When Rybak ran for Mayor, many of us in the neighborhood ponied up our volunteer time, our checks and our votes on his promise there would be a place at the table for neighborhood folks.
Those selected for the affordable housing task force may be fine advocates for affordable housing, however any objective observer would note the dominance of people who make their money on this issue, either on the government payroll or from their nonprofits through government grants.
As a Whittier resident, block leader for many years, business owner and private landlord I looked hard for anyone who shares any of my hats. I found none.
While there is much chatter about participatory development planning ("bottom up") someone should reflect that we live in the neighborhoods (Whittier, Stevens Square & Phillips) that have done far more than their share to house the poor and those with special needs. There are 57 supportive housing projects and more than 320 social service agencies housed in our neighborhoods according Southside Pride. More than 50 Minneapolis neighborhoods (Seward, for example) have one or none.
Yet we are targeted continuously to take more by some members of this task force, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and more like a piece of someone's P&L than a neighborhood.
If there is room at the table for a resident of Orono, is there no room for a resident of Whittier?
John Cevette
Whittier
Pillsbury Avenue Block Leader
