Voter CollaborativeThe Voter Collabortative
PEPP joined forces with Mujeres Unidas, Connections, Centro Cultual, The Women's Network of the Red River Valley, and MSUM Social Work Students to Promote Democracy, Civic Engagement and Grassroots, Nonpartisan Community Involvement. 

On November 1, 2007, the Voter Collaborativeheld a Moorhead City Council Candidate's Forum that was held at Centro Cultural in South Moorhead.  The Forum was well attended and all 10 candidates participated in the Forum.




Straw Poll Results

The Voter Collaborative held a Moorhead City Council Candidate's Forum on November 1st. The forum was attended by all 10 Candidates and drew a crowd of nearly 80 community members.
 (See Photos from Forum)


Participants were given the following instructions for the Straw Vote:

After attending this forum, whom would you vote for? Please choose one person for each ward regardless of where you live or if you can vote on November 6, 2007.

Candidates for Moorhead City Council
November 1 Straw Vote Ballot Results:
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Number of Ballots cast = 37
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1st Ward:
1 -Pete Marinucci
10 -Nancy Otto
26 -Tammie Yak

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2nd Ward:
8 -Barry K. Chouinard
17 -Diane Wray Williams
9 -Alexander Ellsworth
2 -Larry Nicholson

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3rd Ward:
22 -Dan Hunt

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4th Ward:
7 -Mark Wallert
30 -Greg Lemke


Candidates sound off
J. Shane Mercer
The Forum - 11/02/2007

Paratransit, parking and the pay disparity between men and women were among topics addressed at a public forum Thursday when Moorhead City Council candidates as a group made their pitch to voters.

Several of the 10 candidates agreed that the paratransit system for disabled riders in Moorhead is solid.

But Ward 1 candidate Tammie Yak, who serves on the city’s Human Rights Commission, said she has heard complaints that some people have had to prove they were disabled enough to qualify for paratransit. She suggested extending paratransit hours and routes.

Parking issues near Minnesota State University Moorhead were also at issue at the forum, which was organized by nonprofit organizations and spearheaded by the People Escaping Poverty Project.

Ward 2 candidate Barry Chouinard said he hears from constituents that the city has “done nothing for too long� about parking. But incumbent Nancy Otto said parking issues are now being studied.

Ward 4 candidate Mark Wallert said the “reality is this is about parking convenience,� adding that some lots on the MSUM campus are not full even in the heart of the day.

Ward 1 candidate Pete Marinucci said it is the responsibility of the university, not the city, to provide parking for students and staff.

Candidates were also asked about what they would do to give enforcement authority to the Human Rights Commission. Yak disagreed with Councilman Dan Hunt, who said only the state can grant the commission enforcement power. Chouinard said he would not want the commission to have enforcement power, but did say it is time for the city to look at developing a municipal court system.

Human Rights Commission member Phyllis Emmel asked how candidates would address overly aggressive tenant screening.

Most candidates said they favor the current screening process.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Shane Mercer at (701) 451-5734

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