OPINION | Barb Johnson responds
I was born and grew up in North Minneapolis. It has always been a diverse area and that is part of what makes our neighborhoods such wonderful places to live. I grew up in the 50s and 60s as a neighbor and friend to people of all backgrounds and races and attended socially diverse schools. My experiences, even as a child, have helped shape me as a person and as a leader. In my public service, I have continually reached out to all my constituents, and have served all who have asked for my help, including one of my political opponents. To suggest, as your recent article did, that I do not care or have neglected 4th Ward residents is simply untrue and I am deeply disturbed by these allegations.
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The changes that have occurred in the 4th Ward and on the North side are part of the life of a great city and I welcome that progress with open arms. It saddens me to think that my opponents have seized on differences which simply don’t exist for the sake of politics. This is due to the fact they have failed to build campaigns on issues that matter to residents of the 4th Ward. Baseless personal attacks don’t build parks, don’t support education and certainly don’t fight crime in our community. These are the issues I remain committed to working on every day and I invite a vigorous campaign in which the real issues facing our diverse community are discussed.
I am proud of my record serving the residents of the 4th Ward. Through the work of the council I have worked hard to reduce crime in our neighborhoods, and bring predatory real estate brokers to justice. I have assisted with economic development that has produced hundreds of jobs in our community. The success of Impact Mailing and the Minneapolis Business Center are just two examples of many. I have worked hard on improving water quality in the Mississippi River and in Shingle Creek, and have insisted on substantial improvements to the housing choices in our neighborhoods.
In these times of great uncertainty, I know, as do my neighbors that what the 4th Ward needs, now more than ever, is proven experience from a trusted neighbor. As always, my door is open and I welcome any resident’s questions or comments.
Barb Johnson is president of the Minneapolis City Council, where she represents the 4th Ward.
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Comments
Well Said Barb
I am all for unity and change
Barb Johnson
Barb Johnson
Race
It's great to finally have a black prez even though he's just a clone of Bush on policies. He keeps the Patriot Act going, he keeps fighting these stupid wars instead of independently investigating 9/11 and putting Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz/etc. in prison for their false flag operation that killed 3000 immediately and a million (Iraqis) eventually. Obama keeps single payer healthcare off the table but bails out Wall Street. He's articulate and charismatic but he's in bed with the Federal Reserve off-shore private banker criminals who anointed him and who intend to dissolve US sovereignty with a one-world gov complete with RFID chips and paperless money which THEY will control.
I hope people will look beyond Troy Parker's skin color before they vote for him this fall. Unfortunately that's the only thing he's got going for him but it might be all he needs.
good administrator knows the system, but doesn't like challenges
I haven't dealt with Barb Johnson for some years, but she had strengths and weaknesses like all of us. My sense is that she knows the system, and is a very good administrator, and her mind thinks like an administrator. But, in my experience, she doesn't like it when somebody else brings in an idea she doesn't like, and can be very disrespectful when you contradict her. She was very upset once when somebody suggested that a local business was spewing toxins in the air. I didn't get the sense that she wanted the truth as much as she was upset she was caught off guard. She takes things personally, and can strike back when she doesn't like what is being said that isn't part of her thinking.
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