In a message dated 10/20/2000 5:28:31 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes regarding elimination of the MPRB: << Your posting on the Park Board sounds almost exactly like the argument Steve Minn used several years ago. For that he was pilloried by almost everyone in sight. Perhaps enough time has passed to again think about it. He also had the idea of putting the land into trust so that no future Councils could just sell it to generate more in the general fund. >> Sometimes these previous ideas need to be taken off the shelf and re-examined in light of current circumstances. People come and go; and, many more people and neighborhood groups have experienced frustration trying to work with the Park Board since Steve Minn suggested the idea of eliminating them (MPRB) several years ago. Given the budgetary pressures faced by the City, and the MPRBs duplication of so many services that are also performed by Public Works and the Police Department, it only seems prudent to re-examine the issue and consider it as a realistic option. Park lands can be protected and maintained, and youth sports can continue without the MPRB. The Library Board is another highly unaccountable and arguably unneeded unit of local government. I'm sure the libraries could continue to operate very well without the Library Board. A small Department within City Hall could provide management and oversight at least consistent with that currently provided, and at less cost. If the City Council isn't interested in objectively evaluating the worth of both the Library Board and the Park Board-- determining the cost savings associated with consolidating their functions within City Hall, maybe the issue should be addresses by voters directly. The Park Board and Library Board-- Who needs 'em? M. Hohmann 13th Ward
