[Mpls] Biernat resignation
I've been trying to follow this thread, but I haven't been able to get the list by e-mail. Dave, if you could help me with that, I'd be most appreciative. Anyways, I profoundly disagreed with many of Joe Biernat's votes, attitudes, and once had a rather sharp exchange with him over his actions concerning the Hard Times cafe. Attitudes like Joe's, and others were part of what inspired me to run for the 6th ward seat last year. The other main issue for me was the mistreatment of city residents by the city authority and law enforcement. Joe wasn't a good council member, but he should have been defeated by the vote. This is different. This is meddling. Ironically, I see Joe Biernat as a victim of such enforcement. In some ways he contributed to that environment, but the tacticts of Sean Boylan, and Ashcroft's justice department in general, I think, are disgusting, at one point even threateing to harass Biernat's son, and the cryptic statement (by Byolan) that Beirnat was a small fish caught up in something much larger. What is larger? What does George W. want with our city? Why isn't this aspect of the situation getting more scrutiny? What is the real interest of the federal government in trying to micromanage the Third Ward. One more thing. Valdis, If you're reading, is it true that you're running as a Republican this time? How do you feel about the state or federal government's interests here. (don't get me wrong, I like Valdis quite a bit, I've just heard this through the grape vine, and as much as I like him, I can't support a Republican while GW is president, given the disaster he is for civil liberties. If Valdis is independent, different story.) Why isn't this blatant abuse by law enforcment in this case getting more scrutiny, and (now that I live in the Third Ward, and my son goes to school in the ward) what are all of your positions on law enforcement issues? Tamir Nolley Ward 3 Bottineau __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Biernat replacements + scheduling
Strib reports the following possible candidates: Valdis Rozentals (will run) Kari Dziedzic (across the street from pre-redistricted ward, whose boundaries govern this election, but in the new ward. Will decide this weekend.) Diane Hofstede (mulling it over) Michael Rainville (unavailable for comment) Shane Price (ditto) http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3449467.html A fascinating race: two newcomers who earned good notices in 2001 (Rozentals and Price), plus possibly three traditional Minneapolis political clans clashing - Dziedzics, Hofstedes and Rainvilles. Can we assume low turnout in a primary (which a special election on Dec. 30 seems like to produce) favors the DFL? Questions for those who know: 1. The general election needs to be within 75 days - looks like Feb. 3 is 72 days away from 11/21, and a Monday. Why not make it a Tuesday, the traditional day of the week for election day? 2. (This might answer #1). What's the window for primaries? Was there any way to make the primary before Christmas or after New Year's? This does not look like optimum scheduling to me, but I would like to know more about the scheduling factors. David Brauer King Field ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Biernat resignation
Tamir Nolley wrote: Ironically, I see Joe Biernat as a victim of such enforcement. In some ways he contributed to that environment, but the tacticts of Sean Boylan, and Ashcroft's justice department in general, I think, are disgusting, at one point even threateing to harass Biernat's son, and the cryptic statement (by Byolan) that Beirnat was a small fish caught up in something much larger. What is larger? What does George W. want with our city? Why isn't this aspect of the situation getting more scrutiny? What is the real interest of the federal government in trying to micromanage the Third Ward. One more thing. Valdis, If you're reading, is it true that you're running as a Republican this time? How do you feel about the state or federal government's interests here. (don't get me wrong, I like Valdis quite a bit, I've just heard this through the grape vine, and as much as I like him, I can't support a Republican while GW is president, given the disaster he is for civil liberties. If Valdis is independent, different story.) Why isn't this blatant abuse by law enforcment in this case getting more scrutiny, and (now that I live in the Third Ward, and my son goes to school in the ward) what are all of your positions on law enforcement issues? Call me old fashion, but I don't think that it's appropriate for public officials to accept personal gifts from constituents regardless if they come as cash in envelopes or as free services. We're not talking coffee and donuts here or helping a resident with their paperwork. Biernat accepted thousands of dollars of free plumbing work and then lied to the FBI to try and cover his actions. As far as I'm concerned those should have been sufficient reasons for him to resign. When I vote for a council member I do so with the expectation that they will run the city government effectively, not use their office to enrich themselves (If 60k isn't a high enough salary go into plumbing, it appears to pay a lot more). According