Who should run for mayor and city council? How about school board and county board?

I see Betsy Buckheit at the top of the list and I hope she will run. There are other good names on the list, plus a couple I’d rather not see on the ballot.

Remember, Commissioners Gillen (Dist 1), Plaisance (Dist 3) and Brown (Dist 5) come up for renewal on the Rice County Board in November, as well. The fact that meetings are scheduled during the work day continues to limit the number of qualified candidates.

Norman,
With only three seats up for reelection this year, how would you suggest going about putting the other for four councilpersons’ positions up for a vote?

There are 4 seats up for election/re-election, 3 council seats and the mayor:

Mayor: Lee Lansing
At-Large: Kris Vohs
2nd Ward: Scott Davis (Southeastern fourth of town roughly)
3rd Ward: Arnie Nelson (Northwestern fourth of town including the St. Olaf campus roughly)

Maybe one of the mighty triumverate could post a ward/precinct map under this blog subject.

Jon Denison
Councilperson, 4th Ward (Southwestern/central part of town, the oddest shaped ward of them all primarily because two industrial/business parks are in it causing a smaller population base in a wider geographical area)

The fourth ward is an illegally constructed, i.e.gerrymandered ward.

The three requirements are approximate numbers, contiguity, and “communities of interest”.

The fourth ward only meets one of the three requirements: approximate numbers. Contiguity is not even approximated, and communities of interest is somewhat difficult to prove, and may be an outdated concept. When the ward/precinct map was changed, the fourth ward was configured the way it was to allow two seated council members to retain their seats without having to run again.

The League of Women Voters had to decide whether to challenge the Northfield or Rice County redistricting map in court. They chose to challenge Rice County, and won, creating some case law in the process.

Unfortunately, (some might think fortunately) our (LWV) coffers have not yet fully recovered, but there may another map challenge in the future.

Kiffi – that comment was actually from Patrick. We’re now working on a system to avoid mistakes like that. But I do agree with the comment made in my name. There will be enough confusion in the next election, without voting for six councilor seats. Also, as has been pointed out, there is the possibility that all four seats will turn over, changing the majority vote completely and thus in my mind nullifying the issue.

On another note, I would really like to encourage everyone seriously considering running for mayor to announce their candidacy as soon as possible. While I applaud David Hv, I know he won’t be the only one brave enough to face this challenge, and as citizens we will need considerable time to compare the potential candidates.

In addition to each mayoral candidate’s top five prioritized issues, I’d like to hear each candidate’s views, including reasoning, on the following:

• Opportunities/strategies to support and build upon downtown businesses
  
• The relative importance of different avenues for growth/action, such as: the liquor store, the skate park, a kayak/canoe park at the site of the current waterfall, an industrial business park
  
• Opportunities to increase the city’s tax base
  
• City staff

Kiffi. Yes; a clean slate, a vote of confidence is what is needed after this last annus horribilus (sp?).

I tend put myself in their shoes, Kiffi, and consider that a vote of renewed confidence in myself and my judgments as a councilor would be just the tonic for the next two years of council work. Indeed, it would place something akin to a leadership role on the reconfirmed’s shoulders. And I think all it would take for all three to seek affirmation is just one of them to do so (Jon, Jim or Noah). I not not the mechanism but I am sure there is one.

Well, you are a super confident Brit entrepreneur so you are not hesitant about putting yourself on the line. That characteristic of yours has been proven.

I just can’t imagine the three whose terms ARE NOT up, putting themselves “on the line”, for the sake of a clean slate. As I said, I doubt they think they’re part of the “clean slate problem”.

BUT, assuming they would do such a thing, (just for the sake of speculation) I also can’t think how exactly it would it would be done. Considering the dates and rules of vacated seats, it would get pretty dicey with the primary filing the 1st week of July…

Anybody got any ideas? Help Norm and I out with this one…

John,

I would love to try to explain your questions to the best of my understanding, but I think everyone can tell what responses I get even when all I’m trying to do is explain or clarify what I might consider a straight forward question.

