post by John Hoff
Kris Brogan (who I've never heard of outside of city council races) is the only candidate foolish enough to run against City Council President Barb Johnson and may God have mercy on Brogan's soul. Former "candidate for everything" Troy Parker has apparently learned a lifetime of hard lessons and doesn't appear to be running for anything at the moment.
Very disheartening for bloggers, I might add, but the fees for Minneapolis political races went up recently and, well, I'm just saying.
The fees went up.
But in regard to Kris Brogan...
Though Brogan's chances of winning are roughly the same as her chances of transforming into a flying unicorn, all the same a political opposition blog has appeared and somebody sent me a link. For the record, I hereby truthfully declare that I had nothing to do with this blog, though I probably bear part of the blame for the "blogification" of North Minneapolis council races.
The mysterious new blog (click here for a link) is called The Brogan Files, which reminds me vaguely of the old television series The Rockford Files. Here is an embed of the opening intro, which was one of my father's favorite television shows and, I must say, is quite a blast from the past.
Because The Brogan Files comments on political issues that touch upon North Minneapolis, I have included it in my blog roll for the time being.
35 comments:
How in the heck have you been as involved as you have and not known Kris Brogan? Get to know her. Go have coffee with her sometime. You might still be a Barb supporter, but I bet you will walk away with some respect for the woman. Kris is pretty cool.
I just took a peak at the blog. I fail to impressed by the suggested impropriety that Kris claims to have moved to North Minneapolis because she loves it AND that she and her husband went through a foreclosure. Can't both be true? After such a humbling experience, wouldn't anyone love moving to a place where you can get a great house at a great price in a great community? What's not to love about that? I would bet a lot of folks have come here for economic reasons. No shame in that!
Barb Johnson needs to be taken out of the race no matter what the costs. Viva la Northside!
"Victory" has a thin Blogger profile.
That is always the case with those who do attack blogging leading up to elections where they are cowards not putting a name to the product.
Anonymous blogs like that suggest that there is more credibility to no name than if the person identified himself/herself.
Reminds me of panther eyes ...
Again, COWARD.
"Victory" has a thin Blogger profile.
These COWARDLY attack things that show up against candidates, done anonymously, suggest more credibility attaches to things that way than if the individual were to identify himself/herself.
Only COWARDS do that.
It reminds me of panther eyes ...
Cowardly, to the core.
So she went through a home foreclosure AND her business failed - which was a much loved and supported Nomi business, but from personal experience and DOZENS of similar experiences shared by other northsiders business slowed down b/c the owners had such an attitude about everything they made their customers feel like an inconvenience...
I don't think these make good foundations for a city council person. Just my opinion.
I'm not familiar with the business mentioned. Can you tell me more about that?
Really John. Have you ever ventured north of Dowling?
Not related to this blog but the broken comment section drives me to put this here...
I am playing a game called Kingdom Age. Just went to war against someone who is using the name "turdburglar". Made me think of you!
It was a flower business. You had to practically beg them to take and fill your orders.
Ghetto hood shit North of Dowling, who needs to go there? At least we have street maintenance!
I agree with the poster who said Kris is pretty cool. She's a normal, practical person with good ideas.
I'm only moderately troubled by any issues she might have had with foreclosure and business loss. (Reality is that quite a few people made the "error" of needing to buy or sell a house between 2000 and 2008. And if we look around, we see that *ahem* a lot of businesses over North open, struggle and close.)
I think it's easy to look for super solutions and sainted people to carry them out, but the Northside needs practical folk who are willing to try to keep low-level improvements moving forward. I'd take Kris any day over 16 "developers" whose ideas are rooted in what works on paper or in the 'burbs.
I'm pretty sure Kris isn't a saint, but she's a neat person who's enthusiastic about doing something good in a part of town that can be frustrating, so maybe she deserves a chance.
...which, Johnny Northside, is what I said about you when you first blew into town a few years ago.
I didn't blow into town on a campaign platform. Barb Johnson has delivered over and over for the Northside and I just don't see the point of this campaign by Kris Brogan who literally can't run a flower shop.
I don't know if the Brogan's ran a flower shop or not, but the business they are most known for is Papa's pizza. Great place. Great food, great location, terrible customer service and sometimes down right unfriendly from the owners who mostly ran it themselves with little employee staff.
Sure ya did! There was quite a lot of discussion of your campaign to be, well, you. Ruffled some feathers with your rough wit and semi-military persona, you did. :^)
Papa’s Restaurant
Ive rather enjoyed reading the Brogan Blog! I find it nice that for once someone is telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I find that how one runs their personal life will reflect how they will run the Ward they are running to represent!
This is pure, ugly, mud-slinging politics and it's damaging not just to Kris Brogan's campaign but to Barb Johnson's as well.
