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From the CW Twin Cities Free to Vote Gubernatorial Forum 2006

Click here for highlights from The CW Twin Cities Free To Vote Gubernatorial Forum that aired live on October 11 2006 on The CW Twin Cities, channel 23, cable 8.

From the Southwest Minnesota State University Spur

by Neil Polzin in News

With elections starting in less than a month, gubernatorial candidate Ken Pentel wanted to give his perspective on the big issues. Pentel spoke on Tuesday Oct. 10, to a turnout of eight people. Even with the low turnout, Pentel was not discouraged. "I believe you can reach anyone," Pentel said.

Read more from Ken Pentel sees bright future

From the Park Rapids Enterprise

By Katie Johnson
      THE ENTERPRISE

"Fear is what's guiding us right now," says Ken Pentel, and he's out to change that.

The Green Party-endorsed candidate for governor is touring the state in a grassroots effort to spread is "honest democracy" message to the public. Pentel mingled with fellow Greens and other environmentally conscious folks Saturday at Bruce and Cheryl Brummit's "Lilac Farm" north of Osage. This is Pentel's third run for governor; he also was endorsed by the Greens in 1989 and 2002.

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From the Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Ken Pentel, the Green Party-endorsed candidate for governor, swung through Fergus Falls Wednesday in his third campaign for the highest office in Minnesota.

And though the Greens are no longer a major party in the state, Pentel has been steadily doing better: His first run in 1998 landed him just over 7,000 votes, but his 2002 campaign garnered over 53,000. He believes his party is indeed viable, but only if Minnesotans are able to vote how they want. "If people vote with their values, that is like a pebble in the pond — it has a ripple effect," Pentel said. "I’m asking people to vote (for) what they hope and believe it, rather than fear."

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Friday, Oct. 6, 2006

Ken appeared on MPR's Midday show at 11:05am - noon with the other minor parties, American Party and Quit Raising Taxes Party.

Friday, Sept. 1, 2006

From the grass (and the green) roots

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Ken Pentel met with SMSU students Thursday to discuss the issues and brainstorm campaign ideas.

The tone and the dress code were informal, but for Green Party gubernatorial candidate Ken Pentel, the issues were deadly serious at an appearance on the Southwest Minnesota State University campus Thursday.

"One of the reasons I¹m here, one of the reasons we¹re all here, is the earth is getting trashed in our face, and we¹ve rationalized it as a society", Pentel told a group of about 17 university students and professors at a talk sponsored by the SMSU Campus Greens. "We¹re born into an economy based on . . . growth for growth¹s sake."

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Ken Pentel attends Autumn Harvest Days in Oak Center Sat., September 23

Ken Pentel, the Green Party endorsed candidate for governor, took his message to Wabasha County at the invitation of the Minnesota Farmer's Union. He participated in the 7th annual corn husking competition and shared his vision for Minnesota with an old fashioned stump speech.

"My goal is to reach people at the grassroots level, one on one. Minnesotans have the right to hear from every candidate out here, not just the ones that the major media gods in Minneapolis approve of," Pentel said.

"I don't want to see anymore farm forecloses in Minnesota. We need stronger mediators to negotiate with creditors to keep people on the land. I also want to help farmers diversify into alternative crops such as kenaf and hemp to feed the paper industry."

"We need to beef up the cost share program for Minnesota to help farmers transition to small, sustainable and local organic crops," Pentel added

Another initiative Pentel wants to bring to St. Paul, is free tuition for college students who pursue study in the fields of environmental restoration, renewable energy development, and organic agriculture.

"The future of our food supply and our resources are part of our long term security as a nation. We need to steer clear of too much centralization in our agriculture," Pentel said.

The event was held near Oak Center, at the Tom Gerken farm on County Road 31, east of town.

Ken Visits U-M Morris

Full Story...

Read Ken's Interview in the Bemidji Pioneer

Listen to Ken's Interview on Quality News Network

Danene Provencher testified against the Twin Stadium proposal on Tuesday

VIEW DANENE'S TESTIMONY HERE

I am here tonight representing the value of social and economic justice, to represent my constituents with my run as a Green Party endorsed candidate for Lt. Governor and to serve as a voice for the economically disadvantaged with my background in social work.

I went on your web site (www.hennepin.us) and would like to read your mission statement: "The mission of Hennepin County is to enhance the health, safety and quality of life of our residents and communities in a respectful, efficient and fiscally responsible way."

I do not believe it would be fiscally responsible for a vote in favor of the stadium tax without a referendum, especially after reviewing the Human Services budget from 2003 through 2006. In regards to revenues, the property taxes have increased over 15% in three years. State revenues have decreased by over 30% and Federal aid by 4%.

In the vision of Hennepin County, again from your web site it states: "We envision a future where residents are healthy and successful and where our communities are safe and vibrant. We will strive to meet and exceed expectations by engaging people and communities in developing innovative solutions to challenges. We will be a diverse, learning organization. We will partner with others to enhance the quality of life in Hennepin County and the region."

Within the Hennepin County Human Services budget alone, services have been reduced by 21.8% totaling over $10 million in 3 years and public aid has been cut by 12.3% or $39.8 million. I ask how can any County Commissioner justify imposing a tax on the citizens of Hennepin County for the benefit of a billionaire worth $2.8 billion when millions of dollars are being cut in services and public aid while imposing increased costs on our citizens to generate revenue?

I would like to commend the County Commissioners who have fought for the exemption and request that the four who have shown favor for the stadium tax to take the facts above into account when making their decision. Let's practice democracy by putting the voices back to we the people instead of rifling through corporate welfare for a multi-billionaire who can well afford to build his own stadium.

Danene Provencher
Green Party Endorsed Lt. Governor Candidate
Mound, Hennepin County, Dist 7

Farm Fest:

• Gubernatorial candidates face farmers at Farmfest
• Candidates for governor spar at Farmfest

STATUS OF THE CAMPAIGN