On May 21, 2002 at 12:59PM Eva Young writes: "This is one project that many in the Central Neighborhood do not want."
BD: Proof? Other than Eva and one or two other individuals complaining about Urban Ventures religious-based programs, I have yet to see criticism of Urban Ventures on either the Minneapolis or Minnesota discussion group lists. "Instead, what would be good is to portray the neighborhood as a place where suburbanites who are sick of long commutes into the city, might want to move to, rather than a place to give money to Urban Ventures to assuage their white guilt." BD: Since you have injected race into this discussion, many African Americans in this community could say that Central is ripe for gentrification and guess how many affordable units will remain in this neighborhood? "Please help the people who live in Central, and call Ventura's office (651-266-3391) and tell him to Veto the Colin Powell Youth Center." BD: Please help the people who live in Central, and call Ventura's office (651.266.3391) and tell him to KEEP the bonding for the Colin Powell Youth Center. "Lou also mentioned as fact that Urban Ventures has an openly gay board member, and an openly gay employee. Those people ought to be out at the legislature testifying on the bills behalf. If that's the case, then why did UV refuse to return calls from Lavender asking them to comment?" BD: Finally we get to the nitty-gritty! Eva, you need to be explicit. If you are saying Urban Ventures is an anti-gay organization, you need to cite concrete examples of organizational anti-gay behavior. It would be helpful if you not include alleged utterances or flyers distributed by volunteers not on the Urban Ventures payroll. "Recall that Basim Sabri has been one of the funders of Urban Ventures." BD:Basim Sabri funds a number of entities on Lake Street and in the Central area and is innocent until convicted. On May 21, 2002 at 3:12PM, Wizard Marks wrote: "In looking at the stink Eva Young has created about this center, it's based entirely in a church magazine or newsletter alledgedly sent to one gay mann in the neighborhood some ten years ago. I lived here then, (I've lived here most of the last 30 years) two blocks away from the recipient, and got no magazine. Why should African American kids, who do need strength to thrive in any environment, have to pay for this alleged church magazine? Erickson, whom I do not particularly like, is the Director of UV, he won't be doing any athletics with these kids. I get a clear picture that Eva has a personal problem with religion--and it's strictly a personal problem. As a person who chose to live here and continues to make that choice, I don't think this particular center is going to scar the neighborhood for life. As an aside, it was also African Americans who wanted a hotel. African Americans, who are not the majority, but do hold the plurality in Central, probably should have some say in this. Us mixed Caucasians only comprise some 25% of the neighborhood. For some Central residents diversity is fine so long as the Caucasians control what happens. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt; sucks big time." BD: This pretty much sums it up for me folks. However, I do like Art Erickson. Bill Dooley Minneapolis Kenny _______________________________________ 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
