Zimmermann convicted

Here is a message I posted on the Green Party of Minnesota list serve, having to do with the conviction of former City Council Member Dean Zimmermann:

I was only at the trial one day, so I don't have all the information in front of me, but from what I've heard and read, it didn't seem like there was a quid pro quo, or "something for something." It may have even been "nothing for nothing," because the developer's request got voted down by the council, and because Dean worked at getting the money into the gerrymandering lawsuit fund, where he was not the sole beneficiary.

That being said, the lessons learned for the rest of us in the Green Party include:

• You can bet we're going to get picked on, so avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.
• Clean government has always been what sets us apart from the Repubs and Dems, so we have to go the extra mile to convince the public that we are the real thing.
• If you get a big contribution that looks suspicious, don't take it, refund it right away, or ask the authorities how best to handle it.

This has got to be a tough time for Dean and Jenny, and my thoughts and prayers are with them.

...Others had similar views. Click on comments to read the Green Party press release, and click here for my comments from when the story first broke: