[Mpls] Homicides continue to climb in Jordan Neighborhood
Man shot to death in Minneapolis' Jordan neighborhood Howie Padilla Published Sep 24, 2002 A Minneapolis man who was sitting in his vehicle in north Minneapolis was fatally shot Monday night by a man who approached on foot, police said. It was unclear what led to the 7 p.m. shooting in the 2100 block of Ilion Av. N. in the Jordan neighborhood. It also was unknown whether the victim was alone in the vehicle at the time, police Lt. Ken Olson said. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3322411.html Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- __ Sign-up for your own FREE Personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup ___ 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] Powderhorn wins first NRP II approval
By Steve Brandt Powderhorn Park is leading Minneapolis neighborhoods into the second phase of the city's Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). The program's governing board approved Powderhorn's plan Monday for spending $3.6 million, making the neighborhood of century-old homes in the shadow of the former Sears tower on Lake Street the first area to win that authority. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3322415.html 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
[Mpls] David Brauer's Prodigal House information on Neighborhoods fighting Supportive Housing
Thank you David Brauer for your insight on supportive housing, I believe what you wrote was very helpful. The most informative part is the way it illustrates the difference in treatment of two neighborhoods. Everything you describe your neighborhood doing, Ventura Village did with the PPL Collaborative Village. In Addition the Ventura Village neighborhood had several neighborhood wide meetings. In each of these several meetings there was an overwhelming vote against the CVI project, and an overwhelming opposition to it from churches, police, other social service agencies, businesses, and most of all by the very same group of residents who have championed the creation of affordable housing citywide. The City of Minneapolis continued on in violation of City ordinance and Federal Fair Housing Law. There were even attempts by Hennepin County funded Family Children's Services staff to have meetings to destabilize the neighborhood organization because residents opposed the CVI project. Fortunately their efforts at a secret meeting failed and all the people who showed up, who were not someone's staff, were residents who overwhelmingly opposed both the CVI project and any attempt to destabilize the Neighborhood Organization. David writes: I don't know what the building cost in Phillips, but I'm betting it's far less. Fewer beds for PH, too? Actually property is going for more in the area because of the proximity to downtown Minneapolis. Particularly on Commercial corridors. Dirt and parking lots were going for $23.00 to $29.00 per square foot two years ago. An out of the way lot next to the freeway recently went at auction for $42,000 for a developer to build a duplex. I am sure Commercial Corridor property is even more now. 2. Supporting Jim's thesis: city zoning rules put our neighborhood in the game. Although my knowledge is not definitive, it's my understand that the city's 32-bed limit only applies in outlying neighborhoods; I'm not sure where the border is, but areas closer to the city don't have the 32-bed limit. Again David should be corrected. The zoning rules limiting supportive housing to 32-beds apply equally everywhere in the City. BUT, David is absolutely correct however in the City's application of the rules. The City only applies this rule to those neighborhoods NOT closer in to the Southside of Downtown Minneapolis. Phillips, Ventura Village, Whittier, and Central do not have the same rules applied to them as David's neighborhood, even though such is against City Ordinance. Since this practice has gone on for sometime is so accepted that Neighborhood Leadership as fact when it is not true, then there appears to be a PATTERN of DISCRIMINATION. Most fair people, (say a jury), would say this is discrimination and not equal treatment under the law. If I'm right that this bifurcated zoning exists, Jim is right - the city needs a full debate. (There were also suggestions at the time that federal law trumped city zoning, but it never got that far - see point 1 and also the rest of this response). Yes David, the City does need a full debate. Even more so because the law is supposed to be applied equally. Federal Fair Housing Law says that a handicapped person must be granted a Reasonable Choice of Accommodation. If the City concentrates such housing in one area and follows the pattern you describe of your neighborhood's process, to in practicality not allow them in other areas then how is a CHOICE provided. If your choice is to live supportive housing in a safer neighborhood, you are out of luck. The City's application of its zoning laws actually violates Fair Housing Law. In any event, the zoning rules meant Prodigal needed a variance, and since most council members typically toss the toughies to the neighborhood first, that's why they came to us. You are absolutely correct David; council members typically toss such to the neighborhood first. In our case it came to us almost last and the Council members totally ignored the neighborhood's input. MCDA had already assured PPL that funding for the project was