Stillwater Gazette Headlines Menikheim sails into uncharted waters: Stillwater’s new councilman wants to be voice for Ward 1 residents

Stillwater Gazette Headlines Menikheim sails into uncharted waters: Stillwater’s new councilman wants to be voice for Ward 1 residents.

On the Campaign Trail … 11/2/10 … Last Campaign Blog

The picture is of my opponent,  Steve Russell, his dog Jack and me as we shared a corner at Osman and 3^rd St. waving our signs to people on their way to the polling place today.  Although we disagree with each other’s positions on many issues here in Stillwater, we each ran a civil campaign without savaging each other or dragging our opponent through the mud.  We provided a distinct contrast from which the voters can choose.  That process is being tallied as I write these words.

Although we hardly know each other, we were able to chuckle at the vagaries of running for public office and the demands it made on our personal time.  He’s a dog guy and so am I.  Neither one of us is comfortable being in the spotlight, yet we both want the position, so we put aside our discomfort and were out there waving signs as the winds came up and the temperature went down.  I learned that he and Jack are hunting pheasant tomorrow in southern Minnesota.  He discovered I gave up biking this summer to seek the office.  We spent the entire afternoon within ten feet of each other working hard for something available to only one of us.  When the sun set, we shook hands and went our separate ways to await the voice of We the People.  Isn’t that what Democracy is supposed to look like?

People were surprised to see us in such close 
proximity.  The double-takes were priceless, smiles spread across people’s faces and there were nods of approval, not only for a particular individual but also because we had found a way to co-exist.  A couple walked by and the woman called across the street, “You both are to be commended for what you are doing.”  Another lady slowed her car, rolled down her window and sternly admonished us, “How can you do such an inappropriate thing so close to a polling place?” Still others shouted out open windows that we were doing “something illegal,” despite my checking with the local election judge to determine the proper distance we needed to be from the place where people vote.  Thumbs up, enthusiastic waves, V-for-victory signs, along with eye’s-forward, stoic, show no emotion folks who like to hold that kind of stuff inside; the full gambit.

Maybe it’s because we’re just two small town boys running for a lowly city council position, but I have to ask why elections at all levels can’t be more like our race was.  Think of the tawdry, uncivilized, uncouth campaigns we’ve been subjected to the past many months.  Does it have to be that way?  Does the scope of those offices justify uncivilized behavior?  Is that what Democracy has come to look like today?

Hopefully not, but no matter how the election turns out tomorrow, Steve and I ran a clean campaign. We can both share that pride, even though only one of us will be in office come the New Year.  Isn’t that what our Founding Fathers wanted Democracy to look like when they conceived all this 234 years ago?

Think about it.

On the Campaign Trail … 11/11/10 … Campaign Goals Accomplished

When I started the campaign to become the next City Council member in Stillwater Ward 1, I set a goal for myself to make five full trips around the Ward, engaging people to get a solid sense of the electorate I hope to ultimately represent.  Today I completed that goal, and the numbers tell a story with quantitative as well as qualitative story lines.

Quantitatively, I walked a bit more than 190 miles over a 4-month period, speaking with approximately 1500 individuals while handing out about 6000 pieces of campaign material.  These numbers mean little other than to show I am comfortable setting lofty goals and then achieving them.  I am also told by the “experts” that winning a local election is done, “one vote at a time.” I gave it my best shot.

Qualitative results were really the most significant outcome, however.   I was met with a graciousness and courtesy I was not expecting.  People seemed pleased to be engaged by someone running for office and was captured best by the man who said; “I’ve lived here 35 years and never had anyone from city council ask what I thought?”  I heard of the things people liked about Stillwater and the frustrations they felt.  I can say I enjoyed myself so much that I’m afraid I must have been doing something illegal.  I realized clearly just how much I love engaging people about issues which will make everyone’s lives a bit better.  It’s what I’ve done my entire life in the Navy, teaching graduate students and helping executive teams develop their leadership skills.

My opponent says his past experience is what makes him worthy of being on the city council.  I argue his “experience” has in part caused what it is people say they are frustrated about today.  My experiences have been in engaging people to improve their status, whether it is aboard a ship, in a Fortune 500 company, or learning how to lead.  Those skills are readily transferrable to the City Council  and are  the kind of experience which is needed in these difficult times.  I hope you can see your way clear to vote for me tomorrow.

No matter the outcome, I am very proud of the campaign my opponent and I ran.  Above all else, it was civil, and we stayed on point. There are clear differences for the voter to choose from and that choice will be made in the voting booth tomorrow.   I am so thankful to have experienced this small piece of the democratic process.  I am, also, honored to have been in your presence.

