Re: [Mpls] Re: Startribune.com registration
It is a drag, having to register. But at least the Strib isn't charging to access content (yet). Salon.com has created a two-tier news caste structure with Salon Premium. There are some things you can access as a nonmember, but others you can see only if you're a paying member. I can see it now: Osama Bin Laden captured! West Nile cure found! For more information, subscribe to Salon Premium! I wonder how this will affect Strib articles being forwarded on this list. As a Salon Premium subscriber (temporarily) I was unable to forward Garrison Keillor's Norm Coleman column to nonsubscribers. I did, however, take great pleasure in cutting-n-pasting, then forwarding this for-pay article, for free. Susan Maricle formerly of Folwell Bruno MN __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Minneapolis resturants posted as banning guns.
I'd appreciate answers to this off list. I'm looking for some of the Minneapolis resturants that have posted signs banning guns. I didn't see any while walking to work this morning, however, I did see a sign in front of a sign shop on Marquette that was advertising that the signs are for sale there. Terrell Brown Loring Park terrell at terrellbrown dot org __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Minneapolis restaurants posted as banning guns.
Banned Guns I would prefer this info to be shared on list so all of us can act according to our own opinions on this matter. While the sign does no good at this point with the way the law is written, I for one would rather throw my patronage to the banners of guns rather than those not banning or afraid to ban. Ron Leurquin Waite Park -Original Message- From: Terrell Brown [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 9:02 AM To: Minneapolis Issues List Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis resturants posted as banning guns. I'd appreciate answers to this off list. I'm looking for some of the Minneapolis resturants that have posted signs banning guns. I didn't see any while walking to work this morning, however, I did see a sign in front of a sign shop on Marquette that was advertising that the signs are for sale there. Terrell Brown Loring Park terrell at terrellbrown dot org __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Minneapolis restaurants posted as banning guns.
on 6/3/03 9:25 AM, Leurquin, Ronald at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Banned Guns I would prefer this info to be shared on list so all of us can act according to our own opinions on this matter. Fair enough. I've seen two so far: Eli's Bar at 12th and Hennepin GameWorks in Block E. Had lunch at Eli's yesterday - no one personally informed me of the ban, so I guess I could ignore the sign. (Side note: Minneapolis establishments only, please.) David Brauer King Field TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Why downtown surveillance cameras?
The question was asked Why downtown? 1) Because downtown is a city income generator. Because of Block E, 1st Ave No., Downtown Target, Lower Hennepin, the Mall, the Library, and including the riverside housing development sprouting on both sides of the river and on down the street to Loring Park and the Walker/Guthrie complex, DOWNTOWN REPRESENTS INCOME to the city. It also just got the OK to stay open an extra hour at night. It's wise to keep that source of income safe and safer and let them know you've done your best. If the river bank area is truly going to be revitalized it MUST be perceived as a safe place to live, work and play, all the time. This will pay off in plenty of benefits to the rest of us. One Hennepin Avenue mugging at the right time and place to the right person could undo months of nightlife promotion. 2) Because downtown is a pretty finite area. I'd consider this a test case area. If people can get a good cost-benefits image out of the surveillance cameras, they have fuel to start looking for more money to increase the surveillance area. This is going to mean tapping the state eventually, looking for more and other corporate financing, possibly trying to find grant money. None of those sources of future financial support is going to ante up unless the smaller test case has proved something good happens when you have the cameras. 3) Because that's where Target Corporation said they wanted the cameras. As the adage has it: he who pays the piper calls the tune. 4) So far, someone reported that cameras in drug-dealing areas were too expensive to maintain, only shifted the drug sales around the neighborhood, other problems. OK: so the smaller area was not well-enough funded, was not large enough to count, was too hard and expensive to maintain, fell into disuse. I think that's more reason to look at the downtown area as a test, and keep watching for reasons to expand the surveillance. The next step is to start looking for corporate money. 5) Again: on private property, be it commercial stores, parking ramps, high rise buildings (apartment or office or condo) with security, it's extremely difficult to move anywhere downtown (or elsewhere) without going on camera. This is just a public extension of what private companies are doing all over the city and have done for decades. (Does anyone else remember being warned to adjust your underwear and blow your nose before you got into the dressing rooms at Dayton's or Harold's or Y-Q? or maybe that was before your time and I'm older than dirt--that could be too.) Emilie Quast SE Como TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Surveillance cameras, statistics, and neighborhood jealousy