Please feel free to call me at 507-412-1259 or email me at jon.denison@ci.northfield.mn.us anytime.

This goes for anyone!!!

Tracy,

The link is helpful, but does not help me determine how many seats on the PZC are coming up for change?

As a member of the PZC, you know there are 7 members. How many members will be selected by the new mayor, and confirmed by the council after the next election?

Term expiration dates are not listed on the City website. Can you help?

Just to be perfectly clear, I have no intention to run for public office, or the PZC.

I am more curious about the change of command of that particular commission, and will go and find the information.

Thanks Kiffi.

Jon D. I assure you that we would all benefit from the clarification that you are offering on a one-to-one basis to John T and others. Its rare and precious when a councilor gives us the benefit of their particular knowledge, understandings and insights, for you are privvy to much that we are not. So, by all means please share these and ignore the brickbats.

Tracy… Thank you so much. That helps.

Alright!  Alright!  Stop calling me!  Stop the constant barrage of pleading e-mails and pigeon-delivered telegrams.  Stop.

 I’ll do it.  I’ll run for mayor.  O.K.?   Happy now?!

Here’s my proposed motto: “Brendon Etter: Mayor-y Me”

or — “Brendon Etter: He’s Less Stupider Than You Might Think”

or — “Brendon Etter: Ribbed, For Your Civic Pleasure”

or — “Brendon Etter: He Know Things About You And Your Family That Your Vote Might Help Keep Under Wraps”

or — “Brendon Etter: Probably Fighting Terrorism”
 

I just need a campaign manager… Tracy? 

Britt, I hope you would volunteer your time.  Enthusiastically.  This is about civic involvement!  Fighting for a cause much greater than yourself:  Myself.

All kidding aside, Margit Johnson and Paul Hager are both strong names I could support.

Back in # 18 Felicity asked: How, Norman would you construct a clean slate since three Councilor seats are not up for election — each of those having 2 plus years remaining in their terms.

Very easily accomplished … if the councilors in question were inclined to face the public mid term.

Felicity wrote

Norm, I’m not at all sure a mechanism exists to do what you suggest. The charter (or perhaps code, can’t recall which) clearly specifies terms for each seat. If all six councilor spots were put to vote this time, how would they then cycle in the future?

Here’s how. Each of the three : Denison, Pokorney and Cashman submit resignations today …. effective the day of the election in November ’08 … Nov. 4?

Having made that move, their respective seats are then up for election for the remaining part of their original 4 year term — from November ’08 through December 31 ’10.

Having announced their resignations, the full council then sets the rules (By Charter, their prerogative) for the seating of the to-be newly elected Councilors to the three vacated seats. The other four seats of regularly scheduled elections, hold their office through Dec. 31.

Those seeking office file for the seat of their choice. This is likely to include all those who submitted resignations.

So, the three seats effected by the resignations are included in those voted for on Nov. 4 and the winners of those take office immediately upon the canvassing of the vote by the remaining four outgoing officials.

Assuming some or all of those who resigned sought re-election, they might win … and be immediately re-seated, losing no time on the job.

Those who do not vie for or win election, vacate per their earlier resignation.

So the question of the cycle of terms, is not interrupted. Wards Four, and Two and one At Large seat run again in two plus years, Nov 2010.

RESULT: The scalawags faced the voters and took their chances.

Here’s how. Each of the three : Denison, Pokorney and Cashman submit resignations today …. effective the day of the election in November ‘08 … Nov. 4?

Victor,
Very clever, but I don’t think calling our elected Councilpersons “scalawags” is going to help convince them to follow your suggestion. And I see no other reasons why they should.

They’ll be up for reelection when their terms end.

They could. They have little incentive to do so.

The clean slate requires two extraordinary things. First, a group of four who come to the table as a ready-made “clique”, or they will end up forging (or being cajoled) into joining with the “Residual Three (TM)”. Second, a group of four strong minded and knowledgeable people, NOT knowledgeable about the issues, but knowledgeable about the workings of this city’s staff.

