I urge you to support the referendum to levy property taxes to fund NRP
through 2009. Volunteers will be collecting signatures at three 4th of July
Celebrations today: Riverplace; Greenway Parade of Arts; and Powderhorn Park.
More petitions are available in the lobby of 2116 2nd Ave. So. on July 5,6,9,
and 10. Finished petitions need to be dropped at 2116 2nd Ave. So. no later
than noon on July, 11 - not much time.
This Charter Amendment referendum will "�specifically fund development and
implementation of the activities, projects, and programs contained in the
Neighborhood Revitalization Program�". This funding is attached to State
budget and not subject to City Council's redirection.
Like most community activists, I am always interested in hearing plans and
ideas from City Hall. I need more concrete commitment to the NRP than
eleventh hour hand wringing. If our State legislators were able to work
overtime on the omnibus tax bill, our elected City officials should be able
to dedicate some extra time and effort to find funding for an important
program like the NRP.
I believe that the long-term solution to the funding of revitalization
programs, both in the cities and non-metro areas, lies at State capital. The
next City Council will have the opportunity of creating and promoting strong,
unified messages to the next State legislative session. We need to protect
and improve our core city and neighborhoods, and balance urban revitalization
with rural.
This NRP referendum was not concocted overnight. I heard levies, referendum,
and other tactics discussed as early as last February among the neighborhood
organizations. These suggestions were part of a Plan B, an alternate, a
response to the question "What if we lost the TIF support of NRP?"
Budget and priorities will always need to be balanced to help build a strong
and healthy Minneapolis. I am not a fan of property tax levies. I believe the
NRP is smart investment. Bringing communities together is one of the most
important roles of the NRP. By having this discussion about the referendum
and the property tax levy, we have an opportunity to reach out to thousands
more potential Citizen Participants in the NRP processes. This is a chance
to let the neighborhoods decide for themselves if this is a program worth
funding.
Please sign the petition proposing "A Charter Amendment to fund the
Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP)" before the July 11,
2001 deadline. We need to make a strong, unified message of support and let
the communities decide where to spend their property taxes. United we stand.
Happy Independence Day.
Yours,
Robert Lilligren
Candidate for City Council
Ward 8, Phillips West
www.VoteRobert.com
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