I would like to thank Annie for summarizing in her recent posts the essence of the most fundamental issues to government management.
When trying to point out issues the Park Board is facing she said that the biggest issue is money. How much there is and what it can be spent on. That issue appears to be very frustrating to Annie. It doesn't get more basic then that. I think Annie summed up the solution however when she raised the question of how do we "operate and maintain what we have and yet meet the wants and needs of our diverse community?" I think the question is also the guide to the answer. The first thing the Park Board needs to do, and I would argue the same for our city government, is to "operate and maintain what we have." The problem is that whenever new people are elected they have a vision thing. It's why we elect new people. I'm okay with the visions thing. Annie asks for example how do we meet the needs and wants of our community? She believes for instance that we need to pay more attention to the sports of our immigrant groups and new "fangled" sports. That appears to be part of her vision. Thats fine. Lets look into meeting those "wants and needs". But first look at your checkbook. Prepare a realistic budget for what you currently have. Not only running the programs, but maintaining the infrastructure behind the programs. If there is extra money then look at doing some new programs or building new facilties. If there is no extra money you don't have to sit on your hands and do nothing. Review your existing operations and if there is a new program more valuable then one of the older established programs, cut the old and bring on the new (fangled or otherwise). Are you going to be able to be all things to all people? Are you going to be able to provide all the up to date new "fangled" activities? Are you going to be able to reponsd to each new activist group promoting thier interests, whether immigrant or homegrown? No. Get used to it. It's how life works. Annie expressed frustration in one of her first posts based on her irritation that she was not in the majority. I want to thank her for being open enough to share that frustration. Better people than I have pointed out that Democracy has many flaws as a form of government, but it is still the greatest form of government we have seen. It's imperfections are probably more clearly seen however if, as Annie has noted, you are not in the majority. Here comes the true beauty of Democracy. If the group of four in the minority of the Park Board has a vision thing that is held up by the current majority, they need to do more then complain about not being in the majority. They need to find their issues, figure out how they would run the budget, and sell their vision to the public. One more vote and they control the visions. When you get there Annie just don't forget to take care of the facilities, the programs and the visible manifestations of those visionaries that came before you. Bob Gustafson MMM 13th Ward Parent of two Lynnhurst Park kids Graduate of many Armatage Park programs (from more years ago than I like to dwell upon) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! 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