assured even before the project came for variances and zoning changes. Both Jim Schiebel and Barb McCormick from PPL announced this in meetings prior to the Neighborhoods votes on the project. Neighborhoods have a great deal of power over MCDA funding because of Citizen Participation contracts, unless that neighborhood is one of the concentration areas. Then Citizen Participation means nothing. David: After that, I think PH went east of the highway to 46th 3rd, but I don't know what happened there because it's another neighborhood. You are absolutely correct David, and again Prodigal House failed in that neighborhood as well. Prodigal House finally appears to have gotten the City's message and are trying to place Prodigal House where the City has quietly decreed all such housing should be placed. They are bringing it to the fertile soil of the southern crescent, to
[Mpls] Fw: talking trash
I agree with Fred that the trouble didn't come from the group homes, it came from little neighborhood 'underworlds' where people hung out, used and dealt in dope, and looked for people and places on which to conduct their thievery -often people with whom they trafficked in drugs. Good area to have a double barrel 12 guage. 2200 Pleasant was source of such activity, there were others. The police -and inspectors- were not interested, -did nothing, and were against anyone -like myself- trying to get police help in dealing with the problem. Whittier Alliance considered those types their little darlings because they helped drive owners (like Steve) out of the area so as to free it up for Whittier Alliance acquisition, and which then gave them opportunity for 'developer fees' in their pockets and lots of city grants and loans and etc. On subject of group homes, they aren't all that much trouble, they generally are well supervised. The managements keep track of the people and often they have group activities with supervisor, etc. There is an issue though of being too many group homes. If it gets so that group homes are on lots of blocks, then desirability of the other houses on the market is diminished, property values are affected, and which has a beginning of down cycling effect on the neighborhood. There are lots of areas in the city where group homes could do well and not affect a neighborhood, like by a railroad or industrial plant etc.. 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] City of Lakes Community Land Trust is Launched!
Minneapolis Issues List Members: Please join us for the launching of the City of Lakes Community Land Trust, this Wednesday, September 25th, from 5:30 to 7:00 at Maria's Cafe at 1113 East Franklin. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin will be MCing the event, and will welcome a variety of speakers including Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak, National CLT Consultant Michael Brown, and Executive Director of the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust and Minnetonka City Councilmember Jan Callison. The City of Lakes Community Land Trust will provide permanently affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families throughout Minneapolis through the use of the community land trust model. The CLCLT joins with 8 other CLTs in Minnesota, and over 125 across the nation. For more information, contact Cara Letofsky (reply email) or attend tomorrow night's event! Thanks, Cara Letofsky 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
Re: [Mpls] David Brauer's Prodigal House information on Neighborhoodsfighting Supportive Housing
Jim Graham wrote: There were even attempts by Hennepin County funded Family Children's Services staff to have meetings to destabilize the neighborhood organization because residents opposed the CVI project. Fortunately their efforts at a secret meeting failed and all the people who showed up, who were not someone's staff, were residents who overwhelmingly opposed both the CVI project and any attempt to destabilize the Neighborhood Organization. I'm sure there are a lots of factual information regarding the siting of the PPL project in the Phillips neighborhood. But statements such as this are starting to sound like conspiricy theories. Like many such theories there are ample circumstances to connect the dots, but no way to prove that the lines are true or not. Lighten up a little Jim. The City may bumble around with development projects (and sometimes lose the public interest) but spending time to undermind the neighborhood group? If they wanted to do that they would get pack of bureaucrates and lawyers and gang-audit you. David Wilson 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
RE: [Mpls] David Brauer's Prodigal House information on Neighborhoodsfighting Supportive Housing
