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the city councils of old, meaning pre-single member districts, “silver dollar councils.” He described past councils as being comprised of nothing but anglo men who all lived within blocks of each other and that if you placed a silver dollar on a map you could locate all of their homes within that circle.
Single member districts provided for diversity on the city council. But the diversity it provided was not based just on the color of ones’ skin. It provided diversity based on background, outlook in life, and sensitivity to a variety of issues that were many times, overlooked. Single member districts provided a voice to those who were left out.
I think it is important that we remember these things because it is our combined history that teaches lessons which if forgotten, are destined to be repeated.
In closing I’d like to thank everyone who helped. I compiled a list of individuals, businesses and organizations who pitched in to help. It was my intention to name them all here today but, there were well over 150 of them.
Suffice it to say, that people from all walks of life, from every neighborhood, from all political affiliations, and from every denomination helped. Some helped simply by allowing us to place a yard sign at their home and some helped by spending hour after hour organizing the campaign, block walking, phone banking and visiting with their friends and neighbors.
Early on, I made a conscience decision not to turn away anyone who was willing to help. As a result, a loose-knit coalition was created.
Early on I decided to allow people to help in which ever manner they chose to help. As a result, we had a hundred
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