Letters to the Editor - 11 2009 Time for city elections - Time for city elections

    Well, it it's time for another city election. We have 11 people running for the mayor's office. We also have almost all of the council members running for election. The only one that I need to know about is the one in my ward; the 4th Ward. The Derus, Rainville, Johnson group has been running the Forth Ward for over 40 years now. They keep passing the position on to the next one and somehow they get elected. Isn't it time we get some new blood in there?

    I have a neighbor who has a scrap yard in the backyard. There are usually four to six people tearing things apart, things that are probably stolen or at least picked up in the alleys; lawn mowers, snow blowers and air conditioners. After they tear out the valuable parts they put the scraps back behind people's garages. I have called the police two dozen times. The neighbors have also called. No one has ever shown up.

    If Johnson wins this election, are we going to have an inspection sweep like we had four years ago? Will that get rid of crime in the area? The 4th Ward has had the most extensive inspections in Minneapolis and the highest crime rates. Why is that? All inspections did was lead to more vacant houses. Just along my side of the street on my block there are four vacant houses and an empty duplex.

    I am for Troy Parker. He is a construction worker and in a union. He also belongs to several organizations. He helps in local schools and other civic matters. With Troy in there maybe we can get the police to do something about the crime in our ward.