Re: [Mpls] Ostrow will be council president

[Fredric H. Markus]

There does seem to be a whiff of extortion in the air. It was one thing to contemplate a city council with Ms. Cherryhomes still at hand. We’ve had to shift political gears what with the startling outcomes in Wards Five and Six. Having my Tenth Ward CM-elect fill his predecessor’s seat as chair of Z&P sounds like a plan whoever gets the top spot. I’ve had good conversations with Dan in recent months and I know he will be open to R.T.’s process reforms when they emerge. Dan’s done extensive work in the Planning Department and in the wonderful world of NRP. He’ll do just fine.     I have to agree with Keith Reitman, though. Dan Niziolek ought to be tapped for Z&P on his merits, not his signature. What further demands will there be, now that “sign and deliver” is established? How long before the next irresistible urge to require conformity? Beyond compulsory carrots, what about sticks? How long before the tempting concept of punishment takes on solidity? We will all be losers in such a future.   This is much more subtle than taunts about “losers”. If Seventh Ward CM Goodman becomes fast friends with MCDA, we’ll be fighting the affordable housing battle with the same cast of characters who seriously missed the development boat these past several years. I would frankly prefer to see more advocacy and less shoulder braid in the leadership, especially after the Cherryhome years. Whatever her personal advancements in the short run, there will be plenty of losers in CM Goodman’s precincts if MCDA is permitted to live on at 50% and up.   Not making any friends here but I wouldn’t be so hard-edged if there weren’t the familiar signs of “the fix is in”.   Fred Markus Horn Terrace Ward Ten