Pam Blixt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Remember: our rules allow pointed disagreement, but require respectful discussion.
--
I won't defend MNDot on this project because I totally agree with David
Brauer's assessment on this matter but Ken Bradley made a number of
mistatements which need clarification from someone who has been there, heard
all the testimony, and talked with all the officials for many, many years.
He wrote:
>"Dozens of politicians and MN DOT bureaucrats stated publicly that the
re-route would not damage the spring.">
Pam: Public officials based any support they gave due to assurances from
MNDoT that the project would not harm the spring or the creek.Ken: Why would my statement be misstatement? You just stated that MN DoT gave asssurances that the project would not harm the spring or creek. The project will harm the spring, correct? When, I personally questioned public officials to MNDoT's claims they made statements something to this effect "MNDoT experts says the will not damage the spring!" I would consider that by a politician that the spring will not be damaged!
>"Although several hydro-geologist testified to the projects eventual damage
on the spring, expert testimony was ignored by politicians and MN DOT.">
Pam: In my many public hearings on this topic, I only heard from Craig
Larson, who did not independently investigate or offer a professional
judgement with his license on the line. He did offer an opinion, as did
many others. The watershed did hire Kelton Barr, who began investigating the
intersection project about a year ago (shortly after a boundary change
placed it under our jurisdiction), well over a year after the 46th Street -
54th Street section was under way.Ken: Once again, you just stated that Hydro-geologist Craig Larson offered an opinion. Now was his opinion in support of the project of did he believe the reroute would damage the spring? We both no the answer!
>"The force of money made most politicians blind to protecting the
environment. This project will reach costs of over a billion dollars by the
time of completion. The construction companies and developers made sure to
reward politicians with campaign contributions for their efforts to help
sell this damaging project to the community.">
Pam: While this project certainly will be expensive, I don't think it will
end up in the billion dollar range. I would like to see the documentation
of the rewards you mention. Since there are only two construction
companies, McCrossan and Ames, they should be easy to track.Ken: I will be willing to back up this statement with a wager! If you add the state, federal, county, city tax dollar contibutions the total will be over a billion dollars. The cost of light rail, the road, acquiring property for the road, light rail and redevelopment of the corridor. The use of TIF dollars in the corridor for redevelopment. The use cost of police, and court costs, plus pr spin, the projects cost will hit a billion dollars. How about a friendly dinner wager! Five years from now lets sitting down for a bite and discuss the cost. I forgot, what about the Minnehaha Watershed District cost to fighting the distuction of the spring. Could you pass along those numbers to the list!
Ken BradleyCorcoran Neighborhood
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