Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Wife of Minneapolis Councilman Zimmermann and the "Gang of Five"
On the Minneapolis Issues List, Jenny Heiser, wife of the ethically challenged Dean Zimmermann goes after her husband's critics with a vengeance
"Furthermore, for the enlightenment of list members, Russell Raczkowski, Liz McLemore, Ken Avidor (also known to many as *** ******), a fourth person who's name we were never quite certain of, and Mark Knapp, formerly ofMinneapolis (at least we are hoping fervently that that's the case) are known in some Green Party circles as, "The Gang of Five." Although claiming
to be Greens, they seem to spend the bulk of their time (which seems prodigious) sandbagging Green candidates and campaigns. Some of us have suspected for awhile now that they are either self-appointed or paid
political saboteurs (imagine THAT in good ol' Minnesota!). Believe it folks, this is one of many reasons why 3rd parties have a nearly impossible time getting established and taking hold in the U.S."
One of the "Gang of Five" responds
"Since Jenny Heiser implies that I and other STRIDE members are paid political saboteurs and that our goal is destruction of third parties (neither of which is true)..."
Will the FBI will shift its investigation from Zimmermann to the "Gang of Five"?
Stay tuned.
"Furthermore, for the enlightenment of list members, Russell Raczkowski, Liz McLemore, Ken Avidor (also known to many as *** ******), a fourth person who's name we were never quite certain of, and Mark Knapp, formerly ofMinneapolis (at least we are hoping fervently that that's the case) are known in some Green Party circles as, "The Gang of Five." Although claiming
to be Greens, they seem to spend the bulk of their time (which seems prodigious) sandbagging Green candidates and campaigns. Some of us have suspected for awhile now that they are either self-appointed or paid
political saboteurs (imagine THAT in good ol' Minnesota!). Believe it folks, this is one of many reasons why 3rd parties have a nearly impossible time getting established and taking hold in the U.S."
One of the "Gang of Five" responds
"Since Jenny Heiser implies that I and other STRIDE members are paid political saboteurs and that our goal is destruction of third parties (neither of which is true)..."
Will the FBI will shift its investigation from Zimmermann to the "Gang of Five"?
Stay tuned.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Green Party Ninth Ward Nastiness
Monday, October 17, 2005
Friday, October 07, 2005
Zimmermann Hush on PRT, "Neutral" on Highway Expansion
Zimmermann 6th Ward campaign positions in the latest SWJ .
There's no mention of Zimmermann's PRT plan.
Zimmermann does say he's "neutral" on the 35W Excess Project...
.... but we knew that all along.
There's no mention of Zimmermann's PRT plan.
Zimmermann does say he's "neutral" on the 35W Excess Project...
.... but we knew that all along.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Zimmermann and Basim Sabri
Ed Felein 4 years ago:
Pulse
Does she [Sharon Sayles-Belton] share any of the blame for the Brian Herron scandal? It was her ward for eight years. She knew the players. She must have had some idea of what Herron was doing. She knew Basim Sabri. She has said, “He’s not one of my volunteers.” Of course not. Sabri doesn’t go out doorknocking. But he was a generous contributor, and he expected favors in return. It would have been useful to have Sayles Belton answer questions about her relationship with Sabri
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From the Strib (November 29th 2004)
"Council Member Dean Zimmermann is considered Sabri's biggest supporter on the council, but even he admits to mixed opinions.
"He's come in and developed areas that had been languishing for a long time," Zimmermann said. Both council members acknowledge that they hear complaints about Sabri, but "we also hear he's really great," Zimmermann said.
He said he doesn't think Sabri is much different than many developers working in the city."
Pulse
Does she [Sharon Sayles-Belton] share any of the blame for the Brian Herron scandal? It was her ward for eight years. She knew the players. She must have had some idea of what Herron was doing. She knew Basim Sabri. She has said, “He’s not one of my volunteers.” Of course not. Sabri doesn’t go out doorknocking. But he was a generous contributor, and he expected favors in return. It would have been useful to have Sayles Belton answer questions about her relationship with Sabri
---------------------------
From the Strib (November 29th 2004)
"Council Member Dean Zimmermann is considered Sabri's biggest supporter on the council, but even he admits to mixed opinions.
