For immediate release June 8, 2001 For more information contact Mike Hohmann 612-922-1490 [EMAIL PROTECTED] < www.mikeforlibrary.org > Today, I am pleased to announce to mpls.issues subscribers my candidacy for the Minneapolis Public Library Board of Trustees. I believe that the Library Board is in need of new leadership, policy direction, increased fiscal responsibility and more taxpayer accountability. As a library advocate, I will work for a first-rate library system, a multiple-source funding strategy and preserving the rights of patrons and employees to have a nurturing learning environment and safe workplace. A 22-year resident of southwest Minneapolis, I am running as an independent candidate, bringing business and community experience to the job. Public libraries and literacy are assets to our quality of life and essential if we are to compete in the information economy of the 21st century. The Library Board has an opportunity to provide the citizens of Minneapolis, Twin Cities residents, business and visitors a first-rate library system and improved access to information, technology and community learning. If elected, I will work for greater operational productivity, employee innovation and community learning. The public deserves financial accountability and responsible budgeting for the Minneapolis public library system. As we prepare for our city�s future challenges, there is an urgent need for increased fiscal accountability from the Library Board. The $140 million bond referendum, about $9 to $10 million annually for 30 years, approved by voters last fall for construction of a new downtown library and remodeling and expansion of 14 branch community libraries covers only the capital construction costs. What are the increased operating requirements associated with these new, expanded facilities? There is currently no plan from the Library Board or management that identifies what these increased annual operating costs will be, or from what sources they will be obtained. The annual operating shortfall may amount to an additional $4 to $6 million a year, not including annual inflationary increases. The Library Board should be asking the hard questions concerning both capital and operating budgets, and sources of funding. I will ask the hard questions that currently are not being asked. The Library Board and City Council are now discussing an expanded planetarium, estimated to cost three times what was originally budgeted. To date, there are no additional city, county, state or private funds identified or allocated to cover the incremental construction and operational costs of this proposed expansion. These proposed changes and increased budgets should be subject to review by taxpayers and city leaders in order to determine the full cost of the project to the public. If elected, I will work for a multiple-source funding strategy that fosters sensible public investment yet protects taxpayers from excessive demand for tax dollars. As a business consultant providing market research, financial analyses and business planning services, I know first-hand the value of information, technology and access to learning. I am also familiar with the planning and budgeting process. As a taxpayer, I know first-hand the value of household budgets and living within your means. As a citizen of Minneapolis, I know the value of investing in our community for my family and my children�s children. If elected to the Library Board, I will actively advocate for a first-rate library system that the public can be proud of, believe in and afford. I will pursue public-private partnerships to supplement city tax revenues dedicated to construction and ongoing operational expenditures, increase alliances with the Hennepin County library system to leverage broader public resources, and coordinate library planning and spending with other city planning and spending� with the Board of Estimate and Taxation, the City Council, the Park Board, and the MCDA. The Library Board and management must be more accountable to the local community, including patrons and employees, and provide a nurturing learning environment and a safe workplace. I believe the Library Board failed the public and stumbled in their lack of leadership on the Internet porn issue last year at the downtown library. This failure in leadership resulted in employees filing a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and that action remains unresolved to date. Just as important, there was a failure to do the right thing and respect and protect the rights of the broader community in a timely manner. If elected, I will restore public confidence by introducing the development of a library business model to improve services to the public and engage the community in meaningful dialogue and participation. My experience includes working in the private, public and non-profit sectors. I was elected to the Board of Directors, Twin Cities Free-Net, and I serve on the Small Business Advisory Board, James J. Hill Reference Library in St. Paul. In 1999, I was appointed by the Minneapolis City Council to serve on the City�s Capital Long Range Improvement Committee. I have served in an advisory capacity to Minneapolis Public Schools� Community Education Department since 1992 and I have developed curriculum and taught adult education classes at Southwest Community Education. As an active volunteer with the Linden Hills Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP), I was honored to receive an Outstanding Volunteer Award earlier this year from the City of Minneapolis. While working with NRP, I served as Co-Chair of both the Public Spaces Task Force and the Commercial District Task Force. Results included adding a playground to a local elementary school, streetscape improvements in the commercial district at 43rd and Upton and along 44th Street, adding a community computer lab (in cooperation with Community Education and MPS) at Southwest High School, and helping facilitate public access to public school gymnasiums in several Southwest neighborhoods. For many years I�ve been a member of the Citizens League, where I�ve participated in study committees dealing with issues such as Livable Communities, K-12 Education and Workforce Training. My education includes a BS degree from the University of Minnesota and a MBA degree from the University of St. Thomas. Memberships include the National Association for Business Economics, the Marketing Management Association, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Amnesty International. My community and business experience bring much needed perspective to the Library Board. I hope I can count on your support in the September 11th primary and the November 6th general election for the Minneapolis Public Library Board of Trustees. I will be using the Internet extensively to publicize my candidacy, and will rely on supporters to help me in this regard-- please forward this announcement to friends and associates that live and vote in Minneapolis, this is very important! Get out the vote! Also, check out my web site for regular updates at: < www.mikeforlibrary.org >. Michael Hohmann, 13th Ward ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Produced and paid for by the Hohmann for Library Committee 3722 W. 50th Street, #311, Minneapolis, MN 55410-2016 612-922-1490, Scott McGuire, Treasurer < www.mikeforlibrary.org > [EMAIL PROTECTED] - end - _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