While the numbers are indeed as Mark presents them, they are heavily skewed by theft figures. Even car theft, if no one is in the car, is more of a nuisance than a threat to personal safety. The stats that matter are the ones where people are directly affected and threatened. Murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, battery, strong arm robbery and burglary of an occupied house. Those are things that concern people. Ask any woman to rate the threat of rape or a stolen car and you will get the message. The idea that Downtown and Whittier are as dangerous as Jordan, Hawthorne, Phillips and Ventura Village is faulty at best. The statistics again are manipulated by what is included. Statistics are only as good as the collection method and the questions asked. How many of us no longer beat our spouses, or no longer cheat on them? How many Minneapolis men will not cruise for prostitutes on Broadway and Franklin? I would say almost 100%. Does these statistics mean anymore than a bad question that was asked? No Unfortunately our culture has placed a very high value on theft, and in particular car theft. Maybe it goes back to the days of hanging horse thieves. But I have a very hard time with statistics that lump rape and murder with car theft. That our society would value an automobile equally with a woman's body or life is totally repugnant. The only thing this statistic proves is that there is a high probability of the person making up the CodeFor list having his or her head up a certain part of the anatomy for including them in the same profile. Every time I see those statistics I immediately make the same observation. (I should not use her because I can not believe a woman put together the list of what Important crimes would be included) It is instructive that some in Minneapolis believe it is more important to catch those who might steal and affect downtown business than to protect a woman or child from bodily harm. Some actually believe downtown business is more important than to deter someone from selling drugs to children; a Federal Felony. I am not begrudging the crime prevention techniques for downtown, just jealous. Jealous of their importance to the City, and wishing that we in the Impacted Neighborhoods mattered as much. Maybe we should pool our money and hire lobbyists and high buck law firms to represent us. Do you think the politicians would pay a little more attention then? Last year we were promised that cameras would be placed at Franklin and Chicago and Park and Franklin to interdict the flagrant drug sales going on. I am still waiting. I am sure the same camera would also have an effect over North on 26th. But then criminals are not wanted downtown and they ARE expected to be concentrated in the Impacted Neighborhoods. The relative value of Target and the Impacted Neighborhoods are very evident. Who got the 60 million dollars of subsidy? Between Brookfield and Target how much money has the City committed our taxpayers to? And they quibble about NRP? They should be ashamed! It is one thing to rob us, quite another to tell us they are doing us a favor and promoting development. Development of WHO? Jim Graham, Ventura Village Why is it the Mongols of this world always tell us they're defending us against the Mongols? TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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: Poor image/Mpls sells itself badly
I found this editorial pretty interesting in context with our coming surveillance cameras. What sort of image of downtown Minneapolis does it project? I remember the first place I saw these sort of cameras in use was 30 years ago in South Miami Beach. This was long before its renaissance. They had some serious problems. Not anything like what we have here in Minneapolis. There, they had bad actors robbing little old ladies from the Bronx on their way back from the market. I remember thinking it was a place I didn't want to hang out past sundown. I would hate to think that surveillance cameras in downtown would have the same chilling effect. In the editorial it mentioned three things to advertise about our city. One of those was a safe, lively and hip downtown that so many cities lack. This was the opinion of an independent observer. Tim Connolly Downtown __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Surveillance cameras
I understand that this system involves cameras connected to a digital computer system, so the video is stored on computer disk, without any need for changing tapes, etc. (except possibly for archives). Also, there is software that recognizes when there is no activity on the video, and it saves space by not recording that. Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson It required a tremendous amount of maintenance in that tapes had to be changed, labeled etc. I think it may have helped in a couple crime cases. Can't remember. It was expensive. At that time I think it was about $7,500 a camera. Not something a neighborhood can throw NRP funds at for very long. . . . Barb Lickness Whittier TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Question regarding Target