First, as a ready made clique they might be able to avoid some of the pitfalls of small group coalition dynamics. Anyone can run for office, even a populist demagogue. But it takes a politician to change things (using politician in the non-derogatory sense).

Second, one of the primary shortfalls of “term limits” as a strategy for keeping the elected officials from becoming entrenched insiders is that the full-time staffs they rely on become the center of power because of their long-term memories of where the skeletons are. Heck, the new guys sometimes can’t even find the closets! And we’ve seen the sorry state of the relationship between staff and council in Northfield.

Oh no, Patrick, not you too – with this ‘small but vocal minority’ nonsense. Why not just bow out of this particular discussion without firing that last futile, baseless, broadside aimed at no-one in particular, no stated issue, no iteratable (?) comment, if fact nowt of substance at all. C’mon Partrick!

Patrick, you’re doing it again and y’er following the lead of Rudolph the Red’s groupies..the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

No-one has said throw the bums out. I, and others have said that it would be good for the community and the group of three if all seven were to throw their hats in the ring. Civilized, critical, constructive, debatable. And raised as a point for discussion which can be addressed in interesting and unique ways…and eventually let go of – or not.

You characterize it, as others have done on so many issues, as a witch-hunt and as such send us all to our corners to either come out fighting, or fire a broadside and disappear into the crowd, or just plain sulk. It bothers me immensely that this particular tactic is oft deployed as a stopping tactic to prevent further important and relevant and articulate discussion on issues that some of us will not simply allow to disappear or be swept under the carpet for the sake of avoiding further unpleasantness or embarrassing some erstwhile pillar of the establishment.

You imply that the 6 or 7 speak only for themselves and that the vast unspeaking and unheard majority are somehow or other in a different camp entirely and in fact are with you, or him, or her, or Rudolph, or the NNews, or the attorney, or the the government employee who has no axe to grind, or the expert who receives a bag of money for his unbiased, non-partisan pronouncements or some other ‘not-the six-or seven’ who see things clearly, rationally and dispassionately.

Who the are these ‘not 6 or 7’ and what the hell do they actually think on the issues. The issues, Patrick, not the U or not-U, the trouble-seekers and -makers…. the issues!.

C’mon, Norm. Play by your own rules. If you want the councilors to stand for a vote before their terms are up and you have the numbers behind you, organize recall elections for all of them. That’s what the mayor’s supporters told the many, many people outraged by his behavior over the last year. If you can’t prove you have the numbers, you speak for yourself — and the councilors answer to the very real people who actually elected them, not an uncounted, anonymous, amorphous group of critics who may or may not exist.
Happily, the charter gives you the perfect way to bring the hordes of critics to the ballot box — and you’ll have such wonderful weather on your side as you circulate the petitions.

So if the councilors split there’s unhealthy contention and conflict and if they agree there’s unhealthy bloc voting? Hmmmm…

After watching the first half of the city council work session last night, the hastily and “imperiously ” called meeting with the Charter Commission, I am more than ever convinced that Norm’s idea of needing a “clean slate” is a valid one.

What I call the “dynamics” are just not good. There’s no clearer way to say it.

Two lawyers were brought down from St. Paul to discuss the “roles and responsibilities” (ubiquitous term) of the Council and the Charter Commission. Well, I don’t believe for a moment that each of these groups doesn’t know, as well as any ever do, what their “roles and responsibilities” are. This terminology has become a euphemism for someone thinking someone is out of line.

After 45 minutes or so of beating around the bush, the real situation was brought to the table by Ms. Buckheit, newly appointed to the Chart/comm.
I can’t quote her exactly, but the essence of what she asked was: why are we having this quasi-educational meeting when the real questions/struggles/ conflicts(?) that brought us together tonight are not being addressed?

Well, it was theatre, in the true sense of the word. The two attorneys sat back, and watched , barely containing wry smiles, as the conversation began to take on a more realistic direction. And a lot of barely concealed animosity came out, and not just on the specific subject at hand.

At one point, C. Vohs, turned to the NFNews reporter and said that people should not believe everything they read in the paper, or should recognize that it might not be the whole story, and that the newspaper had been a negative influence in the town’s process. Harsh words; how was it specifically related to the issue at hand?

