Remember: our rules allow pointed disagreement, but require respectful discussion.
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I attended the forum on 9-20 for the candidates for mayor. I would like to
say that I'm glad that they are both DFL. I do however think that our mayor
should represent all people. The focus of the forum was lake street, it was
sponsored by the Rotary Club and Lake Street Council.
I'm a little disturbed that RT said that he was already meeting with
potential council members. It seems that this is limited to only a few and
not all of the candidates. Running the city is indeed like running a business
and the most important element of business is to have a plan. But in business
you must also utilize your assets appropriately. Does he conceder his
selected few council candidates as already being in office? He spoke of a 90
day plan that is being worked on, but did not disclose the content of that
plan.
Shocking to me is his belief that the real-estate stock of the city of
Minneapolis should be released to the public sector. Is this a form of
helping those that have, over those that have not? Who will benefit from this
the most? History will tell us that if this happens the powerful become more
powerful, and the rich, richer. This to me is not what the homeless, and
working class of citizens of Minneapolis need to gain affordable housing. The
crisis that we currently have is because of supply and demand. When our
housing stock is open to the private sector those that have will buy up the
property and have full control of it. True, to a certain point this does need
to happen, but we also need a controlled method to create housing for the
improvised and working class. This can only be accomplished if nonprofit
organizations that service these needy citizens have control over some of the
housing stock. The idea of opening up the cities housing stock to the private
sector is no different to me then large subsidies for corporations.
Lets look at what could happen. The housing stock is open to the private
sector, zoning and other laws are changed, Inspections rules are eased, and
NRP has full funding. The rich will be able to buy apartment buildings,
houses and vacant lots. This will not take long. Once they own these
properties they may then go to the NRP neighborhood group and receive NRP
funds to rehab these properties. The result will be unbelievable rent rates
and sky is the limit purchase pricing of homes. A single citizen will have to
be an executive to afford a one bedroom apartment. This will be a better
investment for the rich then bonds or the stock market. Even if they run out
of cash buying property, their friends from around the country will be
knocking down their doors to get a piece of the pie. Good-by poor, good-by
working class, good-by homeless. Hello upper middle class, and upper class.
The city is yours.
Next was talk about the Sears building. Seems the new city council and the
new Mayor have plans for this too. RT says that the community has told him
that this location is not good for retail, they think that it is better to
create jobs and training at this location. Okkkay. Who did he talk to about
this site? I have been involved in the empowerment Zone and the Sears project
for over three years. No one talked to me or my neighbors. Why is it a bad
site to create retail there and help the small businesses sector of
Minneapolis? Only big businesses could possibly offer a large amount of jobs
at this location. They most certainly benefit from the vast work force that
live in the area. What a break for these people, they can make the rich,
richer.
I'm sure there is a good reason that we cannot help small businesses at this
location and have them hire the community to work for them.
Before any one says but why hasn't anything been done there, let me tell you
why. First, the developer went to Sears in Chicago and cut a deal with them
without the cities blessing and no input from the community. Then there was
an attempt to milk the city and state for funds. There are a lot of good
people that have fought the long fight for this location. I personally do not
blame the city for delay of development of this location. Now the city will
soon gain control for the first time. For those of you that do not know, this
is the signal largest empowerment zone project in the country. I have had
discussions with MCDA about a 90 day community input planning cycle. Little
did we know that the new city council and the new mayor would handle this for
the community. RT says that he is sick of having plans come to the community
to make a bad idea better. But is this not the same procedure.
All in all, I'm very happy that I attended the forum last night. A lot of
things became clear to me. I for one will not be tricked. I will not dream of
unfeasible ventures to save NRP. I will not accommodate those that say wrong
has been done, then do the same themselves. I do not want to make the rich,
richer. And I will fight the self proclaimed new city council and mayor,
before they make the poor, poorer.
Yes, the new city council is planning. They are bright and know what they
want to do. But do we still not have an election day? Don't the people have
opportunity to speak?
Zachary Metoyer
8th Ward Write-in Candidate
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