Politics as unusual in the 8th and 12th wards

Kevin McDonald is taking time out from his campaigning for the 12th Ward seat on the city council to help aid the Sri Lankan government in urban planning and development.

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.

Kevin McDonald, candidate for City Council in the 12th Ward, will be making a slight detour on his route to downtown. He's going to Sri Lanka to assist the government there in urban planning and development. A nationally recognized environmental expert, McDonald has already been there three times, but that was before the tsunami devastated the country. Now his trip takes on an added urgency and purpose. McDonald faces Sandra Colvin Roy in the election for 12th Ward City Council.