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From YouTube: Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO: Bloomington City Council Candidate Forum
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A
Thank
you
welcome
welcome
to
our
forum.
I
am
Chelsea
gobbets
and
I
am
the
president
at
the
Minneapolis
Regional
Labor,
Federation
and
I'm
so
excited
that.
So
many
of
you
are
here
tonight
as
we
embark
on
important
discussions
about
our
community
I
want
to
thank
all
of
the
candidates
who
came
out
tonight.
So
if
we
can
just
give
them
a
little
round
of
applause.
A
B
A
Frost
who's
running
in
district,
so
the
Minneapolis
regionally
for
Federation.
We
are
the
umbrella
organization
that
brings
together
unions,
union
members
and
community
groups
to
advocate
for
workers
right
in
their
own
local
communities
and
we
work
throughout
a
seven
County
jurisdiction.
So
we
cover
a
lot
of
area
and
we
have
over
78,000
members
that
are
part
of
our
organization
and
over
9,000
union
members
live
right
here
in
the
city
of
Bloomington,
which
is
a
significant
number
of
workers
who
happen
to
be
union
members.
A
We
work
on
political
work,
we
do
legislative
work,
we
do
community,
organizing,
we
do
organizing
to
organize
union
members
into
new
unions
and
most
of
all
we're
out
there
supporting
each
other.
When
unions
neat
when
one
union
needs
something
the
other
union
is
showing
up
for
them.
When
one
community
group
needs
something
were
there
to
stand
up
for
them
as
well,
and
our
membership
is
very
diverse.
So
we
represent
a
broad
swath,
a
union
members
from
educators
and
teachers
to
construction
workers
to
janitors
to
letter
carriers,
state
government
employees
a
wide
variety.
A
A
So
tonight
we're
not
only
gonna
be
hearing
from
these
seven
candidates
who
sit
behind
me,
but
we're
also
going
to
break
out
into
small
groups
so
that
we
can
hear
from
all
of
you
as
well
about
what
is
your
vision
for
a
city
that
works
for
all
of
us.
So
we
turn
on
the
news
at
night,
and
you
know
a
lot
of
economists
and
people
are
telling
us
that
our
economy
is
in
a
recovery,
but
I
know
that's
not
what
we're
all
feeling
at
home.
A
That's
not
the
conversation,
that's
happening
on
our
dinner
room
tables,
income
disparities
continue
to
grow.
Young
workers,
they're
loaded
with
crushing
debt
coming
out
of
college
housing,
hasn't
fully
recovered,
we're
in
an
affordable
housing
crisis
throughout
our
region
and
lowest
wage
workers
in
the
low
wage
industries.
Their
wages
have
been
completely
stagnant
and
this
is
what
particularly
important
issue
for
me
as
I
come
out
of
UFCW
6:53
I
come
out
of
retail,
so
I
worked
in
grocery
for
eight
years.
Some
of
that
I
was
in
school.
A
A
lot
of
that
I
wasn't
I
was
an
adult
working
in
a
grocery
store
and
I.
Think
this
community
particularly
isn't
a
good
place
to
have
a
conversation
about
the
value
of
service,
sector,
hospitality
and
retail
work
because
of
the
industries
that
are
housed
here
in
this
community
and
the
dignity
of
work.
When
I
went
to
work,
I
went
to
a
community
of
people
who
really
cared
about
our
store.
A
A
Union
membership
continues
to
decline
and
retirees
who
are
on
fixed
incomes
are
being
squeezed
on
all
sides,
so
these
are
the
real
conversations
that
are
happening
at
the
dinner
table
in
our
communities.
So
we
know
that
today's
workers
are
facing
historic,
economic
chance,
Jews
and
we're
de
fighting
this
in
a
system.
That's
designed
to
be
a
race
to
the
bottom.
A
We
need
to
be
having
about
the
day-to-day
challenges
that
our
communities,
and
particularly
our
communities
of
color
immigrants
and
other
oppressed
communities,
are
facing
day
to
day
and
the
labor
movement
is
a
part
of
that
fight.
When
we
look
back
at
the
history
of
the
labor
movement,
the
good,
the
powerful
and
even
the
more
difficult
times,
it's
a
stark
reminder
for
me
that
what
we
do
impacts
more
than
just
our
membership.
It
impacts
the
broader
community
and
the
broader
social
fabric
and
narrative
that
we're
a
part
of
so
for
unions.
A
Here,
building
power
doesn't
stop
just
at
the
workplace.
Building
power
in
the
workplace
is
mightily,
important
and
a
core
part
of
our
agenda,
but
it
is
not
the
only
thing.
It
is
our
responsibility,
particularly
in
this
moment,
to
continue
to
push
our
communities
to
hold
up
all
workers
in
all
of
the
places
of
their
lives
where
they're
impacted.
So
that's
a
tall
order
for
the
seven
of
you
you
know
and
take
on
those
challenges,
but
this
is
where
it
starts.
It
starts
right
here
in
these
local
communities.
