Questionnaire responses for candidates in the Fifth Ward Minneapolis City Council race:

Lennie Chism:

E-mail: chismforcures@gmail.com or 612-861-6662 Web site: Chismforcures.org Endorsements: None Natalie Johnson Lee:

Email: nataliejohnsonlee@gmail.com or 612-986-8037

Website: www.NatalieJohnsonLee.com

Endorsements: Did not seek.

Kenya McKnight:

Email: mcknight4citycouncil@yahoo.com or 612-483-3245

Website: www.kenyamcknightforchange.org

Endorsements: Insight News, Children for Change, Women's Political Caucus, Gray Beards, Fire Fighters Local 82.

Don Samuels:

Email: don1samuels@earthlink.net or 612-669-9115

Website: www.donsamuels.com

Endorsements: DFL, DFL Latino Caucus, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFSCME, SEIU, IUOE Local 49, IBEW, MPEA, Minneapolis Nurses Association, ACORN, Teamsters Joint Council DRIVE 32

Roger Smithrud:

Email: smithrud@hotmail.com or 612-767-3340

Website: www.smithrud.com

Endorsements: Minnesota Independence Party

What's one burning issue that's prompted you to run for this position?

Chism: The lack of substantial political will for economic development in the Fifth Ward. Vacant commercial lots dating 35 years while surrounding communities flourished.

Johnson Lee: To give the Fifth Ward seat back to the people by providing access to city government and input into the decisions that affect their lives.

McKnight: Equitable economic development. I have seen more school buildings closed, businesses closed, homes torn down in the last four years than I have seen built up in the last 23 years. Somehow this is a new great direction. It's destructive.

Samuels: The safety and well-being of every child and family. When we are safe, we will learn, shop, play and work in our own community

Smithrud: The feeling of premeditated corruptions within city, county, state and federal government.

Since 2003, the city has increased the amount of taxes it levies on property by 8 percent annually. Do you favor continuing this policy, or do you favor a lower or higher amount of property tax increase? What specific increase would you support, and what budget adjustments would you make in light of your choice?

Chism: This question assumes we can raise taxes. Until such time as I have the opportunity to review the total budgets, I feel it inappropriate to answer specific questions about taxes other than I would do everything to discontinue the doubling of taxes.

Johnson Lee: I do not support raising taxes, especially in this economy. It is unrealistic and unfair for homeowners to continue to bear the burden of the cost of pensions which is primarily motivated the increase. We are in a difficult situation with LGA unallotments and need to reduce and prioritize our spending. We should eliminate unnecessary expenditures, such as increased legal fees and higher insurance premiums that result from police misconduct and malfeasance by public officials.

McKnight: I am actually in favor of no tax increase but will work with a lower tax increase with very specific stipulations such as a three-year max of increased taxes. We must have relief.

We are in a recession and things will get a little worse before it gets better. Higher taxes or any increase means the current home and business owners who are struggling will eventually lose their homes and businesses; rental cost will rise as well. Increased taxes are not a wise business decision for sustainability in our city, unless the goal is to eliminate the current population and bring in an entire new higher income base community because of deep pockets just as north Minneapolis is experiencing. Our city blames the increase on Pawlenty's cuts to LGA; it's true that our state depends heavily on our city tax base ... I would definitely make our fire and safety department a priority. Our fire fighters have been understaffed, according to the federal requirements, for several years, badly shaped rigs that our city continues to use tax dollars in repairs as opposed to investing in new rigs; our city pays rent for all of its fire stations as opposed to the city fire department owning the buildings and we are in danger of losing more of our already short staff fire fighters.

Samuels: I am not comfortable with continuing to burden home owners with increasing property taxes. The 8 percent annual increase has become a necessary evil. In fact, prior to the governor's current cuts, the council budget had projected a smaller increase, but in reaction to the cuts at the end of 2008, we had to increase the proposed amount as well as make larger cuts to services.

Smithrud: We all want lower taxes! 8 percent + 8 percent +8 percent, etc.. is too much. Look at each item one by one and look if it has too much fat. The only increases I would support would be the ones voted on by the people.

With state aid declining and property taxes rising, should the city diversify the taxes and fees through which it derives income? If so, how?

Chism: This question assumes we can raise taxes. Until such time as I have the opportunity to review the total budgets, I feel it inappropriate to answer specific questions about taxes other than I would do everything to discontinue the doubling of taxes.

Johnson Lee: No regressive taxes; however, one possible way is to collect income tax for nonresidents who work in the city.

McKnight: Fair taxes for all. If equitable taxation, it has to be suggested and spelled out for our current city officials. I suggest we all look at some serious new choices in this year's election.

