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Lennie Chism
Lennie Chism, the subject of several recent blog posts after his (self-described, now) heckling of Council Member Don Samuels, sent me a substantive email with his point of view. In light of all I wrote about Lennie, it is only fair and right that I publish his missive, and without a lot of snarky commentary...which I've published plenty of, already.
Paragraph breaks have been inserted for east of reading. (It arrived as one long paragraph) Everything else remains exactly as it arrived. Lennie emails and says as follows...
No, John, you are not quite right. I need your continued efforts to detail as much as possible the plight of a North Minneapolis Business, mine. Don Samuels represents why we have not had any growth. Ask Don if he ever came by my business or any other politicians to ask what the needs along Glenwood are?
Why would I come to heckle growth, success, and prosperity? Our crime rate is off the chart, no jobs, and even more pathetic is the best jobs are re-entry. Now, you keep detailing me, makes my voice stronger. The late John F. Kennedy said the Civil Rights struggle was not moving forward till "Bull Connor" was shown through eyes of the media. Who does Bull Connor look
like today?
Twist the story, but keep reporting the story. Here is a headline - "Why does everyone try to escape the high cost of the Black
address"? Why after 40 years after the 1968 riots does North Minneapolis look like a war zone of abandon buildings, of a boarded up business district on West Broadway - Target abandoned North Minneapolis.
John, continue to help the cause because each time the media comes to speak to me, about your story, I get to tell a story. In fact, I would like to see your efforts go for lobbying instead of gossip. Your talents are being wasted - Ask any kid in North Minneapolis, they just waiting and praying for the day they can leave and move to Burnsville.
Wait, are kids in Burnsville waiting to grow up to move to North Minneapolis? Are they being told go start a business in North Minneapolis? Not. Why do you think I am in there voicing my concerns - for my health? Not. WE NEED people like you to be story tellers for growth not gossip.
If the current power structure was working, maybe, I could take a seat. But wait, did you hear that - gunshot, siren, the father
slain walking down Emerson as told on the latest KARE11 report.
Walk by 1901 and view the bullet holes in the glass. Yea. use your blog talents to make me famous. In fact, hell I invite you to come visit with me. coffee, and then off to the capital we go so you can report how millions are allocated of lottery proceeds generated from impoverished North Minneapolis (The $95,000 grant request was for solar job project), but not to North
Minneapolis.
No, I think you would rather keep the slander going. If you are not involved in the fraud of North Minneapolis, then you are an innocent victim as I, of bad blogging.
Finally, I am not a great supporter of Kenya McKnight, but she is a kid from the Northside, and she did not run when she
grew up to the suburbs and wants to make her home better. Blog - Keep up the great work. Crazy, for investing $100,000 in North Minneapolis - most say so.
Paragraph breaks have been inserted for east of reading. (It arrived as one long paragraph) Everything else remains exactly as it arrived. Lennie emails and says as follows...
No, John, you are not quite right. I need your continued efforts to detail as much as possible the plight of a North Minneapolis Business, mine. Don Samuels represents why we have not had any growth. Ask Don if he ever came by my business or any other politicians to ask what the needs along Glenwood are?
Why would I come to heckle growth, success, and prosperity? Our crime rate is off the chart, no jobs, and even more pathetic is the best jobs are re-entry. Now, you keep detailing me, makes my voice stronger. The late John F. Kennedy said the Civil Rights struggle was not moving forward till "Bull Connor" was shown through eyes of the media. Who does Bull Connor look
like today?
Twist the story, but keep reporting the story. Here is a headline - "Why does everyone try to escape the high cost of the Black
address"? Why after 40 years after the 1968 riots does North Minneapolis look like a war zone of abandon buildings, of a boarded up business district on West Broadway - Target abandoned North Minneapolis.
John, continue to help the cause because each time the media comes to speak to me, about your story, I get to tell a story. In fact, I would like to see your efforts go for lobbying instead of gossip. Your talents are being wasted - Ask any kid in North Minneapolis, they just waiting and praying for the day they can leave and move to Burnsville.
Wait, are kids in Burnsville waiting to grow up to move to North Minneapolis? Are they being told go start a business in North Minneapolis? Not. Why do you think I am in there voicing my concerns - for my health? Not. WE NEED people like you to be story tellers for growth not gossip.
If the current power structure was working, maybe, I could take a seat. But wait, did you hear that - gunshot, siren, the father
slain walking down Emerson as told on the latest KARE11 report.
