Tonight I got to experience my first public debate at the League of Women Voter's (LWV)candidate forum. The LWV sponsor this to help educate local voters. They are knowledgeable, professional, and first class all of the way. They are to be commended for the good work they do on behalf of the city. We were in room 201 of Northrup School, and I've got to tell you, we packed the house. To be honest, many of the attendees were current county and city office holders, and I think that they were there to not just hear us out, but to also get a preview of the questions that would be asked during their own debate sometime after our 4th Ward debate.
The LWV said that the session was taped and will be played on the local public cable sometime between now and the primary on September 9th.
We all got to answer questions from the LWV, the Post-Bulletin (Jeff Pieters was there), and written questions from the audience. Our responses could be no more than one minute in length. *Whew*, a one minute response is tough. "How would you have handled the recent Washington Village controversy?" One Minute. GO! 30 seconds 15 seconds STOP !
I'll try to use this web-site to better answer the questions, and get them answered before the primary. The people that I talked to afterward said that I clearly won the debate over Pat and Mark. Good, I tried really hard. Try to watch it on TV (it'll be about 45 minutes) and see if you agree.
Jeff Pieters said that 4th Ward Day in the P-B is scheduled for Tuesday Sept 7th. Hopefully, there will be more room to stretch out and put the answers into some form of context. I felt like in one minute all you could really say were things like "Yes, I'm against violence in our neighborhoods". "Yes, safety is important to me". "Yes, I believe that everyone will be better off if we all work together". We should be able to add more meat to the debate through this web-site, viewing the debate on TV, additional upcoming debates, and other media coverage.
I was very impressed with the League of Women Voters, and the turnout by concerned citizens. I will practise and learn how to better answer a question in a short period of time.

Labels: Public Forums

If you are receiving this in hard copy form, that means that you either weren't home when I knocked on your door this weekend, and I took the liberty to drop it off, or you were home and are gracious enough to meet me. As this is a handout, a legal item.....it is prepared and paid for by the Steve Barlow for Council Committee 1161 6th St NW Rochester, Mn.
I am extremely accessible and available by phone: 269-6925; EMail: SBarlow99@GMail.com; and/or web-site: www.RochMnNews.com
You'll find that I have a consistent, strong, and important message regarding my candidacy for 4th Ward Councilman. I have the unique experience, vision, competence, and compassion to best serve the wants and needs of the people and the neighborhoods of the 4th Ward.

Labels: Updates

Yard Signs are going up this weekend. If you'd be willing to place one on your lawn (in the 4th Ward) please let me know. You can contact me at SBarlow99@GMail.com or call at 269-6925. I've got a large group of family and friends, including myself, going out Saturday and Sunday. So, thank you in advance for listening to us, and an even bigger thank you for those of you who put up one of our yard signs.

".....so your voice will be heard" is our campaign theme. You, the people and the neighborhoods of the 4th Ward have an important say as to what goes on in this City. A Councilman should be your spokesman. But, good communication only happens when the issues are not just spoken but they are also heard by the other decision-makers and stakeholders. This is an important point that really separates this campaign from the others.

It has been a very humbling experience for me and this campaign to receive the amount of support that it has. I get many people every day going out of their way to ask me how they can help. Wow.

The description on the Masthead above should read "Your NEXT 4th Ward Councilman". Sorry for sounding presumptuous.

I went to the Steak and Burger luncheon yesterday at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester (at the corner of East Center and 11th Ave - 4th Ward 4th Precinct). What an event ! ! ! Congratulations to Keystone President Awale Osman and 2007 Youth of the Year Dylan Raiche. Both are impressive young men. Also, thanks to all of the singers, dancers, and drummers for the entertainment. This important organization has a $1Million budget for 2008. It is well recognized and supported by the community. Larry Kent and the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester; Be Proud ! Better yet - Be Great !

Remember to use the Archive Key (left) to see the posts that didn't fit on this page. It will have to do until I get the site fixed.

