From another one of SPicy's loyal readers:

Dear SPicy,

A few years back, I was promised by Chris Coleman that he'd bring a new kind of leadership, fiscal responsibility and cooperation to City Hall. So I gave my first ever campaign contribution.  My question is not related to broken promises, its about loyalty.  I got a letter from Ward Six long-shot Pakou Hang in the mail yesterday.

Either Ms. Hang has compiled a list of Chris Coleman contributors, or the Mayor himself (or the Camp Wellstonians) have provided it to her.  Since the former is a campaign violation, I have to believe the latter.  Has Chris Coleman already forgotten that Dan Bostrom supported his budget or has he thrown loyalty under the bus?  Why does Coleman shrug Bostrom off so easily?

Thanks,

Hung out to dry

Dear Hung,  

Unfortunately, loyalty appears to not be one of the Mayor's strong points; from turning his back on DFL-endorsed candidates (Christine Nelson vs Dave Thune, Randy Kelly over Jay Benanav and his own run for Congress) to ignoring important supporters - SPicy thinks the Mayor's loyalty is more opportunistic than lasting.

But let's explore another angle.  Since Concerned sent SPicy a PDF of the letter, the larger concern is that Pakou might share the same kind of opportunistic loyalty that has emboldened the Mayor.

Dan Bostrom has a long distinguished career in public service, a police officer, school board member and City Council Member.  He even held several endorsements of the DFL.  In Pakou's letter, she says she is "...in a tough race against a conservative incumbent."  Pakou apparently mistakes pragmatism and unquestionable dedication to the east side for conservatism.  Anyone not "progressive" is conservative - (evil) - which SPicy thinks would Pakou on the opposite side of most of Saint Paul.

What has SPicy perplexed is what seems to be a deeper dynamic that is motivating Camp Coleman's push against Bostrom.  For those of you following the race, you will know that Congresswoman Betty McCollum supports Bostrom's re-election.  SPicy wonders if Pakou's opinion of Council Member Bostrom really has more to do with issues she and the Mayor have with the Congresswoman.

SPicy recalls a day when Council Member Chris Coleman ran against DFL endorsed State Representative Betty McCollum for the 4th Congressional seat.  Betty, with help from the DFL, blistered the Mayor and Steve Novak and won an easy victory at a time when Mayor and Chris Coleman were words never mentioned together.  Yet during the Mayoral campaign in 2005, Coleman and McCollum shared a new found togetherness and declared a truce. SPicy almost puked and perhaps the holding of hands was only for show.   

Now, SPicy wonders if guber-dreaming Chris Coleman provided a fundraising list to Pakou Hang; former campaign manager of State Senator Mee Moua in exchange for Mee's support in future campaigns. Or is the Mayor simply taking out his still festering dislike of Betty by getting Pakou to beat up Dan - making Pakou a Melvin Carter-like pawn?  What does SPicy think about this?  Well, these are dangerous games to be playing in a city that faces economic uncertainty, rising taxes, more foreclosed homes, and a massive anti-war protest next year.

All SPicy has ever heard of Bostrom is his pleasant demeanor, loyalty, and dedication.  At a time when it is hard to get good people to serve, Dan continues to go above and beyond.

SPicy has reviewed the fundraising letter Ms. Hang - and is surprised that Pakou does nothing to really differentiate herself from the Bostrom.  She states in her letter that "I am running for St. Paul City Council because I vehemently believe that to those that much has been given, much is asked of." Ms. Hang, Saint Paul is in a state of affairs that can more aptly be described that "so much more has be TAKEN from many, and the City keeps asking for MORE!"

SPicy thinks, as do many on the east side and across Saint Paul, that the future of this city needs the likes Dan Bostrom as one of our voices.  There is room for the Mayor to play a critical role - but the strength of this city is in the dedication of people like Dan.  The letter and what it represents has helped SPicy realize  there appears to be another lesson Chris needs to learn. 

Statues and bronze busts are not created for those who too easily turn their backs on loyalty.  The Mayor would be well-served to take a look around his office and see if there are not a few more lessons to be learned.

As for Pakou, well let's just say that SPicy does not think that the future of Saint Paul is worth trading the dedication of a loyal public servant to settle old scores by beating up on Betty.