"He's come in and developed areas that had been languishing for a long time," Zimmermann said. Both council members acknowledge that they hear complaints about Sabri, but "we also hear he's really great," Zimmermann said.
He said he doesn't think Sabri is much different than many developers working in the city."
Friday, September 30, 2005
Dean Zimmermann:
Zimmermann defends himself on MPR.
"...we simply have to make life easier for poor people."
Zimmermann devoted nearly his entire term in office to his $600 million, 64-station PRT project.
How does Zimmermann's crazy PRT project make life easier for poor people?
"...we simply have to make life easier for poor people."
Zimmermann devoted nearly his entire term in office to his $600 million, 64-station PRT project.
How does Zimmermann's crazy PRT project make life easier for poor people?
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Dean Zimmermann's Raccoon Eyes
Yesterday I posted a couple accounts of Dean Zimmerman's 2001, pre-election, back-alley fracas
Perhaps the weirdest detail of this very weird tale is that both Dean Zimmermann and Jenny Heiser, now Mrs. Zimmermann sported "raccoon eyes"-- two black eyes each. What are the chances of Dean and Jenny receiving this identical injury?
There is another possible explanation for how two people can have identical "raccoon eyes":
‘Black eyes’ and bruising. The kinetic energy from a blow which is transmitted through the head and brain is expelled through soft tissue, eg. the eyes, and behind the ears (‘Battle’s sign’). Bruising at these points indicates that the head has suffered exposure to considerable force.
It should be remembered that just because a casualty has two black eyes (Raccoon eyes), this does not necessarily mean that he or she has been struck in the face. ‘Raccoon eyes’ may indicate a forceful impact elsewhere on the skull.
Sounds more like they got into a car crash or were butting heads like goats.
Nah... raccoon-eyed crime-busters are way more believable... especially just before an election.
Perhaps the weirdest detail of this very weird tale is that both Dean Zimmermann and Jenny Heiser, now Mrs. Zimmermann sported "raccoon eyes"-- two black eyes each. What are the chances of Dean and Jenny receiving this identical injury?
There is another possible explanation for how two people can have identical "raccoon eyes":
‘Black eyes’ and bruising. The kinetic energy from a blow which is transmitted through the head and brain is expelled through soft tissue, eg. the eyes, and behind the ears (‘Battle’s sign’). Bruising at these points indicates that the head has suffered exposure to considerable force.
It should be remembered that just because a casualty has two black eyes (Raccoon eyes), this does not necessarily mean that he or she has been struck in the face. ‘Raccoon eyes’ may indicate a forceful impact elsewhere on the skull.
Sounds more like they got into a car crash or were butting heads like goats.
Nah... raccoon-eyed crime-busters are way more believable... especially just before an election.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Dean Zimmermann's Crime-Busting Days
CJ's Strib column four years ago:
Dean Zimmermann's black eyes are "pretty good ones," said the Park and Recreation Board member who was the highest vote-getter in the Minneapolis Sixth Ward race for City Council. He got them early Saturday when he was defending his East Phillips neighborhood against people busting out car windows. "Sometime around [1:30 a.m.] we heard this bang, bang and I looked out my kitchen window, saw these [two] kids beating the windows out of a neighbor's car. I called the police, then went out to try to delay their departure. I was successful in doing that," said Zimmermann. His delay tactic involved following the kids down the alley. "Kind of got them to turn around and talk to me," he said. "Don't really remember what I said, just anything that would get them to react and turn around." Although Zimmermann wanted "to keep a little distance between us, at a certain point they made a little whistle and three other compatriots came in behind me. They started picking up stones to throw, and I thought that would be a good time to retreat.`' Zimmermann said he ran into his neighbor's yard and they followed. "They kind of all jumped me at once," he said. With fists and a chair they "whomped me." Other neighbors came out, and "they took off. The cops nabbed one of them. So the mission was successful. We have to press charges, as they say, and we're planning to do that." Zimmermann, who retells the story in his low-key style, decided he should see a doctor Tuesday because "these just don't seem to be clearing up at all. You know, I've had black eyes before. Not a big deal." Really? "I've had a life of experience. I'm not a timid wallflower. If you're on the cutting edge of things, sometimes you get cut." And sometimes those cuts come with "raccoon eyes," said his partner and campaign manager Jenny Heiser: "He looks so awful." She's not looking great either. A girl in the group blackened her eyes.