Hi all, I am working on an article about Target in Minneapolis, and I'm looking for information about how the Target Center and the downtown Target are financed, and I've read so many thought-provoking comments on this list that I thought I would ask you folks for comments, recommendations, or any information that you felt like sharing. I'm looking at these kinds of questions:To what extent are MPLS taxpayers liable should Target decide to up and leave? What kind of tax incentives were offered to get them here in the first place? The whole thing is TIF-ed to the gills, isn't it? If anyone has any recommendations for research on these subjects or has any opinions/information that they'd like to share, I'd be extremely grateful. Thanks! Jane Franklin Phillips __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Fwd: RE: Liberating N. Mpls. Making it a fine City
Although I have not asked permission, I don't believe the original sender would mind my posting this on the forum list. This is a post sent to our neighborhood group on our neighborhood email list. This is the cummulative result of our neighborhood effortsto move the thugs of the street corner at 26th Knox. They moved east ONE BLOCK. I find it somewhat interesting that while I stood outside the police tape roughly 3 weeks ago at the scene of the homicide/wounding roughly 1/2 block from my house, that I was told by a neighbor that I WAS the problem I am white, she was not. In her mind, is firmly planted the concept that if "we" would just provide more jobs for these individuals,the problem of violence gangs would go away. Where's theaccountability at a family level?? All of the individuals currently terrorizing my neighborhood we/are children of someone. What were they taught growing-up?? One injustice deserves another?? In addition to the illegal activity listedbelow, the individuals (on the corner) have now taken-up gambling on the sidewalk as an activity to "fill-time" during off-peak sales hours. I know of several neighbors that have flagged-down squads only to receive an unresponsive (at best) response to their concerns. In what is becoming a more accepted occurence in my neighborhood, I was awakened abruptly by someone emptying the clip (14 rounds) of a large calibre handgun Mondaymorning around 2am. I've become so used to it that my reaction was as if the dog had just jumped onto my bed and awakened me. I rolled over and went back to sleep. The way I see it, I have three choices: 1) Accept things as they are now. 2) Flee to the suburbs, as most reasonable/non-confrontational individuals have. 3) Fight back. It's time the residents of Jordan realize that the government isn't going to and can't solve the problems it faces. Thugs and gangs only exist in communities that remain indifferent to their activities. I grew-up in a very poor, small farming community in northern Maine. To make matters worse, we were 1st generation "outsiders" in an area that was steeped in family history and entitlement. NOT ONCE as a child growing-up was I taught that it was okay, or acceptable to act in an illegal manner because of the social injustice I faced. Instead, I was taught that I was accountable to society as an individual. NOTHING will ever change (in the inner city) until parents start teaching this philosophy, and neighbors start acting like neighbors again. I am saddened by the lack of understanding on the part of many of my neighbors that a problem two-blocks from their house today could very well be a problem in FRONT of their house tomorrow. It is time for communities in Minneapolis to realize that their problems are their own. The City Government will not solve them. We project the outcome. I'd be interested in hearing any ideas/solutions (other than legalizing drug sales in Jordan) any of you might have. Dennis Plante Jordan Kelly and I live at 26th and James andwe have watched the street level crime jump to a frenzy this summer. We call the cops several times a day, we have approached neighbors to tell them it is OK to call police, we have made special appeals to the 4th precinct and the Chief, I have even confronted the dealers myself. They are young (around 14 to 18), but they have got this dealing, littering, cursing,thug life,thing down. The cops are there frequently, but more often than not I see the kids scatter before the cops roll by. They have some early detection system, which suggests organization. 26thStreetNorth and James is an obvious gang hangout. They are holding us hostage for the moment. One neighbor is trying to sell her house, to move her young and impressionable children from this caldron, but so far everyone comments on their fears of this nieghborhood. She is so frustrated she is ready t o give her house away. Can someone call up the national guard? We need your help and those young men on the street need a new direction. Aaron Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*---BeginMessage--- Kelly and I live at 26th and James andwe have watched the street level crime jump to a frenzy this summer. We call the cops several times a day, we have approached neighbors to tell them it is OK to call police, we have made special appeals to the 4th precinct and the Chief, I have even confronted the dealers myself. They are young (around 14 to 18), but they have got this dealing, littering, cursing,thug life,thing down. The cops are there frequently, but more often than not I see the kids scatter before the cops roll by. They have some early detection system, which suggests organization. 26thStreetNorth and James is an obvious gang hangout. They are holding us hostage for the moment. One neighbor is trying to sell her house, to move her young and impressionable children from this caldron, but so far everyone comments on their fears of this
