By Marcus Harcus
Councilmember (CM) Johnson is often undemocratic and opposes openness in government.
- She has been the Council's leading opponent of ranked choice voting (RCV); the only CM to vote against putting it on the ballot as a referendum question in 2006 and one of only two to vote against implementing the new voting system this fall. She's been a consistent 'no' vote on this at every step. She votes against the will of the people - remember, 2/3rds of Minneapolis voters wanted RCV.
- She voted to ask the Legislature - rather than asking the voters of Minneapolis to eliminate the elected Library Board.
- She did not speak up against taxing the people of Minneapolis for a new Twins Stadium without asking them, via a referendum.
- She voted against a resolution authorizing Council Members to blog. Why? What's wrong with transparency in government and improving communications with constituents?
Of the controversial issues that have come before the Council, Barb Johnson has voted for every proposed encroachment on people's rights and against every one that strengthens accountability for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).
- She voted against asking the Legislature for full subpoena power for the Civilian Review Authority, effectively opposing police accountability. She believes the police can do no wrong.
- She voted against the repeal of the Lurking ordinance, which criminalizes looking, to a police officer, like you're trying to conceal yourself and thinking about committing a crime. Those who are unaffected would be astonished if they knew how many hundreds if not thousands of innocent people are victimized in our city annually by such unconstitutional policing policies and practices. I've been a victim!
- She voted for the contract with the RNC "committee on arrangements" that took away local control of policing for the RNC; she moved to strip away all of the protections for free speech in the lead up to the RNC, she opposed requiring the MPD to do a thorough After Action Review of MPD actions relating to the RNC, including the preemptive raids the week before the convention.
CM Johnson supports enacting ridiculous policies:
- She voted for a total ban on upholstered furniture on unenclosed porches.
- She supported a proposed ordinance that would have made it illegal to walk in an alley of a block one doesn't live on. Imagine getting fined or arrested for visiting your relative, friend or neighbor and arriving on foot through their alley.
- She voted for an ordinance that bans idling your vehicle for more than three minutes. This is a cold weather climate, isn’t it? Can I not warm up my car in January?
People don't want politicians who believe in nanny states and enacting innumerous laws.
Barb has taken a number of actions against increased protections for the poor and working class:
- She opposed a proposed anti-predatory lending ordinance during the build-up of the foreclosure crisis.
- She opposed a resolution calling for a voluntary freeze on foreclosures.
- She opposed putting in place protections for renters whose apartments are being converted to high-end condos.
- She voted against protections for current taxi drivers when the City took away the cap on taxi licenses.
She makes decisions that are too often not in the best interests of communities.
- She voted to ignore the wishes of the near neighbors and allowed De LaSalle high school to build a private stadium on public parkland.
- She voted to contract with US Internet for the citywide wireless internet system without first studying public ownership. The Wifi system has not yet reached all parts of Minneapolis.
- She has not been supportive of efforts to include Community Benefits Agreements in City development deals. Is she serious?
- She supported the City of Minneapolis’ spending spree leading up to the foreclosure crisis. Between 2001-2006 Minneapolis increased spending 43% compared to a 13% spending increase in St. Paul and a 27% spending increase in Lakeville, the fastest growing suburb, during the same timeframe.
- She voted for an 8% increase in residential property taxes annual the past 7 years.
The incumbent is disconnected from most of the 4th Ward and she's also culturally incompetent. Any council member who dismisses discussions about racial disparities is unfit to address them, and it's especially irresponsible for one who represents one of the most diverse wards in the city, with disproportionate poverty rates.
She may know all the downtown insiders, but all of her connections, wealthy donors and experience on the City Council cannot buy her good judgment or support from the majority of the community. Being City Council President only takes her attention away from our community as she's focused more on downtown than the 4th Ward. Her political capital hasn't given the Northside any competitive advantage.
Remember on Election Day that the incumbent is a far right wing politician with only 1 vote on the City Council, out of 13. She is not a consensus builder, so her influence is limited with her colleagues.
Family dynasties are unhealthy for democracy. I sincerely respect that the incumbent's family has stood up to work for the Northside for 4 decades, but the majority of 4th Ward residents are ready for change. One middle-aged woman, a lifetime Northsider, told me that "Their family owns this ward." "No they don't," I replied. "The community has the power to decide who represents us in elected office. All we need to do is stand up and make the change happen if we really want it." Thx for 12 years of service Mrs. Johnson, but it's now time for new blood, new energy, new ideas and a new, progressive way going forward in the 4th Ward City Council office! I’ll be unseating you on November 3rd, 2009. Peace. |
