Re: [Mpls] Tha Park Board and the Solheim Cup
In a message dated 8/20/02 12:24:37 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: A month from now Interlachen Country Club holds the Solheim Cup, it's an LPGA team competition between Europe and the US like the Ryder Cup for men's golf. I read this morning in the Strib that they will be parking 7,000 cars for this event on Meadowbrook Golf Course nearby which is run by the Minneapolis Park Board. I have a few questions regarding this arrangement. This is very interesting. I missed this part while reading the paper this a.m. When the Solheim was held at Minikahda a few years ago, they didn't use Meadowbrook but were able to secure parking in various locations - one of which was in St. Louis Park if I remember correctly - and then shuttle people to Minikahda. It worked beautifully. I cannot imagine parking on Meadowbrook. What a wonderful way to ruin a course in a hurry. Seems to me they could find a better solution. Karen Collier Linden Hills
[Mpls] FW: NRP Policy Board Election set for November 21
Posted at the request of Brett Feldman, NRP Communications Specialist: Subject: NRP Policy Board Election set for November 21 Contact: Brett Feldman 612-673-5158 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NRP Policy Board Election set for November 21 - candidate filing materials now online MINNEAPOLIS (August 20, 2002) The process for the election of neighborhood representatives and alternates for seats on the 2003 NRP Policy Board begins on August 20, 2002. If you would like to file as a candidate, the necessary filing forms are now available on the NRP Web site at http://www.nrp.org. Filing forms will also soon be available at neighborhood organization offices, Minneapolis Public Libraries, the NRP office, the Minneapolis City Clerk's office (Room 304 in City Hall) and at the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Minneapolis office. As in past elections, the LWV will be assisting in all aspects of the election process. Filing forms must be received by the LWV office no later than noon on Monday, September 23, 2002. What is the NRP Policy Board? The NRP Policy Board is the governing body of the NRP. Its members provide overall direction to the program and are responsible for the review and approval of Neighborhood Action Plans. Neighborhood residents hold four of the 19 seats on the Board and serve for a one-year term. Policy Board meetings are typically held on the third Monday each month from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County Government Center. Who is eligible to run for a seat on the NRP Policy Board? Candidates seeking a term on the NRP Policy Board must be a resident of the appropriate neighborhood category (i.e. protection, revitalization, redirection) for a minimum of 30 days prior to the election and be at least 21 years old when their term of office begins in January, 2003. A neighborhood representative and alternate will be elected for each of the three neighborhood categories (protection, revitalization, redirection). An at-large representative and alternate will also be elected. Candidate forums and election proceedings set for Thursday, November 21, 2002 Each Minneapolis neighborhood organization will select an elector and alternate to vote on behalf of the neighborhood. Information on this process is being sent to each neighborhood organization. A Voter's Guide listing the candidates and their responses to several questions will also be prepared by the LWV and distributed in late October. Election proceedings, including candidate forums, will be held from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2002 at the Crown Roller Mill Building, 105 Fifth Ave S. For more information on the election, call the LWV office at 612-333-6319 or Carsten Slostad at 612-673-5150. The candidate forums and election proceedings are open to the public. For more information on the current NRP Policy Board, please visit http://www.nrp.org/r2/AboutNRP/PB/PolicyBoard.html ### _ Brett Feldman Communications Specialist Minneapolis NRP 105 Fifth Avenue South #425 Minneapolis, MN 55401 Ph: (612) 673-5158 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.nrp.org ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Light-rail line delayed until April 2004
I've always worried that the LRT tail would wag the Metro Transit dog, that financial and managerial resources would be diverted away from the bus system and into the high tech, feel-good (green and above the traffic) money pit that the more politically connected rich people (commuters, airline passengers) would ride. Already they are talking about finite transportation budgets having to be split between LRT and buses. Unfortunately the fine grained system that the transit dependent (old, young, disabled, poor) ride on may be shorted to operate a trophy system whose ridership will be miniscule compared to its cost. I commuted for 1 1/2 years to the Mall of America on the 80 (then 180) bus, which went down Nicollet Mall and by the Convention Center before zipping down to MOA. Total elasped time from the Central Library: 35 minutes, even in heavy traffic. (The bus had drive-on-shoulder rights.) The new LRT when it arrives will come down 5th street. If you are at Washington Ave., the Hyatt or the Convention Center, and if it is cold or raining and/or if you have a suitcase, you will have to take a bus to 5th to get on the LRT. Once at MOA you will be let off a block further away and on a different level than the current transit center that services many area bus lines. Bye-bye transit synergisism. Lynn Woodward was right, that LRT was a bad idea. And the PRT concept should have at least been tested. It is true innovation, leveraging our new high strength, low weight material technologies and our computer technologies (for individualized dispatching), to produce an individualized, finer grained, faster and more convenient service than an upgraded trolley car approach that is conceptually not much different than then 100+ year old technologies that Boston and New York have in place. Congratulations, Minneapolis, we have just prepared to fight the last war, not the next one. Alan Shilepsky Downtown ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] School Board elections
on 8/21/02 10:21 AM, Michelle Mensing at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Pamela Taylor posts: I mean no personal disrespect to anyone, but IMHO there should be term limits on the school board. There has been too many years of the status quo being maintained. Eventually, you have to look at who is helping make those decisions. Food for thought: Would some of these candidates still be running if there were no monetary compensation attached to the job? MM: Refering to information in the New Guide to State and Local Elections in this weeks SW Journal edition, school board members make $9,600 annually for their service. I find it hard to believe that this amount of money would motivate anybody to do the job they take on. Seconding Michelle's emotion. I've always regarded the School Board director's job as having the highest pain-to-pay ratio in local government...though after the recent list discussion, I'm thinking Park Board commissioner is nipping at its heels. Whatever you think of their decisions, being on the School Board is a virtually thankless job. So I say thank you to all who serve or have served. I know their intentions are honorable. David Brauer King Field ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Loring Park MPRB
To respond to Richard Anderson's post regarding the MPRB and Loring Park; I wonder why they're spending this money for offices in the shelter building, when that wasn't identified as a high priority for the neighborhood during the first phase of the NRP. The Loring neighborhood worked hand-in-hand with the MPRB for the redesign of all aspects of the park (which turned out very well, thus far). The entrance to Loring Park at Lyndale and Oak Grove was seen as a high priority, but the MPRB said they didn't have the money. The same is true of the pedestrian crossing from the Greenway to the Berger Fountain in Loring Park; again this was a much higher priority to the neighborhood than offices, etc, at the sheltor building, and again the MPRB said they didn't have the money. Shouldn't they be spending this $1.2Million on the things the residents of the neighborhood considered a high priority, instead of something the residents rated as a low priority? -Bob Copeland Loring Park On 20 Aug 2002, Richard K. Anderson wrote: Well, it's been awhile since I've made a few comments about how much money ($1.2Million) the MPRB plans to spend to renovate the shelter building in Loring Park. Construction we are told will begin this fall. So, what's the big deal about MPRB spending money to build an office for themselves? If they are willing to spend this much money to renovate a building that has little community use, what's a few million more for office space. The neigborhood organization and the Capitol Long Range Improvement Committee (CLIC) has asked the MPRB for a document that we assume the MRPB would have done to justify the expense of the Loring renovation and expansion into an Arts Center. Not ever produced by the MRRB to date! I guess that we all should just assume that the MPRB spends money as it sees fit regardless of community concern and leave it at that. So where are the good fishing holes? Richard Anderson Loring Park ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls Bob Copeland and/or Greg Staler [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Highlights of this week's SW Journal