[Mpls] Marshall Street Slow Down
Tuesday June 3, 20038:00 AM For immediate release: "Neighbors stand united to slow traffic in their neighborhood" On Thursday June 5th at the corner of Broadway Ave. and Marshall St. NE. residents from the Marshall Terrace, Bottineau, Sheridan, Nicollet Island East Bank and Saint Anthony West neighborhood groups will stage a vigil between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM and again between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to encourage traffic on Marshall St. NE to slow down to the speed limit of 30 MPH. This is to coincide with the distribution of yard signs up and down Marshall St. encouraging the motorists to do the same thing. To help convince the motorists of their resolve to slow traffic in their neighborhoods, citizens will as well be participating in a "rolling blockade". Two or more vehicles will be circulating in tandem between the north end of Marshall St. NE by the Excel Energy plant on 31st and Marshall and the 1st Ave. bridge in downtown Minneapolis. The cars will have obvious banners encouraging the motorists to take note of their average speed on Marshall St. NE. The "blockade" is to continue driving side by side at posted speed limits on Marshall St. daily during rush hours to slow the traffic down. "We hope that our resolve and determination in this matter will enlighten those people traveling in our neighborhoods that we live, work and play on Marshall St. NE as well. We encourage all motorists to slow down and take in all that our historic and vibrant communities have to offer." For details and or questions please contact our respective neighborhood groups or contact Valdis Rozentals 612-623-4005 (home office) 612-325-4698 (cell).
[Mpls] Video Surveillance
One thing to remember about video surveillance. The police will be aware of those cameras watching and therefore perhaps inhibited in how rough they treat civilians. As to location, the city is probably PARANOID about stuff happening downtown that might persuade business to locate elsewhere for greater safety. We have enough problems with the lower taxes in the suburbs. I imagine the gross quantity of crimes down there is due to a ton of petty crimes that happen just due to the daytime density of population. As to expense, are the systems that cost so much the MOST EXPENSIVE TECHNOLOGY? When I worked at the contractor that processed for the Lotto America here, they monitored a remote computer room using a webcam. Is it possible with the cheapness of webcams, that standard video cameras are not the attractive option for surveillance? Plus, the webcams can be hidden so much more easily. Maybe a standard surveillance camera would be a better deterrrent, but if you want to actually gather evidence, I'd think a webcam would be preferrable. Such as for neighborhood activists who want to convince the city to put in a light, stop sign, or to get squad cars to come around. Jim Mork Cooper Neighborhood Longfellow Community Beautiful, Liveable Minneapolis, My Home Town TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Target says it has 2 offers for its N Mpls store
A sketchy article, but one that leads the front page on Star Tribune Online: startribune.com/stories/535/3917012.html Susan Maricle formerly of Folwell Bruno MN (I think this was my second post; if it was my third, my apologies David) __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Video Surveillance
If surveillance cameras were to show police treating civilians roughly, I'm sure incriminating footage on tape would be promptly erased or disposed of with the the blessings of both our Mayor and City Council. -Peter Schmitz CARAG TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Wi-Fi Laggard
This is the last installment of the NYT article on Wi-Fi activities world wide. Hope it inspires some action in Mpls. The urban solution is far more demanding, said Alan Salisbury, a consultant at Gaia Technologies, a Welsh company that designed the network in East Manchester. We feel it's more suitable for rural areas. Among Gaia's other projects are a network connecting three rural villages in Cumbria, in northwestern England, and a system that offers Internet access and e-mail to 300 schools in Wales. Cisco is supplying equipment to a Wi-Fi project in Somiedo, a Spanish village so isolated that it gets its primary Internet connection via satellite. It is then beamed across the town by Wi-Fi antennas. East Manchester did not face that hurdle. The challenge here was figuring out how to surmount a jagged landscape that mixes two- and three-story brick houses, towering trees and vast empty spaces where 19th-century steel mills and housing once stood. The project's manager, Bob Jonas, mounted a small forest of antennas on top of four apartment towers on each corner of East Manchester. Two of the four receive the Internet through fiber optic wire. From