to his resignation Mr. Biernat seems to think that there's nothing improper with his actions. I am fearful that this is because his behavior simply reflects business as usual in city hall (another reason the DFL should have forced him to resign earlier). Should the Federal government be vigilant about local corruption and patronage? As long as it is enforced equally I believe that they should. It's not as though they spent millions of dollars hounding Biernat for years until they finally caught him having sexual relations with an office worker. Michael Atherton Prospect Park PS: This is a great opportunity for the Greens. If they have become more politically savvy they'll realize that they need to pore everything they've got locally into this election to maintain whatever momentum that they have from the last city election. And it's also an opportunity for the Republicans to voice real concerns about the state of city government. David Brauer wrote: Can we assume low turnout in a primary (which a special election on Dec. 30 seems like to produce) favors the DFL? No. If the Greens are active a low turnout would favor them. Which is why they need to get movingNOW! ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Biernat - Another Viewpoint
Please don't flood the list with replies to this, because it's a different viewpoint that I feel compelled to present. I worked with Joe Biernat for a little over five years. I did not know Joe prior to joining the crew on the third floor of City Hall. I'm not a member of the political party to which Joe belongs. What I do know is that I've never met anyone as kind and hard working as Joe. No matter how early you came in in the morning and no matter how late you stayed at night, Joe was there. Joe was one of the hardest working members of the Council. He was not there for any glory to himself (he just wasn't that kind of a person) but he cared deeply for the residents of the Third Ward. I just hope that the person who replaces Joe will have the same work ethic. Joe treated everyone the same at City Hall. Their gender or their color meant nothing to him, they were all the same. He is a kind and compassionate man and I'm so sad about what happened to him. I'm not trying to minimize it or blow it off, I'm just deeply saddened that it happened. Karen Collier Linden Hills
Re: [Mpls] Biernat resignation
On Sat, Nov 23, 2002 at 09:59:10AM -0600, Michael Atherton wrote: I am fearful that this is because his behavior simply reflects business as usual in city hall (another reason the DFL should have forced him to resign earlier). It helps to have the courage of your convictions, especially when they're Federal ones. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] 35W Access Project-Access to information
Scott Persons writes: The ellipse-about ramp that is being created as part of this is one of the truly innovative parts of the project. So much of infrastructure project work is by definition mundane, it's so nice to see a feature like this that we can be excited about. Avidor- Tom Johnson said at Horn Terrace last Tuesday that the ellipse-about may no longer be a part of Project. He also said in response to my question about bicycle access on Lake Street that he didn't know whether bikes would be allowed on Lake Street. I reminded him that one of the engineers at the Thursday Open House said that bikes would be banned from Lake Street. Later in response to another question about bicycle access to the Greenway he said I would have to walk my bike on the sidewalk 2-3 blocks to get to the Greenway entrance. This points up one of the most frustrating aspects of the debate so far. We don't have easy access to precise information on the Access Project. Smith Parker was given a lot of money to develop and sell this project to the neighborhoods...so why don't they have a state of the art web site where we can go and easily find out whether bikes are allowed on Lake Street or whether the ellipse-about is still in the project or how much the whole thing costs? Another frustrating aspect for me is when I or someone else voice objections, we are put down as naysaying Nimbys who support the status quo. Then we are challenged to come up with something better. People have a right to object without offering a counter-proposalcritics of this Titanic should not be required to build their own ocean liner before they get a chance to say it has too few lifeboatsSmith Parker was paid a lot of money ($2 million?) to hire experts to develop a plan...it should be judged on its own merits. We should never approve a huge project like this until every detail is clear and out in the open. I recommend that the process to approve the Project be halted until Smith Parker can put the Access Project on the web. For independent information on the 35W Access Project on the Web, go to: http://www.stride-mn.org Ken Avidor STRIDE Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] re: Biernat Resignation