Here's Ed Felein's account in Southside Pride
When Dean Zimmermann decided to run for a seat on the City Council he didn't think he'd run into gang trouble in his own backyard.
On Sept. 15, at about 1:30 a.m., he was awakened by some loud noises in his alley. He got up and looked out and saw some kids beating windows out of a neighbor's car. There had been a number of incidents of windows being broken out of cars in the East Phillips neighborhood recently.
One of the kids had double zeros on the back of his jacket, Zimmermann said. He called the police, described the situation, and said he was going out after them (thinking this would encourage the police to come more quickly).
He went out with the intention of delaying the kids until the proper authorities arrived.
“I danced behind them, but probably not at quite a prudent distance, talking to them, 'Why don't you guys leave us alone?' I was about 150 feet away. They answered back, 'Why don't you go home, old man?' Then, they gave a gang signal, whistling, and three guys came up behind me throwing rocks. I turned around and ran at one of the guys. I tackled him. But the other four jumped me, and that's how I got the black eyes. Some women neighbors came out, and the young men beat them also. The kids took off. Twenty minutes after they were called, the police showed up. They were able to pick up one of the kids. He was 13....
There's more, ending with this howler...
Zimmermann said he promises big changes in the way the city deals with crime if he's elected to the city council from the 6th ward in November.
Dean Zimmermann's black eyes are "pretty good ones," said the Park and Recreation Board member who was the highest vote-getter in the Minneapolis Sixth Ward race for City Council. He got them early Saturday when he was defending his East Phillips neighborhood against people busting out car windows. "Sometime around [1:30 a.m.] we heard this bang, bang and I looked out my kitchen window, saw these [two] kids beating the windows out of a neighbor's car. I called the police, then went out to try to delay their departure. I was successful in doing that," said Zimmermann. His delay tactic involved following the kids down the alley. "Kind of got them to turn around and talk to me," he said. "Don't really remember what I said, just anything that would get them to react and turn around." Although Zimmermann wanted "to keep a little distance between us, at a certain point they made a little whistle and three other compatriots came in behind me. They started picking up stones to throw, and I thought that would be a good time to retreat.`' Zimmermann said he ran into his neighbor's yard and they followed. "They kind of all jumped me at once," he said. With fists and a chair they "whomped me." Other neighbors came out, and "they took off. The cops nabbed one of them. So the mission was successful. We have to press charges, as they say, and we're planning to do that." Zimmermann, who retells the story in his low-key style, decided he should see a doctor Tuesday because "these just don't seem to be clearing up at all. You know, I've had black eyes before. Not a big deal." Really? "I've had a life of experience. I'm not a timid wallflower. If you're on the cutting edge of things, sometimes you get cut." And sometimes those cuts come with "raccoon eyes," said his partner and campaign manager Jenny Heiser: "He looks so awful." She's not looking great either. A girl in the group blackened her eyes.
Here's Ed Felein's account in Southside Pride
When Dean Zimmermann decided to run for a seat on the City Council he didn't think he'd run into gang trouble in his own backyard.
On Sept. 15, at about 1:30 a.m., he was awakened by some loud noises in his alley. He got up and looked out and saw some kids beating windows out of a neighbor's car. There had been a number of incidents of windows being broken out of cars in the East Phillips neighborhood recently.
One of the kids had double zeros on the back of his jacket, Zimmermann said. He called the police, described the situation, and said he was going out after them (thinking this would encourage the police to come more quickly).
He went out with the intention of delaying the kids until the proper authorities arrived.
“I danced behind them, but probably not at quite a prudent distance, talking to them, 'Why don't you guys leave us alone?' I was about 150 feet away. They answered back, 'Why don't you go home, old man?' Then, they gave a gang signal, whistling, and three guys came up behind me throwing rocks. I turned around and ran at one of the guys. I tackled him. But the other four jumped me, and that's how I got the black eyes. Some women neighbors came out, and the young men beat them also. The kids took off. Twenty minutes after they were called, the police showed up. They were able to pick up one of the kids. He was 13....