List, It is statements and mindsets like the one brought forth from Mr. Wilson that the city counts on. Why is it so impossible for people to believe the ordinary citizen? Has it not been proven time and time again, with examples mind you, that we citizens get messed over on a constant basis? I look at the posts of a lot of the list members, and I don't believe everything I read. However, a lot of our members bring sound evidence and advice into our midst, and one cannot help but believe it. I guess some folks believe that if it has not happened directly to them it cannot possibly be true. Must we be shot in the head with a bullet to know it's deadly effects? Pamela Taylor (Clearwater, who will be visiting home - Minneapolis - next week) Jim Graham wrote: There were even attempts by Hennepin County funded Family Children's Services staff to have meetings to destabilize the neighborhood organization because residents opposed the CVI project. Fortunately their efforts at a secret meeting failed and all the people who showed up, who were not someone's staff, were residents who overwhelmingly opposed both the CVI project and any attempt to destabilize the Neighborhood Organization. David Wilson wrote: Lighten up a little Jim. The City may bumble around with development projects (and sometimes lose the public interest) but spending time to undermind the neighborhood group? If they wanted to do that they would get pack of bureaucrates and lawyers and gang-audit you. ___ 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] David Brauer's Prodigal House information onNeighborhoodsfighting Supportive Housing
The ordinary citizen does not elect people anymore. Money does. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul -- 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: Pamela Taylor [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 12:46:40 -0400 To: David Wilson [EMAIL PROTECTED], JIM GRAHAM [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Mpls - Issues [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] David Brauer's Prodigal House information on Neighborhoodsfighting Supportive Housing List, It is statements and mindsets like the one brought forth from Mr. Wilson that the city counts on. Why is it so impossible for people to believe the ordinary citizen? Has it not been proven time and time again, with examples mind you, that we citizens get messed over on a constant basis? I look at the posts of a lot of the list members, and I don't believe everything I read. However, a lot of our members bring sound evidence and advice into our midst, and one cannot help but believe it. I guess some folks believe that if it has not happened directly to them it cannot possibly be true. Must we be shot in the head with a bullet to know it's deadly effects? Pamela Taylor (Clearwater, who will be visiting home - Minneapolis - next week) Jim Graham wrote: There were even attempts by Hennepin County funded Family Children's Services staff to have meetings to destabilize the neighborhood organization because residents opposed the CVI project. Fortunately their efforts at a secret meeting failed and all the people who showed up, who were not someone's staff, were residents who overwhelmingly opposed both the CVI project and any attempt to destabilize the Neighborhood Organization. David Wilson wrote: Lighten up a little Jim. The City may bumble around with development projects (and sometimes lose the public interest) but spending time to undermind the neighborhood group? If they wanted to do that they would get pack of bureaucrates and lawyers and gang-audit you. ___ 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] Attempting to see logic in Fred Marcus' and Robert Schmid's Talking Trash
JIM GRAHAM wrote: Talking trash, Fred Markus and Robert Schmid make some supportive housing look good, and most if properly placed probably is. I wonder if Schmid was part of the group that fought to have the PPL project, Collaborative Village, built in Central Neighborhood? Or was he on the other side when Central twice defeated it? I'd sure like to know what Jim is talking about here. Central doesn't have any land on which to build more than one or two houses together. We'd have to take down housing to insert a village. WizardMarks, Central ___ 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] 1st Avenue and W. Broadway
mel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: -Original Message-From: Denise Tolbert [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]Sent: Monday, September 23, 2002 2:41 PMTo: List Manager; Mpls listSubject: [Mpls] 1st Avenue and W. BroadwayI do hope that this will open up discussion in getting rid of that pathetic street diversion at 28th and 1st Avenue which has done as much damage to a neighborhood that I grew up in than anything else, and it irks me to no end that that the City allows the neighborhodd to be depressed that way.The City needs to understand that reopening 1st Avenue will revitalize businesses being punished by that pathetic street diversion, and reinvigorate a great old neighborhood!Denise Tolbert, East Harriet Farmstead.Mel's replyAnother idea would be to extend Stevens Ave. two way traffic one block North. from 28th to 27th street.This would allow people who live North of 28th St. on Stevens, 2nd, 3rd, Clinton. or 4th Aveuesa way to get home, without using The Charlestown Estates Alley.This also would allow people driving on Lake St. and wanting to vist the Inst. of Arts an option of using an city streetrather than an overused alley.Also this would make it easier for the Police to view and retard the drug sales at 2728 Stevens.Mel GregersonSo. Mpls.List Manager wrote:Street barricades unfairly harmed business; Supreme Court rejects city'sappeal; Cherryhomes pushed through the policy over staff objections;damages may be in hundreds of thousands of dollars...http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3319702.htmlDavid BrauerList manager___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:http://e-democracy.org/mpls-Do you Yahoo!?New DSL Internet Access from SBC Yahoo! File: ATT2.htm Here! Here!Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo!