I don't see Barb being behind it either for that very reason. This is beneath those of us who have faith that the real political process to vet out the right candidate for the job.
I don't have to be for either of these candidates to say that this is really dirty, rotten politics and the author ought to come forward and identify him/herself and take the blog down.
I mean, what's the point? Kris has always been very open and honest about her life. What is the goal of Victory blogger in publishing this information that isn't nearly as damaging as a coward hiding behind the veil of anonymity publishing a bunch of trivial information.
Grow a pair Victory and identify yourself if you want anyone to take this seriously.
I find it quite funny that the Johnson campaign is resorting to this so soon in the race. If she (Barb)does not know about it, well that is even worse. It shows that they have no real faith in her and her campaign to resort to such tactics this early in the campaign. And to the fat chick in the neighborhood office in Folwell... you would stand to lose the most if Barb was not reelected.
"ANYONE BUT BARB"
Seriously. I'd vote for any random person off of the jail roster over Barb Johnson.
Why would I want to vote for Barb, who lies and doesn't look out for us?
How well did she help us after the tornado? How well is she helping us today? The research is easily found; read the city council agenda and outcomes, what in there is really helping us, and how much of that is she leading? Find out what she's saying, and see if it's true. It won't take long for you to find "manipulation of facts" A.K.A. lies. She's a nice old lady but ineffective for our area and deceitful.
Kris owned Papa's. John, I am surprised you did not know that!
Funny- First Canadian Smurf was on FB's Northtalk talking smack and its the same comment as she put on here. But on here its all "Anonymous said" and none of you are willing to put your name on your own posts? Yet your yelling at this blogger for not coming forward with their name??? Please you make my ass hurt!
COWARDLY - a word used alot about a blogger who does not use there real name.....but look through the comments in here and see who uses the word to most and you will see its the one listed as "anonymous" hummmm who is the COWARDLY Lion?
I think Kris Brogans agenda is crytal clear. She has been profiting off making the northside even slummier . She is a real estate consultant for RS Eden , my husband woked there for many years, She has already placed alot of criminal element into the nieghborhood by placing these properties over here . Her projecs, you can forget about any type of improvement in north mpls by giving her a position with any type of power over here .
It's you, 8:15 pm April 5, roar your ass off and stay lyin'
There are a lot of people who have credit/money issues because they've devoted the majority of their lives to working for the COMMUNITY, e.g. for nonprofits, trying to run small community-oriented businesses, etc. Big f-ing deal that they've had some money troubles- they're a large family with a lot of grandkids (based on what I've seen at the restaurant), and, like most good families, the grandparents have probably helped their extended family out. This makes them "real" in my opinion and able to relate to the people in their ward.
And if we're going to talk about money management, why don't we talk about Barb's illegal use of campaign funds for multiple years to pay her personal expenses on both her home in Minneapolis and lake cabin? There was a court case that declared illegality here, with fines/reparations, news articles, etc.- unfortunately the news articles didn't break until the day after the election.
Regarding "qualifications" to be a council person - Kris Brogan's resume/qualifications well exceed those of a person whose only qualification was that her mom was the City Council president for many years, a mom that was appointed to the City Council by her cousin who had the post prior, all of whom live (or lived) in huge homes on the parkway- the local elite dynasty. That is unless you consider Barb's nursing experience relate-able to city governance.
The reason everyone on here speaking out against the giant smear campaign against Kris are doing so "anonymously" is because they're downright afraid of Barb Johnson. Barb is one of the most powerful persons in the state, and she is never afraid to remind people of that in any way she is able to pull strings. She pulls favors for her supporters and makes life difficult for her detractors- this is pretty well known by people in a lot of circles, and is why you aren't hearing more people speak out publicly against her. I know a lot of her neighbors/people that live in her neighborhood, and I'd say the people in her own stomping grounds are the most anti-Barb and wanting her out of office. Some are public, others are afraid to speak out against her. This isn't hyperbole, it's reality.
I'm done with Barb Johnson, and if the rest of the Northside is smart, they will be too.
By the way, Johnny- I don't always agree with you or your antics, but I've always really appreciated and respected the fact that you post everyone's comments. In that sense your blog has become a place where people can speak their mind, using their name or anonymously, without fearing personal/political retribution, etc. So thanks for providing a forum!
It should be noted that every "slum" project that Ms. Brogan got to the northside would not be here with out Barb's support. Think about that.