On the Campaign Trail … 10/24/10 … Debates, Symptoms and Problems

This past week I had the opportunity to debate my opponent in the race for City Council in Stillwater’s First Ward.  It was an exciting, demanding and fast-moving experience answering weighty questions submitted by the Stillwater Gazette and my opponent.  I had only 60 to 90 seconds to formulate, and deliver a meaningful response.  I felt like I’ve been through a rough workout when it was over and, ironically, political experts say not one vote is changed by debates because people already have their minds made up before tuning in.

While I acknowledge the political scientist’s expertise, I think debates, when looked at closely, do tell us things which may not be evident at first glance.  In this instance, I was drawn to my opponent’s tendency to address symptoms instead of the problem itself.  He says the most important order of business in the First Ward is traffic management.  I say that is merely a symptom of the basic problem: an out of date, increasingly dangerous and over-worked bridge.  For decades (my opponent was on the City Staff 20+ years), politicians and administrators have been trying to “manage” the traffic, all to no avail.  It is time to change direction and start talking about closing the bridge down, primarily because it is no longer safe.  People unaccustomed to thinking outside of the box mumble about how the Feds and State will not allowing that to happen?  How will we ever know if there is no will to go in that direction?

As Abraham Lincoln said in his annual message to Congress in 1862, “Still the question recurs, ‘can we do better?’ The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.  The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion.  As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.” Managing symptoms is not what Stillwater needs now.  Instead, leadership which results in solving problems can move the city out of this longtime gridlock.  There is a distinct difference between the two of us, so aptly shown during the debate.  My opponent will manage the status quo, while I will lead to make Stillwater truly Minnesota’s First City.

On the Campaign Trail … 10/12/10 … Taking Some Time Off

After more than 3 months on the campaign trail, except for a long grandparent week-end in Denver, I’m heading off once again.  I’ll be in Annapolis, MD until Sunday attending the 50^th Reunion of my Naval Academy Class.  In June of 1960, I tossed my hat in the air with great exhilaration and headed off to Pearl Harbor and my first ship.  I left behind 31 of some of the closest friends I’ve ever had, and I’m anxious to pick up those conversations we started more than five decades ago.  Not all of them are still with us, but recalling their memories and hearing old sea stories will make for a wonderful, nostalgic time.

While at the Academy, we were imbued with the values of Duty, Honor and Country. Every day, that notion was woven into our beings, whether in class, on the athletic fields or summer cruises.  It became our creed and the way in which we lived our lives as officers.  It kept us going during difficult times and remains with us still, now in the form of deep pride and appreciation for having lived such a life.  It was a privilege to have served my country.

Because of the Nomadic life I’ve lived in the service, I’ve never had the opportunity to serve my community – until now.  I’ve watched from afar during the 17 years I’ve lived in Stillwater and believe I can help make this wonderful city an even better place in which to live.  But first, I have to get elected, and that is what I have been working at since late June.  Only 22 days to go, but who’s counting?

Duty, Honor and Community … that is my commitment to you.

On the Campaign Trail … 10/5/10 … Marathons and Political Campaigns

Yesterday, the 24^th edition of the Twin Cities Marathon took place.  It was a perfect day for the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon and I wasn’t there.  I’ve started nine or ten of them, finishing 4 or 5, I don’t remember for sure, but each was a marvelous experience.  26.2 miles is a daunting distance whenever you face it, and it clearly shows just what one is made of.  The beginning of the race is full of energy, excitement and the satisfaction of finally being on the way.  As you loop the lakes in Minneapolis and approach the halfway point, the fatigue begins setting in.  After crossing the river into St. Paul, you’ve used up most of your glycogen and your body starts devouring excess fat for energy.  That’s the dreaded Wall, hit somewhere in the 20-22 mile range, and it hurts.  One finds out what he is made of at that time; those reserves, plus the cheering people are what guides your aching body to the finish line, where you experience a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment only other marathon finishers can relate to.

While not in the Twin Cities marathon itself, I was in my own personal marathon of completing the fourth trip around Ward 1, engaging, talking and listening to those people I hope become my constituents in November.   When I started in July, I had boundless energy and excitement as this was my first attempt at seeking political office.   As I got into August, the fatigue began to set in and my steps were, perhaps, slightly slower than in the beginning.  September and October found me working through all the glycogen and moving into my fat supply.  It began hurting, yet I was as enthused and excited doing what I was, although I could not explain why.  Then yesterday, while the TC run was underway, it hit me what was keeping me going.  It was the people I met, conversed with, listened to and learned from that were pumping me up.  Just like the cheering fans along the marathon route make a tremendous difference, that human interaction keeps me going in the quest to become the next Ward 1 City Council person.  I intend to maintain that kind of interaction with Ward 1 constituents after I’m elected.