Pamela Taylor wrote: Doug Mann, Joe Erickson and Michael Atherton. I believe they have good ideas and can make a difference - together. Pamela, thanks for the endorsement! I'm glad that someone thought that Journal's profile of me was positive. ;-) More money will not help if not used properly. I feel what is allocated has been used ineffectively. Put together an educational system that makes some sense first, then, lobby for a budget to support it. Communication is always good, but if you communicate the same old things your results will be the same old things. As a parent, you could have talked to me all day, but if you were not telling me anything worth listening to, and your forthcoming actions support the hot air you've been blowing my way, you might as well have saved your breath. New ideas are very much needed. After reading the paragraph it's not that surprising that I have your support, we agree on many issues. I mean no personal disrespect to anyone, but IMHO there should be term limits on the school board. I've always been ambivalent about term limits. If someone is performing well and getting results then term limits are a limiting factor. If I do not have a positive impact on the public schools then I promise not to run again. I also promise that I will not run again after my children graduate from high school. There has been too many years of the status quo being maintained. Eventually, you have to look at who is helping make those decisions. The pace of improvements is too slow for me and I don't see the current board generating any innovative programs or ideas. Food for thought: Would some of these candidates still be running if there were no monetary compensation attached to the job? I didn't know until after I had decided to run that there was monetary compensation and either way I don't think anyone is going to get rich on the ~10k a year that board members receive. Voters should be more concerned about who is using the schools as a stepping stone to higher office. Michael Atherton http://QualityEd.US Candidate for Minneapolis School Board Prospect Park --- Prepared and paid for by the Atherton for MPS Committee. 156 Orlin Ave SE, Mpls, MN 55414 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] School Board elections
Thirding that emotion. I've never been able to figure out the rewards for this particular public service. Totally thankless. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul From: David Brauer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 10:35:09 -0500 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] School Board elections on 8/21/02 10:21 AM, Michelle Mensing at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Pamela Taylor posts: I mean no personal disrespect to anyone, but IMHO there should be term limits on the school board. There has been too many years of the status quo being maintained. Eventually, you have to look at who is helping make those decisions. Food for thought: Would some of these candidates still be running if there were no monetary compensation attached to the job? MM: Refering to information in the New Guide to State and Local Elections in this weeks SW Journal edition, school board members make $9,600 annually for their service. I find it hard to believe that this amount of money would motivate anybody to do the job they take on. Seconding Michelle's emotion. I've always regarded the School Board director's job as having the highest pain-to-pay ratio in local government...though after the recent list discussion, I'm thinking Park Board commissioner is nipping at its heels. Whatever you think of their decisions, being on the School Board is a virtually thankless job. So I say thank you to all who serve or have served. I know their intentions are honorable. David Brauer King Field ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Red Light Running
Has anyone noticed a proliferation of red light running in Minneapolis? Within 24 hours on the corner of 54th and Lyndale Avenue South I saw a near miss and a collision caused by a red light runner. Why is everyone in such a gosh darn hurry? Bill Dooley Kenny ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] light rail delay
As of May 2002, MnDOT had postponed the 62/35W reconstruction project by four years to 2006 or 2007--one of a number of metro project delays because of budget shortfall. Dick Saunders Diamond Lake
[Mpls] School Board, Dibble vs. Roche, and the Skyway News
To begin with I want to ask David Brauer to pass on to Skyway News that I find the Skyway News to be an excellent community paper. In fact, of all the neighborhood papers, it is the only one that I read. Add to that the Women's Press, the MN Daily, and Lavender Magazine, and it's on a short list of local non-major publications that I peruse. I read the article in the current Skyway News concernign the race between Dibble and Roche. Roche is the kind of politician that makes my skin itch. He spends more time attempting to blast Dibble than telling us why we should vote for him. Does anyone know his track record in Minnesota? Does he have a background as a neighborhood/community activist? What contributions, if any, has he made to the area in which he is running? The Skyway News also had a pretty good write-up of the candidates, it's probably the same as in the SW Journal...doesn't David edit both of those? I am personally excited about the candidacies of Joe Erickson, La Shella Sims, and Doug Mann. As a matter of fact, I'd go so far as to even endorse those three worthies. My fourth spot is open ;-). -Brandon Lacy -Powderhorn Park -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of David Brauer Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 10:35 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] School Board elections on 8/21/02 10:21 AM, Michelle Mensing at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Pamela Taylor posts: I mean no personal disrespect to anyone, but IMHO there should be term limits on the school board. There has been too many years of the status quo being maintained. Eventually, you have to look at who is helping make those decisions. Food for thought: Would some of these candidates still be running if there were no monetary compensation attached to the job? MM: Refering to information in the New Guide to State and Local Elections in this weeks SW Journal edition, school board members make $9,600 annually for their service. I find it hard to believe that this amount of money would motivate anybody to do the job they take on. Seconding Michelle's emotion. I've always regarded the School Board director's job as having the highest pain-to-pay ratio in local government...though after the recent list discussion, I'm thinking Park Board commissioner is nipping at its heels. Whatever you think of their decisions, being on the School Board is a virtually thankless job. So I say thank you to all who serve or have served. I know their intentions are honorable. David Brauer King Field ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] (no subject)
Greenway, it remains an ugly, broken glass , graffiti and litter strewn, subterranean wasteland..no shops, no peopleBORING. I strongly disagree with this statement. I think the greenway is perfect. I feel safe when riding there with my family. Safe from cars and criminals. It has an urban feel I'll admit, but everything does not have to be bright and pretty all the time. Mark Wilde Windom Park __ Do You Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Light Rail Delay; borrow from the counties! Everyone's doing it.
