The "Sky-bi" is a centerpiece of Carney's campaign for Mayor, and the "logo" for related news releases
The "RT and me" video is also available at www.republicancontract.com
A brief update on the PCR lawsuit hearing is at the bottom of this news release
Carney will not campaign downtown today, but plans to Thursday and Friday.
A "Missing Mayor" poster is being prepared, and will be on-line soon.
Contact: Bob Carney Jr. -- (612)-803-9084 -- bob@republicancontract.com
Minneapolis, MN, October 14, 2009 -- Today political entrepreneur, Moderate Progressive Republican candidate for Mayor of Minneapolis, and NEW! documentarian Bob Carney Jr. uploaded on youtube.com "RT and me" Episode One. "This is the first in a series of a video record of efforts to get Mayor Rybak to participate in televised and/or videotaped forums with other Mayoral candidates, and more generally, to respond to demands of citizens for a 'redress of grievances' in the words of our First Amendment", Carney said.
"RT and me" includes footage of Carney's videotaped visit to the office of the Mayor at City Hall on October 13th. Carney posed to the Mayor "you can confirm there is a Mayoral election this year."
"", Rybak replyed -- he said nothing, but he did nod as if affirming the statement.
Mayor Rybak invited Carney to come to one of his open houses, then walked into the Mayoral office for a meeting. Carney has obtained the phone number of Rybak's campaign manager -- Carney had previously been unable to locate any phone numbers on the Mayor's campaign web site.
Earlier, in the office, Carney videotaped a person who appeared to be a city employee, who said: "This is the official City of Minneapolis office. We can't talk about campaigns here, it's inappropriate."
"The mention that this is 'the official City of Minneapolis office' seems to imply there may be one or more unofficial offices -- if this is the case, I wonder where they might be," Carney mused.
No arrests were made.
The public is asked to call Carney "if anyone knows where an unofficial City of Minneapolis office might be located," Carney said.
The upcoming events calendar for Mayor Rybak's campaign web site, rtrybak.com, remains blank for October.
"RT and me" also includes a videotaped report by Carney outside of what appears to be the Rybak campaign headquarters, based on information from the Rybak campaign website. "It's a UPS store," Carney said (see photo below).
Other Minneapolis Mayoral candidates demand accountability
"RT and me" includes this videotaped statement, by "Papa" John Kolstad, at a campaign event in Northeast Minneapolis: "I think we should hold the Mayor accountable. If he wants to run for Mayor, then he should be at the forums. He has not made one single forum, not one forum... and the Star tribune and the press is not holding him accountable." There is an article in today's Star Tribune addressing the issue of Mayoral forums or debates.
Mayoral candidate and former Minneapolis city council member Dick Franson had this to say when reached by phone yesterday evening: "The Minneapolis League of Women Voters is not doing its job. They should call for debates and see where the shoe fits. If the Mayor doesn't show up, they should put out a press release." Franson added: "I urge the Campaign Finance Board to expeditiously make a decision on Mayor Rybak's non-filing of his campaign finance report for Governor." Carney was told earlier by the League of Women voters they had a concern about a shortage of moderators -- Carney is to follow up with an e-mail to them.
Minneapolis Mayoral candidate Bill McGaughey also wants have a Mayoral forum with the Mayor. Responding to Carney's e-mail, McGaughey said: "I would agree to almost any forum. The important thing is to get Rybak and television time."
Carney is calling and e-mailing both Mayoral and City Council candidates, to organize the presentation of a petition at City Hall next week, to be delivered in person by a group of candidates.
The First Amendment establishes: "The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Carney concludes episode one of "RT and me" with this thought: "Our right to bring grievances before the incumbent Mayor -- and to get answers from that Mayor -- is right at the heart of the First Amendment."
This news release is the fourth in a series of news release/reports from Carney regarding what Carney characterizes, half tongue in cheek and half foot in mouth, but with 100% serious intent as to long range practical consequences, as "rumors of a 2009 Minneapolis Mayoral election." Carney maintains an archive of news releases at www.republicancontract.com"
"Maybe the Mayor has heard that this year, people can vote against him three times -- and panicked", Carney surmised. "Of course, voters can vote against all of us three times, but for us only once. Hummmmmm, have to think about that one," Carney concluded.
PCR lawsuit update
A hearing was held Tuesday, Oct. 13th, before Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin. There was no ruling from the bench. Judge Gearin did appear to indicate she will rule narrowly on the cross motions: to dismiss, and in the alternative for summary judgment, and for a preliminary injunction. The plaintiff moved to amend the complaint, pursuant to objections the defense had raised that some issues addressed in subsequent filings had not been raised by the plaintiff in the complaint. A further news release will follow in the next two days. The documentary record of the case so far will all soon be online at www.republicancontract.com, at this point only two filings are known to not be included. The original complaint has been downloaded well over 100 times.
Mayor Rybak, outside of the Mayor's office 9/13/09, (note, it's not actually his office). The Mayor appeared to quickly realize that Carney's video camera was on
The opening frame of "RT and me" Episode One; at what appears to be Rybak campaign headquarters, based on information from the Mayor's campaign web site.
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