Which is why GOP State Party Chair Tony Sutton recently called 13 GOP former legislators (including a WWII veteran and a Korean War veteran) "quislings." Actually, Sutton's exact quote is: "There's a special place in hell for these quislings.' But, that's a tangent. Back to the liquor stores - which contribute approximately $1,000,000 in revenue that doesn't have to be raised via tax dollars.
We know the nearly-indicted for felony Phil Young won't be around to sell the liquor stores; his term is up after he inflicts the next deficit-laden budget for future taxpayers to deal with. Duckstad may be around, if he wins his election (he's running against former Mayor Nancy Lukens, who was on the Council when the City received Moody's top rating; a rating today's alleged "conservatives" seem (heck)bent to lose). Aho still has two more years on the Council.
Will the voters knowingly elect those that also believe in that "core mission, limited government" philosophy? Will the voters know exactly what strict adherence to that philosophy means?
A simple question has not been asked this election cycle: "Will you support and work to enact an ordinance that will only allow the City to sell its Liquor Store Franchise only AFTER the citizens have approved of said sale via referendum?"
It's a question that needs to be asked, because like the recent proposed boundary changes, it COULD happen here...
Without further ado...
"It Can't Happen Here?"
Submitted by TwoPuttTommy on January 18, 2008 - 9:01am.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On January 2nd, a day when many people aren't paying close attention, the Star Tribune printed a story about municipal liquor stores, just like we have here on the prairie.
And in this story, the city of Shorewood is discussed - how a newly elected council member with a "core mission" philosophy (eerily familiar to Phil Young, Brad Aho, and Jon Duckstad) caused that city to sell it's liquor stores.
It's all about the "core mission" philosophy - and in the proverbial blink of an eye, extremist "conservatives" battling "socialism" sold a city's liquor operations.
Now, to think that that couldn't happen here, on the prairie, one has to put faith in the belief Phil, Brad, and Jon can be trusted.
Can they?
Gentle readers, make no mistake - the ol' TwoPutter does not think so. In all of the decades I've lived and been associated with Eden Prairie, this is the first time I have to say I simply do not trust this city's council.
Well, I do not trust THREE of the city's council members: Young, Aho, and Duckstad.
Mayor Young is on record of claiming that the local GOP party would not be helping him on his last election campaign, when, in fact, they were.
Mayor Young is on record of claiming that those opposed to the drastic cuts to social services, selling the senior center, etc etc etc during budgetary deliberations were a "distraction".
Since when in American history, are informed citizens petitioning government, a "distraction"? This "philosophy" is the philosophy of those that want to "rule", not "govern".
Moreso, did Phil Young and Jon Duckstad make clear in their campaigns, what they would immediately seek to do with the budget - and therefore, Eden Prairie's quality of life - once elected?
I think not. I think had Young and Duckstad clearly articulated where they wanted to take this city, the results of the election would have been quite different.
Now, this lack of articulation is not by accident. Both Young and Duckstad are attorneys; indeed, Duckstad is a Professor of Law. And just what is "law"? To a layman, "words, and their meaning." When a well-qualified attorney is inarticulate, or not clear on what they mean, that is by design - they are experts in words. An attorney that cannot make a meaning clear is not a good attorney.
So, here we have an issue of trust - two attorneys claiming adherence to a philosophy, but denying where that philosophy leads.
We also have a neighboring city, Shorewood, where Young, Aho, and Duckstad's ilk reversed city direction and sold the liquor stores in just a few months.
It can't happen here?
http://www.startribune.com/loc...
It can't happen here? Well, you didn't think that outrageous school borders plan could happen here either, did you?