Barb Johnson has done more for the northside than most council members have done for their wards. She actually talks to her constituents, cares about the northside and always puts us first. Kris may be a nice lady, I don't know her, but looking at her recent financial history it leaves a great deal to be desired. I am not willing to trust our ward and our city to someone whose qualifications include a failed business, a failed home life (financially) because she's cool. She worked in Mayor Belton's office, but I see no endorsement. She worked for the Whitter neighborhood association, but I see no endorsement , she ran as a republican in 1993 and didn't pay her campaign debt. Sorry folks, but that does not make her a good candidate. Maybe she needs to get her own house in order before looking to take on the city.
So why is this anonymous blogger only opening up comments to JNS and no one else?
Why can't the rest of us post questions as to the voracity of the information being shared?
Why is this blogger going after the good people who supported the Brogans?
Why try to destroy The Warren?
If only this chicken shit would identify themselves so we can decide of the source is credible or not.
I don't have to give up my anonymity because I'm not publishing an anonymous blog attacking people.
People who do that shit without standing behind their actions are likely up to no good themselves and I don't trust the information being shared and especially, I don't trust the person(s) behind it.
99% bulls--t, Whoever you are you are nothing but a bully. You publish what isn't even half truths and hide behind anonymity. The fact that people by into this crap is yet another issue. Do this one thing before you make judgment, Ask yourself this: What has Barb Johnson done for the 4th Ward? Nothing, the same thing her mother did.
Can the ones who say Barb has "done nothing for the 4th Ward" be more specific? Because the way I see it, we wouldn't have Aldis, or The Lowry Cafe, or Impact Mailing, among others, without her hard work and efforts on behalf of this community. We had a Kowalski's and other nice things but the residents steal more than the businesses can absorb in loss.
She's been around a loooooooooong time and has always been very attentive to the needs of this community. She's at every community event I've ever attended and is always open and receptive to people "accosting" her with their personal gripes.
People who don't like her can't be any more specific than "take her out of the race", "She doesn't do anything" because there isn't anything wrong with the job she's been doing. They've got a personal gripe that is hard to figure out.
The reason Kris doesn't like Barb is because they want to blame Barb and the city for their business failure. If only they'd take a look at how they ran it into the ground driving customers away with the constant bickering and drunken wait staff. There are a lot of people in NOMI that stopped going in there a long time ago because of these and other issues.
And how about all those people left with gift certificates and vouchers they paid for but can no longer use?
If she can't run a business and keep her house in order, how can she run business for the city on behalf of North Minneapolis?
As far as anyone else, why do we need to say goodbye to Ms. Johnson can be said in these few points...
1) Ethics charges and guilt paid with fines: Stated and is well known that she has said she is always campaigning, and therefor qualifies her to use campaign contributions for hair stylist, clothing, internet access in her cabin, etc. all from campaign contributions. This is a violation of Federal Elections rules. She was found guilty.
2) Let's see, how long has this family controlled the fourth ward? Before Barb (16 years) it was Mother Alice Rainville for How Long? Then before that we had Political upstart John Derus who is a cousin. This has been for the better part of 40 years. When did Northside politics become a monarchy?
3) Her decision to force the addition of over $600 million in taxes on the citizens of Minneapolis for the football stadium, even though we voted for a referendum and public vote if any public money over $10 million dollars were to be used.
4) Most scathing is her decison to strip away the rights of Occupy participants to have freedom of speech, Freedom of assembly, and Freedom for a redress of grievences. You may not like or agree with occupy, but what happens if she decides your group doesn't deserve the right to be heard? As a veteran, I find this to be most deplorable as we stand to protect and defend the constitution of the United States, against all enemies foreign and DOMESTIC!
I could go on, but I feel that this is more than enough reason to see this woman leave the Minneapoplis City Council, and to allow someone, ANYONE, to come forward with new energy and new ideas, to move our community forward, instead of stagnating and going nowhere with very little improvement.
Barb Johnson will not get my vote in November, or ever again!
You are an ant that's a little late to the political picnic, aren't you? The people have spoken loudly and the people have picked Barb Johnson on the first ballot at the DFL convention.
So I am late to the picnic? You make it seem that my points are not valid, and not worth voicing? I find this "Brogan Files" blog to be similar to the campaign site hack done to Tammy Lee a number of years ago when the Sabo seat was up for grabs. That hack job was done by Chris Stewart who won election to the minneapolis school board. I stated facts and concerns of the character of an elected official who I strongly feel needs to be removed from office. Many of the negative statements directed towards Ms Brogan are nothing more than innuendo and fabrications.
As a resident of North Minneapolis for almost 30 years, I find the whole aspect of DFL politics in this community appalling as well as too much of an "Old Boys" group; meaning don't upset the apple cart. When this becomes the norm, change becomes not only necessary but needed.
So keep on blogging, but remember, mere words can not only be constructive, they can also be destructive, especially when those words and accusations are inherently false.
Oh and by the way, this was only an endorsement, the real picnic is on November 5.
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