there, a radio signal is beamed to schools and Internet cafes, as well as to other rooftop antennas, which act as distribution points, relaying the signal to individual houses. Though homes do not have to be in direct line of sight of an antenna to receive the signal, an unobstructed path is helpful. It's very difficult to get a strong enough radio signal, said Mr. Jonas, who is trained as a radio engineer. Signing up enough subscribers to make the network sustainable is an even greater challenge. Manchester subsidized the sale of 3,500 computers to residents, the vast majority of whom have never owned one. But the service rollout has not been as rapid as Mr. Jonas would have liked, partly because of technical problems. Though the network has cost $2.4 million - a paltry sum by industry standards - Mr. Jonas knows that the pot of public money in Manchester is not bottomless. What gives him confidence is the palpable social effect the Internet has had on the economically downtrodden people of East Manchester. The chat groups on the EastServe Web site crackle with debates, ranging from whether Britain should adopt the euro to the proposed design of a statue that will stand in front of the new Manchester soccer stadium. Irene Johnson, a lifelong resident, said East Manchester languished through three grim decades after the steel and cotton mills shut down. Everyone I knew signed up for the dole, she said. It was degrading. Now, she said, a sense of community has been reborn. You hear kids in the schoolyard talking about what they saw on the Internet, Mrs. Johnson said. I would never have imagined it. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/technology/31WIFI.html?ex=1055526308ei=1en=b4a3634e7feab2c0 Phyllis Kahn State Rep 59B TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Meetings will decide NRP's and the City's future. Can we afford to not attend?
Michael Atherton responded to: Consider this: Over 200,000 NRP volunteer hours are donated by citizens each year towards bettering Minneapolis. The total number of volunteer hours do not speak to the value or the legality of the outcomes. The point being that the City could never afford to replace those hours and would never be able to draw that amount of volunteerism on it's own. I spoke only of quantity, not quality. In addition, neighborhood groups have leveraged $4 for every $1 of NRP funds spent, generating more than a HALF BILLION DOLLARS in outside investment for development and revitalization entirely within our neighborhoods. Do you have a reference for these statistics? NRP Policy Board Neighborhood Representatives-Focus Minneapolis Working Group, RE: Focus Minneapolis Working Group Report, dated February 24, 2003. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] neighborhood assn ... WHERE'S THE MONEY
Wendy wrote: Doug, I sat on the board, on the exec committee and on the project fund committee at the time the $82,000 was written off. I've spoken to highest officials at NRP and the atty gen's office about it... tried to convince the board to look more closely into what was going on financially... to no avail. You did a good job of trying to spin the numbers, though! ... there really was $8000 spent on the phone bill for one year... Doug writes: Wendy, it reads like you are in a better position than I to know the inside of those audit numbers. So, I stand advised. BTW, I wasn't trying to spin the numbers, I was simply reading the audit as any other. But then, if what you say is correct, my natural curiosity wants to know how a small organization can spend $8k on telephone charges in one year. Doug Walter Nokomis East TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Video Surveillance
At 01:18 PM 6/3/03 -0700, jim_mork_esq wrote: One thing to remember about video surveillance. The police will be aware of those cameras watching and therefore perhaps inhibited in how rough they treat civilians. As in other cases wherein the police are caught misbehaving on video tape, these tapes would simply disappear. We are working on a case of this right now. The man was beaten BECAUSE he was taping the cops. They stole his camcorder and tape. Later they returned the camcorder but not the tape. Some folks saw the unedited tape and it was pretty bad (for the cops). However, when the tape was finally produced for the lawyer before trial, the incriminating scenes had magically been erased. Michelle Gross Bryn Mawr Communities United Against Police Brutality TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Video Surveillance
Michelle Gross: As in other cases wherein the police are caught misbehaving on video tape, these tapes would simply disappear. We are working on a case of this right now. The man was beaten BECAUSE he was taping the cops. They stole his camcorder and tape. Later they returned the camcorder but not the tape. Some folks saw the unedited tape and it was pretty bad (for the cops). However, when the tape was finally produced for the lawyer before trial, the incriminating scenes had magically been erased. There are a number of ways to design a system to prevent this. Although not fool proof (no pun intended), they can make erasure so obvious that it is in itself incriminating. Michael Atherton Prospect Park TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Surveillance cameras, statistics, and neighborhood jealousy