A
So,
in
spite
of
these
monumental
factors
that
I
just
talked
a
little
bit
about
I'm
really
optimistic
about
the
way
our
local
communities
are
responding
at
the
MRF.
We
believe
that
back
to
basics,
organizing
and
the
power
of
human
relationships
and
being
connected
in
our
own
communities
is
going
to
be
the
solution,
and
that
is
how
we
are
gonna
move
beyond
this
narrative
and
that's
why
I'm
excited
to
see
all
of
you
here
tonight
to
engage
in
that.
A
So
our
cities
are
our
laboratories
for
democracy,
they
hold
great
power
and
they
are
the
closest
entity,
the
closest
level
of
government,
to
workers
and
to
the
people
in
our
communities.
You
all
know
better
than
anybody
what's
happening
in
your
local
communities,
so
you
have
a
lot
of
responsibility
that
comes
along
with
being
so
grounded
in
what's
happening.
A
City
workers.
Many
who
are
unionized
in
the
city
of
Bloomington,
are
on
the
front
lines
every
day,
making
Bloomington
work
literally,
making
Bloomington
work.
Plowing
your
streets,
answering
your
phone
calls
filling
out
the
paper
and
are
the
front
line
for
how
the
city
interacts
with
the
community,
and
these
are
many
union
members.
Bloomington
is
a
major
economic
hub
for
the
region
and
the
decisions
that
are
made
here
about
workforce
and
economic
development
and
standards
have
impacts
beyond
just
the
city
of
Bloomington,
but
on
the
entire
region.
A
So
this
area
is
extremely
important
when
we
talk
about
the
future
of
work
and
where
things
are
going.
Other
public
institutions,
such
as
our
public
schools,
rely
on
a
healthy
relationship
between
the
city
and
its
Institute,
and
its
students
and
cities
can
choose
to
support
employers
and
provide
incentives
to
those
who
provide
living
wage
and
benefits
not
just
to
the
end
of
providing
live
in
living
wage
benefits,
but
to
improve
the
viability
and
health
of
our
communities,
and
these
things
are
being
done
in
cities
across
this
state
and
across
the
country.
A
Cities
and
local
officials
have
both
formal
and
informal
venue
avenues
to
help
protect
workers
from
wage
theft.
Something
we've
already
started
to
discuss
in
Bloomington,
cities
can
fight
to
protect
their
local
control
and
cities
can
be
a
part
of
a
plan
to
expand
organizing
in
workplaces.
We
can
be
partners
in
providing
economic
opportunity
and
growth,
and
so
I
provide
these
just
as
a
sampling
of
ideas
to
think
get
you
all
thinking
about
what's
possible
in
this
really
difficult.
A
You
could
add
many
other
things:
affordable,
housing,
a
ton
of
other
topics
that
could
be
a
part
of
this
conversation,
so
I'm
really
I.
Look
forward
to
hearing
from
the
candidates
on
some
of
these
issues,
but
I'm
also
really
excited
about
the
second
part
when
we
break
up
into
small
groups,
because
we
could
come
up
with
the
best
policies
and
these
seven
folks
can
help
us
come
up
with
the
seven.
A
You
know
great
policies
and
pass
them,
but
if
they're
not
being
done
in
partnership
with
community
and
empowering
people
to
access
their
nevah
cracy
at
a
local
level,
it's
not
necessarily
going
to
build
the
power
that
word
that
we
want
to
build
in
the
community.
So
I'm
going
to
hand
it
over
to
our
moderator.
B
Must
say:
Chelsea
is
one
of
those
visionary
leaders,
labor
leaders
who
has
taken
the
mrl
F
to
be
more
involved
in
local
and
suburban
politics,
something
that
we've
never
seen
before,
and
hence
the
first
ever
Bloomington
City
Council
candidate
forum
organized
by
labor,
Thank,
You
Chelsea,
and
we
we
have
the
amazing
staff
from
the
MRF
gram
and
Casey
you've
been
working
tirelessly
with
the
Bloomington
action
team
to
make
this
happen.
So
thank
you
folks,.
B
Welcome
and
again
folks
welcome
to
the
first
ever
forum
organized
by
labor
in
Bloomington.
The
candidates
today
who
come
in
is
councilmember
Jack,
Beluga,
Sean,
Nelson
Mike,
alpha
councilmember,
John,
Olsen,
Patrick,
Martin,
Nathan,
Colt
and
councilmember
Eldon
Spencer
round
of
applause
for
them.
Please.
B
So
again,
my
name
is
Jimmy
Egan
I'm,
the
vice
president
of
SEIU
Healthcare
Minnesota,
one
of
the
largest
healthcare
unions
in
Minnesota.
We
have
about
34,000
members,
I
serve
on
the
afl-cio
board
and
and
elected
as
a
trustee
at
the
mrl
F
with
Chelsea.
So
it's
an
honor
and
a
privilege
being
here
and
as
a
resident
of
Bloomington
I
look
forward
to
a
great
evening,
so
I'm
just
going
to
go
through
the
rules
and
the
format
for
this
forum.
Each
candidate
will
have
a
minute
a
minute
for
opening
remarks.