Dick Saunders reported: As of May 2002, MnDOT had postponed the 62/35W reconstruction project by four years to 2006 or 2007--one of a number of metro project delays = because of budget shortfall. David Piehl adds: The I35W Access Project did not get funded either; MNDoT committed to about $98 million of the $150 million price tag, but doesn't have the money in this budget. Solution: Hennepin County is planning to sell bonds to pay MNDoT's portion, then get reimbursed someday in the future. If Hennepin County has $98 million to rearrange a few ramps at 35W Lake, and can make loans to local religious groups, it seems like they should be able to loan the Met Council, the state, or whoever a few million to keep LRT on schedule! David Piehl Central __ Do You Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Red Light Running
I don't know if it's a proliferation or just business as usual, but the number of people who run the lights at Lake and Portland, Lake and Park, 31st St. and Park and 31st St. and Portland is astronomical. No week goes by without that sound of crashing vehicles. Some of those crashes have created major loss of life and injury. Also, there's a fair amount of destruction to parked vehicles and corner properties. Very scarey stuff. WizardMarks, Central Dooley, Bill wrote: Has anyone noticed a proliferation of red light running in Minneapolis? Within 24 hours on the corner of 54th and Lyndale Avenue South I saw a near miss and a collision caused by a red light runner. Why is everyone in such a gosh darn hurry? Bill Dooley Kenny ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] More on Adopt-a-Litter Container
HereHere!! I am still the poster child for this program. If you already have a commercial dumpster, this is a no brainer. If your a landlord, your already being blamed for the problem. Get a can, empty it yourself and save your self a bunch of pain. Craig Miller 44th Ave North Garbage King [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: Mark Snyder [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Minneapolis Issues Forum [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 11:36 PM Subject: [Mpls] More on Adopt-a-Litter Container Hi all, Some of you may remember from a few weeks back when I touted the innovative Adopt-a-Litter Container program run by the Minneapolis Division of Solid Waste and Recycling as a way to help with litter downtown and elsewhere in our city. At the time, I'd just submitted my application and I've now had my very own container for a little over a week. I'm pleased to say that it's getting used extensively! I find far less trash in my yard/boulevard and the storm sewer out front nowadays and I'm betting it will really pay off next spring when I don't have to pick up mounds of garbage that were usually unveiled when the snow would melt. It's been gratifying to learn that folks will do the right thing if given the opportunity. So if you're a Minneapolis resident or business owner located in a high-traffic area like a bus line or something, I strongly encourage you to take part in this program. You can learn more and download an application at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/public-works/solid-waste/ My one suggestion for improvement would be to make this program more visible. On the City of Minneapolis web site, I think it's worthy of getting listed under A in the main services directory to make it easier for people to find. If appliance disposal qualifies, I think Adopt-a-Litter container ought to as well. It also might not be a bad idea to do an insert in a future water/garbage billing or advertise the program in community newspapers like Hennepin County Environmental Services has done with their waste reduction efforts. To reach businesses, perhaps Solid Waste and Recycling could partner with Licenses and Consumer Services to spread the word if that's not already being done. Mark Snyder Windom Park (59A) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
FW: [Mpls] The Park Board and the Solheim Cup
List, I am forwarding this response I got from Don Siggelkow at the Park Board with his permission. It answers all the questions I asked about the arrangements to park cars on Meadowbrook golf course next month for all you golfing lurkers out there. (I think I'm the only one who actually posts about Mpls golf) I want to thank Don for responding so quickly and thoroughly to my questions and am impressed with the arrangements they have made and how they are using the parking revenue they make. Scott Persons Lyndale -Original Message- From: Siggelkow, Donald E. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 10:37 AM To: Vivian Mason; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Nelson, Scott D. Subject: RE: [Mpls] Tha Park Board and the Solheim Cup Scott, Congratulations on shooting 84 at Meadowbrook. The Board approved an agreement with the LPGA last year to allow the use of Meadowbrook Golf Course for parking. Options to park off site were explored - and that option will be used in case of rain. The Board is receiving the past 3 years average income generated from September 17th to 22nd - which is $27,000. We will also receive up to 3 additional days rent of $4,500 a day if the course cannot reopen on the 23rd for any reason. We will receive all of the $5.00 per car parking fee in addition to the course rental. The LPGA is estimating 32,000 total cars during the event or a total of $160,000. The proceeds from parking are dedicated to provide scholarships for our Junior Golf Program. We have over 800 kids in our junior golf program and 60% need scholarships. Any repair or renovations required from the parking would also come from the parking proceeds. We fully expect that the golf course will reopen on the 23rd of September and restoration requirements will be minimal due to careful planning that has been done by Meadowbrook Staff and the LPGA to park in non-play areas (ie, the rough) and minimize travel over the fairways. This was a difficult decision to take the course out of play and to expose the course to damage as well. In the end, the opportunity to support a major women's golf event and generate funding for our junior golf program - while taking all precautions to minimize the impact on the golf course - won out. You can contact Scott Nelson, manager of Meadowbrook, or myself @ 612.661.4820 if you have additional questions. -Original Message- From: Vivian Mason [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 12:23 PM To: Siggelkow, Donald E. Subject: FW: [Mpls] Tha Park Board and the Solheim Cup FYI Vivian -- From: Scott Persons [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Tha Park Board and the Solheim Cup Date: Tue, Aug 20, 2002, 10:22 AM This is certainly down a few rungs on the importance ladder compared to the facilities issue that has been discussed but I'd like an explanation of the decision and how much the Park Board got paid to do this. A month from now Interlachen Country Club holds the Solheim Cup, it's an LPGA team competition between Europe and the US like the Ryder Cup for men's golf. I read this morning in the Strib that they will be parking 7,000 cars for this event on Meadowbrook Golf Course nearby which is run by the Minneapolis Park Board. I have a few questions regarding this arrangement. 1. How much did the Park Board get paid to do this 2. What is the plan to get Meadowbrook back into playable condition after the tournament and is the money set aside in case it costs more than anticipated? 3. Were shuttle buses ever considered as an alternative instead of tearing up this nice, affordable, public golf course? (they worked pretty well at the PGA) 4. Will the course reopen this season and will it be reimbursed for lost green fees if it can't reopen in a timely fashion? I'm anxious to hear answers to these questions because I love the Minneapolis city courses and as user of these facilities really value them. I'm withholding judgement for now but will be extremely disappointed if the quality of Meadowvbrook suffers in the long term for this one time payday. Scott Persons Lyndale Neighborhood Proud to have shot 84 at Meadowbrook last Friday morning! ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] School Board elections