My sense is that a lot of people in our ward have both a sense of sadness and relief that this chapter has come to a close. I opposed Joe Biernat on many issues but I have also found this whole episode to be painful. It certainly has been damaging and embarrassing to the reputation of our ward and city and I don't think many Third Ward residents relish what has happened. I would like to mention one person who really deserves some positive recognition through all of this: Third Ward aide Becky Hunter. Becky has done an amazing, awesome job over the last few months under what must have been extremely stressful circumstances. As Joe became increasingly unavailable and focused on his personal situation, Becky in many ways took up the slack and filled many of his functions, attending numerous meetings, working on constituent services, and, increasingly, being involved in policy discussions. This was all in addition to continuing with her own regular full-time duties as aide. It would be very helpful if Becky can continue on during this interim period. Regarding 3rd Ward election candidates/Valdis: I assume that he must have moved from being independent into the Republican camp. His yard featured huge Norm Coleman signs, as well as signs for other Republican endorsed candidates, during the recent election. But I haven't heard for sure if he is running either way. Bruce Shoemaker Holland Neighborhood Ward 3 (for now...) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Affordable Housing: causes-solutions ? AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP
The sad truth is that Wizard is correct, and Steve Meldahl is correct. Steve is acting in a responsible manner in leaving his apartments open if a suitable person does not apply. The neighborhoods have requested, begged and threatened to get other rental property owners to act as responsible as Steve indicates he is doing. Landlords have been vilified and their property confiscated on a wholesale basis if they did not aggressively screen. They have to, or see their building taken. How could anyone possibly object to that action? Steve is also correct in stating that there is no longer a housing shortage in Minneapolis for people, who could pay the rent, and who you could rent to without endangering your economic investment in the building. What are left are 1) some fine families with 8, 9, and sometimes 10 kids attempting to rent two bed room apartments, 2) people with so many unlawful detainers, 3) those engaged in criminal lifestyles, and 4) sadly those mistaken for those previously mentioned. There are for rent signs all over south Minneapolis. Houses and duplexes from private property owners regularly rent for less than 75% of what Non-Profits charge for rents on two bedroom apartments. The most draconian and least sympathetic land LORD a renter will ever encounter is a Public Housing or Quasi- Public Non-Profit Housing providers. Look at the real rents they charge (renter's plus subsidy) and their treatment of renters. Private rental property owners cannot enforce the draconian methods that Public Housing and large Non-Profit quasi public housing providers can. The courts have shown that they will crucify any private landlord who attempts to be half as aggressive in enforcement. Private landlords are threatened with loss of their investment if they do too much, or if they do too little. Non-profits also regularly allow buildings to continue to be rented with crime problems so bad that a private provider would have his ownership of the building threatened. When was the last time a large non-profit such as PPL was dragged into court for their ownership of a problem property? NOT IN THIS LIFETIME! As is usually the case, City government is attempting to, at present, deal with the horse after it left the barn two years ago. Neighborhoods, on there own, have already dealt with the issue of rental shortages for those who qualify to rent apartments. Ventura Village has already approved, (before the present Mayor and City Council) projects that would add several hundreds of housing units. More than all units supplied in year 2000 by MCDA, even if you count the shelter beds as they did. This List has been replete with discussions of the millions of tax dollars the past City Government spent on housing with their developer buddies, and is not even touching the millions for Non-Profits. The new Mayor and Council will take credit for them, but there were already thousands of units of market rate and Affordable housing in the works before they took office. We beat up on Sharon and Company not because those things were not in the works but because they waited to long to do it and gave the development projects to their buddies. What RT and the Council have missed is the AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. Sustainable affordable housing by necessity includes mostly ownership status. Rental Affordable Housing is simply not Sustainable. It is a continual drain on the resources of the family and the public, where after 20 years of investment the family is still in poverty and the public coffers are drained. Most communities are talking about this when they say we need more affordable housing. Opportunities need to be created for poor people and minority people to own their housing. It is the way you stabilize family life, (especially large families) and you stabilize communities. A common heard social service lament is that there is not enough minority involvement in neighborhood activities. Well the reason is that there is not