Labels: Updates

Welcome to the 4th Ward ! ! !

I believe that this is Rochester's most vital Ward. In the 4th Ward, we have:

Rochester's Economic Engine.

Our Sports and Entertainment Center.

Our Institutes of Higher Learning. Both UofM and UCR.

Our Most Densely Populated Living Areas.

Our Most Established and Our Most Recent Neighborhoods.

In other words, we work here, we learn here, we live here, and we play here.

So much of what goes on in our City goes on in the 4th Ward, we even have City Hall!


Let me walk you through each Precinct so that you can find which one is yours, and your respective Precinct Polling Locations. There are Seven Precincts in the 4th Ward. Let's go visit them..........

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

4th Ward - 1st Precinct:
Our boundaries are pretty much defined as Civic Center Drive to the North and 2nd Street SW to the South. The West Boundary is either 7th or 8th Avenue, mostly 7th. The East begins at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and Mayo Park Drive, then South to Center Street, back to Broadway and once again South until connecting again at 2nd Street Southwest.
Polling Place:
Senior Citizens Center
121 North Broadway
(click on map)

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

The Senior Citizens Center 121 North Broadway

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

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Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Each 4th Ward Precinct is described below. You may have to click on the "Archive" to the left to get the Precinct you wish.

Thanks to all of you that have written to me at SBarlow99@GMail.com, and the many that have stopped by this site. We have an active, vibrant campaign, and I appreciate all of the input from you.

You'll be seeing more local content on this site coming up. I'd like to see this web-site develop into a "must-read" for everyone in the community. You'll start to see more items of interest regarding budgets, payroll, ownership, planning and such. I'd like to take current public information and assemble it into a way that will be fun and informative. One of my main goals is to make local government as "transparent" as possible. Also, I promise to get more proficient at writing a site.

Remember to vote in the Primary on September 9th. The 4th Ward is the "happening" Ward in this city. I'd love to see record voter turnout. That would send a strong message to the establishment.

The League of Women Voters is planning a candidate forum for the 4th Ward Tuesday August 26 between 7:00 and 7:40 pm. It's to be held at Northrup School - Room 201 - 201 8th St NW in Rochester. The forums will be taped and rebroadcast on the local public cable following the forum and prior to the primary election. The League of Women Voters will also make DVD's available at the Rochester Public Library for check out by voters.

Some neighborhood associations in the 4th Ward have talked about having their own forum. I strongly encourage this, and will be happy to participate at whatever level you would like.

I think that it is important that you feel comfortable with me as your city representative.

The first of my direct mail pieces went out last weekend to every registered voter in the 4th Ward, by precinct - all 7,148 of you. I got the mailing list from the Secretary of State of Minnesota. It seems as if it is a pretty accurate list. Two registered voters in the same household will each get the piece.

Another mailing is going out right before the Primary on September 9th. It is to remind and encourage you to vote in the Primary.

Again, thank you for your overwhelming and positive support.

You can reach me through this site, Email - SBarlow99@GMail.com, or by phone - 269-6925

-Steve

Labels: Site, Updates

The 4th Ward's 2nd Precinct starts at the intersection of 6th Ave SW and 2nd St SW. Go East on 2nd St SW then North on Broadway until Center Street. Continue on Center until Mayo Park Drive, then south on 6th, 4th and 5th Ave SE until 11th St SE. Go West on 11th St SE, then 12th St SW. Go North on Memorial Parkway, and follow 6th Ave SW North.
(Click on Map)
Polling Location is Hawthorne School, 700 4th Ave SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Hawthorne School,
700 4th Ave SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

The 3rd Precinct's North border is determined by 3rd St SE. 11th and 15th Avenues define the East. Hwy 14 and 11th St SE define the South border. And the West border is 5th and 4th Avenues SE.
(Click on Map)
The Polling Location is: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 869 7th Ave SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Redeemer Lutheran Church, 869 7th Ave SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