There's more, ending with this howler...
Zimmermann said he promises big changes in the way the city deals with crime if he's elected to the city council from the 6th ward in November.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Dean Zimmermann: Was it "Want" or "Need"?
As Mick Jagger would tell you, there's a world of difference between the words "need" and "want". Here are two accounts of an incident mentioned in the warrant used by the FBI when they raided Dean Zimmermann's house:
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David Tilsen
"This June 6th meeting was at the Black Forest Inn, it was a fundraising party for Dean on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. Dean was speaking to a group of over 100 supporters from a makeshift stage, and someone unknown raised his/her hand and asked “Dean what do you need?” Dean said “money money money”. As we can see, the affidavit is true, but not actually the truth."
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Wizard Marks
"I interviewed Zimmermann and his wife today. Zimmermann and Jenny Heiser (Mrs. Zimmermann) both agree that Dean Zimmermann could have met Carlson on June 6th, as the affidavit claims, but that there were over 100 people in the room with Zimmermann and Carlson at the time because it was Zimmermann's birthday party. The Zimmermann's also agree that
Zimmermann said, "money, money, money". They further claim that his saying so was in answer to the shouted question from one attendee, "What do you want for your birthday, Dean?"
-------------
Gee, and I thought a Green's birthday wish would be for something like world peace, or an end to pollution or an end to genetic engineering, or an end to the destruction of the rain forests, or.....
-------------
David Tilsen
"This June 6th meeting was at the Black Forest Inn, it was a fundraising party for Dean on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. Dean was speaking to a group of over 100 supporters from a makeshift stage, and someone unknown raised his/her hand and asked “Dean what do you need?” Dean said “money money money”. As we can see, the affidavit is true, but not actually the truth."
-------------
Wizard Marks
"I interviewed Zimmermann and his wife today. Zimmermann and Jenny Heiser (Mrs. Zimmermann) both agree that Dean Zimmermann could have met Carlson on June 6th, as the affidavit claims, but that there were over 100 people in the room with Zimmermann and Carlson at the time because it was Zimmermann's birthday party. The Zimmermann's also agree that
Zimmermann said, "money, money, money". They further claim that his saying so was in answer to the shouted question from one attendee, "What do you want for your birthday, Dean?"
-------------
Gee, and I thought a Green's birthday wish would be for something like world peace, or an end to pollution or an end to genetic engineering, or an end to the destruction of the rain forests, or.....
Friday, September 23, 2005
Is Dean Zimmermann Innocent?
According to his friends, Zimmermann is not guilty of bribery even though he took the money.
It's kind of complicated, but...
www.dtilsen.net/blog
It's kind of complicated, but...
www.dtilsen.net/blog
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Dean Zimmermann and the "Money, Money, Money."
While I'm waiting for the Feds to decide what to do with Councilman Dean Zimmermann, I thought I'd take a look at Dean's latest campaign finance statement (PDF file) filed with Hennepin County.
One item that really looked interesting was a bunch of expenditures totalling at least 3 thousand dollars* to "River Aide Consulting". I Googled River Aide Consulting and came up with nothing. I looked River Aide Consulting up in the phone book... again nothing. By chance, I noticed that River Aide Consulting had the same address as Park Board candidate Annie Young... interesting!
Speaking of Annie Young, her old website, www.annieyoung.org has gone smutty.
Speaking of porno-greens:
www.fuckforforest.com
*Apparently not $16k I incorrectly stated earlier.
One item that really looked interesting was a bunch of expenditures totalling at least 3 thousand dollars* to "River Aide Consulting". I Googled River Aide Consulting and came up with nothing. I looked River Aide Consulting up in the phone book... again nothing. By chance, I noticed that River Aide Consulting had the same address as Park Board candidate Annie Young... interesting!
Speaking of Annie Young, her old website, www.annieyoung.org has gone smutty.
Speaking of porno-greens:
www.fuckforforest.com
*Apparently not $16k I incorrectly stated earlier.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Dean Zimmermann Investigation
The Pi Press connects the dots.