One of the matters to be settled between the two groups is the issue of the use of the city attorney’s services. That very real problem , one that needs definition, was barely touched. But why is it such a problem now, when this has not been in the past? “Advocacy”, dollars billed, what’s the real quandry?

Accusations about the Charter commissions intentions, based on the reading of their minutes were made by a councilperson, and defended by the commission’s chair. Although council members constantly reiterate that the Chart/comm is an independent body, they seem to want to control even the parameters of the discussion that occurs at that commission.

If the council wants to have the citizens believe that they are always acting in the best interests of the community, they need to have the same level of expectation of trust for the individuals , who have been picked by the district chief judge, to manage the upkeep of the city’s charter.

I wonder if the Charter Commission could put forward a change to a strong mayor system ? I think a strong mayor could act to fix obvious problems like the dangerous traffic jam at Division and Jefferson by quickly redirecting resources. I also think a strong mayor would go along way to enhance political decision making. The internet and blogs like locally grown are solid tools to check the worst impulses of a strong mayor system. Anything has to be better than what we have going now.

Griff, maybe you can move the whole section? Otherwise they will be out of order as we cut and paste each one.

Thanks Martha. That is very sweet.

Not sweet, Mary, just wishful and practical. You are a huge promoter of Northfield, you are fair, you have a gift for defusing tense situations. You are the RX for Northfield’s recovery! Vote Mary Rossing!

please find a qualified mayor anyone but jon denison we can do much better than what we have now. we need a leader to heal our rifts and differences maybe someone like victor summa eh would be ideal he understands process

Regardless of who runs, and who is elected, the most important thing will be to change the dynamics at City Hall.

In my opinion, the entire fault does not lie with the elected officials. Much of it, not all … unless you want to say that they must take charge of the Senior Staff, which of course they should, but have shown virtually NO inclination to do. The bare, red-faced, aggressive body english challenge to the Mayor at Monday’s meeting was completely unacceptable. An employee is not to be denigrated for being an employee, rather than elected; but the authority is simply not the same. An employee should bring their professional skills, if they have them, to bear on a difficult situation, rather than initiating a conflict. More management skill, less raw aggression expressed as concern for other staff, especially those who are able to take care of themselves.

I am not the only person who thinks this was a serious violation; several other people of what I would consider to be of widely divergent general views, have expressed the same concern in the last two days.

This is a situation which demands high leadership skills; maybe the only way to manage it is by rigid adherence to procedural rules.

Don’t count yourself out until you’ve tried!

Oh my!

Well, Bright’s endorsement will likely stop this thread. Everyone … up, off the floor!

Interesting … hmmm?

What I see in that list, regardless of who’d become mayor is a whole new style on the council; if Dixon, Ray, Lee and i were elected. And, talk about televised drama. Guaranteed high ratings … not to mention full houses every meeting.

Let’s see … Ray’s Third Ward. Dixon, Second or Mayor … and Lee, second or Mayor … and I’m at large!

Well that works. Most of those names are electable.

That was easy. So, why can’t Clinton and Obama work it out? Maybe Bright should give them a call.

Living here for a short time it has become very apparent to me that the powers in charge of Northfield are dysfunctional at best.
The citizens of Northfield are the ones to suffer. Common sense, fiscal responsibility and accountability have all been muddled by political infighting.
I don’t know the details on how we got here, but as an outsider this is painful to watch. It seems that even the most simple things have fallen victim to bickering and ill will.

Whoever we decide on to put in next has to be a complete departure from the usual suspects. Remember they got us here in the first place.

I will be looking for a professional businesslike approach to managing city affairs. We as citizen need to demand from our leaders that they have our best interests in mind and more importantly will stand up and be accountable for their actions. I’d rather have an honest member that admits his/her mistakes then a sneaky pretender that hides his/her agenda.