Walk by 1901 and view the bullet holes in the glass. Yea. use your blog talents to make me famous. In fact, hell I invite you to come visit with me. coffee, and then off to the capital we go so you can report how millions are allocated of lottery proceeds generated from impoverished North Minneapolis (The $95,000 grant request was for solar job project), but not to North
Minneapolis.
No, I think you would rather keep the slander going. If you are not involved in the fraud of North Minneapolis, then you are an innocent victim as I, of bad blogging.
Finally, I am not a great supporter of Kenya McKnight, but she is a kid from the Northside, and she did not run when she
grew up to the suburbs and wants to make her home better. Blog - Keep up the great work. Crazy, for investing $100,000 in North Minneapolis - most say so.
21 comments:
what??
The reference to "1901" is clearly 1901 Glenwood Ave., an address referenced many times in my previous posts.
Lennie:
Believe it or not, you are not the only person in the world to have noticed the problems in North Minneapolis. And, believe it or not, describing these problems in vehement, repetitive terms is not the same thing as putting forth a "solution." I understand that you believe that you have in your possession the silver bullet that will single-handedly solve all problems in North Minneapolis, and that Don Samuels has committed the sin of not using this silver bullet. It would help if you would write down coherently, simply, logically, perhaps even using bullet points, what exactly this ulta-simple solution is that you have. And, no, I don't want to purchase your booklet. On another note, have you ever considered that the failure of your own business might have any relation at all to any deficiency in your own planning abilities? That even one small, tiny percent of the problem might lie with YOU? And, finally, since you are incapable of running a successful business, why should anyone listen to you? Why, exactly, should we entrust our neighborhood to your brilliance?
Signed,
"Yes, I have a bullet hole in my house, too, and yes, JNS, I live in Homewood."
If I am not mistaken, rules and procedures exist at events such as the DFL endorsement event (for the fifth ward) for a reason. I would expect and anticipate that EVERYONE attending the event probably had a question or two they would have liked answered by either one or both of the candidates.
Unfortunately, to have allowed that to happen probably would have turned the endorsement into a three or four day (or more) event.
The real question that needs to be asked is WHY did Lennie feel his question was so important that he should be allowed to hold-up the proceeding until EVERYONE that was in attendance acknowledged he was there and had the right to be heard? WHAT right did he have to stop the process of democracy and take away the rights of everyone else that had decided to attend? Because he wasn't happy with the proceedings? Because he didn't like the answer from one of the candidates?
News-flash Lennie - the overwhelming majority of americans just voted a black president into office because his ideals and values were apparently more in-line with theirs than was his opponents'. I am happy to say that I voted for the majority.
I am quite frankly, sorry that you're somewhat disenfranchised with the process of change at the city minucupal level as it relates to the Northside.
However and please bear in-mind, Don Samuels has been in office for about 6 years. Hardly long enough in my opinion for someone to be frustrated enough to disrupt a political process because "change" isn't ocurring quickly enough to suit their needs.
The interesting aspect (in my humble opinion) is that you have the opportunity (through the political process) to facillitate change, or at the very least, use the accpeted processes in-place to state your grievances, yet you choose to continue to play the allmighty "trump" card instead. I am sincerely glad that Obama didn't follow your (or many others) lead, otherwise and god forbid, we would have been stuck with another four years of someone EXACTLY like we just spent the last eight years with.
My challenge to you Lennie? Intelligently and without playing the allmighty "trump card" explain to this blog exatly what your grievances are with Don Samuels.
In your opinion, what popular policies hasn't he supported that he should have? Or, what policies did he support that he should not have?
Please prove me wrong, as I would absolutely love to hear something of substance from you.
Guys like Don Samuels, or Kip Browne, or RT Rybak aren't the boogey man. However, they're also not very much interested in becoming involved in issues or conversations that will inevitablly end-up unproductive. Emotions will only get you so far. Then the real work needs to be done. Which is precisely why I have supported CM Samuels over the entire course of his political career. He doesn't take an "all or nothing" approach to things. And he realizes that change won't happen at a rate that he's satisfied with. However, he rolls-up his sleeves and does the very best he can. EVERY day.
To the anonymous poster who wrote the long reply: I'd love a picture of your "Homewood Bullet Hole."
I patched up the outside, since it came through the roof, but I can take a picture from the inside, where it came through the wall about 18 inches over my head, since I never plastered it over. This wasn't from the only gun battle that ever took place in front of my house, just the only one that hit my house. Well, since I've been here. There's a small-caliber bullet hole in a front window, but that was from before my time. However, as you've explained, since I don't "really" live in the Northside (which consists only of blocks that are crappy enough to meet your standards--meaning that anything good in the Northside is not "really" the Northside), I'm not sure how any of this is relevant to your blog.