enough minority ownership in those communities. People of color who regularly attend and strongly participate are not always, but usually homeowners. Marx was correct in at least one aspect; it is the ownership and control of capital resources. If you own you shelter you control a good deal of your life, if you don't you are forever at the mercy of owners as well as life. The mission of Affordable Housing Providers is supposed to be to stabilize families and provide quality places for these people to live. This would be at least believable and the mission would be much more quickly realized if they had programs that created Supportive Home Ownership. Off course this would shortly remove them from being an economic resource for the Non-Profit. You really have to commend Habitat and GMMHC for their realization of this and their incredible work to create long-term sustainable Affordable Housing. Jimmy Carter, nationally, and our own Carolyn Olson understand creating dignity
Re: [Mpls] re: Biernat Resignation
There is a definite sense of loss and grief here in lower NE. Last year during the city council campaign when I was working for Shane Price Joe went out of his way to make sure I knew that he did not take it personal that I was working for Shane and that our friendship transcended political differences. I was deeply moved and thankful for those words. Despite my differences with Joe I am glad to count him as a friend. tom taylor lovely lower NE MPLS ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Vigil for 12 year girl killed by stray bullet 11/23/02 Saturday
MAD DADS will be gathering on 34th and Chicago today at 5:00PM in support of the family and encourage peace in the community--TJ. 12-year-old girl killed by stray bullet in Minneapolis http://www.startribune.com/stories/467/3450614.html http://www.maddadsnational.com/minnesota.html Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- ___ Sign-up for your own FREE Personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup One click access to the Top Search Engines http://www.exactsearchbar.com/mailcom ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Speed limit on Hiawatha Avenue
Greetings, I was talking yesterday to Kari Tauring - an old friend, Longfellow resident, community activist, and co-chair of the Hiawatha School PTO. She asked my opinion on the proposal to raise the speed limit along Hiawatha Ave. We talked about it for a bit and I mentioned there's been much discussion about it on this list. Kari doesn't own a computer, but asked that I post partly on her behalf. Kari's perspective focuses on safety. Hiawatha is a city street in a residential neighborhood and as such it's a street that people have to cross. There have been statements made on this list that pedestrian and bicycle traffic is limited on this corridor. Kari's perception is far different. She was at 38th and Hiawatha on Friday and counted 18 high school students crossing Hiawatha just in the short time she was there. Take that into account along with the fact that the Public Schools are cutting bus service (perhaps eliminating it entirely for High Schools) and there will be even more children who need to cross this street on a daily basis. When these decisions are made we need to take into account the proper priorities. Which is more important - the traffic that needs to get through this residential neighborhoods as quickly as possible to get home to the suburbs? Or the needs of the residents of these neighborhoods that Hiawatha goes through? Clearly, the safety of the residents is paramount. Jim McGuire Como Kari Tauring Longfellow _ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Biernat - Another Viewpoint
It *is* sad that nice people get caught up in a web of relationships and behavior that do them in, despite their sterling personalities. Often a function, I'm afraid, of the natural isolation from reality that elected office brings. I, too met Joe when we were both working to ban metal shredders - his Kondirator, our Alter Metal Shredder in St. Paul. Joe went to England, took great pictures of the all-new way to recycle automobiles than crushing them and allowing mercury, benzene, etc. etc. fly through the air. (The way is to disassemble them and harvest useable parts and separate unusable materials for recycling separately.) Joe was excited over the opportunity to provide alternatives to the Kondirator, but it was an uphill battle and failed in the courts. Now this. Certainly many will remember his corrupted behavior and he must pay for his deeds, but it's never a good thing when all we do is hate the man for the deeds. He'll do his time and pay the bill. He's already paid dearly for his arrogance in allowing his power to run to his head (happens too often to repeating incumbents after a few terms). He'll survive. The system has survived and all will be better for it - the community, trust in government (I hope), even Joe. I wish him well. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul The most consistent and ultimately damaging failure of political journalism in America has its roots in the clubby/cocktail personal relationships that inevitably develop between politicians and journalists. When professional antagonists become after-hours drinking buddies, they are not likely to turn each other in. --Hunter Thompson Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail 1973 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 11:14:16 EST To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Biernat - Another Viewpoint Please don't flood the list with replies to this, because it's a different viewpoint that I feel compelled to present. I worked with Joe Biernat for a little over five years. I did not know Joe prior to joining the crew on the third floor of City Hall. I'm not a member of the political party to which Joe belongs. What I do know is that I've never met anyone as kind and hard working as Joe. No matter how early you came in in the morning and no matter how late you stayed at night, Joe was there. Joe was one of the hardest working members of the Council. He was not there for any glory to himself (he just wasn't that kind of a person) but he cared deeply for the residents of the Third Ward. I just hope that the person who replaces Joe will have the same work ethic. Joe treated everyone the same at City Hall. Their gender or their color meant nothing to him, they were all the same. He is a kind and compassionate man and I'm so sad about what happened to him. I'm not trying to minimize it or blow it off, I'm just deeply saddened that it happened. Karen Collier Linden Hills ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Biernat replacements + scheduling
My word, scions and scionesses of Minneapolis political dynasties. They seem to be in these days. Andy From: David Brauer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 09:50:11 -0600 To: 'Mpls list' [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Biernat replacements + scheduling Strib reports the following possible candidates: Valdis Rozentals (will run) Kari Dziedzic (across the street from pre-redistricted ward, whose boundaries govern this election, but in the new ward. Will decide this weekend.) Diane Hofstede (mulling it over) Michael Rainville (unavailable for comment) Shane Price (ditto) http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3449467.html A fascinating race: two newcomers who earned good notices in 2001 (Rozentals and Price), plus possibly three traditional Minneapolis political clans clashing - Dziedzics, Hofstedes and Rainvilles. Can we assume low turnout in a primary (which a special election on Dec. 30 seems like to produce) favors the DFL? Questions for those who know: 1. The general election needs to be within 75 days - looks like Feb. 3 is 72 days away from 11/21, and a Monday. Why not make it a Tuesday, the traditional day of the week for election day? 2. (This might answer #1). What's the window for primaries? Was there any way to make the primary before Christmas or after New Year's? This does not look like optimum scheduling to me, but I would like to know more about the scheduling factors. David Brauer King Field ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Biernat replacements + scheduling
David Brauer asks, 1. The general election needs to be within 75 days - looks like Feb. 3 is 72 days away from 11/21, and a Monday. Why not make it a Tuesday, the traditional day of the week for election day? 2. (This might answer #1). What's the window for primaries? Was there any way to make the primary before Christmas or after New Year's? This does not look like optimum scheduling to me, but I would like to know more about the scheduling factors. [BRM] The City Charter (ch. 2, sec. 16) says that the special election shall be held within seventy-five (75) days after such vacancy shall occur. For the purpose of selecting the candidates to be voted on at such special election, the Council shall fix the date of a primary election to be held not less than thirty-five (35) days prior to such special election, and shall also fix the dates for filing of candidates for such office which shall be for a period of not less than eight (8) days, and the closing date for such filing shall not be less than twenty (20) days prior to the date fixed for the primary election. If the vacancy occurred on Friday 22 December, then the latest possible date for the election is Thursday 6 February--which makes the preceding Tuesday, 4 February, the logical candidate as the traditional day of the week for election day. But if the election is held on Tuesday 4 February, then the latest possible date for the primary election is 35 days earlier--Tuesday 31 December, New Year's Eve. I am guessing that the City Council scheduled the election on a Monday in order to avoid scheduling a primary on New Year's Eve. The other viable option would have been holding the election on Thursday 6 February and the primary on Thursday 2 January. This option assumes that the vacancy occurred on Friday 22 December. But if former CM Biernat resigned late in the day on Thursday 21 December, then the latest possible date for the election is Wednesday 5 February, in which case Monday 3 February is the date that allows the latest possible election and the latest possible primary without holding the primary on New Year's Day or New Year's Eve. BRM Brian Melendez Downtown (work) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Affordable Housing: causes-solutions?
