When I read about Dairy Queen being awarded a contract to run the refreshment stands at Lakes Harriet and Calhoun I shared the writer's consternation.
One more quaint amenity that differentiated our town from all the others across America. This is part and parcel of corporate dominance in our society that leaves every town looking like the other save for its geographic characteristics. Put a USA TODAY newsrack right outside. What drives this decision? Are we losing money? Is the MPRB so hard up for money? Is this some frustrated entrepreneurial urge of Walt Dziedzic? What role do ECCO, Linden Hills, and East Harriet neighborhoods play in this decision? I have many pleasant memories of the lakes. They were like a private playground when i was growing up. And some not so pleasant. I was 12 when I saw my first dead body lying blue and lifeless on the ground before lifeguards pushed us away and the firetrucks arrived. It was the coroner's attendant placing his foot on the bag and pulling the strap tight for easy lifting that sticks in my mind the most. I must have purchased hundreds of boxes of popcorn and thousands of slightly cold Coca-Colas in red cups at Lake Calhoun. The big treat though was finishing dinner in the summertime to the suggestion from Mom or Dad that we have taffy for dessert. It had to be planned by them but they always made it seem like it was a spontaneous thought. We would go around the table and each person voiced their preference for flavor. When the choices were tallied, we decided who would drive. I was too young to drive but I always said "Can I come?" It seemed like half my childhood I was saying "Can I come?" The plight of being the youngest child of five. Lake Harriet was beautiful on summer nights, the soft yellow glow of the refreshment stand, the sky turning pink, sailboats gently bobbing on the glassy surface of the lake. It was only the dawn of the jet age and air travel was still something of which only the wealth and some businessmen partook. Planes were named not numbered: Stratocruisers and Electras. They had props. There were not the numbers of people there are now. Fewer wheeled conveyances and fewer types. Everyone fit on one sidewalk. Lines for refreshments were shorter. No stressed out arbitrageurs with cellphones to their ears, ignoring their children. Everyone was moving out of the city, raising kids in Edina and St.Louis Park and way away in Bloomington? Eden Prairie was still all farms. We were the lucky ones whose parents stayed put in the city. Singles? What singles? There was no single subculture. We didn't name generations with initials yet. We were all baby boomers or adults. These were special times for me and I would wish they could be for other children. It will never be what it was like but must it be like every other place in America except for the lake. Does it have to be Dairy Queen? Was this put out for bid? Who was sent RFP's? What about signage? What's next? Jamba Java over where the Creek flows out of the lake? Why doesn't the Park Board run it. Efficiently. Stop laughing! I understand the impulse to outsource functions but I think this is a bad idea. That and $1.85 will get you a single latte. Tim Connolly Ward 7 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - Send FREE e-cards for every occasion! 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