B
The
speakers
will
actually
selected
randomly.
We
did
some
computer
stuff
and
these
select
names
and
numbers
I
will
ask
the
candidates
two
different
questions,
two
different
rounds
and
each
candidate
will
have
a
minute
and
30
seconds
to
answer
again.
These
were
randomly
picked
the
order.
After
a
minute,
you
will
hear
a
warning
sound.
B
C
D
E
B
The
sound
and
I
will
sincerely
request
and
hope
the
candidates
will
stop
talking.
Then.
Thank
you
in
anticipation,
the
first
part
of
the
program
will
be
recorded
actually
by
the
bloomington
cable
access
and
we
will
be,
and
they
will
be
broadcasting
this
periodically
through
the
election
season.
The
recording
will
also
be
uploaded
in
YouTube's
channels
and
a
bunch
of
social
outlets
do
so.
After
the
questions
the
candidates
will
be
interacting
directly
with
the
audience
will
have
small
discussions
and
candidates
have
been
randomly
picked
to
be
in
which
group
will
talk
further
more
about
it.
F
F
G
Nelson
good
evening,
my
name
is
Nelson.
Thank
you
very
much
to
the
MRF
for
arranging
this
to
the
staff
and
members
for
attending
tonight,
and
thank
you
for
everything
you
do
in
our
community,
as
Chelsea
was
mentioning
our
day
is
impacted
in
so
many
ways
by
your
work,
whether
it's
our
kids
going
to
school
health
care,
transportation,
construction,
the
impact
of
labor
is
indisputable
in
our
community
and
we
all
benefit
from
it.
G
The
impact
that
the
labor
movement
has
had
over
the
history
in
terms
of
safety,
economic
security,
equity
and
other
economic
and
social
issues
is
extremely
important
and,
and
we
live
those
issues
today,
I
too
have
a
business
background.
Most
of
my
background,
I
have
a
business
degree,
a
master's
degree
in
business
administration,
I'm,
a
small
business
owner
I've,
been
immersed
in
the
frankly
on
the
management
side
of
things,
but
I.
H
My
name
is
Michael
roof.
Oh
thank
you
all
for
attending
this
event
and
thanks
to
the
Minneapolis
Regional
Labor
Federation
for
organizing
this
event.
What
I
believe
that
local
governments
have
a
mission
to
support
their
communities
to
hat
so
that
individuals
can
lead,
enrich
lives
and
to
pursue
opportunities
for
success?
D
You
to
mrl
F
and
to
Graham,
Casey
and
Chelsey
for
putting
this
together.
It's
a
great
great
idea.
I
hope
you
got
this
because
there's
not
much
time
here.
A
sickly
election
of
City
Council
work
being
gone.
That
needs
to
be
finished,
but
I
want
to
put
current
and
future
goals
in
a
context,
clear
sense
and
concern
that
there's
a
strong
history
of
American
values
under
under
attack
today.
One
of
my
value
sources
is
the
rotary
four-way
test.
Is
it
the
truth,
because
it's
fair
to
all
concerned?
D
Will
it
be
built
good
will
and
better
friendships?
Will
it
be
beneficial
to
all
concerned?
These
values
are
core
to
Who.
I
am
as
I
serve
on.
Council
I
am
pleased
with
part
two
tonight
the
opportunity
to
hear
from
a
small
group
of
you
as
I
look
forward
to
the
25
or
so
of
you
who
are
planning
to
meet
periodically
with
people.
Like
me,
dialogue
hearing
concerns,
hearing
ideas
talking
together
to
see
how
we
together
can
build
a
better
working
relationship
to
make
Bloomington
a
better
place
to
live
and
work.
Thank.
C
C
I
think
simply
put
we
need
to
support
our
seniors.
We
need
to
encourage
young
families
to
not
only
move
into
town
but
stay
in
town
and
bridge
the
divides
and
economic
development
that
we've
seen
on
either
side
of
35w
for
going
on
thirty
forty
years
now
it's
not
reinventing
the
wheel,
but
it's
something
we
can
get
started
on
now
and
something
we
can
make
a
big
impact
with.
Thank.
E
Thank
you
all
for
being
here.
Thank
you
to
the
Minneapolis
rlf
for
organizing
this
I'm
Nathan
Coulter
I'm
running
for
the
at-large
City
Council
seat
I've
lived
in
Bloomington
my
whole
life
I'm,
a
product
of
the
public
schools
here,
I
work,
foreign
with
our
Bloomington
legislators,
up
in
st.
Paul
and
I,
also
serve
on
the
boards
for
the
Bloomington
housing
and
redevelopment
authority
and
the
purpose
center
for
arts
education
I'm
running
because
now
is
not
the
time
for
status
quo
leadership.
E
We
believe
we
live
in
a
changing
City
and
we
need
government
that's
going
to
adapt
to
that
and
embrace
those
changes.
We
need
forward-looking
leadership.
That's
focused
on
making
progress
for
all
of
us.
I
believe
that
my
roots
in
the
community,
my
experience
working
with
government
and
labor
I'm,
proud
to
have
the
support
of
the
Minneapolis
Building
and
Construction
Trades
and
organizing
individuals
around
making
things
better.
