Former council member is still a key player at Mpls. City Hall

[geardaddy]

Here's the REAL ruler of Minneapolis. This woman needs to be banned from being a lobbyist.

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/142411775.html

Dominium Development knew that its $100 million proposed conversion of the historic Pillsbury A Mill complex into apartments hinged on big commitments from the city of Minneapolis.

And it didn't want to leave anything -- from the permission of a historic preservation panel to the award of millions in public financing -- to chance.

So the Plymouth firm called on former City Council President Jackie Cherryhomes to help, giving her a contract to "strategically make sure that we're getting to the proper channels and getting in front of the right people to make sure that we have the best chance possible to get our project approved," said Owen Metz, senior development associate for Dominium.

Ten years after voters said no to another term for Cherryhomes, she remains an influential player in City Hall. Cherryhomes, 57, has leveraged the political connections and know-how of city bureaucracy she honed over a dozen years in office into a consulting and lobbying business for those seeking advice on winning city approvals and neighborhood backing. Her client list includes garbage haulers, construction companies, local shop owners and big developers.

Her role, while familiar to political insiders, is far less visible to the average citizen. Instead of marshaling votes on the dais, she accompanies developers and other clients to meetings with officials and community groups to make their case. Rather than speaking up in public forums, she coaches clients on what to say. Once she called a council member's aide to talk about a client's city contract and mentioned their wish to make a campaign contribution.

Two weeks ago, Cherryhomes sat in council chambers as an economic development committee approved pollution cleanup grants for the Pillsbury A Mill project. Unlike in her council days, when Cherryhomes rarely shied from speaking up, she was silent, slipping out after the measure passed.

Later, she explained, "I sort of stay in the background."

[glinda]

1. She couldn't talk to me once, about a huge crime issue, because she was putting her lipstick on.

She has always been a climber and nothing more. She really didn't care then and sure doesn't now. You are so right about her.
Suppose by staying in the background no one will notice you are powdering your nose......

[geardaddy]

2. Yep, there isn't a development

that pays her off she doesn't like.