
• I will pay attention to the needs of the elderly;
• I will create collaborative responses to the housing and financial debacle in ways that ensure all elements of the community benefit from and participate in turnaround strategies as they flow from the federal to the local and neighborhood level.
My leadership sends a signal to Minneapolis City Council and to city government that policies and practices that marginalize or ignore our voices and our interests can no longer prevail. From this day on our community will work within a Social Entrepreneurship Model that increases social responsibility, social accountability and self sufficiency amongst the residents, returning the governance of community life back to the people with support from the government as opposed to a government operated community.
We will be strategic and intentional about the direction of our future. It's not about looking backwards, it's about moving forward. We know what our challenges are, we know what has not worked and what needs to change. These are not new problems, yet we must seek a new way to address these problems for the sake of our community health and our future. It has always been the community's responsibility to govern itself and it's time for us to get back to the basics. That is the change our community seeks and expects.
My goal is to help develop a political agenda to address issues proactively such as concerning ourselves with. 2010 Census study which will help leverage dollars for our community and making sure redistricting does not disenfranchise the 5th Ward again. Creating a healthier public safety system by choosing a good chief who understands citizen engagement and the necessity of police and community working together.
Preserving our fire and safety department because they are our first line of safety. Investing time & effort into building our youths capacity to be productive citizens. Fighting for expanded use of recidivism funding for educational support to our public and charter schools.
To elect me is to elect a new clean slate for the 5th Ward with doors open to everyone who has a vested interest in supporting the 5th Ward. Putting community first.
DON SAMUELSIt’s only a few days till the November 3 election. I thank you for your kindness as my campaigners and I have knocked on your doors, called your phones, and asked for your support. We’ve exchanged ideas and dreamed big dreams. We’ve remembered the history of our community and debated about its future.
I love representing the Fifth Ward on the Minneapolis City Council. I am proud of the strides we have made, even during the worst recession since the Great Depression. With sure steps, we will rebuild our community, creating a home for people of all cultures and races, for families of all shapes and sizes.
I humbly ask for your vote on November 3 to allow me to serve you for another term. I’d be proud to continue our work to revitalize our community — together!
ROGER SMITHRUDThe undertone of corruption, backroom deals, lack of transparency and the take care your friends attitude is hurting our city and our ward. The “my way or the highway” attitude, the perceived attack on landlords with multiple properties by inspections using techniques like inspecting all of their properties at the same does not build confidence that inspections are not being used for political ends.
We have many intelligent, caring City of Minneapolis employees that wish to see the city inspectors be one of the prime examples how good communications --clear and precise to orders-- can reduce generalization and increase understanding so that residents and landlords, commercial properties and small business owners can have respect for the city inspectors.
I would like to see Minneapolis increase its efforts to inform the public about spending that increases sales tax income for the city, and reduces property taxes without jeopardizing police and fire and inspections services.
We need more small business. North Minneapolis is a multicultural neighborhood that could have mini-malls in small- or medium-size buildings holding multiple small or startup businesses at low operating costs. We need more sit down restaurants, community meeting places that can hold 200 or 300 people, and more banquet halls. The only restrictions should be based on communication from the communities and what they say they want.
I'm looking for a renewed Minneapolis City Council. We need to look at new directions. We need to not be looking at corporate, but smaller businesses, and budget for partnerships and developments within our communities that recycle the money that comes into the city.
We need jobs within the Minneapolis community especially for the North side. We need to look for ways to reduce police violence. We need to reduce the need for lawsuits against the city and the City Council. We need to increase the respectability of the employees and remind them that theirs is a public service job and the true employer is the public. We need to remind the mayor, senators, and state representatives that they are our employees.
I would highly appreciate being your first vote on this new ranked choice voting, if not your second or third. I've done my best to live my life with pride in the work I do. I try to be honest and honestly wish it also to be known that my union, Teamsters Local 120, told me they are mailing a donation to my campaign.
Insightnews.com