Bribe case had small beginnings
Unheralded condo project led to Zimmermann accusations
BY BETH SILVER
At the center of the latest federal bribery probe roiling Minneapolis City Hall stands Chicago Commons, a small-scale condominium project that has touched off big-time corruption allegations against City Council Member Dean Zimmermann.
More about the Zimmermann investigation at Mpls Upside Down.
Bribe case had small beginnings
Unheralded condo project led to Zimmermann accusations
BY BETH SILVER
At the center of the latest federal bribery probe roiling Minneapolis City Hall stands Chicago Commons, a small-scale condominium project that has touched off big-time corruption allegations against City Council Member Dean Zimmermann.
More about the Zimmermann investigation at Mpls Upside Down.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
The Fish Rots From the Head Down
If FBI bloodhounds follow the stinking trail of corruption at City Hall, it just may lead to the Mayor's office.
The Mayor, like Zimmermann supported Sabri's Elroy project.
Rybak also supported Zimmermann's PRT project even though he knew PRT was not a practical transportation system. The Rybak administration saw Zimmermann's "PRT Test Facility" as a "community development" project... a phoney jobs program as sustainable as Rudi Perpich's chopstick factory.
City Hall needs a broom... not an air freshener.
The Mayor, like Zimmermann supported Sabri's Elroy project.
Rybak also supported Zimmermann's PRT project even though he knew PRT was not a practical transportation system. The Rybak administration saw Zimmermann's "PRT Test Facility" as a "community development" project... a phoney jobs program as sustainable as Rudi Perpich's chopstick factory.
City Hall needs a broom... not an air freshener.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Dean Zimmermann Bribery Scandal
PRT-skeptic blog
It will be interesting to see if Taxi 2000 and the CPRT will be drawn into this mess. Here's a post on Zimmermann asking the CPRT to help his campaign over at Lloydletta.
Here's some news reports just in:
--------------------
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=106861
Zimmermann allegedly took $5,000 last year and is said to have needed the money to repay a legal bill.
The court documents say Zimmermann also took bribes totaling $2,200 for his re-election campaign.
The affidavit also says that in June of this year, Zimmermann was recorded talking to the man working with the FBI about the rezoning issue and Zimmermann was heard saying he needed, "money, money, money."
---------------------
http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_252193345.html
In June, the FBI said when the witness asked how he could gain the support of Zimmermann, the councilman was on tape saying "money, money money."
---------------------
http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5606567.html
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/12601882.htm
On June 6, the developer agreed to pay $4,000 to $5,000 toward Zimmermann's legal bill, and made an audio recording of a meeting where the arrangement was made. The money was passed to Zimmermann at a June 14 meeting, which was audio- and videotaped.
Dean Zimmermann Searched by FBI
"The campaign for Minneapolis City Councilmember Dean Zimmermann is in disarray after FBI agents took campaign materials and financial records from Zimmermann's home. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office said little about the case except that it was part of an ongoing investigation."
MPR's story
No surprise at this blog.
The real Dean Zimmermann
MPR's story
No surprise at this blog.
The real Dean Zimmermann
Monday, August 08, 2005
Dean Zimmermann, Sock Puppet or Split Personality?
Councilman Dean Zimmermann has been posting on the Mpls Issues List recently. What's weird about Dean's posts is they don't sound anything like the gruff, terse Dean that sits on the Minneapolis City Council. In this post , Zimmermann refers to himself in the third person:
------------
Hard to know where to start in responding to these professional Green Party bashers. If you can't think of anything factual just make something up and throw it at the wall to see what sticks. Dean Zimmermann has a Farheen Hakeem for mayor of Minneapolis sign on the fence at his house. Jay Pond had to decide whether to serve as Farheen's campaign manager or run for City Council - he chose to stay with Farheen's campaign. Zimmermann was endorsed by the Green Party with 94% of the vote. Oh, yawn.
Peace,
Dean Zimmermann
Mpls City Council - Ward 6
------------
"Oh, yawn"?
Hmmmmm... sounds more like Jenny Heiser, Dean's wife.
More Zimmermann news--from the Minneapolis Observer:
-----------------
IN OTHER ACTION, the council approved the condo conversion plan for the former Whitney Hotel, despite Schiff's contention that the design amounted to "the most dramatic alteration to a historic building in the city in recent years."