I’m running for a seat on the school board. My previous (non-elected) public service includes two terms on the Northfield Public Library Board (two years as secretary) and three years on the school district’s District Educational Program Advisory Committee (DEPAC), serving on the assessment subcommittee. I’ve also been a substitute teacher in Northfield (K-8) and at Minneapolis South High School. I’d be happy to talk about my candidacy after I return from three weeks of vacation, followed by hernia surgery at the end of July!

Oh Betsey, and you didn’t even give me a hint when we celebrating Dennis and Katherine’s wedding anniversary the other night…

…all that talk about local politics and you sat there uncharacteristically silent…

…although I did seem to sense a Mona Lisa smile.

I guess I’ll have to go to Elizabeth to get all the breaking news.

Last night there was a rumor going ’round the JuneBug that Wendy Smith was going to challenge Kris Vohs for the at-large seat. I see today in the News that she’s not running for re-election to the School Board in order to pursue other challenges. She’s got community-wide name recognition, is a few decades younger, after eight years on the Board knows how to play vigorously but respectfully in the school yard, and is a talented singer and guitarist. It’s a pretty appealing package.

I have much admiration for all of the candidates in the upcoming mayoral election (as well as for those choosing to seek council seats). To run for office requires a significant amount of passion and concern for this community — it’s much easier to talk about “change” vs. being an actual agent for change.

With that in mind, I am pleased to learn of Mary’s candidacy. Yes, I admit she’s a good friend. And as such, I’ve witnessed first-hand over the years her ability to “build bridges and mend fences.” Her enthusiasm for this town is such an inspiration — and I thank and credit her for my own civic involvement. When I moved here six years ago, I didn’t know anyone. But with her encouragement, I took the plunge. Now, I can’t imagine not being involved. I love this town and it’s people like Mary that make it such a wonderful place.

I very much look forward to the upcoming election. We are very fortunate to have a group of committed citizens willing to push up their shirt sleeves and work hard to better our community.

I would be on cloud nine if Gary Wagenbach filed for county commissioner, but that would be Jake Gillen’s district, Dist. 1. You may want to doublecheck, Griff.

The resignation of Noah Cashman is a great loss for the city. I hope for the best for his sister Sarah.

Yes Tracy, that would be the seat. I thought that with the resignation of Noah Cashman people might be confused and think i was filing for the remainder of that term. Iwas trying to be out front of the curve by identifying the position sought by term length as that is how the offices will be differentiated on the election ballot.(Charter Sec. 5.5)

The Charter also outlines other information you or others may find interesting about the vacancy that exists because of the resignation.

From Sec 3.5
the council shall by resolution declare the vacancy to exist and shall forthwith appoint an eligible person to fill the vacancy.
If the vacancy occurs between January 1 and July 31, the appointee shall serve until the end of the current year.
A replacement shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the year in which the appointment expires.
the elected replacement shall have a shortened term that fills the unexpired part of the term of the person requiring replacement.

And Sec. 5.3
The procedure of such election shall conform as nearly as possible to that prescribed for other municipal elections, except that a primary election shall not be held for any special election for filling a vacancy or vacancies in the council.

And Sec. 5.6
A candidate seeking to fill the unexpired term of a vacated office shall file an affidavit of candidacy with the city clerk not more than 70 days nor less than 56 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Which I believe works out to be from Tuesday August 26th to Tuesday September 9th.

I hope that helps clarify things for you. Now all we need is some one to clarify what kind of time frame forthwith might entail.

I’ve been thinking about running for council in the upcoming elections – I’m eligible for 2nd Ward, both At-Large, and Mayor. But I need some advice:

I’m pretty sure that if Lee Lansing had not run for Mayor in 2004 and succeeded, but had instead focused on his building & business venture, we would all now be buying our booze at the municipal liquor store in his building in the 600 block.

My dilemma is this: I intend to reapply for rezoning of my property (my home) at 1001 Division Street from residential to commercial as and when the new Comp Plan is done – likely, this will not be until the end of 2008.

I understand that the prospects for rezoning being granted are good. But I imagine Lee Lansing has a similar confidence about his project, until he became Mayor Lansing and the sky fell in.

