At 09:31 AM 2/20/02 -0600, Scott McGerik wrote: >I must admit that I am disappointed in the behavior of many of our elected >representatives, at the city, county, and state level. I find this >continued talk of providing funding for a baseball stadium to be irksome >considering that both the city and state are facing a revenue shortfall. I >do not know how the revenue situation is for Hennepin County, but if they >are not facing a revenue shortfall, I believe they ought be looking at how >they can help the various cities within the county by supplying >them with additional revenue. Instead, they are looking at ways to >increase our taxes to pay for non-essential programs! The vote was 5-2 in favor of this boondoggle. The two heros who voted against it were Gail Dorfman (who also participates on this list): 348-7883 and Penny Steele: 348-7887. I would suggest calling both of these commissioners to thank them. Those who voted to push a plan to have a 6% tax on rental cars (what does that have to do with stadiums) and 2% tax on downtown hotels and restaurants are McLaughlin: 348-7884, Stenglein 348-7882, Johnson: 348-7885, Tabornino: 348-7886. Along with expressing frustration here, I would suggest that people so moved give these commissioners a call. I think Peter McLaughlin deserves major criticism here. He has been a constant booster of spending tax money on stadiums -- and this boondoggle has his fingerprints all over it.
RT's office (612-673-2100) also should be called as well as your city council member (673-210$ where $ is your ward number). Council Member Lilligren is to be commended for being skeptical of stadium boondoggles. >Yesterday, my wife called the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling to >request a yard waste voucher. The woman on the other end rather abruptly >told her that they were no longer available and to call NRG for more >information *click*. So, after calling NRG, Inc., she learned that we now >had to pay $9.00/cubic yard to dispose of yard waste. Considering that we >are in a recession and that the government is experiencing a revenue >shortfall, I can understand why they might start charging for services >that were previously paid for by taxes and $9.00/cubic yard is not all >that expensive, at least for me. However, we were irritated by the whole >situation because of the following reasons: > >1) The Division of Solid Waste and Recycling web page at >http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/public-works/solid-waste/yw.html >has not yet been updated to reflect these changes. We usually consult the >City of Minneapolis web site before making our calls so that we can be >aware of pertinent changes. >2) I do not recall receiving a mailing regarding this fee change. The last >mailing I recall receiving was regarding clearing away the snow from >my trash container. >3) The woman who answered the phone at the Division of Solid Waste and >Recycling was rude and abrupt (the man at NRG, Inc. was helpful) >4) The various levels of government are continuing to discuss ways to give >money to billionaire owners and millionaire players while at the same time >cutting basic services to the rest of us! > >I am particularly concerned about this voucher issue because I regularly >discover illegally dumped garbage or refuse in the alley. I do not know if >these additional fees will apply to solid waste disposal, but if they do, >I suspose I can expect an increase of illegally dumped air conditioners, >microwaves, tires, and whatnot in the alley from those attempting to avoid >the disposal fees. I would like to see the city and county to work together more efficiently to provide better services such as these rather than to figure out a way to "finance" big spending sports teams, who might well laugh all the way to the bank and leave the chumps -- er Hennepin County Taxpayers -- holding the bag. Eva Young Central _______________________________________ 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