RE: [Mpls] 1st Avenue and W. Broadway
It's interesting to read other people's perspectives on Nicollet and 1st Av. in the Whittier neighborhood. I live in Whittier now and have since 1991. 1st Av. did not have any barricades at that time. The neighborhood was infested with crack heads and the housing stock was rapidly deteriorating. I soon learned why I got my beautiful house so cheap. Once NRP started, we began to improve the housing stock by rehabbing what made financial sense to fix and yes PRAC people by razing what was in too bad of shape to fix. We built new in-fill housing where we had torn down old dilapidated housing. Nicollet Av. got a new face lift and the International Marketplace theme was booming on it's own. There was help for the new business owners from the NRP commercial fix-up fund the neighborhood offered. Barricading first avenue was a request by the residents in Whittier. It was not something the city did to us. There were two main thrusts behind the request. In the early 90's Nicollet was a desolate place. We needed a way to attract attention to Nicollet to generate some excitement for the new Nicollet. It was also believed by the people who lived along 1st Av. that the rest of the city liked to use 1st Av. as a freeway through town. Rush hour in the morning was just like 35W and the speeds weren't much lower. Blocking first for awhile was a good way to divert traffic onto Nicollet to give it some attention and a good way to divert traffic off of first to give the residents a break. When the barricades went up, they originally blocked 1st completely and forced everyone to divert to Nicollet. Honeywell and Allina complained because it was a pain for their employees to have to jog around like that just to head east on 28th st. So, a barricade on 29th was pulled and a little turn lane was added so you can turn right onto 28th st. from 1st Av. That added problems because it made it easy to ignore the barricades entirely and jog around them to continue on 1st Av. Many people do this every day. I watch cops doing stings there to ticket people for it. The folks on Stevens complained because they were getting increased traffic on Stevens from people who wanted to go North but didn't want to take the Nicollet diversion. They petitioned the city to turn Stevens into a one way going south between 26th and 28th so people couldn't use Stevens. That is why they are driving through your alley Mel. I was wondering when you were going to get mad about that. Maybe you can turn your alley into a one way heading south. The barricades as you see them now were never meant to be a permanent fixture. Only a temporary one until the neighborhood and the city figured out what to do for the long run. The snow plows don't like the barricades much either. They get moved over in the winter and then even more people ignore the barricades. Well, since all this happened Nicollet is in full bloom and now has significant parking problems. I agree that traffic no longer needs to be diverted there. However, traffic volume on 1st and it being used as a speedway is still a big concern for residents who live along 1st Av. The neighborhood is working on this issue in the Whittier Alliance Transportation and Land Use Committee. Currently, the proposal seems to be to turn 1st Av. in to a two-way at least for the portion between Lake and Franklin and maybe a little North of that. (That would depend on what Stevens Square folks wanted) 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 __ Yahoo! - We Remember 9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost http://dir.remember.yahoo.com/tribute ___ 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] List Get Together
Hello Everyone; It's been awhile since the last listmember get together. How about one in honor of our farthest traveling member, Pamela Taylor? Craig Miller [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] 1st Avenue and W. Broadway
-Original Message- From: Barbara Lickness [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 2:48 PM To: mel; 'Denise Tolbert'; 'List Manager'; 'Mpls list' Subject:RE: [Mpls] 1st Avenue and W. Broadway The folks on Stevens complained because they were getting increased traffic on Stevens from people who wanted to go North but didn't want to take the Nicollet diversion. They petitioned the city to turn Stevens into a one way going south between 26th and 28th so people couldn't use Stevens. Mel's reply The main person who pushed for the Stevens Ave. one-way moved. That is why they are driving through your alley Mel. I was wondering when you were going to get mad about that. Maybe you can turn your alley into a one way heading south . Mel's reply Please don't do that, then current residents and future persons wanting to rent will need a map to find either our front or rear doors. Removal of all North access from 28th St. to Charlestown Estates would probably cause bankruptcy to 109 private affordable housing units. units that pay $84,000.00 taxes and ask for nothing. However, it would be nice if the government arrested and removed the unlicensed street pharmacists, who have free reign on the west side of Stevens Ave in front of and on both sides of 2728 Stevens Ave. Mel Gregerson CAPS Whittier Barb Lickness Whittier PS Before anyone suggests to use 27th St. Please drive it first and you will see how difficult it is to cross Nicollet Ave. = 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 __ Yahoo! - We Remember 9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost http://dir.remember.yahoo.com/tribute ___ 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] 1st Avenue and W. Broadway
Hello Folks, Barb Lickness wrote: The neighborhood is working on this issue in the Whittier Alliance Transportation and Land Use Committee. Currently, the proposal seems to be to turn 1st Av. in to a two-way at least for the portion between Lake and Franklin and maybe a little North of that. (That would depend on what Stevens Square folks wanted) NL: I happen to live on 1st between Franklin and Lake, and I think this is a HORRENDOUS idea. First and Blaisdell are designed to be one-ways to help with the flow of traffic around Nicollet. This proposal would completely choke off a major downtown artery for many South Minneapolitans and disrupt the traffic flow of the entire neighborhood. Also, parking is only currently allowed on one side of the street. Is the proposal to widen 1st to allow another parking lane on the east side of the street, or to have a two way street that only allows parking for cars south bound? The speedway issue (it is a legitimate issue) could be rectified simply by putting stop signs on 25th and 22nd. I dispute the notion 1st has a traffic volume problem. It is quite easy for me to cross the street at any time of the day. As a two lane one-way downtown, it handles the traffic flow quite well. You never hit standing traffic until about 11th and Marquette, on a BAD day. This proposal would only serve to turn Nicollet into more of a parking lot then it already is. I say, re-open Nicollet, pull down the barriers and keep 1st a one-way. The Whittier folks need to look at the big picture and not simply at what's going on in their front yard. Thank you for the informative post, Barb! Is there a way to sit in on the meetings of the Whittier Alliance Transportation and Land Use Committee? When do they meet? Do they take public comment? Please excuse my ignorance, but my activist activity has been mostly centered around party building and working on political campaigns. I haven't been very active on the neighborhood level, but I'm quite interested. Neal Levine 25th and 1st Whittier Formerly 19th and 1st Stevens ___ 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] David Brauer's Prodigal House/cash and carry democracy
In a message dated 9/24/02 10:40:33 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The ordinary citizen does not elect people anymore. Money does. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul -- Keith says; Democracy is imperiled but there is hope if we are vigilant. I have inside information: Natalie Johnson Lee was not carried into office on a greenback. Keith Reitman NearNorth ___ 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] Embrace Open Space Sat. 2-pm, Glenwood Xerxes Av
The Harrison Neighborhood is fortunate to have been chosen as the only Minneapolis location, and one of four metro-area locations, of the Embrace Open Space campaign kickoff events. An article about the McKnight Foundation spearheaded campaign was published in today's Star Tribune at : http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3322207.html The Bassett Creek area, of the Harrison, Bryn Mawr, and Willard Hay Neighborhoods, is only one of several special green space locations in Minneapolis that deserve preservation and restoration. The Mississippi River gorge area of South and South-East, the Camp Coldwater Springs area, and the Mississippi River fronts of North and North-East are a few of the other wonderful natural areas in Minneapolis that should also receive attention. EMBRACE OPEN SPACE Kick-off Event 28 September, Saturday, 2:00 pm -- in Bassett Creek Park Glenwood Ave. No. @ Xerxes Ave. No. -- (next to J.D.Rivers Gardens) . ( http://www.embraceopenspace.org/openspace/index.asp ) I am a firm believer that natural greenspace corridors and oases scattered throughout the urban landscape enrich the lives of the city's poor, as well as the better-off. The poor probably benefit more because the local neighborhoods are where they spend more of their lives. The rich more often can afford to take vacation trips, own lake cabins, and get out to more distant natural areas. Improving the natural environment is only one of several fronts that require effort to improve this town. I have much respect for volunteers and staff working for more affordable housing (although, I do have serious reservations about placing more people of poverty in neighborhoods that already have very high poverty rates). Many wonderful people are also working to improve the lives of our city's poor, and not so poor, in such areas as better race relations, higher high school graduation rates, better police/community relations, lower drug usage, and less violence. Dave Stack Harrison ___ 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:Local implications of war on Iraq
In a message dated 9/24/2002 6:35:45 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: "emergency personnell" had a bomb threat drill at the Mall of America,saying it was a "possible terrorism target". If Mr. Bush gets his war on Iraq,that may become reality,as I feel such a war will make Americans far more vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Lydia, There is much truth in the words you speak. Mr. Bush has establisjed a dangerous precedent in his call to oust Saddam based on perceived peril. He himself has now assumed this very same caricature around the world. It is time for cooler heads to prevail: this mad rush to carnage is just as savage, if not more, than the peril he envisions. It will definitely cause loss and suffering of human life, animal and plant life, therefore it is of no value to humanity today. War is hell, said Harry, and he was right. War for the sake of war is ludicrous. Unfortunately the lives of many will be wasted in the process, and for generations to come. For those who think such thought un-American, ever consider why America is under attack?? Is it fathomable that people summarily wake up on a given morning and decide to hate Americans?? It is time to shift posture and see the world as fellow citizens of the planet, not just so much fodder to unleash your spoils and take advantage of. Our strength should dictate that we assist others to reach for excellence, allied against anything negative , or threatening, to the progress of humanity. After all, our strength is in our diversity. Robert Anderson IP Candidate for the House Field-Regina