Michelle, And I have no illusions that anyone will get rich on that, either. However, it does pay a few bills here and there. And I am not so convinced that the job done thus far by the MPSB has been that great. So maybe we got just about as much as we paid for. Pamela Taylor (Clearwater, FL) -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Michelle Mensing Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 11:22 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] School Board elections Pamela Taylor posts: I mean no personal disrespect to anyone, but IMHO there should be term limits on the school board. There has been too many years of the status quo being maintained. Eventually, you have to look at who is helping make those decisions. Food for thought: Would some of these candidates still be running if there were no monetary compensation attached to the job? MM: Refering to information in the New Guide to State and Local Elections in this weeks SW Journal edition, school board members make $9,600 annually for their service. I find it hard to believe that this amount of money would motivate anybody to do the job they take on. Michelle Mensing Armatage ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Fw: lite rails
Re: suggested negatives about light rail, the same was said of the construction of the Government Center at cost of about 55M in early 1970s. Board chair and GC proponent, Richard O. Hansen, -whose 29 year career as board member started with county functioning out of one large room in basement of city hall- was hounded out of office mainly over that and very dumb suggestions he got under the table payments on the construction. Hansen said he was clean as the driven snow, -probably was. The building at first stood alone away from the other high rises and Hansen said that if just one new building went up next to the GC, the resultant property tax would eventually pay for it. I expect that after a year or two of light rail operations the negatives will become users and very much appreciative of it and the overall story of the Light Rail will be similiar to the GC. And I expect that the reported dull and urbane 29th street rail corridor will eventually become the light rail line accross Minneapolis. James Jacobsen // Whittier ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] East Side Neighborhood Services
Barb Lickness asked: I saw an add for a Lawful Gambling Manager in last Sunday's paper for East Side Neighborhood Services. Do they do bingo or pulltabs? Could this be a way for other neighborhoods to make money? Steve Brandt: Anyone who wants to look up a gambling license may do so at this web site for the Minnesota Gambling Control Board: http://www.gcb.state.mn.us/PDF_Files/OrgListAlpha.pdf To answer her specific question, ESNS holds a Class B license, allowing pulltabs, paddle wheels, tipboards and raffles. ESNS is not a neighborhood organization in the city-recognized sense, but rather a social service agency. Could this be a way for neighborhoods to raise money? Lyndale Neighborhood Development Corp. held a lottery several years ago to raise money. People with longer memories than mine tell me that some other neighborhood organizations have had unhappy experiences with charitable gambling as a fundraising tool. Maybe some of the people involved could share their experiences. Steve Brandt Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] re: neighborhood fundraising
It was my suggestion and efforts to hold 'Benefit Boogie' in the Old Fire House on the West Bank, 1975. We got Willie Murphy and Bees to play for free and took in $1100.00. But then a local neighborhood mugwug just took the money and walked, I never heard a thing of where it went or what was done with it. I sure would never be involved with something like that again. With all the disappearing money from neighborhood groups, I think any kind of 'fund raising' gambling deals should be shy'd away from totally. James Jacobsen // Whittier ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] PRAC Fundraiser for Stenglein
The Property Rights Action Committee is having a fundraiser for Mark Stenglein on Thursday Aug 22 - 7-9:30 PM. Marquette Place (1314 Marquette Av), 35th floor party room. Good Food, Beverages, Music and Great Conversation. Catch the latest gossip. Minneapolis Listmembers are encouraged to attend. Eva Young Eva Eva Young Near North Minneapolis ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] School Board elections
Even to do a poor job, the amount of time, the learning curve, and responsibility generated by sitting on any of the elected boards is a great deal for a citizen to take on. There is always a balance to be reached between a citizen board and an experts (for lack of a more exact term) board. A case can be made for increasing the honoraria or stipends for those boards. However, it was designed as a citizen's board (at least in the case of the library). (That's why J. Cherryhomes mother received a lot of flack as a board member--she was a retired librarian. Why that same situation didn't occur when Virginia Holt, another retired librarian, was elected, I don't know.) It is a myth that being on the elected boards (library, park, education, estimates taxation) is a first step to higher office. People get on these boards because they have a (probably) unnatural mania about parks, etc. All the honoraria do is offset the cost to a certain extent of attending meetings (taking off work, finding a baby or parent caregiver) and the other baggage associated with any public office. The rest winds up supporting the next campaign to stay in office (or so I've been told). For my own part, having inserted myself among the candidates last election season, I ran because I knew that the staff was not willing to hear what its constituents were saying and the board didn't appear to either. A lot of that attitude was a matter of class issues as well as badly outdated past practice. It was like pushing a rock uphill with our noses to get the rigidly fixed library management staff and board (with exceptions, of course) to bend enough to listen--not necessarily hear, but just listen--to what their constituency was saying. Then too, having heard what constituents said, in some cases, there was a lack of skill and tools to implement any changes. The drawback of every entrenched bureaucracy is that it isn't very flexible. We are probably lucky, at least in the case of the library, that it isn't any bigger and consequently even more rigid. WizardMarks, Central Pamela Taylor wrote: Michelle, And I have no illusions that anyone will get rich on that, either. However, it does pay a few bills here and there. And I am not so convinced that the job done thus far by the MPSB has been that great. So maybe we got just about as much as we paid for. Pamela Taylor (Clearwater, FL) -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Michelle Mensing Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 11:22 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] School Board elections Pamela Taylor posts: I mean no personal disrespect to anyone, but IMHO there should be term limits on the school board. There has been too many years of the status quo being maintained. Eventually, you have to look at who is helping make those decisions. Food for thought: Would some of these candidates still be running if there were no monetary compensation attached to the job? MM: Refering to information in the New Guide to State and Local Elections in this weeks SW Journal edition, school board members make $9,600 annually for their service. I find it hard to believe that this amount of money would motivate anybody to do the job they take on. Michelle Mensing Armatage ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Trench for Lake Street Greenway Swap