In
addition
to
my
vision
for
a
future
of
Bloomington
will
allow
me
to
hit
the
ground
running
and
really
get
to
work.
I
B
I
B
I
In
a
grievance
hearing
in
a
vote,
X
school
or
a
nurse
who's
been
treated
arbitrarily.
You
filled
in
the
gut,
instead
of
just
in
the
abstract
and
the
right
to
grieve.
If
you've
had
a
chance
to
go
to
the
United
States
Supreme
Court
and
defend
the
human
rights
act
against
challenge
to
apply
it
to
groups
like
rotary,
and
this
is
the
st.
Paul
JC's.
In
my
case,
you
feel
it
in
the
gut
that
the
importance
of
the
right
to
the
opportunity
to
be
voted
hold
office
regardless
of
gender.
B
B
I'm
going
to
start
with
the
questions
and
I'm
going
to
read
this
question
and
I
want
to
repeat
it
voice.
It's
a
pretty
long
question,
so
many
of
the
lowest
wage
workers
in
Bloomington
do
not
have
access
to
a
union
and
often
have
no
ability
to
bargain
over
working
conditions
or
wages
with
their
employers.
So
again,
many
of
the
lowest
wage
workers
in
Bloomington
do
not
have
access
to
a
union
and
often
have
no
ability
to
bargain
over
working
conditions
or
wages
with
their
employers.
B
What
do
you
feel
the
city
should
do
if
anything
to
improve
workplace
standards
and
the
right
for
employees
to
form
a
union
again?
What
do
you
feel
the
city
should
do
if
anything
to
improve
workplace
standards
and
the
right
for
employees
to
form
a
union?
This
is
a
minute
and
a
half,
and
we
start
with
Sean.
G
Thank
you
for
the
question.
It
is
a
very
important
issue
that
all
people
have
access
to
a
union
to
union
representation
that
they
have
safe
work
environments
that
we
have
standards
for
those
environments.
As
was
mentioned
earlier,
we
have
a
large
hospitality
industry
within
the
city
and
making
sure
that
we
have
standards
within
those
places
for
people
is
important.
I
think
that
we
also
need
to
expand
beyond
just
those
conditions
and
make
sure
that
we
have
places
for
people
to
live.
We
need
to
focus
on
affordable
housing.
G
We
need
to
make
sure
that
they
have
transportation
to
get
to
and
from
jobs.
We
need
to
make
sure
that
they
have
opportunities
to
engage
in
education
so
that
we
can
take
the
people
at
the
lowest
wage
spectrum
and
give
them
the
opportunities
to
get
higher
paying
jobs
within
our
community,
because
because
of
education
because
of
the
transportation
to
connect
them
I
think
a
lot
of
times.
People
are
in
jobs
because
they
don't
have
other
better
opportunities
and
we
need
to,
as
a
city,
make
sure
we're
developing
those
opportunities
for
people
going
forward.
G
I
You
going
back
in
my
own
faith,
tradition
to
Pope,
Pope
Gregory,
the
third
pope
leo
xiii
and
his
rerum
Novarum
encyclical
and
then
through
the
New
Deal
and
the
right
under
the
National
Labor
Relations
Act.
That
is
a
respected
right
by
most
good
thinking,
people
I
think
to
organize
and
to
choose
your
own
representatives.
I
If,
in
fact,
that's
the
will
of
the
group
to
do
so,
certainly
the
right
to
bargain
collectively
from
wages
in
terms
and
conditions
of
work
and
who
is
is
elemental
and
in
fact,
what
I've
seen
actions
that
somewhat
jeopardize
us,
whether
it
be
in
the
transit
strike
and
the
actions
taken
by
the
Metropolitan
Transit
Commission
against
the
workers
to
question
the
ability
that
Union,
whether
it
was
pet
or
the
the
air
traffic
controllers
back
in
the
80s.
These
not
only
are
wrong,
but
in
fact
they
are
counterproductive.
I
If
you
are
an
employer
and
there's
not
a
good
grievance
procedure,
you
end
up
with
a
very
dissatisfied
and
demoralized
workforce
and
so
the
rights
to
the
right
to
bargain
when
the
majority
wants
to
form
a
bargaining
unit
under
pala
or
the
NLRA
is
important,
but
also
just
the
right
not
to
be
treated
arbitrarily,
which
I've
had
more
direct
experience
with.
In
closing,
let
me
say:
I,
don't
think
you
know
we
we've
had
situation
some
country,
oh
I'm,
out
of
time
again.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
John.
D
Thank
you.
The
low
wages
are
a
problem
and
have
gotten
worse.
As
Ben
has
been
indicated,
wages
came
up
and
we
had
a
strong
middle
class
for
many
years
in
large
part
because
of
the
activity
of
unions
and
getting
decent
wages.
There
was
also
social
pressure
and
I
remember.
Reading
about
unions
getting
started
in
the
railroad
days
when
people
would
be
injured
in
an
accident
on
work
in
the
Arado
work,
there
were
no
benefits,
so
I
think
we
need
to
do
this.