My discussion about the Homewood neighborhood is more complicated than your summary. At one point early in the history of this blog--and in association with some columns I wrote for the Minnesota Daily--there were certain, shall I say, ELITISTS in the Homewood neighborhood who were mad at me for writing about "the truth and reality of my experience." They kept going on and on about their good life in HOMEWOOD.
To which my response has been: Homewood is an anomaly. In a good way. Like I told one of my "Homewood friends" recently on Facebook: What's a crime in Homewood? When somebody burns the brie cheese instead of properly toasting it.
There is the norm, and then there is the exception.
But Homewood is North Minneapolis, even though I've tried to popularize the phrase "Northern Minneapolis" to apply to Homewood. (The guy I say is the author of that phrase credits ME for the phrase. My memory of it is different)
Again, I'd be happy to get a picture of your "Homewood Bullet." If you want to, send it to hoffx106@umn.edu.
Dennis, we miss you here!
Lennie,
When you said Don Samuels and city officials never visited your business, I have to ask which businesses of yours did you mean? Springboard Development Corp. (Foundation?), Glennwood Enterprise? Interestingly enough, I saw "Harrison Youth Employment" listed in your business address too, is that another one business of yours? Maybe you should focus a little more?
I quote this from the missions statement from your website (http://www.sb501c3.org/): " Through a series of strategic partnerships, Springboard will bring to the table a business like professional approach to institute a means of working with existing businesses and the community to build the capacity in this area. " Seriously? Tell me your heckling of council member Don Samuels is either business like or professional.
Harrison Youth Employment did indeed turn up with an address at 1901 Glenwood Ave. N., but my research showed this organization--or very similarly named organizations--at different addresses.
Because I couldn't nail the info down to my satisfaction--and I thought this organization might have just used some space temporarily and may not be closely associated with Lennie Chism--I made a decision to leave that organization's name out of my post.
But, hey, it's been brought up as part of the substantive discussion, so there it is.
"but she is a kid from the Northside, and she did not run when she
grew up to the suburbs and wants to make her home better."
Are you kidding me? With the same logic, I would have voted for Sarah Palin too, not to mention she is way hotter.
Lennie sent me a long and substantive email, which it appears he wouldn't mind having published. The easiest way to do it is to just put it here as a comment:
-----------------
John, Kudos to your sprit of fairness.
John, funny thing here is I am not a mad or angry person; however, I attract spirited debates.
Overall, I am pretty impressed with your blog abilities and reach - people responded to my letter.
I asked that you keep bringing to light the disparity of economic treatment of the impoverished residents in North Minneapolis by city and government officials. For whatever reason,
economic prosperity has failed to reach North Minneapolis.
I have voiced these same opinions with Don in numerous private conversations for years.
Don knows me well. In fact Don stated to me "I am just a toy maker who became a politician."
If you research the behavior of city council, your
position may change as to whether Don is our best solution for a better North Minneapolis. I asked him "Once we graduate those fine kids from North
High, get them a college education, how do you propose we get them to return to North Minneapolis without more living wage jobs and amenities?"
Here's my statement submitted to the star tribune on the endorsement of Don Samuels...
"Old Mules and Old Mares Losing Reigns of power in North Minneapolis"
North Minneapolis Old Mules and Old Mares reigns are slowly being put out to pasture. The days of Don Samuels, Jackie Cherryholmes, Barbara Johnson,
Linda Higgins, and a plethora of old step and fetch Blacks self appointed representatives of North Minneapolis will soon be going the way of the late
Van White and the dinosaurs.
The politics of feeding the prisons to funnel
reentry programs and other social services programs are being challenged by a young politician representative of the makeup of North Minneapolis. The Re-Entry Programs have grown and are thriving - Kenya McKnight gives the
impoverished families hope of a better solution for being a resident of North Minneapolis.
Steve Thomas of the Network for Better Futures makes in excess of $180,000 per year off the backs of the "slavery re-entry" style legislation crafted by Senator Linda Higgins, supported by Don Samuels. Seek and you shall find a better way with Kenya McKnight.
Just spirited conversation.
Hey, think you can do it - get Don to attend a debate hosted by JohnnyNorthside.
Lennie Chism
Executive Director/Founder
www.sb501c3.org
lennie@sb501c3.org
612-861-6662
1901 Glenwood Ave North
Minneapolis, MN 55405
------------------
JNS replies: I am making some kind of effort to be non-partisan, here. It is my position that I continue to call 'em as I see 'em.