WM: One of the problems with rent stamps, a.k.a. Section 8, is the bureaucratic requirements which make it one tricky business to evict a tenant for cause. Enter the non-profit. They specialize in moving paperwork around to suit the parameters of federal money. They have special software and everything. They have rules to which they hold tenants accountable. They never assume that of course people know how to live in a house. Commercial landlords/ladies really are not set up to handle that type of workload. I don't have a solution and I don't know that what we have presently is anything more than a bandaid. It is a problem looking for solutions. WizardMarks, Central (CM) Section 8 has taken a step backward recently. One reason Section 8 Tenants were unable to get apartments throughout the early-mid-to late nineties was the one year lease requirement. Plain and simple, the landlord had to sign a one year lease with the resident. As Wizard has pointed out, getting someone out for violating the lease under Sect 8 is 'tricky'. That is an understatement. Well a few years ago, Sect 8 seeing the crisis decided to offer month to month leases. This was good news. Most of us landlords started to rent to those on Sect 8 again. If the tenant screwed up, you gave them notice. That simple. 30 days was the most you had to put up with. Now, It is my understanding that Sect 8 is going back to one year minimum. This indicates two things. 1. The affordable housing crisis is over. 2. The Feds believe that enough landlords will take the risk on a one year lease. They need their apartments rented. It will cause many landlords to quit Sect 8 again. That's too bad. Why must Section 8 insist on the one years lease? It's counter productive. Craig Miller Former Fultonite [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Claims against the city.
I have heard that one successful law suit against the City of Minneapolis has resulted in the indebtedness of about $3000.00 for each resident. Can anyone clarify that alleged situation? Would anyone know the extent of the total indebtedness against Minneapolis residents because of successful claims? Neal E. Simons Prospect Park
RE: [Mpls] Biernat replacements + scheduling (corrected)
Sorry, I was mixing up my months in my earlier message. The corrected version appears below. Thanks to David Brauer for catching the mistakes. BRM -Original Message- From: Melendez, Brian Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 1:56 PM To: 'David Brauer'; 'Mpls list' Subject: [Mpls] Biernat replacements + scheduling David Brauer asks, 1. The general election needs to be within 75 days - looks like Feb. 3 is 72 days away from 11/21, and a Monday. Why not make it a Tuesday, the traditional day of the week for election day? 2. (This might answer #1). What's the window for primaries? Was there any way to make the primary before Christmas or after New Year's? This does not look like optimum scheduling to me, but I would like to know more about the scheduling factors. [BRM] The City Charter (ch. 2, sec. 16) says that the special election shall be held within seventy-five (75) days after such vacancy shall occur. For the purpose of selecting the candidates to be voted on at such special election, the Council shall fix the date of a primary election to be held not less than thirty-five (35) days prior to such special election, and shall also fix the dates for filing of candidates for such office which shall be for a period of not less than eight (8) days, and the closing date for such filing shall not be less than twenty (20) days prior to the date fixed for the primary election. If the vacancy occurred on Friday 22 November, then the latest possible date for the election is Thursday 6 February--which makes the preceding Tuesday, 4 February, the logical candidate as the traditional day of the week for election day. But if the election is held on Tuesday 4 February, then the latest possible date for the primary election is 35 days earlier--Tuesday 31 December, New Year's Eve. I am guessing that the City Council scheduled the election on a Monday in order to avoid scheduling a primary on New Year's Eve. The other viable option would have been holding the election on Thursday 6 February and the primary on Thursday 2 January. This option assumes that the vacancy occurred on Friday 22 November. But if former CM Biernat resigned late in the day on Thursday 21 November, then the latest possible date for the election is Wednesday 5 February, in which case Monday 3 February is the date that allows the latest possible election and the latest possible primary without holding the primary on New Year's Day or New Year's Eve. BRM Brian Melendez Downtown (work) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] 35W Access Project-The Golden Rule
Kimberly Goodman wrote: I know we as neighbors may not agree on this one since each of us is impacted differently. When I try and look a the big picture, including how the freeway should have included access at Lake and 38th back when it was built, and the overall benefits and impacts for all of Central, I have a different opinion than when I look at what it will do my friend's front yards on 2nd Ave. Avidor- We can't avoid the moral dilemma the 35W Access Project puts us in. Automobiles like all powerful technologies benefit some and make others suffer. How do we do unto others in this case? Are the supporters of the Access Project really looking at the big picture when they say we must sacrifice one neighborhood for the greater good of another? There is a far greater picture that concerns what this auto-centric project will do to encourage more driving, more polluting, global warming, more crashes and more wars for oil. Instead of deciding which neighborhood to dump on, I think we should instead explore ways of reducing the car traffic burden for all while increasing human access with transit, bicycling and walkingthis is the plan of cities like Portland and Bogota. More on the Golden Rule and how some very religious people apply it to transportation at: http://www.whatwouldjesusdrive.org Ken Avidor STRIDE Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] 35W Access Project-The Golden Rule
