[Mpls] Park Bd and UV

[Annie Young]

I had something I could not get out of tonight and missed the first half of the Park Board meeting.  And found out that what I wrote all of you about on the Tiger Woods event was turned around.  Once UV found out we were bringing Tiger in - they piggy backed on us in getting Tiger to give them $50,000 (?) or more to their Foundation and having a big press conference about it. My staff who really works hard at being fair to everyone even sounded somewhat terse about UV riding on our backs on that one.  I don't know all the details but I think that is what Eva and other are referring too.

And my guess is UV would be an example of the Republican Christian Right Coalition at work right here in River City. I could be all wet but it seems they keep their finger on the pulse by attending and participating in a variety of neighborhood activities and then come along and  use and turn everything into something they can take advantage of.  Let us not even talk about the soccer fields and tennis center on the Midtown Greenway at 5th Avenue instead of a beautiful park, amphitheater space by the sculptured wall and signature bridge. I guess it's best to say, don't get me started - I might have to agree with Eva on most of her points on this issue.

Although I don't always agree with Eva and her tactics any more than she does of me and mine - I can at least say I do know and understand what she is talking about on this one.  It might be easier to say that many of us in the 'hood have very little trust in UV and what they proclaim. And most often about what they have done instead of what we all have done to better the neighborhood.  We all are doing a lot of work out here trying to make things better.
Annie Young
citywide Park Commissioner