In a message dated 8/21/2002 9:20:23 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Very few people, it seems bike the Greenway and it's no wonder. In spite of the heroic efforts of the people who work on the Greenway, it remains an ugly, broken glass , graffiti and litter strewn, subterranean wasteland..no shops, no peopleBORING. Another reason nobody uses the Greenway is the lack of entrances and exits. From Grand Avenue, the only choice I have is either an entrance at Nicollet or one at Bryant. I would much rather take the Greenway than Lake St. but there's no place accessible for me to get on it. Linda Mann Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Red Light Running
Can we also talk about stop sign running? There is a stop sign on 42nd St. and Nokomis Ave. that I make a left turn at every day. I can't trust that oncoming cars will stop until they actually get to the sign and stop. I have seen a dozen cars run it -- one actually had to slow down and swerve around me (I was making the left turn) in order to run the sign! This same car was behind another car which did stop, so I assumed it was my turn. It is not unusual to see the shattered glass remains of the accidents that occur there. And yes, the stop sign is visible and yes, there is another sign alerting drivers of the upcoming stop sign. Sonja Dahl Standish-Ericsson -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Dooley, Bill Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 11:01 AM To: Discuss Minneapolis (E-mail) Subject: [Mpls] Red Light Running Has anyone noticed a proliferation of red light running in Minneapolis? Within 24 hours on the corner of 54th and Lyndale Avenue South I saw a near miss and a collision caused by a red light runner. Why is everyone in such a gosh darn hurry? Bill Dooley Kenny ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] re: neighborhood fundraising
James also states that money is disappearing from neighborhood groups. This is a blanket statement that is very unfair. Well it's unfair when referring to all neighborhood groups. The statement fully describes the situation at CNIA. The State of Minnesota Audits EVERY neighborhood association in Mpls. that receives NRP funding. If money is disappearing, the auditors would be aware of it and it would become part of the audit. If a neighborhood does not address the issues brought up in an audit and does not work to become a fiscally responsible organization, NRP can, will and has imposed sanctions against that organization. There are policies that cover this and it is in the contracts. Yes, but NRP with CNIA hasn't done enough to enforce the contract. I still hold Bob Miller of NRP responsible for this. He told a friend of mine shortly after the Blue Crew took over that he didn't want another neighborhood org falling apart under his watch, when he was going to the legislature trying to defend the program. All of this is public information. If anyone wants to see any of the NRP policies, you may go to www.nrp.org. Sure there are lots of policies, but do they do anything to enforce them? If anyone wants to see copies of the neighborhood audits you may contact the NRP office at 673-5140 and request a copy of the audit for whatever neighborhood you are interested in monitoring. I have gotten copies of CNIA audits by calling NRP. I'll give them the credit for that. Does anyone else think that Art Erickson being President of CNIA being a bit of a conflict of interest -- with his role as President of Urban Ventures? Eva Eva Young Near North Minneapolis ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Dopey water protection scheme
Phyllis Kahn mentioned: Why can't I get any comments (more than one) on the dopeyness of the feel-good proposal from the Mayor to spend $500,000 to stop terroristic acts against the city water supply? I would like to get more details on what this plan is. I against spending this money specifically to protect ourselves from some vague terrorist threat and it seems very possible that it is being done just so we can say we tried to do something. If someone wants to do something bad enough, they'll probably find a way. Some may get caught, but some won't. However, if the plan is something a bit more broad and not just focused on the terroristic threat, then I would support it more. For example, if it were to involve making sure that the water supply is constantly monitored for incoming harmful components, it might not be such a bad thing. If someone dumped a lot of chemical X, whether it was for terroristic reasons, an industrial accident, or criminal waste disposal into the sources for our water, it would be good to be able to notice it before it gets into our taps. I would hope this is being done to a certain extent, but if it needs to be improved and this money would be used to improve it, then it might not be such a bad thing. I personally believe the chance of accidental or criminal contamination is likely to be much higher than terroristic contamination. Either way, having it be branded as for terroristic acts is a bit of a feel good label. So I'm up for dropping the distinction, but I guess I'd need to know the details of the proposal before I can make an educated decision on whether or not it is a good idea. - Jason Goray, Sheridan, NE __ Do You Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Dopey water protection scheme
I saw a piece on the vulnerability of our local water supply (specifically they mentioned Mpls., St. Paul and New Brighton) on some local TV station (can't remember which one) and, as I recall, it said that Mpls. water is tested 98 times per minute to make sure it is okay and if it isn't there is an instantaneous shutdown. In St. Paul it is pretty much the same story. According to all the officials, we are protected from terrorist threats very well. Of course, there is always more they could do, they said. Also, I believe (if my memory isn't making this up) that the Fire Chief is the ultimate party responsible for this. Did anyone else see this report? Do you recall more info? Barbara Nelson Burnsville ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Dopey water protection scheme
Barbara Nelson wrote: I saw a piece on the vulnerability of our local water supply (specifically they mentioned Mpls., St. Paul and New Brighton) on some local TV station (can't remember which one) and, as I recall, it said that Mpls. water is tested 98 times per minute to make sure it is okay and if it isn't there is an instantaneous shutdown. In St. Paul it is pretty much the same story. According to all the officials, we are protected from terrorist threats very well. If memory serves, the Minneapolis water is tested both by the Water Department and the State Department of Health. (and possibly the City Department of Health... my memory is a little fuzzy here) It has to meet standards set by the State Department of Health, unlike bottled water which does not have quality standards. (so if you think you are safer drinking bottled water, you are wrong) Cities in the region get their water from three basic sources: the Mississippi, lakes, and wells. Minneapolis gets its water solely from the Mississippi River as opposed to St Paul that gets its water from both the Mississippi and from lakes in the northern part of the region. Most suburban areas that do not draw their water from these two systems (if memory serves me, Minneapolis provides water to other suburbs like Golden Valley and Bloomington and has something like 500,000 people total relying on their water) they get water from wells. The biggest vulnerablity of the Minneapolis water system is a spill in the river. If the river water is not drinkable for a period of time, then Minneapolis has no water. St Paul would just shut off its access from the river and rely solely on lake water and suburbs would continue with their wells. There was some discussion of an interconnection between the two systems a while ago but if my memory serves me it would have cost something like $20 million. Also, Minneapolis doesn't have a lot of finished water sitting around in tanks. At best, there would be like a one or two day supply in the system depending on the time of year if they had to shut down the river access. Does anyone know if any progress was made on the interconnection question over the last several years? Carol Becker Longfellow ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Neighborhood Association Audits......