D
Broad
approach
by
appealing
to
the
ethics,
to
the
values
of
our
whole
nation,
including
our
businesses,
and
one
of
the
things
that
I
take
feel
good
about,
is
that
I've
I've
worked
with
all
groups
of
people,
including
businesses
and
I,
built
good
working
relationships
with
them
and
I
think
that
they
can
be
responsive
to
that.
Whether
or
not
we
work
toward
minimum
wage
in
in
Bloomington
as
Minneapolis
has.
D
H
Improving
the
lives
of
families
and
particularly
improving
wages,
is
an
important
issue.
I
come
from
a
union
family
and
my
father
was
a
member
ask
me
you
need
for
30
years
and
my
mother,
a
member
of
the
local
nurses
union,
so
I
know
firsthand
how
important
it
is
for
families
to
have
good
training
programs.
They
need
to
be
supported
because
it
allowed
my
father
to
move
on
from
a
job
that
paid
him
$10
an
hour
working
in
a
glass
factory
to
a
livable
wage
working
as
a
corrections
officer
in
the
county.
H
Correctional
facility,
where
I
came
from
so
I
think
support
allowing
the
people
that
work
work
in
in
organizations
to
form
a
union,
so
management
stays,
neutral,
I
think
that's
important
and
should
be
encouraged.
I
also
believe
in
supporting
progressive
policies
like
prevailing
wages,
because
I
believe
that,
through
progressive
policies
that
prevailing
wages,
that
wages
can
be
little
work
to
be
livable
and
also
benefits,
can
stay
at
a
decent
level.
So
the
families
can
succeed.
Thank.
C
I
guess
I
was
just
reading
earlier
today
and
it
kind
of
shocked
me
a
little
bit
that
private
sector
union
membership
today
is
the
lowest
it's
been
in
nearly
100
years,
little
under
six
percent
of
all
workers
in
the
United
States
or
in
a
private
sector
Union.
So
it's
no
wonder
that
today,
your
average
family
is
learned
earning
less
money
than
they
did
in
1997.
That's
at
the
same
time
that
in
the
last
four
years
alone,
a
2-bedroom
apartment
in
the
city
of
Bloomington
climbed
over
three
hundred
dollars
a
month.
C
There
are
some
things
we
need
to
do
for
those
low
wage
workers.
First,
on
the
proactive
front
and
second
kind
of
the
systemic.
On
the
proactive
front,
our
Bloomington
public
health
department
is
right
now
reaching
out
to
our
hotels
and
restaurants,
especially
in
Bloomington
seaside,
to
make
sure
they
have
understandable
workplace
wellness
standards
in
place
that
only
that
not
only
creases,
employee,
satisfaction
and
retention.
It
also
provides
them
an
outlet
to
report
things
like
wage
theft
and
abuse
in
the
worksite.
C
It
also
helps
them
access
to
information
to
know
their
rights
and
potentially
be
able
to
move
forward
using
unions
as
a
resource
to
help
them
out,
but
that
doesn't
go
anywhere.
If
you're
not
addressing
the
systemic
issues,
we
need
to
make
sure
there's
affordable
childcare
options
by
using
some
of
our
Parks
and
Recreation
resources
to
invest
in
summer
programs,
like
the
view
in
the
mini
view
that
allow
parents,
the
flexibility
to
choose
the
most
positive
work
environments
for
themselves,
not
being
tied
to
an
employer,
that's
abusing
them
over
the
long
term.
C
F
F
We
we
support
the
people
who
are
in
those
lowest
paid
jobs
in
Bloomington
in
a
number
of
ways.
Today
we
have
a
Human
Rights
Commission
that
investigates
and
reports
to
us
on
any
infractions
that
are
brought
forth.
We
have
the
public
health
department,
which
is
mentioned,
which
does
inspections
and
looks
after
the
health
and
safety
and
general
well-being
of
not
only
those
employees
but
their
families.
In
addition,
we
inspect
businesses
and
license
them
to
make
sure
that
they
are
maintaining
safe
working
conditions.
F
And,
lastly,
we
believe
that
everybody
has
the
right
to
earn
living
wage
and,
along
with
the
school
district,
are
providing
opportunities
for
education
for
advancement
and
alternative
means
of
education,
so
that
the
career
path
doesn't
mean
that
it's
only
for
preparation
to
go
to
school.
It's
trade,
schools,
it's
other
forms
of
education
and
it's
working
splendidly
and
I
have
to
congratulate
those
folks.
So
thank
you.
Thank.
E
It's
an
interesting
way
to
phrase
this
question,
because
I
think
one
of
the
ways
that
we
can
ensure
that
we
improve
living
standards
is
by
ensuring
that
folks
are
able
to
join
a
union
and
form
a
union.
I
believe
that
is
a
fundamental
right.
Unions
are
family.
My
grandfather
was
a
Teamsters
mechanic
at
South,
Dale
Ford.
My
mother
was
a
Minnesota
State,
College
faculty
union
member
and
president
at
Normandale
Community
College
for
39
years.