gemgram states that, unfortunately our culture has placed a very high value on theft, and in particular car theft. I think our society has placed a very high value on owning an automobile too. Why? Poor alternate transportation options, sprawl, unavailability of a decent wage job in your neighborhood, economic status, convenience, and the freedom to move about the city, region, state, country, and because they've worked and earned enough to get one and pay for insurance and obey the law. While I admire those with alternative transport methods on their agenda, I don't believe the bike/bus/pool or rail argument will ever stop particular sects of society from owning and desiring an automobile, no matter where they live, and no matter how wrong it is to drive around a gas-guzzling, air polluting, earth destroying automobile. I see people driving vehicles in this city that cost more than my home did. And even though it makes my stomach turn, they bought it and they deserve to have it remain in tact while parked on their own property. And I can personally attest that it's a tremendous pain in the hind-end when your car is stolen/vandalized or burglarized, or even bashed in and set on fire by an insanely celebratory college student. While I certainly don't equate auto theft with any crime that brutalizes a human being (and cats and dogs for that matter), I can't imagine the number of rapes and murders comes close to outnumbering nuisance crimes such as property and auto theft/vandalization. Having a video camera in order to protect your property, or in this case the city's i.e. its citizens, can't be THAT bad if it helps identify someone doing something wrong, can it? It's all got to do with a city or neighborhood's livability. Is it strictly income that allows my friends in Edina and on parts of the southside to be able to STILL leave the back door open, or their garage or car unlocked? If not, what is it? Race? A better lawnmower? Political leanings? Anyone? Jill Harmon CLeveland _ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Surveillance Crime - NRP and Sour Grapes
Jim Graham wrote: Sour grapes: Reading Michael Atherton's response to my posting on that Nokomis article regarding NRP was like drinking a bad year Cabernet. Do I detect a little sour grapes here? Sour grapes from someone who was not able to control the voting of his fellow neighborhood residents? Talk about hyperbole and misleading to motivate people through irrationality and FEAR. Michael's post sure seems to show how to do it. Being one who often finds themselves fighting for minority causes I've come to recognize the standard techniques that opponents often use to invalidate your position without actually addressing your arguments. There are a number of these techniques, I will identify just a few of them. Years ago you could accuse someone of having an agenda. I suspect that this was a negative counter because anyone who has to take the time to think out their motivation and rational must not be acting intuitively. This approach falls back on the religious assumption that faith and trust in God is more reliable than thought and rationality. Later, when it was no longer sufficient to claim the existence of an agenda, it was necessary to accuse someone of having a hidden agenda, far more evil than an agenda alone. You must have thought this all out, but you are keeping your strategy secret. This works well because you can never prove to everyone's satisfaction that you have truly reveled your agenda. If worst comes to worst they can called in a psychologist who can testify that you are not even aware of your own agenda. It is indeed secret even to yourself. It's hard to deny expert testimony (the Soviets often used this technique). There's also the axe to grind technique. If you have an axe to grind then your cause cannot possibly be worthy. This is the antithesis of an agenda because rather than being based on rationality your cause is invalidated because you are acting emotionally. These people need to cover all the bases. The techniques are often used in combination. So they can start out by claiming that you have an agenda, but if you clearly identify your rational, they can then accuse you of having an axe to grind. And then of course there's always, sour grapes. No matter how valid your arguments or righteous your grievances, they can always be invalidated because you happen to be on the losing side. This is a variant of the Fundamental Attribution Error in which you attribute the circumstances of someone's failure to some unrelated personal attribute such as race. These techniques fall under the more general class of ad hominem attacks. They are not hard to identify, just look to see if people provide counter arguments, rather than to simply claim that you have an agenda (secret or not), an axe to grind, or attribute your position to sour grapes. Michael Atherton Prospect Park TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] MINNEAPOLIS: South Side shooting leaves man dead