Barbara Lickness wrote: The State of Minnesota Audits EVERY neighborhood association in Mpls. that receives NRP funding. Vicky Heller comments: Barbara's statement may be true now, but I doubt it. About one year ago, I called the State Auditor who offices at the MCDA. His name is John Bostrom and his phone number is 612 673-3714. I asked him how he determined if money was missing from the various neighborhood groups. He said I ask the MCDA if any money is missing. If they say everything's OK, I approve the audit. I said you mean it's the honor system? He said yes. Several people on the West Bank have been trying unsuccessfully to get copies of cancelled checks totaling $1.2 million - our NRP money that went up in flames when Dania Hall burned. No one can tell us how much of that money was actually disbursed to contractors. For all we know, someone pocketed a few hundred thousand. Vicky Heller Cedar-Riverside (Work) North Oaks (Home) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Instant Runoff Voting
Can anyone tell me why Minneapolis does not use Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) for all elected positions? This will allow all people to vote for the candidate that best matches their own priorities while reducing or eliminating the concerns like the Nader/Gore situation. It also insures that any winning candidate will more truly represent the majority of voters. I haven't read much of these sites, but they seem to give an overview: http://www.fairvote.org/irv/ http://www.instantrunoff.com/ http://www.fairvotemn.org/ If anyone disagrees that IRV is superior to our current system, please point out how and why. If it IS superior, can we please start using it? - Jason Goray, Sheridan, NE __ Do You Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Trophy architect, I mean library
Just visited the temporary Central Library, and wanted to share a sign at the entrance: Future home of Minneapolis Public Library, August 19, 2002 to Spring, 2006. Making way for the NEW Central Library being designed by world-class architect Cesar Pelli. -- Did we pick the architect because of the proposal, or the proposal because of the architect? I guess this ensures that we will be world-class by association. Alan Shilepsky Downtown curmudgeon disclaimer--my neighbor is employed by HGA, which firm I understand does fine work too. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Loring Park MPRB
Bob Copeland is correct in his post regarding priority's in the Loring Park Master Plan. The Loring Park neighborhood did not rank renovation of the shelter building above other improvements. For example, restoration of the Berger Fountain was ranked higher but the MPRB has said that we are not in the fountain business so when it falls apart we will just get rid of it (good news to those of you who visit the rose garden?) There is not a lot more that needs to be done to make Loring Park a jewel in the park system. CLPC dedicated $1.3 Million of its phase 1 NRP allocation to the effort. For the MRPB to decided on its own that the shelter building would consume all of its resources is a slap in the face to all of those who created the master plan and thought that their voices would be listened to. Richard Anderson Loring Park ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Ed Felien Campaign Picnic Friday August 23
Ed Felien is kicking off his campaign for Hennepin County Commissioner with a picnic at Minnehaha Park this Friday, August 23. The picnic will be from 5 to 8 PM, just north of the pavilion. Join hosts Wade Russell and Gene Martinez for a Southside Picnic. We will furnish brats and veggie burgers and other picnic food. Bring a dish to share if you like. Open Donation. Watch for the signs! Ed Felien is the Green Party endorsed candidate for the Hennepin County Board. He is challenging incumbent Peter McLaughlin. Join us for good food and great political conversations! For more information, please call Gene Martinez at 612-387-4474. Gene Martinez Minnehaha, Ward 12 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Instant Runoff Voting
Local government (city/county/township/judiciary) offices are nonpartisan, meaning that Instant Runoff Voting in such races would only make sense if we eliminated the primary, which currently serves the same purpose. In municipal elections, if more than two candidates have filed for an office, the city/county primary whittles the field to two candidates, which is essentially what IRV does in partisan elections at the state level. IRV could only work at the city/county level if we did away with the September primary and held a single election with IRV in November. Clear? Or clear as mud? At the state level, we often wind up with multiple parties' candidates nominated for the General Election, leaving us with three, four, five or more candidates for, say, Governor (Green, DFL, Republican, Independence, Socialist Workers', Libertarian, etc. etc.). With IRV, voters may cast up to three of their top choices in that race. When all the votes are first counted and no candidate in that field achieves a majority of the total votes cast (50% plus one), instead of allowing the candidate with the highest percentage (like Jesse Ventura's 36%) to be the elected winner, the candidates falling below a certain percentage in the first tally are dropped and their first place ballots are tallied for their second choices. The second place votes for the candidates remaining in the field are added to their totals. If no candidate achieves a majority of that tally/count, all candidates below the top two (there can be no fewer than two candidates, of course) are dropped and the second and third place votes for all dropped candidates are tallied (again), and those that have been cast for those two top finalists are added to their totals, one of which must, by mathematical law, then reach a majority, he or she is elected. It is far more complicated in the telling than in the practice. Run-off systems exist everywhere else in the world and in many states and localities elsewhere in the US. It is not good to consider 36% for our governor to have been a mandate for governing when 64% of all voters voted for someone else. Plurality voting creates weak leadership status for elected officials. This year, without IRV and four major parties contending, our next governor may be elected with less than 30% of the votes cast. Not good. Minneapolis, St. Paul and other cities may wish to institute single elections with instant runoff systems, but it really isn't necessary at the moment. The better election reform at the local level should be councilmembers elected by a system of proportional representation. To do this would require reducing the number of wards to something like seven and electing two people from each ward.