E
There
are
a
lot
of
steps
that
we
can
take
in
sort
of
the
the
smaller
end
of
things,
including
employer
neutrality
and
PLA
s.
We
can
also
also
focus
on
ensuring
fair
scheduling
and
making
sure
that
folks
know
when
they're
gonna
work
and
that
the
work
is
going
to
be
valued,
I
think
the
other
more
honor
underappreciated
role
of
elected
officials
is
providing
oversight
is
by
ensuring
that
we
are
talking
to
folks
and
making
sure
they're
doing
what
they're
supposed
to
be
doing
and
that
they're
valuing
the
work
that
their
employees
do.
I.
E
B
Thank
You
Nathan,
and
that
was
the
first
question
round
of
applause.
Thank
you.
I
just
wanted
to
also
say
that
these
questions
were
crafted
after
discussions
with
residents
who
are
union
members
and
community
leaders.
So
your
second
question
is
Bloomington
has
become
an
extremely
diverse
City,
both
racially
and
economically,
but
there
also
seems
to
be
a
growing
tension
again.
Bloomington
has
become
extremely
diversity,
both
racially
and
economically,
but
there
also
seems
to
be
growing
tension.
B
Many
residents
living
in
the
East
and
West
Bloomington
speak
of
conflicts
on
whose
voices
are
heard
or
represented
at
the
City
Council.
Then
there
was
an
attack
at
the
dar
al
Farouq
Islamic
center,
I,
repeat
many
residents
living
in
the
East
and
West
Bloomington
speak
of
conflicts
on
whose
voices
are
heard
or
represented
at
the
council.
Then
there
was
also
an
attack
at
the
dar
al
Farouq
Islamic
Center.
What
will
you
do
to
take
on
these
challenges
and
unite
our
community
again?
B
F
F
F
This
being
the
most
important
one,
we've
overweighted
it
in
this
first
year
and
given
a
tremendous
amount
of
time
and
attention
to
this
item,
you
I'm
sure
have
heard
that
we've
gone
and
we're
having
classes
instruction.
We've
invited
the
community,
but
we've
also
focused
on
training
our
employees
on
how
to
be
respectful.
How
to
deal
with
people
of
all
people,
not
just
people
who
look
like
us.
F
C
C
The
whole
purpose
of
this
program
is
to
reach
out
to
primarily
our
diverse
communities,
which
are
concentrated
on
the
east
side
and
provide
them
with
the
avenues
and
the
information
to
get
their
children
enrolled
in
things
like
after-school
activities,
Bloomington,
athletics,
association,
sports
programs-
again,
that's
not
reinventing
the
wheel,
but
it's
separation.
It's
unfamiliarity
that
breeds
that
fear
and
that
over
time,
left
unchecked
left
on
address
creates
those
those
hateful
and
violent
actions.
C
D
This
relates
a
lot
to
what
I
said
in
my
opening
comments.
Some
of
you
were
at
the
event
that
brought
close
to
a
thousand,
give
or
take
people
to
dar
al
Farouq,
and
we
met
on
the
football
field
and
thank
you
for
those
who
came.
The
support
was
obvious
to
those
people
who
are
part
of
that.
That
Center,
you
may
have
heard
me,
speak
unusually
briefly,
because
I
didn't
have
much
time.
D
B
I
We
asked
them,
as
after
their
college,
education
was
completed
to
give
a
year
of
service
to
a
non-profit
if
they
wanted
to
pay
us
back
and
I
now
have
fortunate
to
have
grandchildren
who
have
their
own
degrees
of
diversity,
Jewish,
South,
Asian,
ancestry
and
our
family.
So
we
have
a
very
interesting
and
great
table
and
it
makes
it
better.
The
cot
one
of
my
clients,
who's
on
the
trustee
of
the
Islamic
Council
of
Minnesota,
called
me.
I
Every
sittin
called
me
after
hours
consoles,
stood
together
behind
the
mayor,
made
a
joint
statement
of
support
for
our
Islamic
brothers
and
sisters
that
we're
all
in
this
together
and
thank
me
so
much
for
doing
that.
And
so
let
me
just
say
just
as
with
the
labor
laws
that
we
talked
about,
you
could
read
them
the
aspect,
but
when
you
feel
it
in
the
gut-
and
we
actually
hopefully
are
all
the
better
for
the
responses
communities
had
to
the
tragic
events
of
recent
weeks
and
months.
Thank.
B
E
I
think
this
is
actually
one
of
the
advantages
of
running
citywide
in
Bloomington.
Is
that
I'm
able
to
to
talk
to
folks
who
live
all
over
the
city?
And
it's
in
fact,
one
of
the
reasons
that
I'm
running,
because
the
reality
is
that
the
issues
that
affect
one
of
us,
regardless
of
where
we
live,
will
affect
all
of
us
now
if
they
don't
already
I've
one
of
them.
The
key
aspects
of
leadership
is
having
proactive
conversations
and,
in
fact
this.
E
This
issue
of
unity
in
Bloomington
is
something
that
I'm
focusing
on
as
I
have
just
started.
