Politics as unusual in the 8th and 9th wards

For four years Councilmember Robert Lilligren has sponsored a Get Out The Vote Campaign and Celebration at Green Central Park. It has always been a sincere and effective way to encourage minorities to participate in the political process, but this year the planning committee got a little carried away. They wanted to charge candidates to appear in a public debate, to be on MTN, and be on a live broadcast on KMOJ. A bronze sponsorship cost $250 (you got your name on flyers and you got a booth). A silver sponsor cost $500. You got everything that the bronze got plus 5 minutes in front of MTN cameras. The gold cost $1,000 and you got everything plus your name mentioned on KMOJ.

Zach Metoyer, an independent candidate for City Council, wrote a letter to the organizers complaining that these restrictions of access were unfair and probably illegal. The committee quickly stopped selling sponsorships and opened the debate to all candidates.

In spite of the false start, it should be a wonderful event. There will be free food, entertainment, games for the kids, promotions and a bike give away. It will be Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Green Central Park and Gym, 3400 4th Avenue South. For more information contact Tiffany Green, Lilligren's Assistant, at 673-3315.

Gary Schiff is facing a strong challenge by Dave Shegstad in the 9th Ward. Schiff was one of only three Councilmembers to vote against the stadium sales tax that will contribute $30 million a year to multi-billionaire Carl Pohlad. Shegstad agrees with him on that issue. He says, "I'm dead set against a stadium tax unless we own the team." Schiff was the original author of the anti-smoking ordinance that prohibits smoking in bars. Shegstad believes that the ban should be up to the individual bar owners.

What looked like a sleeper now promises to be a spirited race.