METRO/REGIONAL BRIEFING: MINNEAPOLIS: South Side shooting leaves man dead One person was killed Tuesday afternoon in a South Minneapolis shooting. The man was found about 1:50 p.m. in the area of East 35th Street and Fifth Avenue South in the Central neighborhood. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The victim's age was not immediately available. No one else was injured in the shooting. Police released few details about the shooting, and there was little information about a possible suspect. That's a tough area, said Minneapolis police spokesman Ron Reier. It has been for years. Jeff Hayden, aide to City Council Member Gary Schiff, said Schiff has been working both in his ward, which borders the Central neighborhood, as well as with Council Member Robert Lilligren's ward to combat violence in their neighborhoods. They plan to hold a summit with local crime prevention workers to develop strategies and fund raisers to curb violence. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/6007003.htm * Man shot dead in Minneapolis Howie Padilla, Star Tribune Published June 4, 2003 Minneapolis police are investigating the shooting death of a man in a South Side neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. Police responding to reports of gunshots about 1:50 p.m. found the victim lying on the street in the 3500 block of 5th Av. S. in the Central neighborhood. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died. His name was not released. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3917117.html Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- ___ Sign-up for your own FREE Personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Target Downtown Surveillance / North Target
Thanks to those who have responded to my original message. As a civil libertarian, I firmly believe that public surveillance has a detrimental effect on society. By treating everyone like suspects rather than citizens, surveillance contributes to an overall atmosphere of distrust. In addition to making us aware of government and corporate authoritarianism, surveillance makes us wary of each other. Everyone has an equal interest in protecting civil liberties, especially since September 11, 2001. Terrorists or criminals may or may not attack, but internal attacks on our privacy justified by security are certain. The other problem factor with the surveillance project is corporate sponsorship. Even if a written agreement specifies that surveillance records be used only for law-enforcement purposes, history reminds us that government selectively honors documents of its own writing (consider the Bill of Rights and numerous Native American treaties). Add a for-profit corporation, especially one with a recent history of manipulating the city into funding its corporate center, and the chances of good faith are considerably diminished. Before voting on the surveillance proposal, Mayor Rybak and the city council should answer several questions. Were citywide media informed of this issue? Was a public hearing held, and if not, why not? Privately-funded surveillance of outdoor public space could very well be legally unprecedented: have constitutional law specialists been consulted? While I encourage the city to reject the surveillance proposal now, at the very least it should be tabled while these questions are answered. It is easier to prevent a corporate police state than it is to dismantle one. For those who are not opposed to the Target surveillance project: would you feel the same way if it were sponsored by Monsanto? And also on the subject of Target. . . National chains contribute to cultural homogenization and the ever-increasing concentration of wealth. Rather than hope for another national chain to occupy the north Target, a group of local investors (preferably from north Minneapolis) should buy the building and develop an independent retail store with community input. Roberta M. Beach Minneapolis Ward 7, Precinct 5 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] Almost Endorsed for school board in 2002
Though Vinny's Education Coalition is not endorsing any candidate in this race, Mr. Mann came the closest and out of the eight people on the ballot, he is the most deserving of your vote on November 5. http://www.twincityschools.com/mann.html Sister sites include Southhighsucks.com -Doug Mann Educationright.tripod.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] More published comments on Northside Targets
Target's decision Despite the tremendous financial assistance Target has received from Minneapolis, its North Side customers, as well as employees, are no longer considered economically viable? Should it continue with its plans to close its West Broadway store, I won't be shopping at any business affiliated with Target Corp. Kayla Weigold, Minneapolis * Posted on Wed, Jun. 04, 2003 MINNEAPOLIS: North Side Target may be pursued by buyers There may be a reprieve for the residents of North Minneapolis who were upset about the loss of jobs and shopping from the scheduled closure of the Target store on West Broadway Avenue. Officials from Target Corp. said in a news release Tuesday afternoon that several prospective buyers have expressed interest in the property at 701 W. Broadway. Target Corp. has received multiple offers, including prospective buyers that would include retail components, the statement said. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/6007008.htm Mark J. Stenglein: Target Corp. wrong to abandon North Side Mark J. Stenglein http://www.startribune.com/stories/562/3914989.html * Customer unfriendly The Broadway Target used to be the only Target where I would shop. However, it has declined drastically. It is the only Target I have seen with empty shelves on a regular basis. A store makes a profit by selling merchandise. If it doesn't have the right merchandise to sell, it won't make a profit. The Broadway store has to be one of the smallest Targets in the system and it's still poorly stocked. If Target Corp. expanded and improved the store, it would make a profit. Rather than closing the store, bring it up to the same grade as the other Targets. Don't blame the failure of a poorly run retail outlet on the neighborhood. No neighborhood is going to support a facility that doesn't and won't fill i ts needs. Anne McCandless, Minneapolis. Posted by Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- ___ Sign-up for your own FREE Personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] NRP Community meetings
I want to make sure that folks are aware of a series of important meetings that are coming up regarding the future of NRP. I am not sure if all this information has made it to the list yet. I hope we get a great turn out. Here is the press release: (meeting dates, times and locations below) = Community meetings will give Minneapolis residents an opportunity to have a say in NRP's future The NRP Policy Board will present several options addressing the NRP's immediate and long-term future during a series of five community meetings beginning Monday, June 9 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. S. The community meetings represent the culmination of more than seven months of work that began with a joint NRP Policy Board/City of Minneapolis staff work group charged with developing options and making recommendations that specifically address long-term funding, governance and staff support for the NRP in the face of mounting city budget constraints. The options and recommendations forwarded by the work group and a proposed change to the City Ordinance that established the NRP will be discussed. Residents will be asked to complete a survey that will help guide the NRP Policy Board, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor R.T. Rybak as they determine where the NRP fits into the Five-Year Financial Direction recently approved by the City Council. The Five-Year Financial Direction identifies sources for funding development activities in the city including the NRP. These are the resources from which NRP funds would be drawn. The NRP was created in 1990 by city officials and community leaders as a response to growing concerns about the declining condition of Minneapolis neighborhoods. The program was originally established as a 20-year, $20 million per year program. Legislative reform of the tax system in 2001 dramatically reduced the funding source that has historically supported the NRP. Minneapolis residents are encouraged to participate in these meetings so their perspective on how the NRP should operate in the future can be submitted to the NRP Policy Board, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Rybak. Individuals will also be able to provide feedback through a web-based survey that will be available on the NRP Web site beginning June 9. The meetings: Monday, June 9 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church 3450 Irving Ave. S. Tuesday, June 10 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Folwell Community Center 1615 Dowling Ave. N. Wednesday, June 11 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Logan Community Center 690 13th Ave. NE Monday, June 16 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Andersen School 2726 12th Ave. S. (use main entrance on Andersen Lane) Tuesday, June 17 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 4000 28th Ave. S. Forwarded Message ends here Cam Gordon Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Ward 2 SD 59 (612) 332-6210, 296-0579, 339-2452 Forwarded Message ends here Cam Gordon Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Ward 2 SD 59 (612) 332-6210, 296-0579, 339-2452 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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] SouthHighSucks.com
www.southhighsucks.com An unofficial student web site owned by a former South High student, Christopher David, who also worked on the official school newspaper at South High. The 4 students who founded the web site were given three day suspensions, and threatened with further disciplinary action if they didn't shut down the web site. Three of the students agree to quit the group that launched the web site. David, a South High Senior was suspended again, then given an administrative transfer for refusing to shut down the site. There was a story about it in City pages, see: http://www.citypages.com/databank/23/1113/article10285.asp The content of South High Sucks reminds me of the underground student newspapers distributed at Park High (South Washington County, MN school district) in the early 1970's. The Park High administration used its network of drug informers to track down, then expel 13 students who published the B.F. Good and Rich (or the other paper, I forgot which one). With the support of many parents nearly the entire student population went on strike demanding reinstatement of the expelled publishers, and won. -Doug Mann, King Field Educationright.tripod.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) 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