Schiff argued that the proposed design of the historic Milling District building-especially the replacement of windows and addition of balconies-amounted to a "sad loss" of a historic treasure on the riverfront. But Zimmermann argued that the changes were "insignificant" and that the $4.6 million project was not "out of line" with the character of the historic district.
-----------------
------------
Hard to know where to start in responding to these professional Green Party bashers. If you can't think of anything factual just make something up and throw it at the wall to see what sticks. Dean Zimmermann has a Farheen Hakeem for mayor of Minneapolis sign on the fence at his house. Jay Pond had to decide whether to serve as Farheen's campaign manager or run for City Council - he chose to stay with Farheen's campaign. Zimmermann was endorsed by the Green Party with 94% of the vote. Oh, yawn.
Peace,
Dean Zimmermann
Mpls City Council - Ward 6
------------
"Oh, yawn"?
Hmmmmm... sounds more like Jenny Heiser, Dean's wife.
More Zimmermann news--from the Minneapolis Observer:
-----------------
IN OTHER ACTION, the council approved the condo conversion plan for the former Whitney Hotel, despite Schiff's contention that the design amounted to "the most dramatic alteration to a historic building in the city in recent years."
Schiff argued that the proposed design of the historic Milling District building-especially the replacement of windows and addition of balconies-amounted to a "sad loss" of a historic treasure on the riverfront. But Zimmermann argued that the changes were "insignificant" and that the $4.6 million project was not "out of line" with the character of the historic district.
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Sunday, August 07, 2005
Dean "ZZZZZZZ" Zimmermann
From theMpls Issues List
I would hate to think that I was going around
missing the obvious.
Peace,
Dean Zimmermann
I would hate to think that I was going around
missing the obvious.
Peace,
Dean Zimmermann
Friday, July 22, 2005
Green Party Split?
My reliable source tells me that the Green Party candidate for Mayor, Farheen Hakeem is not supporting candidate for the 6th Ward and fellow Green Party member, Dean Zimmermann.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Eva Young: Queen of Blogs
Eva Young is amazing. She deserves an award for Lloydletta and Dump Bachmann. Eva's blogs are always interesting and provocative. She knows her stuff and she backs up everything with solid research and links. Before I read the morning paper, I read Eva Young.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
More About Zimmermann's PRT Albatross
PRT Skeptic has the scoop:
From another document from the Taxi 2000 vs J. Edward Anderson Trial:
"As we have discussed in the past, SEH has invested about $400,000 in Taxi 2000 over the past several years without compensation other than 12,000 shares of stock..."
"Accordingly, I intend to notify Taxi 2000 Corp. that all of the images used in their promotional literature, web site, etc. are copyrighted materials, owned solely by SEH."
So the brochures and the PowerPoint presentation Zimmermann has been giving to community groups over the last few years were mostly prepared by SEH who are the engineers for The Access Project and the Lake Street Reconstruction Project
Interesting.
From another document from the Taxi 2000 vs J. Edward Anderson Trial:
"As we have discussed in the past, SEH has invested about $400,000 in Taxi 2000 over the past several years without compensation other than 12,000 shares of stock..."
"Accordingly, I intend to notify Taxi 2000 Corp. that all of the images used in their promotional literature, web site, etc. are copyrighted materials, owned solely by SEH."
So the brochures and the PowerPoint presentation Zimmermann has been giving to community groups over the last few years were mostly prepared by SEH who are the engineers for The Access Project and the Lake Street Reconstruction Project
Interesting.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Personal Rapid Transit in the Sixth Ward Race.
Councilman Robert Lilligren shouldn't have to debate Dean Zimmermann's silly PRT proposal.
Scan of the Barbara Lickness SWJ letter calling for an investigative article on PRT....read it on his PRT-skeptic blog
Scan of the Barbara Lickness SWJ letter calling for an investigative article on PRT....read it on his PRT-skeptic blog
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Zimmermann Gets Big Money Help From Sabri
Developer would pay big sum to defeat 3 council members
Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune
April 8, 2005
Central Minneapolis developer Hamoudi Sabri is willing to pay whatever it takes -- possibly $1 million -- to help elect a new City Council.
