Did the RNC affect St. Paulites' lives? A chance to say so

It has been nearly three weeks since the Republican National Convention packed up and left St. Paul.

Good, bad or indifferent, its effects will be noted for weeks -- perhaps years -- to come.

Tonight at 5:30, one St. Paul City Council member wants people to reflect and speak up about how the event affected their lives.

Dave Thune has called for a "community conversation," where residents, business owners, police, demonstrators and news media members can say their piece.

There will be no debate or questioning. One person talks, everyone else listens.

"The whole idea is to allow people with different perspectives to hear each other," said Thune, a vocal critic of the convention.

The event -- which is not official government business -- will be held in the Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.

Others saw a less rosy picture.

Some have criticized police and accused them of making unnecessary arrests, using excessive force and wantonly using crowd-control devices. More than 800 people, including dozens of working news media members, were arrested in St. Paul and Minneapolis during the Republican convention.

Many local officials say police acted appropriately, and the convention went off with few hitches. Reviews of police plans and actions are in the works.

Some St. Paul businesses have complained that the city promised more than it delivered in terms of customers. Other businesses boomed.

More perspectives will be shared tonight.

Said Thune: "Everyone needs to be heard on this."

To see an agenda for tonight's event, click on the City Council meeting agenda link at www.stpaul.gov.