> Bill Dooley wrote: > I wish folks would lighten up on Urban Ventures, > Central Community Church > and Park Avenue Methodist as anti-gay or insensitive > institutions. Many of > the allegations posted on this list regarding > anti-gay church activities > concern incidents from the early 1990s. David Piehl writes: Indeed, the worst infractions that I am aware of involving Park Avenue Methodist (I am a Methodist myself) do date from the early 1990's - when Art Erickson (current director of Urban Ventures) was still a leader there. Since Art's firing, I agree that Park Avenue Methodist has become a better neighbor Bill Dooley wrote: > Insofar as allegations > regarding insensitive remarks or relations with > Muslims and Jews, I believe > complainants should bring these complaints to the > leaders of Urban Ventures > and the various churches and I am sure they will > work very hard to resolve > them. David Piehl writes: Oh if only it were so! When Jane Straus called Art Erickson to register her indignation regarding the fact that Urban Ventures was preaching Jesus and feeding ham and cheese to her observant Jewish children, Art hung up!! That is not a very cooperative attitude. Eva Young wrote: > As far as Urban Ventures goes, the folks who are the zealots are the president of the organization, Art Erickson, and the Executive Director, Ralph Bruins. David Piehl writes: BINGO! Regardless of the potentially good intentions of many others involved, the people with the control are destroying the potential of the organization with their own arrogant, imperialistic opinions. I believe Urban Ventures could potentially be a valuable partner in the neighborhood, but not in their current form and attitude. Eva Young wrote: Ralph and Art from Urban Ventures worked with Basim Sabri to try to push the Motel Central project. That was the project, Basim was charged with attempting to bribe CM Herron on. snip Art Erickson is currently the vice-president -- and acting president of CNIA. I keep wonder if CNIA is now just the political/lobbying arm of Urban Ventures. Mr. Lundquist, the program director of Urban Ventures told me the Urban Ventures staff opposed the position both Ralph Bruins and Art Erickson took in promoting the Motel project on 2nd and Lake. David Piehl writes: Isn't it amusing how Urban Ventures is now trying to distance themselves from their dealings with Basim Sabri? The "fact" that UV staff opposed Art & Ralph's positions on the matter indicate the total control those two have in the organization. Some neighbors once went to a Urban Ventures board meeting when they were rebuffed by Art & Ralph, and most of the board doesn't seem to have a clue what the staff is actually involved in. Interesting! David Piehl Central __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://taxes.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