In Sunday's Star Tribune, he placed an unusual classified ad seeking a "public relations professional/political organizer." The ad read: "Money no object for best candidate. Start immediately. Design media and community campaign re: City of Mpls wards 9,6 & 8 elections. Please call 612-622-4000."
In an interview Wednesday, Sabri said, "I'll spend a million dollars. Whatever it takes to do legally."
Asked whether he truly has that kind of money to spend, he said, "Of course I do."
But Sabri said he doesn't "know how the system works" so he's willing to hire someone.
"I'm not supporting anybody," he said of the City Council. "I think we need a complete overhaul in City Hall."
Sabri aims much of his anger at Ninth Ward Council Member Gary Schiff, whom he calls "Schiffty."
Schiff, a DFLer, took the ad in stride, blowing up a photocopied version and taping it to his office door. "I think this is the age-old case of developers wanting to influence City Hall. Here it's just out in the open," Schiff said.
During an interview, Sabri mentioned several times his property at Cedar Avenue and E. Lake Street. Schiff noted that the Planning Commission, on which he sits, recently unanimously rejected Sabri's proposal for a shopping center.
During a conversation, Sabri mentioned many times the legal troubles that his brother, Basim Sabri, has had. Basim Sabri awaits sentencing for his December federal conviction on three counts of bribery for his dealings with former City Council Member Brian Herron.
Sabri said the convictions are one reason he needs to hire a consultant rather than do the work himself.
He said he chose to target the three central-city wards because that's where he owns property and does business.
In addition to his distaste for Schiff, of whom he says, "I can call him anything I want; he's a public figure," Sabri said he eschews public subsidies.
"I'm really fed up with how this city's run," he said. "We've got morons running the city of Minneapolis."
David Schultz, an ethics professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, said Sabri would be required to register his group with the county and disclose revenue of $100 and above.
He faces no limits on what he can spend independently on the races, Schultz said.
Sabri said Wednesday that the political job remains open.
Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune
April 8, 2005
Central Minneapolis developer Hamoudi Sabri is willing to pay whatever it takes -- possibly $1 million -- to help elect a new City Council.
In Sunday's Star Tribune, he placed an unusual classified ad seeking a "public relations professional/political organizer." The ad read: "Money no object for best candidate. Start immediately. Design media and community campaign re: City of Mpls wards 9,6 & 8 elections. Please call 612-622-4000."
In an interview Wednesday, Sabri said, "I'll spend a million dollars. Whatever it takes to do legally."
Asked whether he truly has that kind of money to spend, he said, "Of course I do."
But Sabri said he doesn't "know how the system works" so he's willing to hire someone.
"I'm not supporting anybody," he said of the City Council. "I think we need a complete overhaul in City Hall."
Sabri aims much of his anger at Ninth Ward Council Member Gary Schiff, whom he calls "Schiffty."
Schiff, a DFLer, took the ad in stride, blowing up a photocopied version and taping it to his office door. "I think this is the age-old case of developers wanting to influence City Hall. Here it's just out in the open," Schiff said.
During an interview, Sabri mentioned several times his property at Cedar Avenue and E. Lake Street. Schiff noted that the Planning Commission, on which he sits, recently unanimously rejected Sabri's proposal for a shopping center.
During a conversation, Sabri mentioned many times the legal troubles that his brother, Basim Sabri, has had. Basim Sabri awaits sentencing for his December federal conviction on three counts of bribery for his dealings with former City Council Member Brian Herron.
Sabri said the convictions are one reason he needs to hire a consultant rather than do the work himself.
He said he chose to target the three central-city wards because that's where he owns property and does business.
In addition to his distaste for Schiff, of whom he says, "I can call him anything I want; he's a public figure," Sabri said he eschews public subsidies.
"I'm really fed up with how this city's run," he said. "We've got morons running the city of Minneapolis."
David Schultz, an ethics professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, said Sabri would be required to register his group with the county and disclose revenue of $100 and above.
He faces no limits on what he can spend independently on the races, Schultz said.
Sabri said Wednesday that the political job remains open.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
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