My
graduate
work
at
the
Humphrey
School
at
the
U
of
M
I
believe
in
having
these
proactive
conversations
continuing
to
meet
people
where
they
are
going
straight
to
their
doors
if
I
have
to,
but
also
you
know
whether
it's
a
formal
Town
Hall
here
in
the
council,
chambers
or
even
hey
I'll,
be
at
the
caribou
on
France
and
old
shakopee
on
Saturday
morning.
Come
have
a
conversation.
E
Talk
to
me
about
what
you
want
to
talk
to
me
about
I
believe
when
you
engage
folks
in
the
process.
That
way,
we'll
still
have
our
disagreements.
We'll
still
have
our
differences,
but
we
can
all
respect
the
outcome
and
that's
how
we
move
forward
together,
not
too
long
after
the
incident
at
al-farouq
I
was
out
door-knocking
in
the
neighborhood
and
I
talked
to
a
Somali
woman
and
I.
Don't
recall
the
particulars
of
our
conversation,
because
her
kids
were
running
around
and
making
noise
and
being
kids
and
she
had
that.
E
G
G
The
attack
on
the
Islamic
community
center
is
absolutely
abhorrent
and
horrific
and
I
think
it
has
been
as
councilmember
Spencer
mentioned,
hopefully,
a
way
that
has
pulled
us
more
together
as
a
community
when
I
look
at
this
issue
and
what
we
can
do
as
a
council
as
a
community
to
work
on
these
issues,
I
think
there's
a
few
things
we
can
do.
A
jacket
mentioned
training
staff
and
I
agree
with
that.
G
I
think
that
part
of
that
needs
to
look
at
our
police
and
fire
services
and
other
public
professionals
making
sure
that
they're
equipped
with
the
ability
to
safely
serve
the
entire
community.
Here
some
of
my
experience
has
been
working
with
the
Met
Council
and
they
have
identified
within
bloomington
concentrated
areas
of
poverty
within
their
comprehensive
planning
process.
Income
inequality
is
huge,
but
the
wealth
gap
between
those
who
have
a
lot-
and
those
don't
have
much-
is
extremely
large.
It's
much
bigger
than
that,
and
it's
largely
driven
by
access
to
housing.
G
We
have
people
paying
you
know
50
percent
or
more
their
income
on
housing.
How
are
they
ever
supposed
to
get
ahead?
We
have
people
that
are
blocked
out
from
homeownership
and
growing
equity.
Those
are
things
that
our
City
Council
can
address,
and
work
on
and
help
our
community
with
to
reduce
that
gap
between
those
who
have
and
those
who
don't.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Michael.
H
So
diversity,
it's
it's
something
that
I've
grew
up
with
my
entire
life,
having
immigrated
from
the
Philippines
and
growing
up
in
a
99%
German
Irish
Catholic
community
in
rural
Illinois,
about
a
hundred
different
conversations
at
the
dinner
table
with
my
parents
to
be
to
build
the
confidence
to
build
the
the
cultural
skills
necessary
to
be
successful
in
a
country
that
that
I
would
always
look
very
different
and
my
family
experience
and
from
the
language
that
we
speak.
We
spoke
at
home
to
the
foods
that
we
ate
or
very
very
different.
H
So
this
is
something
that
I've
grown
up
with
my
entire
life
and
you
know
either
an
intimate
knowledge
of
this
issue
and
it
in
and
highly
educated,
in
carrying
the
cultural
diversity
committee
in
college
well
into
being
an
active
member
in
Bloomington
and
in
other
communities
as
an
activist.
So
many
issues
so
I
think,
if
elected
to
the
City
Council
I
bring
the
that
experience.
I
believe
I,
bring
the
skills
developed
over
a
lifetime
to
cross
cultures
and
be
very
comfortable
doing
that.
H
I
think
that
that's
a
huge
asset
to
the
city
of
Bloomington,
if
I'm
elected.
If
council
that's
great,
then
then
the
diverse
communities
in
Bloomington
have
a
voice
and
they
have
somebody
that
they
know
they
can
reach
out
to
and
having
the
same
common
experience,
growing
up,
learning,
struggling
language
struggling
with
culture
and
I
think
that
counts
for
something,
even
if
not
elected
to
the
City
Council
I
think
I
would
like
to
stay
active
and
bring
those
skills
to
Bloomington.
Thank.
B
I
You
there's
so
many
issues
we
haven't
touched
on.
Our
law
firm
has
the
opportunity
to
represent
the
health
and
retirement
plans
of
the
bricklayers,
the
cement
Masons
and
a
number
of
other
trade
unions,
keeping
our
public
employment
system
adequately
funded.
So
we
don't
have
these
underfunding.
Issues
is
absolutely
critical
again,
you
know
feeling
it
in
the
gut
through.
My
experiences
is
really
important.
Just
as
Chelsea
was
saying
at
the
beginning,
reading
the
history
of
labor,
you
know
it's
a
lot
different
from
an
obvious
thing,
like
discrimination
is
costly.
