Steve Brandt wrote: > Victoria Heller responds: Actually I have tried it. I've been waiting > for six months for answers from Ruben Acosta and Cynthia Lee concerning > the Riverside Plaza closing statement. Based on my experience, they just stonewall >inquiries. > This is why I am investigating a taxpayer class action lawsuit - to > compel discovery. > > Brandt here: My experience has been different. Usually I call for > files and I'm sitting down to review them within a few days, or even > within a few hours. At one point, the housing staff was considering > giving me my own desk after I had spent most of a week there for a > story, which ran May 1, 2000, bearing this headline: Units are selling > for much more than originally planned. But is the goal of affordability > being lost in the process?
It's just a supposition, but it seems to me that being a renown and influential reporter for the Tribune might elicit slightly more deferential responses from the MCDA than would the average citizen or the average attorney for that matter. > Ms. Heller seems to be having trouble with getting information that > pertains to her own financial interests. When we're stonewalled, we > sue. The "we" you're referring to is, I assume, the Tribune and that you do not personally pay the attorney's fees. I mention this because others on the list have suggested that suing is a viable grievance procedure when dealing with the MCDA or the NRP. I would argue that it only a reasonable alternative for the average citizen if the law provides for the payment of legal fees if the case is ruled in their favor. Otherwise...you can only sue if you are willing to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to make a point on legal or moral principles. Michael Atherton Prospect Park _______________________________________ 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
