Dear Council Member Herron, and fellow list members. First of all I want to thank you for responding to the concerns expressed on this list. I would like to know what staff >person made the comment about my >supporting the project because a "minority contractor would have the >work"... The person who made that statement was a female staff person of yours who spoke at the Planning Commission meeting on the subject of the Alley Turn. I don't recall her name. She spoke on your behalf at the Planning commission meeting, and I believe her testimony held great weight. Neighbors took time off work to show up at the Planning Commission to oppose the alley turn. Our block was divided over the issue of the alley turn, but a considerable majority of the residents on the block opposed the turn--especially close to the church. The problems with Church vehicles blocking the alley could be taken care of, if the Church folks would treat the neighborhood with a little Christian respect. They don't. Eva Eva Young Mpls., MN At 11:31 AM 10/4/00 -0500, Herron, Brian C wrote: >Eva, > > Hello, I really felt the need to respond to your comments, everyone has >the rigth to thier >opinion...But I have always been an advocate for my constituents' more so >then most.. >I listen to everyone and then try to make the best the decision based on the >good of our community. >Too often I was hearing about how the folks att Park ave. Church were >blocking the alley or cars >using the alley as a pass through...I saw the alley turn as an appropriate >way to deal with those issues..In my >thinking turning the alley would give the people in the neighborhood some >relief and seperate the church and >pass throug traffic from the residential..I would like to know what staff >person made the comment about my >supporting the project because a "minority contractor would have the >work"...While I commend Park ave >for using a minority contractor..I never made that statement and that had no >bearing on my decision making. >The fact is I attended several meeting with the residents and representives >from the church..Not all residents >were against the church project...I continue to hold the church acountable >and I continue to respond >whenever I here a complaint...As far as returning phone calls I do the best >I can with the work load my office has >and the amount of pohne calls we get in the 8th ward.....We are one of if >not the busiest wards in the city... >We also are more acessible to constituents then most....I go to a lot of >meetings that are at peoples homes >one on one as well as neighborhood meetings...I have several development >projects as well as other >pressing issues that I am so busy I wish I had time to sit at my computer >and participate on your e-mail >network...I am simply very busy...You don't think I do enough talk to my >family who hardly ever see me... >What other councilmember walks the streets and runs off drug dealers or >intervenes in very tense situations >all over the city...It is because I am serving my constitents and my sole >commitment to what I 'm doing to >try to better the lives of the people who live in our city and our community >that I do what I do in partnership >with so many others...Lastly I spoke with and assured all bidders for the >4th and lake bldg. that I would not influence the >process and I would let the committe make that decision....I was asked by >CM. Niland Do you have a problem >with Basim getting this bldg....I responed honestly and said no...I went >onto say i could live with Basim or Mr. Pham >....My concertn was just getting this project done with as least subsidy as >possible considering all the money >that has gone into this bldg. with no results and shoddy workmanship....I >really would love to do this reguarly >but I don't have the luxuary of this kind of time often at all...I respect >and here you and will try to be better >at getting back to folks...sometimes it would be helpful if people would >tell my secratery or my assitent what >the problem or issues are and they would began to work on it and most time >would get right back to folks with >an answer....I know I can always improve but I don't believe you will find a >stronger advocate or more fair minded >listner as that is what I am told by many... > >Thank you >Brian > > > > >