(I would prefer a mixed system of, say six wards of two each and three at-large/citywide representatives on the council.) This provides a greater breadth of citizen representation than under the current winner-take-all configuration. The top two council candidates (the Park and School Boards could be done the same way) would have been elected by different constituencies and be far more representative of the cross-section of each ward. This is another governance construct in effect in many other worldwide and some US jurisdictions. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul (where we tried instituting the mixed ward/at-large system 11 years ago, but wound up only with a bad result: a parttime city council.) -- He who knows the precepts by heart, but fails to practice them, Is like unto one who lights a lamp and then shuts his eyes. --Nagarjuna From: phaedrus [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 17:14:30 -0700 (PDT) To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Instant Runoff Voting Can anyone tell me why Minneapolis does not use Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) for all elected positions? This will allow all people to vote for the candidate that best matches their own priorities while reducing or eliminating the concerns like the Nader/Gore situation. It also insures that any winning candidate will more truly represent the majority of voters. I haven't read much of these sites, but they seem to give an overview: http://www.fairvote.org/irv/ http://www.instantrunoff.com/ http://www.fairvotemn.org/ If anyone disagrees that IRV is superior to our current system, please point out how and why. If it IS superior, can we please start using it? - Jason Goray, Sheridan, NE __ Do You Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option,
RE: [Mpls] Red Light Running
I think most would agree Minnesota drivers are the pits. Red lights = accellerate at all costs; green lights, you break out a lunch. I've noticed most can't seem to do two things at once i.e. talk on the phone and continue to accellerate and at least attempt to stay in their lane. I thought speaker phones were relatively mandatory w/relation to car phones, but I might be mistaken. Is there an increased insurance rate for car phones? Wasn't there higher rates for smoking drivers at one time? The rationale being that the smoking driver would be lighting a cigarette or dousing one, or fanning their flaming trousers, and therefore the risk of an accident was greater? I loved the letter from a Star Tribune reader that suggested giving cell phone users the sane lane... As far as everyone seeming to be in a hurry, it's rather self-important - they're such an integral part of where they're going they feel totally justified in risking my life and theirs to get there. I once made a bumper sticker that said: Tube of mascara - $8.95 Cost of removing applicator wand from eye socket should the driver in front of you hit the brakes suddenly - $10,895.00 Of course that's just an estimate. JHarmon Cleveland _ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Instant Runoff Voting
If anyone disagrees that IRV is superior to our current system, please point out how and why. * Take a three candidate election, 1 liberal, one conservative, one independent. For simplicity, use 12 voters (in real life you would need to expand the percentages) 5 prefer the liberal candidate, with the independent candidate as a second choice. 4 prefer the conservative with the independent as a second choice. 2prefer the independent with the conservative as a second choice. 1prefer the independent with the liberal as a second choice. Clearly the independent would be the most agreeable choice with all voters. However the independent looses in the first round of instant run-off because they received the lowest initial votes (lowest primary votes). The people who voted for the independent has their second choice votes instead, and one of the others get elected. This is just one simple example of that system failing in the almost identical way our current vote for 1 system would. In the current system, people would say the independent wont win, and split that vote among the other two, with a resulting statistical near dead heat much like republicans and democrats currently have in the nation. When you run the numbers in various ways, most of the time BOTH systems works, sometimes BOTH don't. But as a whole, I don't see IRV as superior because it has as many failings as the vote for 1 system we currently have-at least when I did the math. (Might not be saying much there) But I think you would need to look at the probability of each failing and compare those. In practice each system will work AND fail in different ways. For the city to look at adopting a new system, I would like failure comparison (since that's what we're trying to fix) not just advantages of each, or the failures of one and not the other. Tom Holtzleiter Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Light-rail line delayed until April 2004
In a message dated 8/21/02 9:03:26 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I agree, Paul. It's no surprise that when the Legislature refuses to fund transit properly that there are delays - especially in big projects. It's especially a shame in this case since the building of a first rail line in most cities is usually followed by a demand from the public for more. If I'm not mistaken, the reason for the delay in the light rail is that Met Council had to cut their budget and by delaying the project six months they could save the amount necessary to meet their budget cutting goal. The legislature's decision was on heavy rail, the north corridor rail system. Hopefully the next legislature will see fit to fund that also. The light rail had a combination of state and federal money and that money is already in place. They're just delaying the start. Karen Collier Linden Hills
[Mpls] Ed Felien Picnic at Minnehaha Park
Ed Felien is kicking off his campaign for Hennepin County Commissioner with a picnic at Minnehaha Park this Friday, August 23. The picnic will be from 5 to 8 PM, just north of the pavilion. Join hosts Wade Russell and Gene Martinez for a Southside Picnic. We will furnish brats and veggie burgers and other picnic food. Bring a dish to share if you like. Open Donation. Watch for the signs! Ed Felien is the Green Party endorsed candidate for the Hennepin County Board. He is challenging incumbent Peter McLaughlin. Join us for good food and great political conversations! For more information, please call Gene Martinez at 612-387-4474. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Ed Felien Labor Endorsement!
