To clarify what I wrote, and what Wizard Marks wrote:
I quoted Roxana Orrell here in my initial post on this topic:
http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2001-April/002034.html
>[Sabri] also offered me [Orrell] some special help. He asked me if I'd be
>willing to run for City Council against the "useless" Brian Herron, with him
>setting up the campaign, etc.
EY:
This is very interesting that Sabri was encouraging people to run against
Council Member Herron. Sabri is now fundraising for Brian Herron's 2001
campaign, and he has donated to a number of other City Council campaigns.
Wizard Marks responded:
http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2001-April/002035.html
But is it true? Roxanne has been known to play fast and loose with the truth.
Jordan Kushner:
http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2001-April/002036.html
It's not clear from the messages who this quote comes from. Is it you,
Wizard? or someone else?
EY Comment: Good question: In Wizard's post on this topic, it looked like
this quote came from me, but it came from Wizard. I agree, that was
confusing.
Jordan Kushner:
http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2001-April/002036.html
In any event, i have a big problem with such a defamatory statement being
posted on the list. First, I have known and worked with Roxanne for a
couple of years (in contexts outside of the ultra-dysfunctional CNIA), and
have no question that she is a truthful person. Second, i thought there was
a rule on this list against personal attacks.
EY Comment: I didn't make a personal attack. I just quoted a part of
Roxana's post to CNIA-Chat that seemed VERY interesting--that Sabri had
encouraged Roxana to run against Brian Herron, and offered to help with her
campaign. I would like to hear Sabri's response to that. I also don't
like to hear someone saying "so and so plays fast and lose with the truth"
without evidence.
Sabri writes:
>As I said previously, my properties and actions speak for themselves.
I'd be interested in hearing your side of this story regarding encouraging
Roxana Orrell to run against Brian Herron. This story came from Roxana
Orrell, who Jordan Kushner claimed has a good record for telling the truth.
Also, last month an item that made some claims about how Corrine Zala was
misusing a grant from CNIA was posted on this list by the list manager, on
Basim Sabri's behalf. Corrine Zala has responded on cnia-chat:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cnia-chat/message/323
<<FYI responding to recent posts by several list members
regarding my property at 3045 2nd Ave South:
There has been a great deal of speculation about the property that I
own located at 3045 2nd Avenue South. For the record, it is zoned R2B.
This zoning designation allows for up to two residential units as well as
some commercial usage limited by the language in the new city zoning
code. There are more than one other inhabited houses on the block.
There are in fact, six more. One is rental and the other five are owner
occupied. There is a vacant lot next to my house, which I own. There
is a vacant lot next to Brad and Bryans house which is owned by them and
the back third, of the lot is owned by Tahira and her family. There
are two other vacant buildings. One fourplex on third and the Lors' house,
where they lived until it was purchased by Mr. Sabri. He also purchased
the other seven vacant lots (two had houses which have now been torn
down) from Fitgeralds with the promise of holding the property for the
Artist Housing project. He has not pursued this usage and instead is
proposing to build a motel and remove other existing houses on the
block.
My house was condemned when I bought it, in October of 1997 from Joe
Harrison, who bought it from the Hennepin County tax forfeited land
auction in November of 1996. The house had been vacant for at least
seven years prior to Joe Harrison's purchase. The house was built by
the Shugane Brothers in 1888. Though well worth saving, the house needed
an amazing amount of work when I bought it. I have done work on the house
myself as much as is allowed by inspections, and have hired licensed
contractors for plumbing, heating, electrical, etc. Since I purchased
the house, I have spent hundreds of hours and over $60,000 of my own
money, plus a $10,000 CNIA grant, in improving the property. Last
summer $7,000 was spent on exterior prep. and painting. I have consistently
spent many hours maintaining the yard and surrounding area, mowing,
shoveling, picking up trash, etc. I have adhered to all requirements
regarding permits. I have never missed a deadline in reporting my
progress to the city inspections department and the taxes and
insurance are current. When my house is completed I will move my real estate
business to the site. I am also building in one residential unit.
I am not in favor of zoning changes on the Baker block, I am opposed
to a motel/hotel on the Baker block and I am not in favor of individuals
in the community speculating with my property as if it were a chess
piece, placed on a game board for their amusement. When I began work on this
property, I did so with neighborhood support. I intend to continue the
exterior work at 3045 2nd, as soon as the weather will allow. If
anyone has any other questions about what is happening at my property please
feel free to contact me at my office 612-871-4809 or email me
[EMAIL PROTECTED] I would be happy to give you relevant, accurate
information.
Corrine E. Zala>>
Sabri's claims (from:
http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2001-March/001502.html)
<<Today, while driving by the Healy block, I noticed several pieces of lumber
and junk in front of one of the resident's house who is complaining a lot
about me. On the next block over, I was struck again by Zala's house which
has been boarded for several years. Yes, I am concerned about the area and
my 2nd Ave. property. I am not sure if Zala will ever finish her house,
though she recently received an additional $10,000 to fix her property. To
this date, it is still not rehabbed.
The reason I am interested in purchasing Zala's house is not for the
development fulfillment, but rather to improve the aesthetics of that block
since it is adjacent to my property. I feel that I have something to say
about it, because it and the Coral house were purchased from the MCDA and
have received (and are still receiving) public money, contrary to my
property which is all private money. I urge Zala to negotiate with me so
that I could consider a space for her business within my development.
Frankly, I like Corrin, but she reminds me of my oldest brother who has a
hard time finishing projects.>>
EY Comment:
I think it's pretty clear that Corrine Zala opposed this Motel scheme, and
favors the artist housing idea.
Regarding this part of Sabri's post: "contrary to my property which is all
private money."
This is interesting.... during the presentation of the Motel Central
scheme at the CNIA Business Development committee, Sabri and Kennedy were
talking about getting empowerment zone money to help with this project.
Isn't that public money?
Regarding cnia-chat, I've received a number of private emails thanking me
for starting the chat list. It DOES get heated over there, but rumors also
quickly get disputed if they are just rumors.
Eva Young
Central
_______________________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