The 4th Ward 4th Precinct is bordered to the West primarily by the Zumbro River and to the North by Silver Creek. We go to the East Bountry of the City and Collegeview Road SE defines the South border.
(Click on Map)
Polling Location: Olmsted County Health Department, 2100 Campus Drive SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Polling Location: Olmsted County Health Department, 2100 Campus Drive, SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

The 4th Ward's 5th Precinct is another long, slender one, bordered on the North by Collegeview Road. The East once again goes to the city limit (notice that all annexed land is in the 7th Precinct). The West is basically 11th Ave SE with a cutout for Homestead Village. The remainder of the Southern border works its way West eventually through Eastwood Road SE. The Polling Location is: University Center Rochester Regional Sports Center, 851 30th Ave SE.

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

University Center - Rochester Regional Sports Center, 851 30th Ave SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

The 6th Precinct is triangularly shaped with Marion Road acting as the hypotenuse. Watch the map carefully as it gets pretty twisty as it passes through some of these residential streets.
(Click on Map)
Polling Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 2904 20th St SE (I know........that's in the 7th Precinct, and the fine people from the 7th have to vote in the 5th, but I checked, and that's the way it is this year.)

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Polling Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 2904 20th St SE.
(just go south on Marion Road until 20th St SE)

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

The 7th Precinct contains the neighborhoods around Eastwood Golf Course, everything East of 20th Ave SE and North of Marion Road, and all of the newly annexed areas to the East and the SouthEast. Welcome ! !
(Click on Map)
You get to drive the furthest to your Polling Location, which you share with the 5th Precinct: UCR Regional Sports Center, 851 30th Ave SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

University Center - Rochester Regional Sports Center, 851 30th Ave SE

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Labels: 4th Ward Maps - by Precinct

Rochester’s Executives, those that lead organizations they have usually had a large role in assembling while having their own money at risk, also act as great Public Servants. These people will be found working behind the scenes or on the Boards of our art, humanitarian, philanthropic, religious, and other institutions that do so much to enhance our quality of life. Civic Theater, United Way, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Rochester Foundation, and all denominations of local Churches, to give a few examples, are better served by volunteering executives who unselfishly give of their time, their skill, and their money. But rarely will an executive run for public office.
As the needs and wants of the community become more complex, and government becomes more active and difficult to administer, one may think that the public would desire some executives to hold public office. They should at least be given this option.
Many executives will say that they already do so much, that their plate is full. I don’t disagree with them, but to these talented people I remind them that to whom much is given, much is expected. Some may not want the public scrutiny, but these are the same people who are constantly held accountable to their customers, associates, lenders, regulators, and sometimes their own board or co-owners. Some may feel uncomfortable in the role of elected public official and they would be out of their element. But these successful people are the same ones that continually reinvent their organization and themselves in order to survive and prosper in this ever-changing world. Some may believe that running for and holding a public office could somehow harm their reputation. But what could be a more noble, giving act to your community?
The executives I know understand that Rochester is a diverse community. They know that talent and good ideas come from everywhere and everybody. Regardless of education level, union or non-union status, or social demographics they believe that an organization, in this case a community, best prospers when all work together to achieve common goals. Working in unity is not just an objective, but it is imperative for success.
Imagine, if you will, an office holder with vision, one that focuses on long-term goals benefiting everyone. One that can bring out the best in our tremendous human resources. One that is motivated by giving back to a community that has been good to them. One that is beholden to no single individual nor group. One that makes every decision without factoring in its effect on their chances for re-election.
Bill Clinton wrote in his recent book “Giving”, “Who’s happier? The uniters or the dividers? The builders or the breakers? The givers or the takers?....... I think you know the answer.” Unite, Build, Give. I encourage Rochester’s Executives to consider these words and file for public office, for this or for some future election.



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* Steve Barlow is the CEO of the Barlow Corporation, and has recently filed for the seat of Rochester 4th Ward Councilman. He can be reached for comments and questions at (507) 269-6925

Labels: Public Service