I think the tone of viewing this project as undoing past mistakes in highway layout misses the point that it must also minimize the impact of the changes to all neighborhoods. If this was a win-win around teh highway for all it wouldn't be up for debate. If there is any mistake that is worth undoing it would be the short-cited design of the 35W corridor that essentially emphasizes autos only. I also think it's open for debate if any of 35th, 36th or 38th streets are better suited than each other to host a highway exit. There are schools and churches all around all of them. I also don't understand the assertion that an exchange would bolster commercial development for example on 38th street east of the highway - assuming 35 and 36th are examples of what you get, it looks like you get blight (thus the excitement to see the exchanges move south). For how many years was that directional sign stationed at 35th street and Nicollet anchored by sand bags? It was like a semi-permanent construction detour where the one-way side of 35th street meets 2 way traffic.. We have many odd interchanges in this city that people have come to accept because the price to correct is too high. the 35W - 94 interchange downtown for example. Want to go east if you are coming north? No problem. How about coming south? Too bad. Do we tear up the city to "correct this mistake"? No, because it would inconvienence people and we don't value the improved connection enough (thought the people who live along the de-facto alternate 280 would probably applaud the move). This lake-35W area is a micro-version of this same issue. Until there is some guarantee that the 38th exchange would not end up like the 35th and 36th street area by the highway I think the neighborhood skepticism is well founded and healthy and should not be discounted as "NIMBY". I would characterise it more like "NAGI" - Not A Good Idea. Mike Hess Kingfield From: ken avidor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Mpls] 35W Access Project-The Golden Rule Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 16:18:01 -0600 Kimberly Goodman wrote: "I know we as neighbors may not agree on this one since each of us is impacted differently. When I try and look a the big picture, including how the freeway should have included access at Lake and 38th back when it was built, and the overall benefits and impacts for all of Central, I have a different opinion than when I look at what it will do my friend's front yards on 2nd Ave. " Avidor- We can't avoid the moral dilemma the 35W Access Project puts us in. Automobiles like all powerful technologies benefit some and make others suffer. How do we "do unto others" in this case? Are the supporters of the Access Project really looking at "the big picture" when they say we must sacrifice one neighborhood for the greater good of another? There is a far greater picture that concerns what this auto-centric project will do to encourage more driving, more polluting, global warming, more crashes and more wars for oil. Instead of deciding which neighborhood to dump on, I think we should instead explore ways of reducing the car traffic burden for all while increasing human access with transit, bicycling and walkingthis is the plan of cities like Portland and Bogota. More on the Golden Rule and how some very religious people apply it to transportation at: http://www.whatwouldjesusdrive.org Ken Avidor STRIDE Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Media Blackout;Visa Card
Wendy I. P.: I would say the Telecommunications Act was passed BECAUSE the media hadn't been doing its job for some time. Did we not just recently have a dialog about the fact that there was no reporter at city hall? Can't do much ferreting if there is no one there to ferret. -- DeWayne Townsend 3222 39th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55406 612-724-7010 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] 35W Flyover
I was driving North on 94 today and I gazed over to the proposed flyover site. I understand that the flyover plan would take out housing on 29rd block of 2nd Ave. I noticed that Wells Fargo has a VERY large parking area that runs parallel to a road that connects to 28th Street. In addition to their parking ramp that was recently completed. Forgive me if this issue has been covered but would this flyover impact the large surface lot that I assume is owned by Wells Fargo? This surface parking lot takes up alot of space. Couldn't this surface area accommodate an exit that would improve the access to 28th? I believe that David Piehl may have alluded to this. It seems that impacting surface parking is less intrusive than taking out housing for several families. Karen Forbes Central ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] 35W Access Project-Blight
Mike Hess wrote: I also don't understand the assertion that an exchange would bolster commercial development for example on 38th street east of the highway - assuming 35 and 36th are examples of what you get, it looks like you get blight. But it is not like that at 46th Street, and at Diamond Lake Road there is a vibrant little business district a block off the interstate. I wonder if the combination of blocking off Nicollet with that ugly K-Mart parking lot, plus the ramps at 31st and 35/36th Streets combined to create the terrible blight at 35 36th? Wendy Introwitz Pareene Lyndale neighborhood -Original Message- From: Mike Hess [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 5:15 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject:Re: [Mpls] 35W Access Project-The Golden Rule File: ATT1.html ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Media Blackout;I DIDN'T SAY THAT!
