[Mpls] Full time Park Board

[Carol Becker]

I think that an alternative solution to making the Park Board full time would be to substantially reduce its duties or eliminate it completely and have the City oversee the parks   The Park Board was borne out of a desire to create a board that would set different policy from the City Council and we still live with that today.  In many ways, we have two cities with two sets of departments.   We have two sets of police departments.  Two street planning departments.  Two garbage collection departments.  Two information technology departments.  Two benefits offices.  The list goes on.  And this duplication is costly.  And we live with even more subtle consequences like parkways that have fallen apart because the Park Board staff chose to build them to lower standards than other city streets and confusion at crime scenes because you have two sets of police officers reporting up two different chains of command.    Minneapolis loves its parks.  But I think the need for an independent Park Board with a host of duplicative functions is something that bears questioning.    Carol Becker Longfellow   ----- Original Message ----- From: Tracy Nordstrom To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 1:19 PM Subject: [Mpls] re: Let's have some park, school, and library board chatter! Hello Mpls Issues,   I would like to respectfully respond to the question about the infighting and rifts at the Park Board.   I have heard and seen some of what is being referred to.  I think part of the problem is that some of those folks have been there for a looooooong time and think that their seniority somehow dictates that decorum and decency no longer hold sway.  I think differently.  I also think an infusion of new blood (mine!) will be good for what ails the Park Board.    Here's why:   I respect the voices of those who have served the park board for a long time.  I'm sure many of their constituents thank them for their service.  I think, however, there is a new constituency out there who wants to see the Parks and established programs maintained, but who would like to see water quality improved, pedestrian (and cyclist and stoller and doggie) safety increased, and see the Park Board move away from politics of "EITHER - OR" and begin to adopt a policy of "AND."    Example One:  There is this notion out there that if one is for increased or enhanced green space (ie fewer chemicals in use, sustainable forestry methods, invasive species removal, shoreline preservation) that one is somehow against children (and playgrounds, t-fall fields, sliding hills, and the community that surrounds such activities/amenities).  Absurd.  Also:  the notion exists that if one is in support of, say, off-leash dog sites that one is against children.  Doubly absurd.    This notion that the parks' primary participants are families with children only partly reflects our city's citizenry.  Some of the current park commissioners will fight (as I understand it) tooth and nail to make sure that t-ball fields and basketball courts remain and are added wherever empty space exists.  I support organized athletics-- I played t-ball, softball, football, broomball, and ice-hockey growing up and coached high school girls' fast pitch softball.  But kids in the age group of 8 to 13 are not our only, nor main, group of folks in need of park space and programs.  What about seniors?  What about new immigrants?  What about singles?  Dog owners?  Disabled folks?  Teenagers?  Families without children, or who have children who do not participate in organized athletics?   What I'm saying is that we need to look at our citizenry as a WHOLE, and be INCLUSIVE whenever possible.  As elected park officials, it is their (my) obligation to represent EVERYONE.  The current Park Board seems to turn a deaf ear to many who are actively and vocally calling for new amenities, new policies, new practices, a new philosophy.   It will be an uphill battle, and sometimes it's easier to pick and fight than it is to make hard decisions and work for those who elected you.  If I make it to the Park Board, it will be my honor to think OUTSIDE OF THE CURRENT BOX and work to make sure many voices are heard, not just the bickering inside the Park Board.   Tracy Nordstrom Candidate for Park Commissioner, District 6 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ECCO - Ward 10    ---------------------------------------- Tracy Nordstrom for Parks! [EMAIL PROTECTED] 612.386.6257