I don't think I am neutral enough to host a debate, however because I have serious doubts that a college drop out who (reportedly) believes the Queen of England controls American elections could be a good rep for North Minneapolis.
She's getting chewed up in the election. In the highly unlikely event she could win, she'd get MANGLED while holding office. Kenya is a walking mistake machine. She doesn't know a primary from a general election (see Facebook) and can't even spell simple words like "heard" versus "herd."
North Minneapolis would be effectively without a voice or reputation because Kenya would be so highly ineffective. Don has made pragmatic decisions that have created long, slow, steady progress.
Here's another thing you're doing, Lenny: you don't seem to actually be PART of the Kenya camp, merely a strong supporter. Yet your words, actions, and reputation are impacting the McKnight campaign, what's left of it. When you heckled like that, it came off like a planned disruption. You probably HURT Kenya.
Kenya is in way over her head. The puppet masters who put her up to this are using her for their own ends, unable to run themselves. That becomes obvious when Kenya only had 37 seconds to make a speech, but Al McFarlane got the microphone at length.
If Kenya were more of an EXPERIENCED politician, she would figure out ways to distance herself from past utterances (Queen of England...cough cough...secretly in control...cough...elections) and she'd be able to get enough supporters to the polls to snatch up the most important endorsement in the campaign.
Kenya's public reputation is suffering because her puppet masters don't have the kind of power, the kind of JUICE they claim. Are there people upset about the direction North Minneapolis is taking? Undoubtedly. But there appear to be a lot more who are very pleased, indeed, and they are VOTING.
Kenya can turn out a good number of pissed off people. But not nearly enough to win. At this convention, 60 percent is what you need to win the endorsement. In an election, 60 percent is a BLOW OUT. A LANDSLIDE. Even the very first vote which put Samuels way over 50 percent is a blow out and a landslide in a general election.
Correction: Should read "North Minneapolis would be effectively without a voice or REPRESENTATION not REPUTATION."
Lennie:
Rather than complaining about other people, why don't you just put forth your specific ideas and plans? Prove to us how much better a job you could do. If you want to persuade people, talk about specifics. Stating that Don "knows who you are" and that you have asked him questions doesn't persuade anyone of anything.
JNS,
What do you know about Network for Better Future? I have to say whatever this organization is, it is pretty good at staying under the radar in this age of information.
Here is all I can found:
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/03/24/network-says-community-key-recovery.html
(Another thing I can find online is a job posting paying $60,000 -$80,000 a year).
If you go to the website, you can found that it got a lot of money (4.4 mil). If it is true, I guess it is ok to pay the exec. 180k to manage that kind of money. However, It bothers me that they don't even have a web site. Since they don't have a website, there is no way to find out how many people they have in their program. Let's assume they got 40 people (full capacity according to the article), that is more than $100,000 per person, that sounds awful a a lot to me.
Please let us know whatever you can find.
I'm not following...is this organization connected to this discussion?
JNS,
In Lennie's email to you, he quoted his comments to the strib.
Here are the quotes:
"Steve Thomas of the Network for Better Futures makes in excess of $180,000 per year off the backs of the "slavery re-entry" style legislation crafted by Senator Linda Higgins, supported by Don Samuels. Seek and you shall find a better way with Kenya McKnight.
"
Since this is one of the reason he is against Don, i think it should be part of the discussion
Well Lennie....first things first...let's get those fine young men graduating from North High. If the majority of young people in north Minneapolis can graduate and go on to finish a college education then I feel very hopeful for the economic development here!
In re: Network for better futures, now I see the connection.
According to the Attorney General's site on charities, Network for Better Futures's purpose is "to promote recovery, resiliency and prosperity of at-risk men with a comprehensive strategy to coordinate delivery of housing, behavioral health services, health care, employment and community/family re-engagement services." It's contact information is: ATTN: Glenn Andis, 1017 Olson Memorial Highway, Mpls 55403. Phone is 612-455-6133.
According to its most recent tax return (2007), it took in $3.7 million in revenues and spent $772,056, 56% of which went to admin costs, including $154,583 in compensation to the president.
It is just one year old, according to the Secretary of State's information. Nice to bring in that kind of revenue in your first year!
Thanks. As I said in my other comment, I don't mind paying someone that kinda money if he/she can bring and manage 3.4 mil.
Lennie, do you mind telling me how much money you bring in, and how much you pay yourself?
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