You credited this statement to me... but I DIDN'T SAY THAT, someone else did... Wendy I. P.: I would say the Telecommunications Act was passed BECAUSE the media hadn't been doing its job for some time. Here's what I say/said on the subject: The telecommunications act was passed because greedy media corps knew they could gobble up outlets and have near-monopolies, cut corners because there would be no more competition, and control the content of the product being produced with no regard to alternate or opposing views. Now that one corporation can own 15 radio stations and a couple tv stations plus newspapers, they don't really have to compete with anyone to provide service to the audience/readership... so they don't bother to pay anyone to cover that meeting... again I say... they cut staff to barebones because they can get away with it... This part is REALLY important to the complaint about the quality of local media and news: Before deregulation most media was owned by local people who took pride in their reputation in the communities and liked having the respect of their neighbors so had real newspeople who were dedicated to their jobs. Now most media is owned by faceless corps that often don't ever even visit the towns they serve... don't care about the towns... don't care about their reputations... and just do what they do the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way possible. I have sat in meetings with these people and heard them laugh at how funny it is that local people can't tell whether their programming is local or national, and how much money they save by not having to pay for local staff anymore! Isn't that just a hoot? There are one or two exceptions. I strongly urge you to support any local tv/radio/newspaper that actually pays a local staff to provide locally-focused information and news (even if they don't have enough people to make every meeting... applaud any media that is at least trying to cover local news). Wendy Introwitz Pareene Lyndale -Original Message- From: DeWayne Townsend [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 9:47 PM To: Discussion Forum Subject:Re: [Mpls] Media Blackout;Visa Card Wendy I. P.: I would say the Telecommunications Act was passed BECAUSE the media hadn't been doing its job for some time. Did we not just recently have a dialog about the fact that there was no reporter at city hall? Can't do much ferreting if there is no one there to ferret. -- DeWayne Townsend 3222 39th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55406 612-724-7010 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Gathering strength from tonight's Vigil
I just thought I would share some of my thoughts about the vigil I attended tonight on my block for 12 year old Tyesha that was killed in her dining room doing her homework. The vigil was well attended at least 100 people. It was nice that families came with their children and not just individuals. I could not get out of my mind how about 15 years ago we picketed the same block with a police escort and our SAFE person Brian Herron. Our block was successful in shutting down the crack houses. In their place PRG built and rehabbed some of the houses and a wonderful COOP took the place of the drug houses. With the senseless act that happened yesterday I kept hoping that our neighborhood is not returning to what we fought so hard to get rid of. I learned tonight that the girl's family has lived there since the inception of the PRG Dovetail COOP. I felt really sad that as a block leader for the block across the street that I had to meet this family under such tragic circumstances. I thought of one glitch in our system. That being that Chicago Avenue is the boundary between Powderhorn and Central Neighborhoods. I expressed my hope to the family as well as VJ(MAD DADS) at the vigil that I hope that this divide can be bridged. Our block had expressed concern with the property next door to where this girl was killed. From a SAFE perspective it is in another neighborhood. After the vigil I went in and met the family and offered my condolences and left a candle on the table that she was shot at. The table was filled with all these beautiful flowers and lots of pictures of Tyesha. I looked up and saw the bullet hole and just lost it. I hope that the love and caring that was at the vigil tonight continues towards finding the killers and also to bridge divides that we may have created because of our neighborhood boundaries. Supposedly the killers may have been standing in the alley that is in Central. Chicago Avenue was not a divide for them. These are just my thoughts. Thanks everyone for listening, as I am still quite raw and angry. Karen Forbes Central ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