Ed Felien, a Green Party endorsed candidate for the Hennepin County Board, is proud to announce a labor endorsement. Ed is running against incumbent Peter McLaughlin. Ed's candidacy has been endorsed by the United Electrical Workers, Local 1139. Felien commented, I am proud to earn this endorsement and to run as a Labor Endorsed candidate. Our campaign will always be on the side of working people and the issues that matter. Felien faces McLaughlin and one other candidate in the September 10 primary. Felien is making McLaughlin's support for corporate welfare a major issue in the campaign. For more information, contact Gene Martinez at 612-387-4474. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Dopey water protection scheme
Carol asked about the status of interconnection between Mpls and St. Paul in case there is a problem with our supply from the Mississippi. There is nothing currently planeed for interconnecting with St. Paul but a new 40 milion gallon reservoir is planned for SW Minneapolis (40th and France). Actually we won't put the water on France Ave, but will use the land to the west of France. The city has a current reservoir capacity of 125 million gallons. A typical flow rate is 70 million gallons per day. The new project adds slightly over a half day to our supply. The current estimated cost is $24 million dollars in 2005 to 2007 with additional funds needed in 2008 that are not yet a part of the budget. Minneapolis currently supplies Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, Columbia Heights and Bloomington with water. Bob Gustafson SW
Re: [Mpls] re: neighborhood fundraising
While working for a neighborhood organization in Chicago, I was in charge of running a weekly bingo that netted $30,000 a year. My organization ran a total of five bingos, pulling in a total of around $150,000 from bingo alone. They raised 70% of their total budget through grassroots fundraising. They could spend it any way they wanted, even for food. They weren't dependent on outsiders, either foundations or government, for their existence. In turn, they felt more self-assured and immune from retaliation when they needed to criticize government for, say inadaquate police protection. Here are some other grassroots fundraisers that I know from personal experience can be done by any neighborhood organization and which can bring in thousands of dollars: Raffle Direct Mail Business Directory Volunteer Canvass Neighborhood groups should also be making mucho money on their summer wingdings, and not see them solely as social extravaganzas. Neighborhood groups should be getting two-thirds of their funds from non-governmental sources. If you are getting 90%-100% of your money from the government, your finances are in a precarious state even if you are balancing your books for the time being. Being so dependent on one source of funding endangers the very existence of your organization. For those who advise against neighborhood groups doing charitable gambling, I assume that you have alternative grassroots fundraisers that are at least as lucrative. Please share them with us. Jay Clark Cooper ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: Mpls digest, Vol 1 #980 - 20 msgs
Well it sounds as ifred-light running and stop sign-ignoring are rampant. What's to be done? Minnehaha Avenue in general is an accident waiting to happen--but never for long, as there are plenty. Especially dangerous is the intersection at 46thSt. Besides the car accidents--at leastonce every other month in the5 minutes I'm waiting for the bus in the mornings--I personally know THREE people--pedestrians--who have been hit, and one was carrying hertoddler at the time (none of those, thankfully, had serious injuries).I'vehad 3-4 narrow escapes myself from folks tearing around the corners while the pedestrian walk signal is on. Defensive driving, and especially defensive walking,are the order of the day.Of course someone who doesn't realize thatis going to be seriously injured or killed one of these days while attempting to cross the street afoot.I wonder if any folks on the police force ever readthe MNForum emails.Phone calls don't seem terribly effective. So much for them to do, I realize. In the meantime, we should all remember to drive (and walk) defensively and to remind our friends and loved ones to do the same. Park Board brouhaha. I was incensed at the idea of buying a cozy little office space anywhere. At the beginning of summer, I was at Hiawatha Park, and came home horrified and dismayed. The grass was sparse and unmowed, the dandelions were rampant--I've rarely seen more dandelions anywhere. The chldren's playground equipment consists of some rusted swings (8-10, I believe), one small aged slide, and likewise a small aged climbing affair. And the sandbox this equipment is housed in. Thank God the waterfall doesn't depend on the Park Board to run. This beloved historic park. presumably one of the most famous--if not the most famous--park in the city. We were broke in Mpls, I understood, and figured that was the reason for the abysmal condition. Cheaper to buy than rent? Well, not really. Depends on one's priorities, and what kind of office one insists on having and what kind of parking lot. Many of us make do with what is within our means. I suggest the Park Board should do the same, and that their top priority should be to keep the parks in good repair. All the debate on what is the clever thing to do with financial figures for officesis a moot point to me, as long as the parks are being neglected. Appreciate the forum and the concerned citizens who participate. Nancy Russell Longfellow
[Mpls] ci.minneapolis.mn.us addresses bouncing
Our list server will render addresses inactive if mail bounces back from them over several days. In the last few days, I've had 10-20 with the ci.minneapolis.mn.us suffix become inactive. At first, I thought perhaps the city sysop was cleaning out old addresses, but recently, I've noticed some active posters with city addresses who were unsubscribed. A head-up, then, for city folks still on the list - if you're unsubscribed, or stop receiving list mail and you don't know what's going on, email me ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or go to http://www.e-democracy.org/mpls and find the subscribe link on the left. Also, if someone can circulate this on a city employee intranet, it might help those bounced off get back on. Sorry for the inconvenience. If anyone has info about a city-related computer problem - or perhaps a policy change - I'd love to know more about that too. David Brauer List manager ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] re: neighborhood fundraising
Wow! That sounds exciting Jay. I wish you would do a training for neighborhood groups on how to raise money from charitable gambling. I think Bingo night could be a great community building event. It is important for neighborhoods to be creative in raising funds to support the organization. Neighborhoods should be organizing capital campaigns and working creatively to bring in other sustainable sources of funding. Jay's ideas about canvassing might not only be successful at raising money, but, would serve as a tremendous outreach and community building activity. Especially now that so many neighborhoods are entering the plan review stage. What better way to find out what the neighborhood stakeholders think about NRP or more importantly the neighborhood association than to knock on their door or call them on the phone. Some neighborhoods placed neighborhood service requirements on rehab loans or grants. Some neighborhoods also require the neighborhood service in exchange for the stipends to the Community Leadership Institute. Maybe there should be a contest to see who can come up with the most creative way to raise non-government money for your neighborhood organization. I'm afraid to be humorous here right now after what happened to David, but, here goes: Maybe all the neighborhoods should pool their money and buy Sears. Turn it into a casino and use the revenue to fund the neighborhood associations. (I AM JOKING!!!) Just wanted to start a little out of the box thinking. Barb Lickness Whittier = Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead __ Do You Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Parking cars at Meadowbrook
Boy, I must have been asleep because I heard nothing about this nutty idea to park cars on the Meadowbrook gold course during the Solheim Cup play until I read about it here. In fact I played at Meadowbrook on Tuesday and saw a lot of traffic barricade stuff piled around at various places and wondered what it was for. I thought it might be preparation for winter fencing or something. This is crazy, parking cars on a golf course is a recipe for disaster. I spent five days out at the PGA last week and believe me the condition of the parking lots at Canterbury was not great, especially after the rain. At the PGA site itself, several lots were unusable on Saturday and Sunday because of the heavy rain. So who will pay if there is heavy rain and the course is badly damaged. Of course, the Minneapolis residents who won't be able to play there Come on, folks, the revenue is not worth the risk. What is the Park Board thinking? Jan Del Calzo Lynnhurst Meadowbrook League Member ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Highlights of this week's SW Journal
Voters should be more concerned about who is using the schools as a stepping stone to higher office. Michael Atherton Why? In the past quarter-century, there has been only 1 Mpls School Board member who has been elected to a higher office, as far as I can remember. That is Len Biernat, who moved to the State Legislature (where he's served on the Education committee). And even if this was true, why would this be a problem? Out in the real world, this is called experience. Every consulting job I'm interviewed for, the employer always asks what experience I have in similar positions. When I report experience working on similar systems, they always seem to like it. So why would it be something voters should be concerned about in elective office? Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