I
Let
me
just
close
by
saying,
like
Randy
Johnson,
my
community
chair,
like
Dave
Durenberger,
who
I
work
for
I'd,
appreciate
your
support,
whether
they
support
me,
my
opponent,
both
of
us
or
neither
of
us
I'm,
going
to
be
listening
to
you,
I,
don't
believe
in
just
supporting
those
who
voted
for
me,
but
but
everybody,
and
so
if
I'm
elected
I
want
to
be
a
voice
for
everybody.
Thank.
I
E
Thank
you
again
to
the
Minneapolis
rlf
for
putting
this
all
together,
I'm,
so
excited
to
see
labor
getting
involved
in
this
way
and
I
think
it's
going
to
help
all
of
us
be
better
candidates.
I
want
to
thank
my
fellow
candidates
as
well
for
being
here
and
having
this
conversation.
As
Elden
said,
there
were
so
many
other
issues
that
I'd
love
to
have
a
chance
to
talk
with
you
about
so
I'm.
Looking
forward
to
doing
that,
I
believe
that
a
vote
is
more
than
just
expressing
a
preference.
E
Your
vote
is
an
investment
in
the
kind
of
future
that
you
want
to
see
for
our
city,
for
our
community,
for
our
entire
state.
I
believe
that
my
roots
in
the
community,
my
experience
working
with
different
officials
at
all
levels
and
my
vision
for
moving
us
forward
and
making
progress
for
all
of
us
really
qualify
me
to
serve
on
the
City,
Council
and
I'd,
encourage
you.
If
you
don't
get
some
question
answered
tonight
that
you'd
like
to
get
in
touch
with
me
through
my
website
neighbors
for
Nathan
comm,
they
say
the
first
rule.
C
It's
critical
that
we
support
the
senior
population,
the
third
of
which
are
now
living
alone,
that
built
this
community,
that
we
attract
welcomed
and
retain
the
new
families
that
will
fuel
our
growth
moving
forward
and
that
we.
Finally,
while
we've
said
one
Bloomington
for
quite
a
while,
make
some
concrete
progress
on
bridging
the
divides
on
either
side
of
our
central
highway,
it's
again
I've
said
it
a
few
times
tonight.
C
D
The
fact
that
I'm
wearing
a
red
shirt
is
not
a
political
statement.
I
have
not
not
been
part
of
a
party
for
a
long
time.
Please
check
this
out.
Strong
communities
happen
because
of
good
relationships,
and
so
we
need
to
work
hard
to
do
that.
I
work
hard
to
connect
with
the
area
that
I
am
primarily
responsible
for
we
make
decisions
for
what's
good
for
Bloomington,
but
in
north
northeast
Bloomington,
I
hang
out
at
Kennedy
High
School.
Quite
a
bit.
D
H
H
G
Thank
you
again
for
attending
tonight
and
to
the
mr
Ella
for
hosting
this
event.
Very
much
appreciate
it.
In
addition
to
your
support
in
your
vote,
I
am
really
here
to
ask
you
to
share
your
knowledge.
Your
experience,
your
help
to
understand
how
policies
and
decisions
that
come
before
the
City
Council,
it
will
impact
your
lives.
Your
contribution
needs
to
be
recognized.
G
F
Thank
You
Jamie
I
want
to
thank
you
all
again
for
coming
out.
This
is
a
very
comfortable
environment
for
me
to
be
in
I,
grew
up
as
a
young
lad,
going
with
my
father
to
the
Teamsters
Hall
local
120
over
in
Saint
Paul,
which
he
was
a
member
of
for
forty
five
years
and
my
first
work.
Experience
was
also
similar
to
Chelsea,
where
I
was
a
member
of
the
grocer's
Union
for
about
six
seven
years.
I'm
asking
for
your
vault
here
tonight.
F
I
am
because
the
most
important
job
of
a
City
Council
member
is
is
to
listen
to
take
in
to
understand
and
to
act
upon
those
items
that
are
important
to
the
people.
The
constituents
that
we
represent
I
know
how
to
do
that.
I
have
leadership,
experience
and
integrity
and
use
that
to
the
advantage
of
all
residents
of
the
city.
B
B
B
The
the
this
city
and
its
residents
continue
to
play
a
huge
role
in
our
governor's
race
and
a
presidential
race.
I
hope
we
can
get
people
out
of
the
polls
and
keep
making
the
change
and
difference.
Thank
you
to
all
the
candidates
and
to
the
audience
here
we
do
have
a
Bloomington
action
team.
We
meet
the
first
Wednesday
of
every
month
right
here
in
the
city
hall.
Please
join
us,
they
bring
in
pizza
and
a
lot
of
drinks
coke.
B
We
do
have
a
lot
of
issues
that
we
need
to
talk
about
a
lot
of
concerns,
but
we
thought
it
best
that
the
candidates
interact
directly
with
the
residents
and
listen
to
them
again.
Thank
you
again
for
being
incredible
with
the
time
sharing
your
vision,
your
knowledge
and
spending
time
with
us
today,
a
round
of
applause
to
all
the
candidates.
Best
of
luck
to
all
of
you.