Needless to say, I am not considering public office in order to get 1001 rezoned. So what do you advise?

Thanks for chiming in, Bruce.

Norman either inadvertently or deliberately brings up a very interesting point. The City charter defines a conflict of interest very clearly; I don’t see anything wrong with Norman running for council as long as he clearly declares his interest in any particular action regarding a property he owns.

However, as the recent liquor store fracas has demonstrated, there’s a difference between declaring an interest, and lobbying behind the scenes on behalf of that interest. In addition, there are those in this community who are not content with state law and city ordinance, and think that if an elected official benefits in any way from a decision made by the City, it’s unethical. Not being so simplistic or literally-minded, I disagree. But that’s the sort of issue Norman would be facing.

My two bits’ worth: Norman, I’d be happy to have you represent me on the council, but I think you might actually do more good for Northfield as an independent business owner doing what you do so well now.

Norman, for someone who wants to offer the city a clean slate, why would you bring along a pocketful of chalk instead of an eraser?
Please resolve your zoning issue and then run two years from now. Spare the city another round of confusion and complications, just when the council should be sitting down and solving problems together.
I don’t feel that businesspeople should be barred from voting on tax issues, it’s just that your rezoning is such a very personal and specific issue that it should not become an election issue — or an issue after the election.
Declaring that you want the rezoning makes it a question for other candidates. Will you work to defeat candidates who are qualified in other areas but who have declared they will vote against your financial interests? Will you be able to work with them if they are elected and vote against you?
You and they shouldn’t have to be in that uncomfortable position.

Anne, would you also bar anyone who rents or owns a rental in Northfield from running, on the theory that they will have to help revise a rental code that will affect their property? What about the owner of a historic building who intends to have work done that will be affected by the building code?

The answer is not to bar anyone with a potential conflict from running for or holding office. The recusal system, though not used properly recently, will work if people use common sense to avoid getting into hot water. And of course, the best solution is simply to do a thorough update of the charter, including reasons for and full description of recusal from discussion/voting.

Norman, many in these blogs discuss transparency as being important in our government processes. You have been very transparent on at least these two things:

1. You’d like to run for council
2. You’d like a zoning change for your building

From my perspective, you have done what is needed to be in the clear regarding your candidacy…so, go for it! There is no experience requirement and voters are left to judge whether they want to give you the power to make decisions as their representative.

If (or when) you are elected, then I would suggest that you establish a very high standard of disclosure and transparency for items that will benefit you disproportionally and recuse yourself from discussion and voting on such items….just as you said you would do.

Just so everyone understands … if they had read all the background memos from the infamous Everett report, and all the council packets, AND been at the meetings or watched them on TV, they would know that the Mayor has checked with the city attorney (both verbally and in writing) constantly on his need to recuse himself, gone beyond all legal requirements to recuse himself from meetings, and regardless of how you feel about the Mayor, not recusing himself is not something of which he can be legitimately accused.

If the mayor has done everything correctly, why was there an alegation of unethical behavior against him out of all the investigations? Maybe I missed something here, but I thought that was the result.

Bright: I rely upon the fact that regardless of what the speculation is about what the Mayor may , or may not have done, there is no proof to be found in the Everett reports,only accusation, and there is nothing in the closed meeting tapes, and it was this City Council who for Two solid years identified the Mayor’s son’s property as their preferred site for the liquor store …and that is something most of them would prefer to forget.

This has all been personal, and directed around issues of power, and has been nothing but sheer hell for our community, and all the people involved.

And now, fearing to “lose face”, this council is likely to vote severance and legal fees for the administrator who has sought and gained another job, in a community he thinks more highly of, leaving the wreckage of personal politics, and “shopping for answers” behind him, to say nothing of the morass of a criminal investigation ongoing in Goodhue County.

When more than a dozen former mayors and councilors review a situation and publicly ask the mayor to resign, there is more involved than personal attacks and power plays by an individual staff member.

Griff – My post #115 gives charter information about a special election primary (none) and filing period which if I added correctly would be Tuesday August 26th to Tuesday September 9th.

