Finding a Green Way to Govern

News from Cam Gordon Council Member, Second Ward http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ward2 http://secondward.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/camgordonward2 Tobacco Ordinance.  The Council has unanimously adopted the tobacco regulation ordinance changes I authored with my colleague Blong Yang.  These changes will become effective on January 1, 2016 and set a minimum price of $2.60 per stick for cigar products, (which currently sell for as little as three for 99 cents) and prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products except at specialty, adult only, tobacco shops (stores for which tobacco accounts for over 90% of what they sell). This ordinance was based on the recommendations of our Youth Congress that these types of tobacco products are the most common entry point into tobacco use and nicotine addiction for our youth.  I want to thank the advocates – especially the youth – and our Health Department staff for making this ordinance change possible. Protected Bi...

News from Cam Gordon,  Minneapolis Council Member, Second Ward Rail Safety Meeting. In response to growing concerns about the significant increase in dangerous rail traffic in Minneapolis, Council Members Reich, Frey and I are co-hosting an Eastside Minneapolis Rail Safety Forum on Thursday , June 18 , from 6:30 – 8pm, at East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd Street NE.  Panelists will include Congressman Keith Ellison, Rep. Frank Hornstein, Sen. Kari Dziedzic, Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel, Grant Hosmer from City of Minneapolis Emergency Management and representatives from BNSF, CP Rail and MN DOT.  The forum will allow the community to learn more about strategies in place to ensure public safety, as well as an opportunity to share questions and concerns with local, state and federal officials as well as railroad representatives. Clean Energy Partnership Sets Work Plan .  The Clean Energy Partnership between the City and our energy utilities a...

I n order to better communicate with you and others I have added a “ Cam Gordon - Minneapolis City Council Second Ward ” professional Facebook page to my menu of communication tools. Find and “like” it at https://www.facebook.com/camgordonward2 to stay better informed about my work as Council Member. This compliments my use of email, e-newsletters like this one, my web log and my twitter account (@CameronAGordon), as well the website, phone calls and face to face conversations to keep communication lines open and flowing.    

I am working to repeal Minneapolis’ “lurking” ordinance for four reasons: 1) It is poorly crafted, 2) It is unnecessary,   3) It is ineffective, 4) It contributes to racial and economic disparities and injustice. Here is the law, in its entirety: “385.80. Lurking.   No person, in any public or private place, shall lurk, lie in wait or be concealed with intent to commit any crime or unlawful act.” Find more detail on my reasons to repeal the lurking ordinance below the fold.

Like most people, I was very disturbed to learn that a young African American boy was pepper-sprayed during a protest yesterday evening in downtown Minneapolis. I support the right of people to peacefully protest, and recognize that much of the progress we are making in our discussions about racial disparities in the criminal justice system are due to the power of grassroots organizing and protest.  I thank Police Chief Janee Harteau and Mayor Hodges for taking this incident seri ously and I look forward to hearing the results of those investigations.  Here's Chief Harteau's statement: "I am launching a full investigation into the concerns brought forth this evening. Our investigation will include gathering surveillance video and interviewing witnesses. I understand and appreciate people's concerns and will gather the full set of facts as quickly as possible. I assure everyone this will be a thorough investigation.”