Samuels: The city of Minneapolis has limited ability to raise money for basic city services. We need to explore other funding options, including a public safety sales tax that has been discussed in the past. I support efforts to explore other revenue sources.

Smithrud: No answer.

The council is considering how to use the property taxes from its older development districts. This tax increment by law may only be used to pay for Target Center debt and for neighborhood revitalization, or alternately, the tax base in these districts can be returned to the general tax base. What percentage would you allocate to each of these three purposes?

Chism: This question assume we can raise taxes. Until such time as I have the opportunity to review the total budgets, I feel it inappropriate to answer specific questions about taxes other than I would do everything to discontinue the doubling of taxes.

Johnson Lee: I would allocate 50 percent to Target Center debt, 50 percent to neighborhood revitalization

McKnight: Fifty percent should be used to pay off the Target Center debt; we must eliminate excuses for higher tax increases. Thirty percent should go into neighborhood revitalization, with the goal of increasing this investment to 50 percent. Lastly, 20 percent back into the general tax base.

Samuels: I would like to see half of this go to tax relief, with the remainder equally split between our Target Center debt and a dedicated funding source for neighborhoods. While all are important, I feel the lion's share should go to help our overburdened property owners.

Smithrud: Need more info so I can make this choice

Council members may collect up to $400 monthly as a car allowance. Would you do so or collect a lesser monthly allowance (how much?) or collect only per-mile payments for actual miles driven? Explain your choice.

Chism: I would collect only per-mile payments for actual miles driven.

Johnson Lee: We did not have the $400 monthly allowance four years ago and were reimbursed for mileage and parking. A flat fee is easier and I would request a city parking permit due to the number of events we are asked to attend.

McKnight: We are in a recession. If residents have to bite the bullet on tax increases, city officials should suspend all luxury spending and take a 25 percent pay cut. We have to rebuild our city's economy, and officials must be willing to sacrifice more than their time and privacy, especially when folks are unemployed, homeless and hungry. We're all in this together, right?

Samuels: I do collect a car allowance following the rules set up by the council. I responsibly bill according to my monthly workload. I tried billing for miles and parking, but with multiple short trips and parking, it becomes too unwieldy to manage.

Smithrud: At this time, that seems to be a lot without knowing the true cost (200 miles if I were just to go to a parking spot and back home @ 5 days per week ) if you had an average 2 10-mile appointments per day, that would be 600 more city miles = 800 miles @.40=$320 + the cost for parking

What are three specific things that you'd like to accomplish in your ward by the end of your four-year term?

Chism: My role is to bring small business commercial development back to the commercial arteries of north Minneapolis: 1) Increase commercial developments on Penn and Plymouth Avenues North; 2) Increase commercial developments on Glenwood Avenue; 3) Increase commercial developments back on Broadway.

Johnson Lee: 1. Ensure that the proposed transportation plans (LRT/BRT) are comprehensive, include Fifth Ward residents and businesses and bring commerce to the community

2. Direct Neighborhood Stabilization Program monies to longtime homeowners as well as new residents

3. Save North High School

McKnight: Inspire a Social Entrepreneurship Model that increases social responsibility, social accountability and self-sufficiency amongst the residents, returning the governance of community life back to the people with support from the government as opposed to a government-operated community.

I would like to change the economic structure of the Fifth Ward and inspire a community wealth-building model that will allow the community to retain its wealth through jobs, entrepreneurship, development and spending.

Increase youth leadership development.

Samuels: Completion of the Heritage Park Project, including the $22 million Heritage Park Senior Center

• Begin construction in the Basset Creek Development

• The completion of the revitalization of West Broadway anchored by a "YWCA" on the avenue

• Help the Northside Achievement Zone put every child on the path to graduation

Smithrud: Residents of the local community owning and running their own business in Minneapolis and paying sales tax, increasing revenue and reducing property tax, the feeling of safe for all to walk in all areas of Minneapolis. The teamwork of the city employees and the people of Minneapolis to work together to a better and friendlier place to live.

What's one specific citywide accomplishment you'd like to make happen by the end of your term?

Chism: I would like to develop a good will for reinvestment in north Minneapolis's Fifth Ward with the reallocation of investment focus to curb blight and hopelessness.

Johnson Lee: The City Council and mayors will have term limits, staggered elections and shorter campaign periods to increase political participation.

McKnight: A balanced budget that supports equitable taxation, independent parks, independent fiscal management, more transparency and accountability in local government decisionmaking.

Samuels: Eradicate disparities in education, transportation, economic development and safety. Make the most challenged area of our city as safe and prosperous as any other.

Smithrud: see above