I just returned from my neighborhood board meeting (East Harriet Farmstead), and the Wirth House became a hot issue.
When a representative from the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society came, requesting a letter for board support in creating a museum in the Theodore Wirth House, which would co-exist with the current tenant, discussion ensued. I, not knowing all the other people in attendance, simply said that as a neighborhood resident (not a board member), I would caution against any wording that seemed supportive of the current tenant renewing their lease, because of contention around this issue. The current tenant is the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and it was my understanding that they pay what many feel is below market rate for the space ($750, utilities included). Oops, the executive director of MRPA, was there and he was not happy at all with what I brought up. He was extremely defensive and got up to speak for his organization. He said he is tired of hearing that they pay below market value, that they pay $750 plus other in-kind benefits, and he went on to talk about other reasons why this space had limitations that other office spaces wouldn't have, and that the park board had courted them as a tenant because it seemed like a fit and they wouldn't change the structure of the house... The question I am left with is this business of other benefits to the park board/staff. Inform me, please, but are public employees allowed to accept in-kind benefits? Can elected officials accept them? Are these gifts on the books for taxpayers to learn about? I truly don't know. There's more, but I'll leave it at that. Anyone? Beth Popalisky East Harriet Farmstead _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.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
