Cam Gordon for Minneapolis 2nd Ward City Council

 

Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council 2001 COPE Committee Candidate Questionnaire

 

  1. Why are you seeking the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades endorsement?

 

I have a deep belief in workers' rights to organize. In the course of my campaign and, if elected, as a council member, I intend to listen to and work with unions, labor organizations and workers in my ward and throughout the city. I am convinced that by actively seeking your endorsement and, if I am able to, earning it, I can demonstrate my interest in working with Building and Construction Trades to ensure that your interests and the interests of other workers are taken into consideration. Furthermore, I am very committed to reaching out to labor organizations as an endorsed candidate of the Green Party to build a meaningful and lasting 'Blue-Green' coalition to make this city a better place to work in and to live in for everyone.

 

  1. Do you support prevailing wage?

 

Yes

 

  1. What is your position on contracting with private entities to provide public services that are currently provided by public employees.

 

I am opposed to this.

 

  1. Do you support a permit code and competency system for the Trades that welcome input from union contractors and Trade persons?

 

Yes, we should keep the permit code and competency system in place and input from Trade persons and union contractors should be welcomed and valued.

 

5. What do you view as the core programs and services of Local Government?

 

Core programs and service include public safety and public works. This includes the police and fire and emergency services as well as water and sewer, waste management, road maintenance and cleaning. The role local government can play addressing issues of economic development and housing are also very important.

 

  1. Would you promptly consult the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council on issues of interest to our membership?

 

Yes, I would work to maintain open lines of communication and would turn to you when issues that concern you come before the council.

 

  1. What is you position regarding project labor agreements?

 

I support these, especially when city money is involved. These agreements allow the city to require certain projects to use union construction and union workers. I would like to explore effective and legal ways to increase the use of these agreements in city projects.

 

  1. What is your position on the Block E development project. Please explain the positives and negatives of the development.

 

Clearly the Block E project will offer excellent employment opportunities for many in the city, both during construction and after the project is complete. This is positive. It will also offer visitors and residents of Minneapolis more choices for their entertainment and cultural experiences. It will also help provide needed hotel space downtown to attract conferences and conventions and other special events that will help our city's economy.

 

On the negative side, I do think that the project could have been better. While I was not there during all the planning and earlier discussions, I had hoped that a less expensive project (especially in terms of costs to the city) could have been developed that could have incorporated the Schubert Theater into it, some more green space and smaller shops and businesses might have been more unique and fitting for our city. I am also concerned that as a community we were not able to have a full discussion about what kind of use the people of Minneapolis felt was best for that space. In all projects of this nature we ought to look not only at the quality of living wage jobs it creates (although very important) but also at how it fits into the goals we, and the citizens of Minneapolis, have for our city; the impact it will have on our environment and natural resources; its economic viability and economic impact on already existing businesses and structures; and finally, its level of community support.

 

  1. What will you do if elected to preserve the AAA bond rating of Minneapolis?

 

I will carefully review the budget and fight to keep our spending, our  borrowing and our bonding within our means. I will be careful when offering public funds to large projects and I will work hard to help the citizens and businesses in the city succeed so that our tax base remains strong and we can afford the services and programs that we need and want.

 

  1. Are you seeking major party endorsement?

 

The Green Party is the only major party endorsement I will be seeking.

 

  1. Will you abide by the party endorsement?

 

I already committed to abiding by the Green Party endorsement before I received it.

 

  1. Will you accept PAC contributions?

 

No I will not.

 

  1. Please describe your campaign strategy and how you see Labor assisting in your strategy.

 

We plan to use an energetic and creative grassroots strategy to reach  every household and voter in the ward to bring them our message for better service and a better city. I have a core committee of over 20 committed people and a rapidly growing list of supporters and volunteers. I will be distributing literature, hosting gatherings, going out to meetings throughout the community, advertising in the local press and bringing our message to the people throughout the ward. The support of Labor will help send a powerful message to voters    that just because I am not running with the party they are accustomed      to seeing associated with Labor does note mean that I am not a friend      and advocate of Labor and of worker's rights, living wage jobs and        unions. I want to send this message loud and clear throughout the ward, and your endorsement and that of other Labor groups like yours, will help enormously.

 

===================that's it===================   

 

Cam Gordon Candidate for Minneapolis City Council, Ward 2

 

914 Franklin Terrace Mpls. MN 55406-1101 (612) 332-6210 http://www.camgordon.org