Comments on: Mayoral platform: Lee Lansing

By: Brendon Etter

Brendon Etter — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:50:54 +0000

But whenever will Bonnie interview me and get to the questions Northfielders really want to ask?

Like…

What?

and…

Huh?

and…

Seriously?

By: Bonnie Obremski

Bonnie Obremski — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:11:21 +0000

Interesting discussion folks! I have a lot to learn in a short time here in Northfield. My video interviews might not dig deeply here, but it helps me and hopefully a few others learn a little bit more about the candidates. My next scheduled interview is with Jon Denison, to appear next week. I’ll take suggestions for questions for Mr. Denison as well.

By: john george

john george — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:10:52 +0000

Maybe, if for some unseen, below the horizon, never heard of reason Obama would not become president, maybe we could entice him to settle here in Northfield and become mayor. He is all for change. Perhaps one of the colleges could offer him a lucrative professorship to fill in above the mayor’s salary. (Just trying to add a little humor to an otherwise morose subject here!)

Kiffi- Don’t give up your support of Lee. You an Victor have been been faithful friends for a long time. It is times like these that friends are most needed. I am serious here!

By: kiffi summa

kiffi summa — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:33:57 +0000

OK, Bonnie: Now that I’ve put myself in harm’s way, once again, and gotten some comments for you to evaluate … I think you owe me a coffee! Iced, please!

P.S. Note the rationale for “Minnesota Nice” … ‘Nuff said.

By: Bright Spencer

Bright Spencer — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:32:20 +0000

Last month I found out that my own maternal grandmother
was born in St. Paul…I guess that accounts for my
own personal 25% niceness. I could run for Quarter Mayor of Southern Northfield.

By: Patrick Enders

Patrick Enders — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:18:38 +0000

…and Martha also has a plausible explaination for the lack of comments. We do, after all, generally have a tendency to be “Minnesota Nice.”

But you did ask.

By: Martha Cashman

Martha Cashman — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:14:01 +0000

Kiffi,

Perhaps no one has commented because no one believes the mayor; no one trusts the mayor. He violated the public trust with his actions and behavior. He should have resigned back in December 2007 and he certainly should not be running for re-election if he wants this community to mend.

We have a mayor who is under criminal investigation running for re-election! If the voting public is looking for 10 to 12 good reasons NOT to vote for Lansing I would suggest that the they read the Everett Report. Which, by the way, I have read and do no share your interpretations of the facts, Kiffi.

This is not nor has it ever been about personalities on the council or staff at city hall. It has been about the mayor abusing the power of his position for his own gain. For you, Victor or any one else to refute this is pure bunk.

The city of Northfield needs a change, a breath of fresh air.

Martha

By: Bright Spencer

Bright Spencer — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:13:31 +0000

Okay, I listened, and what I think is that the Mayor needs a new PR person.
He is not all that good at self promotion and he never mentions anything in particular that may get the votes of new comers not familiar with the history of the last few years. He’s nice and pleasant, though.

May the best person win!

By: Patrick Enders

Patrick Enders — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:11:22 +0000

Well, Kiffi, since you asked…

While polite and reasonably professional, his interview didn’t address any of my (and others’) concerns about his prior actions.

Prior actions are generally a better indication of how any incumbent might act in a second term than anything they might say in an interview. Given that, in the interview he showed no insight in to the past that suggests he’ll act any differently in a second term.

By: Bright Spencer

Bright Spencer — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:59:19 +0000

I haven’t commented because I’d rather see it in print, so I can read it quickly. I am a busy woman these days. And I didn’t know it was up til just now. If I get a chance I’ll listen to it and comment. Others hopefully will, too.

By: Stephanie Henriksen

Stephanie Henriksen — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:57:47 +0000

Lansing’s interview here came off well, I thought. He did say that the first two years of his term were productive, then took a downturn. I can’t help but think the police chief’s disclosure of a drug problem in the area and his call for an investigation of Roder seemed to be the turning point. Then the finger pointing was conveniently turned in the direction of the mayor, and the media willingly went along.

After all he’s endured this past year, one has to admire the fact that he is running again. I have not decided which of the 7 candidates to support, but certainly Lee is in the top 3.

By: kiffi summa

kiffi summa — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:10:50 +0000

I was very surprised to see that there were no comments on this interview with the Mayor. It’s well known that I am a supporter of the Mayor, so one might say I’m “biased” (aren’t we all?), but I thought he sounded actually very “Mayoral”. For this type of interview a nice mix of general, and more specific, and certainly not focussing on the struggles of the last year.

I do think it is very important for people to remember the first two years of the Mayor’s term and not evaluate his term ONLY in reference to this last year.

What do others think?