I hate to do this but I feel I must. In my post about Whittier redirecting their funds I explicitly stated that I did not want to suggest there was anything untoward going on.
Twice I said that. I was trying to understand. I appreciate the feedback of Dewayne and Wizard. I feel a little different about that of Barb. I feel as though I have been rebuked for having the temerity to ask questions This is especially troubling in that the rebuke comes from a person who is an employee of the agency which has oversight of the issues I questioned. Now there is the possibility I am just too sensitive. That I am overreacting. Others must be the judge of that. I want to explain one of the reasons I try to look closely at these issues. First, I wish I could look even closer. One day I was reading the Strib, maybe two years ago, and the reporter was writing about some development deal the city was involved in. As those reporters do, they ask questions. In this case it was one of Steve Cramer. The question which I don't remember exactly asked about the finances or the construction of a project the MCDA was involved in. Steve's answer, and this may not be the exact wording was "well, you don't expect me(us) to know where every penny goes". I almost fell off my chair. I thought it was a very telling statement. Now Steve may have meant "He personally" did not know where every cent was. That may be understandable. I had the impression he was talking institutionally though and that's a bit more troubling. Unfortunately the reporter did not elucidate. The point is that when I go to Walgreens to buy gum or life savers and I only have one dollar bills I better be ready to fork over two ones when my total purchase is $1.01. That's what corporate business is all about. There's another story about J.D.Rockefeller. He once looked closely at how his company manufactured barrels. By putting two fewer welds on the barrel that would not compromise its integrity, he was able to save(earn) $1 million per year. You can bet that process started with a question. "Why" or "I wonder if...?". Those pennies add up and it's my experience that those who are loose with a penny are lose with a dime. I ask questions. It's what I do. I also hope I provoke others to ask questions. I am not asking questions to uncover subversion though there may be plots and corruption afoot. I'm mostly interested in sloppiness, incompetence and poor planning. Tim Connolly Ward 7 http://yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