Re: [Mpls] Traffic Reduction
Mark Anderson Wrote: The focus of activity should be on mitigating the problems of cars, mostly that of pollution and safety. Safety (for those not in cars at least) will be most enhanced by separating cars from neighborhoods, which means more lanes of highway. That should help get many cars out of the neighborhoods. When the highways are in gridlock, drivers take to neighborhood streets. I would argue that the problems associated with cars go far beyond just safety and pollution, especially for inner city areas like Minneapolis. Automobile users don't begin to pay the costs associated with their road use. There are direct costs such as property, sales and income taxes that used to pay for streets and road. There are also huge indirect costs such as lost tax revenue from areas that were converted from tax paying property to public roadways and decreased property values in areas adjacent to high volume roadways. These costs for regional transportation roadways are not borne equally by all either. The most heavily used roads - the attractive corridors, as MNDOT calls them, are all in the central city neighborhoods. The calls for increasing their capacity come from people who, by and large, don't live in the city and won't have to suffer the indirect costs of taking even more land off the tax rolls. Realistically, I agree that cars are here to stay but that doesn't mean that the transportation system we've built in the past 50 years is what will work well in the next 50 years. We need to think about what life will be like when the metro area has double the population it does now and even more than double the number of cars. Jim Young Seward ___ 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] Traffic Reduction
Mark Anderson Wrote: The focus of activity should be on mitigating the problems of cars, mostly that of pollution and safety. Safety (for those not in cars at least) will be most enhanced by separating cars from neighborhoods, which means more lanes of highway. That should help get many cars out of the neighborhoods. When the highways are in gridlock, drivers take to neighborhood streets. I would argue that the problems associated with cars go far beyond just safety and pollution, especially for inner city areas like Minneapolis. Automobile users don't begin to pay the costs associated with their road use. There are direct costs such as property, sales and income taxes that used to pay for streets and road. There are also huge indirect costs such as lost tax revenue from areas that were converted from tax paying property to public roadways and decreased property values in areas adjacent to high volume roadways. These costs for regional transportation roadways are not borne equally by all either. The most heavily used roads - the attractive corridors, as MNDOT calls them, are all in the central city neighborhoods. The calls for increasing their capacity come from people who, by and large, don't live in the city and won't have to suffer the indirect costs of taking even more land off the tax rolls. Realistically, I agree that cars are here to stay but that doesn't mean that the transportation system we've built in the past 50 years is what will work well in the next 50 years. We need to think about what life will be like when the metro area has double the population it does now and even more than double the number of cars. Jim Young Seward ___ 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] List Get Together
Quoting Craig Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Hello Everyone; It's been awhile since the last listmember get together. How about one in honor of our farthest traveling member, Pamela Taylor? Craig Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUPERB IDEA! Hey Craig...any chance you can get us a spot on the Northside? *WINK* Bob Velez Ward 4-1 -- Citizen Bob Velez Green Party endorsed candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner, District 1 AFSCME (Local 34) ENDORSED http://www.webspawner.com/users/citizenbobvelez/ ___ 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] Traffic Arteries foist/Urban Revenue Lost/Hyperconcentration Cost
In a message dated 9/24/02 8:57:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: There are also huge indirect costs such as lost tax revenue from areas that were converted from tax paying property to public roadways and decreased property values in areas adjacent to high volume roadways. These costs for regional transportation roadways are not borne equally by all either. The most heavily used roads - the attractive corridors, as MNDOT calls them, are all in the central city neighborhoods. Keith says; We know the hyper-concentration of Nonprofit group homes, halfway houses, et. al. in the core cities is an unfair burden that should be shared Countywide and beyond, for so many good reasons. Please think of the losses sustained by our inner-city neighborhoods; wedged between the freeway walls and the institutionalized halls. Keith Reitman NearNorth ___ 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