Referring back to comment #137

Concerning the meeting of former mayors and council persons, one of them told me later that she really regretted being a party to asking Lee to resign when she was not fully informed.

The Secretary of State’s website includes Eduardo Wolle, plus these school board candidates:

Ellen Iverson
Kevin Budig
Diane Cirksena

I found this website full of statistics about various towns. The link below is for Northfield and the surrounding area (55057 zip code):

http://www.bestplaces.net/zip-code/Northfield-Minnesota-55057.aspx

I’m sure that the student population distorts some of the statistics, but it is interesting to see things like how much our schools spend per pupil versus the national average, etc. ($5,638 in Northfield vs. $6,058 nationally).

16% of residents in our area have a graduate degree, but if you remove the college students from the calculation, I would guess that this figure jumps to about 22%. The national average is about 7%.

2/3 of Northfielders are “religious” versus 50% nationally.

Does this mean that we are well-educated, but have faith that our underspending on schools will work out in the long run?

Fun with statistics!

Our next mayor:
– Brendon Etter: Less Stupider Than You Might Think

the slogan of a winning campaign!

Tried to email Mr. Schlichting, and it bounced back, from his site, not my typing.

Griff,

 Bad news.

We can only hope I recover.

The Star Tribune posted a piece about Northfield last night, Candidates flock to replace leadership

I witnessed first hand the Etter machine at work today. The Brendon Etter campaign bus was busy soliciting votes from dog walkers in south central Northfield. Do not overestimate the power of the stealth write in campaign of Mr. Etter.

Sounds good, Curt! Glad to have you on-board as a highly-paid strategist / spin doctor (payment from outside sources only to steer clear of pesky campaign finance laws).

My first initial and last name spell “BEtter”. I thought about running with the slogan “Can’t find a Better man.” It’s a Pearl Jam song, too. The kids’ll love that.

But why limit myself to one or two slogans? I say run with as many as possible, whipping them out as circumstances warrant.

Keep the great ideas coming!

Britt Ackerman said:

You won’t need to spend any money on the campaign, nor will you need to show up at any forums or debates.

Hmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder where I’ve seen that work before?

Good luck Mr. Etter, I’d be honored to serve with you (as wheather I win or lose I’ll still be on the council). I’m not offering my endorsement by no means, as I’m sure you’d not take it anyway LOL.

Britt, Jon, Tracy, Thank you for the helpful comments. I agree: I am almost too handsome and dangerous and mysterious to be in something as trivial as politics. I knew this going in, but I’m so glad you are there to remind me. (This isn’t exactly what you wrote, but I can read between the lines. The love is clearly there.)

You know, we’ve been through so much together… there was that one time… remember that? That was so great! Because of our intense shared histories, and all we’ve learned from each other, I’m glad that each of you is marching lockstep behind me in my race to power.

Tracy, here’s some guidance to help unwrap a little bit of the mystery behind the man. Not too much, or it wouldn’t be a mystery.

Incidentally, I’m looking for some free bumper stickers, buttons, yard signs, t-shirts for the campaign. Anyone?

Boo-yaa! (That’s something the kids say.)

Damn right! I want those signs, Bruce! This is exactly the sort of outside-the-box-plot thinking you want in your friendly neighborhood statistician.

I work at the Carleton Bookstore, or you could drop them off with my wife at Leota Goodney’s office above Blue Monday.

I’ll edit the signs, and then I would just need some volunteers who would somewhat-willingly post the signs on their lawns.

Anyone?

Hey Griff, why not just call the city and get the information directly from the source. There is life outside of the blogosphere. 645-8833

Mr. Wm. Bassett, the former interim city administrator, is conducting this info session .
Will they hire him a second time, to do one for candidates running for
the Vacated at-large seat of C. Cashman, after those candidates file between Aug 26, and Sept 9th?

Big, BIG night at City Hall … 4:30 EDA infill committee meeting; 5PM Special Charter Commission meeting, 6 PM Candidates info session, 7 PM Planning Commission meeting…