Thanks to all of those who have energized me to this point.  I look forward to what we can do together once elected.  Marathons and Politics……who could have imagined such strange bedfellows?……dkm

On the Campaign Trail….9/20/10……Engaging the Unengaged

After an almost 2-month hiatus….sorry!……I’m back at the keyboard. There will not be such a gap next time…..promise!

During the interim, I’ve talked to hundreds of people in the Ward, listening to them as I asked how, constituents and councilman together, we can make this wonderful city better than it already is. Their answers have been many and varied, but can be factored into five distinct areas. I’ve included all of them in my latest campaign material  hitting the street this week. Today, a gloomy, damp, dreary  fall day, I wanted to reflect upon the one factor which I found disturbing.  Many of you hesitated before you answered, and then said, “I’ve never been asked.”

That disturbs me because how can one best represent the Ward if we don’t know what is on your mind in terms of the city.  How many good ideas never take form because one never addresses the subject? We as individuals have some responsibility to put something back into where we live besides our tax dollars? However, residents need  a forum or a channel to give input and be involved.  I am concerned about the limited conversations in the neighborhoods about our fair city.

If elected to office, one of the things I want to initiate are ways to bring people together to discuss the Ward and City, along with the importance of being involved. Current Councilman Gag has done that in the form of “town meetings,” and I’ve heard positive things from people with whom I’ve spoken. It is a good idea I want to continue and enhance upon by inviting neighborhood advocates to become part of a network within the Ward, who will keep me informed of the happenings in their neighborhood. Town meetings will be scheduled as needed, and I will encourage attendance by baking my world famous chocolate chip, oatmeal, nut cookies with M&M’s. However, they will not be served until after a substantive discussion of how we might improve our wonderful city…..:>)

During my days in the Navy, I did something similar to this when commanding three ships. There, I would gather junior representatives from each division and ask them how we could improve the ship. Once they understood I was serious, they blew me away with their insights, creation and innovation. If 18-19-year olds can do something like that, why not constituents in Ward One?

I look forward to giving it a try……..

On the Campaign Trail – 7/29/2010 – No Solicitors…….

Campaigning for a lower-level political office for the first time is totally new in all respects. I find myself fascinated by the democratic process of walking the Ward, passing out campaign material and meeting people. We the People, as in who runs this country anyway?

For too long, politicians have tried to run the country while ignoring We the People. I think that has to change and that is to be the backbone of how I intend to be elected… engaging the people, listening to them and serving them based upon what they tell me. I’m old fashioned that way: I believe that is what our Founding Fathers wanted, but we’ve gotten away from that. I believe that can be changed in the First Ward and I’m setting about doing just that… you will see me around the Ward the next three months and I’m going to ask you, “what are the issues of the City and how do you see them being fixed?” That is, how can we make a good city better in every way?

This is nothing new for me because it’s how I ran the three ships and a shore station I commanded during my 28 years in the Navy. Constantly, I asked the crew how we could get better and they never failed to tell me. I would incorporate their input into day-to-day action and improvement became the norm. So, too, did their amazing propensity at accomplishing the impossible on a routine basis. Why wouldn’t the same thing work in Ward one as well as the rest of Stillwater? I believe it can and have set about trying to make it happen.

So it comes as a surprise when you arrive a door with a sign on it: No Solicitors! I interpret that to mean, no sales persons desired. But I’m trying to sell myself, so maybe I should not stop. So after thinking a moment, I come to the conclusion that soliciting and and the process of democracy are not the same thing, so I push on by, leave my material and continue my rounds. I have to find out what We the People are thinking…

Walking through the Ward, I see the creativity and innovation of the people who live here. This picture is an example of what I mean. I hope it brings as much pleasure to those reading this as it did to me.

It also reminds me of the potential of rising to unknown levels that exist in the Ward. Together, we can arrive at solutions to the enormous problems facing our nation, state and city. Why not accomplish the impossible routinely in our city? I’ll be around to engage you in that conversation so give it some thought…..thanks ,,, dkm

LEAD… ENGAGE… SERVE

Serving Stillwater’s best interests, I will:

Lead bringing together the City’s many diverse perspectives.

Engage 1st Ward constituents, as I have my students as an adjunct professor.

Serve my city and ward as I do my clients as a small business owner.

Hello Stillwater!

I’m running for city council, in the First Ward.